On Tap Magazine - Winter 2004 National Drinking Water Clearinghouse West Virginia University PO Box 6893 Morgantown, WV Why bother with a valve exercising program? By Dennis Blakely.
NDWC Contributing Writer. Photos courtesy of the E.H. Wachs Company Editor’s Note: Valves, those devices that regulate and stop or start water in the distribution system, are an integral part of a drinking water utility.
Making sure valves are functioning properly through a valve exercising program is something most systems know they should do. Few actually do it. Dennis Blakely, an account executive with the E.H. Wachs Company, is a strong advocate for implementing a valve exercising program.On a regular basis, I get to discuss valve exercising and equipment with water companies. Many utilities make a distinct effort to follow manufacturers’ and American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards; many do not.
Most are somewhere in between. Almost all comment that they know they should do more than they do, and they would if it weren’t such a tough task. Over the years, I’ve heard many excuses as to why a community doesn’t have a valve exercising program. Here are half-a-dozen of my favorites:. We only exercise the ones that we have to.
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Our system has been ignored for so many years that we are afraid to touch any valves. I’m retiring in five years; the next guy can worry about it. We tried an exercise program once, but we broke the first three valves we touched and that was the end of that. Exercise valves? I would if I could find them. We have a new system so we don’t have to worry about it for many years. Photo Caption: A worker cleans out the valve box with a utility vacuum cleaner.
Removing accumulated sediment and dirt from the gate valve curb box must be done before exercising valves. The water systems I deal with are reluctant to undertake a valve exercising program based on perceived expense, manpower requirements, and the repair work that may be created. These are real concerns, but ones that are far outweighed by the benefits of a valve exercise program. Broken, inoperable, or lost valves can result in many negative consequences and costs from serious disruption of water service to customers, increased equipment and manpower required to complete repairs, and damages to other property or utilities. The benefits of a valve exercise program include having:.
accurate records of detailed valve information;. valve reliability in emergencies;.
the ability to immediately isolate main breaks (resulting in lower water losses and the least possible disruption of service to customers;. extended valve life; and. less employee overtime in dealing with emergency repairs and more confidence in your system. (For more information about valves, see the Tech Brief insert in the Summer 2002 On Tap.) Exercise Those Valves So, what is a valve exercise program? Basically, there are four components to a valve exercise program: 1.
Locate the valves, 2. Fully exercise valves, 3. Maintain detailed valve records, and 4.
Water Valve Exercise Program
Schedule and perform needed repairs. According to AWWA, “Each valve should be operated through a full cycle and returned to it’s normal position on a schedule that is designed to prevent a buildup of tuberculation rust formation in pipes as a result of corrosion or other deposits that could render the valve inoperable or prevent a tight shutoff. The interval of time between operations of valves in critical locations or valves subjected to severe operating conditions should be shorter than for other less important installations, but can be whatever time period is found to be satisfactory based on local experience. The number of turns required to complete the operation cycle should be recorded and compared with permanent installation records to ensure that full gate travel (i.e., it can be opened and closed) is maintained. “A recording system should be adopted that provides a written record of valve location, condition, maintenance, and inspections of the valve,” AWWA standards continue, “Each valve should be operated through one complete operating cycle. If the stem action is tight as a result of buildup on the stem threads, the operation should be repeated until the opening and closing actions are smooth and free.
A full inspection should be performed and any problems should be reported immediately to the person responsible for necessary repairs. “To carry out a meaningful inspection and maintenance program, it is essential that the location, make, type, size, turns, close direction, and installation date of each valve be recorded. Depending on the record keeping system used, other information may be entered into the permanent record.” Easier Said Than Done From my experience, most valve problems encountered during a valve exercise program are from one of the following five categories: 1. System personnel cannot locate the valve. It almost goes without saying that these valves will need attention. The valve is already broken.
You need to know how many and where, so replacements can be scheduled and costs budgeted. The stem or operating nut breaks before valve movement can be accomplished. Bonnet bolts are decayed and break off before the valve turns, resulting in a water leak that needs to be repaired immediately. (I think that this situation is better found now than in the middle of the night when the valve is needed and failure further complicates the reason the valve was needed.) 5. You get the valve near closed, the gate gets lodged, and it breaks in or near the closed position. This is usually the result of something happening inside the valve as it nears the closed position: the worst tuberculation in the valve happens; the discs spread, requiring higher torque (rotational force) to pull them back together; or there is some pressure on the gate from the water pressure on either side of the gate. I have seen valves that turn fairly easily all the way down to the near-closed position and then require 10 times more torque to get them to open back up.
