PRESSURE REDUCING VALVES
ALTECNIC EXPLAINS HOW FITTING A HIGH QUALITY PRV CAN MAXMIMISE
THE LIFESPAN OF THE ENTIRE
HYDRONIC SYSTEM WHILE REDUCING WATER WASTE AND PROTECTING APPLIANCES...
Pressure reducing valves for vital system protection
A high-quality PRV can protect from costly undetected leaks.
H ousehold appliances can easily cost £1,000. The cost of an undetected leak caused by excess pressure, even if it is covered by insurance, can treble that. Fitting a high quality pressure reducing valve will help to maximise the lifespan of the entire hydronic system.
in the event of a leak, higher pressure water will lead to a greater volume of water escaping with an associated increase in damage. • Reduce system noise – System noises are one of the most common reasons for a call-back to site and can be one of the hardest to diagnose. PRVs help to reduce system noise associated with vibration and, for example, Caleffi PRVs also feature internal components designed for smooth hydro-dynamic performance. This reduces cavitation, another major cause of system noise and component failure. • Protect appliances – Modern heating and plumbing appliances are built to fine tolerances with composite materials that could be vulnerable and benefit from high-pressure protection. • Reduce wasted water – Reducing water pressure is environmentally responsible in preventing misuse of a
scarce resource. According to the UK Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), gravity-fed water supply in a high-rise building can result in water flow up to 60 litres per minute. Assuming an average cost per litre, a single outlet flowing for an unguarded minute could cost 20 pence. This totalled over a year makes investment in a PRV a great saving. STATIC VS DYNAMIC PRESSURE There is a misconception that you can reduce pressure in a system by throttling or partially closing an isolation valve, but this is wrong. Constricting a flow simply increases velocity through that path with a highly localised reduction in pressure through the valve. The PRV operating principle is simple in theory; a spring pushes an obturator in the PRV opening the valve. Pressure from upstream pushes the diaphragm and obturator upward in the PRV, closing it.
WHY FIT A PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE?
• Best practice – Fitting a PRV at least on the cold mains inlet is advisable. While low water pressure is known to cause issues in some parts of the UK and Republic of Ireland, high pressure may need to be capped to ensure components function correctly. • Prevent leaks – An over-pressure wave through a system can cause movement and damage even in the most robust piping and seals, with resultant leaks and reduced overall system life. Additionally,
“Fitting a high quality pressure reducing valve will help to maximise the lifespan of the entire hydronic system.”
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64 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
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