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5

Test No.1

Purpose:

 To test check valve No. 2 for tightness against reverse 

flow. 

Requirements:

 Valve must be tight against reverse flow under 

all pressure differentials. Slowly open the ‘high’ valve A and the 

‘vent’ valve C, and keep the ‘low’ valve B closed. Open test 

cock No. 4. Indicated pressure differential is expected to de-

crease lightly. If pressure differential continues to decrease (until 

the vent opens) check valve No. 2 is reported as ‘leaking.’

Test No. 2

Purpose:

 To test shutoff No. 2 for tightness.

Requirements:

 After passing test No. 1, continue to Test No. 2 

by closing test cock No. 2. The indicated pressure differential is 

expected to decrease slightly. If pressure differential continues  

to decrease (approach 0 (zero)), shutoff No. 2 is reported to  

be ‘leaking.’

Test No. 3

Purpose:

 To test check Valve No. 1 for tightness.

Requirements:

 Valve must be tight against the reverse flow under 

all pressure differentials. Close ‘high’ valve A and open test cock 

No. 2. Close test cock No. 4. Disconnect the vent hose at test 

cock No. 4. Open valves B and C, bleeding to atmosphere. 

Then closing valve B restores the system to a normal static 

condition. Observe the pressure differential gauge. If there is a 

decrease in the indicated value, check valve No. 1 is reported as 

‘leaking.’

Test No. 4

Purpose:

 To test operation of pressure differential relief valve.

Requirements:

 The pressure differential relief valve must operate 

to maintain the ‘zone’ between the two check valves at least 2 psi 

less than the supply pressure. Close ‘vent’ valve C. Open ‘high’ 

valve A. Open the ‘low’ valve B very slowly until the differential 

gauge needle starts to drop. Hold the valve at this position and 

observe the gauge reading when the first discharge is noted from 

the relief valve. Record this as the opening differential pressure of 

the relief valve.

Testing Reduced Pressure Zone Assemblies

Ball Type Test Valves

A

C


Needle
Valve

High Hose

(Yellow)

Low Hose

(White or Red)

Vent Hose 

(Blue)

 

Test Cock  Test Cock  Test Cock  Test Cock

 

No. 1 

No. 2 

No. 3 

No. 4

Servicing the Relief Valve

WARNING

!

 

Before servicing the relief valve, shut down the water system 

by closing both the inlet and outlet shutoff valves and relieving 

pressure within the assembly by opening the test cocks No. 2, 

No. 3, and No. 4.
DO NOT REMOVE SPIDER BUSHING FOR SERVICING

1. Disconnect the hose from the bottom cover plate to the  

relief valve.

2. An O-ring seals the relief valve body to the main housing. 

Avoid tightening the connection beyond firm hand tightening. 

Loosen the relief valve by hand to remove it, then unscrew the 

relief valve from the housing.

3. Remove the cover plate of the relief valve by detaching the 

four connecting screws.

4. Remove the rubber diaphragm from the relief valve. Notice 

how the diaphragm is configured to reinstall it in the same 

manner. The hard rubber tab in the diaphragm fits into a similar 

socket in the head of the piston. (See Figure A.)

Figure A

Figure B

5. Hold the relief valve in both hands with the threaded end 

up and both thumbs on the head of the piston. Push up on 

the piston until the piston shaft with the attached E-clip is 

exposed. Remove the E-clip. (See Figure B.)

6. Remove the piston and spring from the relief valve housing and 

thoroughly clean all parts including the diaphragm. Inspect all 

rubber parts and replace any that are damaged.

7. Reverse the order of these steps to reassemble the parts  

and housing.

 

NOTICE

The differential gauge needle MUST drop slowly. Close test cocks 
No. 2 and No. 3. Use the vent hose to relieve pressure from the test 
kit by opening valves A, B, and C. Remove all test equipment then 
open shutoff No. 2.

Summary of Contents for AMES Maxim Series

Page 1: ...his product must be tested periodically in compliance with local codes but at least once per year or more as service conditions warrant Corrosive water conditions and or unauthorized adjustments or re...

Page 2: ...low assembly Series M400 M500 and LFM500 can be installed in either horizontal N pattern or Z pattern position as long as the backflow assembly is installed in accordance with the direction of the flo...

Page 3: ...rom the housing See Figure B 4 Remove check module No 1 by inserting two flat blade screw drivers into the slots on either side of the check module See Figure C Gently pry the check module toward the...

Page 4: ...See Figure A 4 Continue to thread in the service bolt with the wrench until the service hole in the linkage is aligned with the service notches on the spring arbors See Figure A 5 Insert the Phillips...

Page 5: ...ischarge is noted from the relief valve Record this as the opening differential pressure of the relief valve Testing Reduced Pressure Zone Assemblies Ball Type Test Valves A C B Needle Valve High Hose...

Page 6: ...ESCRIPTION 1 First Check Module 2 Second Check Module 3 O Ring Check Module 4 Elastomer Disc 5 Grooved Check Pin 6 Closure Sleeve Test Cock 7 Closure Sleeve 8 Closure Sleeve O Ring 9 Relief Valve Asse...

Page 7: ...e Service relief valve Municipal water pressure is fluctuating Install check valve upstream of backflow assembly Relief valve does not shut off properly Fouled relief valve seat Service relief valve I...

Page 8: ...costs resulting from labor charges delays vandalism negligence fouling caused by foreign material damage from adverse water conditions chemical or any other circumstances over which the Company has no...

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