This is caused by using too much torque the first time you get into the near-closed position. Control of the torque is critical in this situation.
Photo Caption: When a water main breaks in the middle of a frigid night, you'll be glad the valves function correctly. A valve exercising program is much easier to manage with the right equipment.
As the valve is turning, you should reduce the torque setting as low as possible to turn the valve. If the valve will turn at 85 foot pounds, then turn it at 85 foot pounds, not 125. Maintain the lowest possible torque setting throughout the turning process. As you near the closed position, the initial low torque will not fully seat the valve.
When you get as far as the low torque setting will allow, you should then open the valve some and try to close it again at the same low torque setting. If you gain some more on the valve, then you repeat the procedure without raising torque until full gate travel is realized. Opening the valve at least three turns to allow flushing of debris from the valve should follow every three tries at low torque. Some opt to open hydrants to assure flushing of debris from the valve and system. If full gate travel cannot be realized, then you should raise the torque slightly and attempt another close.
If, at this point, you force the valve too hard, then a much higher percentage of broken valves will result. The ability of controlling the torque combined with constant monitoring of the accurate counter mechanism will result in the end product you are looking for—a fully exercised and operational valve. Starting Is the Hardest Part The major stumbling block for most water utilities seems to be the misconception that a valve exercise program has to be of large magnitude, making it, therefore, impossible to accomplish.
In reality, a modest beginning can achieve immediate positive results. Mechanizing the process of valve exercising significantly increases the efficiency of the process.
This results in a safer work environment for employees and enables them to achieve higher production. Electronic data collection of valve information is possible in the field, which saves time on record keeping and assures valve records’ accuracy. After deciding to implement a valve exercise program, a water utility should set an overall detailed plan that covers the complete process. Put a lot of thought into where you are going to spend your valuable time and how you are going to prioritize your tasks. I have seen written hydrant flushing procedures that were many pages long.
I have seen written valve exercising procedures that were very brief and incomplete. If your workers approach the first valve on the first day of your exercise program with a “turn it or break it attitude,” then failure is imminent. In a good exercise program, they will know ahead of time the maximum torque they are going to put on the valve and how many cycles of the valve they are going to perform that day.
These results will then be recorded, and a future plan for that valve will be determined. With technological advancements in tooling and proper training, a well-conceived valve exercise program will have a high percentage of positive results.
With good planning and execution, a valve exercise program will realize a very low percentage of negative results.These facts seem to contradict the general opinion throughout the water utility industry that an exercise program will cause more work and aggravation than it is worth. This is simply not the case. The majority of negative results are due to a lack of a valve exercise program in the past.
Once problems are identified, repairs can be budgeted and scheduled. Considering workforce size and available time, another option for a water utility is to contract out your valve exercise program. For many reasons, this may be your best and most cost-effective solution. You can hire trained work crews whose expertise is valve exercising. They have the state-of-the-art equipment to assure you a proper and complete job. They are not bothered by the many activities that you encounter and that take your focus off the valve exercise program. A combination of contracted work and in-house work can also result in the goals you seek.
Better Late Than Never Every water utility must give serious consideration to this area to assure future reliability of the system. Many would argue that a proactive valve exercise program is the one thing that any water utility can undertake that will have the most positive results for the water utility and its customers. Just about every water utility has a horror story that could have been averted if they had a valve maintenance program. Most of these troubles resulted in costs that exceeded the price of a valve exercise program. The hard thing for me to understand is: Why put this off? The next horror story may be one told about your system.
About the Author Dennis Blakely, seen in the lower photo at left, is an account executive with the E.H. Wachs Company of Wheeling, Illinois. To learn more about Wachs products, visit their Web site at or call (800) 323-8185.
Proper exercise is as important to valves as it is to humans. If this seems strange, do you remember the fun you had the last time you were called out for a leak and had to shut down a valve that had not been cleaned out for several years and then was almost impossible to turn because it was stuck and had not had its proper exercising. We all know that this is a maintenance task that should be preformed on a regular basis but gets overlooked due to higher priorities and not knowing when it was performed the last time. It always seems like we just did it. Now you have a tool available to track your valves and insure that this important maintenance is not left unscheduled. All tests and maintenance will be tracked, work orders and test forms prepared and a thorough reporting system provided. Program features include: Microsoft Access 2000 Database Engine Direct link to Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet for further analysis and reporting Mail Merge with Microsoft Word for form letters and other word processing functions Designed for easy operation by field personnel Uses Windows 95/98 and NT 4.0 and higher Specialized Systems Software, LLC, 356 Kingwood Place, College Place, WA 99324.
Tel: 509-531-3354; Fax: 509-525-4143.
