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procyon · Apr 17, 2007, 03:39 PM

Thanks in advance

ballengerb1 · Apr 17, 2007, 04:05 PM

I looked at your pics yesterday and that is one Rube Goldberg of a plumbing mess. That part looks to be a pressure reducer. Where are you located?

procyon · Apr 17, 2007, 04:12 PM

Northern Ireland and, yup, as I said in previous post, looks like someone got a lego-kit for christmas and plumbed this burner in with it ;-)

If the part pictured is a pressure reducer, why would it be placed directly in line with the pressure reducing valve\gauge at the top right of the picture?

I have been in contact with Grant, the manufacturers of the burner, and they are sending me a manual so I might have more idea what the 'plumber' was trying to achieve.

Thx

ballengerb1 · Apr 17, 2007, 04:22 PM

Sorry I can't be of more help to you but I get dizzy every time I look at what he did. That is some mix of materials too. I have no clue what some of his pipes are doing and why there are so many shut offs.

procyon · Apr 17, 2007, 04:28 PM

I know what you mean, lol
Thanks anyway

Take care ;-)

iamgrowler · Apr 17, 2007, 04:31 PM

It looks like a 'Spring Check Valve' to me.

procyon · Apr 17, 2007, 05:12 PM

I googled for spring check valve and found ones that are slightly similar but couldn't find the one in my system, so all I can say is you may be right.

From what I can gather, a spring check valve is for preventing backflow. Is this correct?
If so, is it necessary to have one fitted to where the city-mains enters a property? I wouldn't have thought there was any possibility of backflow there.

Thanks and take care

iamgrowler · Apr 17, 2007, 05:33 PM

From what I can gather, a spring check valve is for preventing backflow. Is this correct?
If so, is it necessary to have one fitted to where the city-mains enters a property? I wouldn't have thought there was any possibility of backflow there.

Well, there is the potential for the water fed into the boiler to backflow into the potable water system if there isn't some sort of check valve inline.

But I would think it would be installed only on the branch that is tee'd over to feed the boiler.

procyon · Apr 18, 2007, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by iamgrowler

But I would think it would be installed only on the branch that is tee'd over to feed the boiler.

I would agree, but as you can see from the picture, this one is installed about 2" after the main stop-cock where the mains comes onto the property:confused:

Thanks again ;-)

speedball1 · Apr 18, 2007, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by iamgrowler

It looks like a 'Spring Check Valve' to me.

From what I can gather, a spring check valve is for preventing backflow. Is this correct?
If so, is it necessary to have one fitted to where the city-mains enters a property? I wouldn't have thought there was any possibility of backflow there.

Down here we call them"backflow preventers" and install then directly upstream from the water meter. This is to prevent any contaminated water to backflow into the city main if the main loses pressure and sets up a vacume. Regards, Tom

labman · Apr 18, 2007, 08:19 AM

Another vote for the spring check valve. They are a good valve and work in any position. If so, it should have an arrow showing the direction of flow. We used many of them in the factory I once managed.

They also create problems with water heaters if you don't have an expansion tank. When the cold water heats and expands, the excess can't go back out the inlet with a check valve. It is going somewhere.

jafo1666 · Apr 18, 2007, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by procyon

Thanks in advance

It's a back flow check valve

iamgrowler · Apr 18, 2007, 06:41 PM

They are a good valve and work in any position.

Wrong.

A Spring Check should be installed only in a vertical position.

Back pressure of only a 1/2 pound can cause the valve to remain open when installed horizontally.

labman · Apr 18, 2007, 06:43 PM

Sorry about that, but the brand we used worked very well horizonal or upside down.

iamgrowler · Apr 18, 2007, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by labman

Sorry about that, but the brand we used worked very well horizonal or upside down.

Sure.

And I've made a great deal of money over the years cutting them out and replacing them with 'swing checks' when the systems failed to operate as engineered.:D

Every little bit helps -- Especially when you have an eye towards padding your retirement. :D

NorthernHeat · Apr 19, 2007, 01:37 PM

Sorry the pictures are very dark and hard to see. I don't see an air vent on that part which makes me believe it is not a backflow preventer, probably just a check valve.

Backflow preventers can be mounted in any position, at least the 15 different types I've serviced over the years.

labman · Apr 19, 2007, 02:03 PM

Swing check valves? Didn't they go out with gate valves?

iamgrowler · Apr 19, 2007, 05:29 PM

Sorry the pictures are very dark and hard to see. I don't see an air vent on that part which makes me believe it is not a backflow preventer, probably just a check valve.

It doesn't appear to have the physical mass to be a backflow preventer -- And there aren't any ports for testing equipment on it either.

Backflow preventers can be mounted in any position, at least the 15 different types I've serviced over the years.

What about Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventers?

To the best of my knowledge, RPBP devices for vertical installations are only a recent development.

iamgrowler · Apr 19, 2007, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by labman

Swing check valves? Didn't they go out with gate valves?

You're kidding, right?