All mechanical equipment requires maintenance, and control valves are no exception. With the guidance of a regular maintenance plan, you should be checking for leaks in the tubing, monitoring pressure gauges and inspecting equipment for any abnormalities. In most cases, this process should only take 20 to 30 minutes—a small price to pay for peace of mind. In case a problem is detected, always have the correct instruction manual for the valve. Today, many manufacturers provide these on their websites, which operators can access from a mobile device.
The following guidelines can help you keep your valves operating at optimal performance. As a note of caution, valves are under pressure, so be sure to bleed pressure off the valve before taking any valve apart. Ball Valves Plated steel handles on ball valves often rust away and leave a valve without means of closure, so try to ensure that you have solid stainless handles for longevity. Ensure that ball valves are open. If a ball valve is meant to be left closed, it will typically have a tag to inform you of that. Give each ball valve a quick turn to ensure it still moves, but leave them in the same position you found them. Pilot Systems Pilots typically sit in the same position with little internal movement for years of trouble-
free operation, but certain factors can cause sluggish behavior or flawed readings.
To check your pilot, make slight adjustments to the pressure settings while the valve is in operation. By slowly adjusting the setting screw clockwise and observing the downstream pressure gauge, you can see if the pilot still has operation of the valve. A small move on the adjustment screw should be seen on the pressure gauge needle. Increase the setting by approximately 5 pounds per square inch (psi).
Then, assuming the pilot has performed this, turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise and lower the pressure past the normal set point so the gauge reads 5 psi lower than normal. Did the pilot and gauge work together? If so, slowly bring the pressure back to normal by turning the adjusting screw clockwise and setting the lock nut. This simple exercise proves the pilot is still working and controlling the valve.
If the gauge did not track your adjustments, then take a closer look internally to ensure that nothing has worn out in the pilot. Another thing to look for is pilot diaphragm leakage.
If your pilot has water leaking out of a vent hole or through the adjusting screw threads, you have a problem. First, make sure that the water is not just condensation by wiping the water with a cloth. If after a few minutes it starts to drip, then you know you have a leak. Water leakage indicates that you have water in the spring casing; that means there is a problem with the pilot diaphragm. If this is the case, you will have to take it apart and replace that part. The one exception where a leaking pilot is acceptable is for an altitude pilot, which is installed with a copper tail tube designed to relieve water during valve operation, so water will drip from it. Leaks and cracks in a pilot system will also affect how a valve operates.
Because the valve pilot system relies on a supply of pressurized water, it is susceptible to damage from simple accidents. Over-tightening of flare fittings often results in a small crack that, over time, will cause failure.
When you check the valve, look at the entire pilot system to see if the fittings are tight and to ensure that no water is seeping from a joint. The small bore tube and fittings can also break. In some areas, minerals in the water will wear out copper tubing in the bends, so make sure the system looks like it will still hold pressure. Air rises to collect at high points, which are usually the pilots and tubing in the control valves. Air is also compressible and, if allowed to remain in the pilot system, it will alter readings and lead to instability.
If the valve is installed with a wet type position indicator, air will collect in the sight glass, and the water level will be partially down the glass tube. The small plug or bleed valve installed on the top of the indicator can be opened or removed to vent the air. When venting the indicator, you are venting the main valve bonnet, so the main valve will begin to open. Strainers A plugged strainer screen will choke the water supply to the main valve bonnet, causing the main valve to have trouble closing or not close at all.
Most strainers are installed with a plug, which allows for a blowdown of the screen without removing it. Remove the plug and install a nipple and ball valve, which allows for simple blowdown. Keeping a screen clean usually takes just a few seconds. Fittings Depending on the mineral quality of your water, restriction fittings—small orifices that all pilot systems rely on—can also get blocked.
Clear them by drilling them out, soaking them in a solution or replacing them altogether. If you have a valve that struggles to open or close and the strainer has been cleaned—and assuming all needle valves are functional—a plugged or partially blocked line could be the problem. Valve Diaphragms Main valve diaphragms rarely tragically fail unless something is in the line that does not belong there.
They typically wear out over time or get fatigued because of mineral buildup. A simple test can ensure that the diaphragm is intact. First, isolate the pilot system so no water can get into the valve cover.
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Then remove the bonnet top plug or open bleed valve on top of the position indicator. The main valve will open, discharging all the water in the bonnet as it does so.
Once the valve is wide open, the water should stop flowing. If water continues to flow, the diaphragm is leaking.
This will require removing the main valve bonnet and closely inspecting the diaphragm. Take the Maintenance Test Download the test to see how your control valves score.
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