Cla-Val Series 34 Fire Protection System Air Release Valves

Fire Protection System

Air Release Valve

Series 34

• Ductile Iron Body

• Stainless Steel Trim and Float

• Easily serviced without removal from pipeline

• Available Pressure Ratings: 175 and 300

• Engineered for drip tight seal at low pressures

Cla-Val Series 34 Fire Protection System Air Release Valves are

designed to vent entrained air that collects at high points in a pipeline.

This valve continuously eliminates air from a system by releasing small

quantities

of air before large air pockets can occur. In many installations,

continuing accumulations of air in the pipeline (lacking air release

valves); cause flow capacity to slowly decrease; power consumption

slowly increases; un-noticeable at first, until flow drops dramatically,

even stopping due to air blocks in the piping.

Another problem resulting from excessive air accumulation is

unexplained pipeline rupture. These ruptures are passed off as the result

of ground settling or defective pipe, Where as in reality its large air

pockets that greatly increase pressure surges (normally occurring) when

flow stops and starts causing the rupture. During normal pipeline

operation, air accumulation at the high point will displace the liquid within

the air valve and lower the water level in relation to the float. As level of

the liquid lowers, where the float is no longer buoyant, the float drops and

opens the valve orifice seat and permitting accumulated air to be

exhausted to atmosphere. After air is released, the liquid level in the air

valve rises and closes the valve orifice seat. This cycle automatically

repeats as air accumulates inside the air release valve, thereby preventing

the formation of air pockets.

Installation

Series 34 Fire Protection System Air Release Valves are

typically installed at high-points in pipelines and at regular

intervals, of approximate 1/2 mile, along uniform grade line

pipe.

Mount the unit in the vertical position on top of the pipeline

with an isolation valve installed below each valve in the event

servicing is required. A vault with adequate air venting and

drainage is recommended.

Purchase Specifications

The fire protection system air release valve shall be of the

float operated, simple lever or compound lever design, and

capable of automatically releasing accumulated air from a

fluid system while the system is pressurized and operating.

An adjustable designed orifice button shall be used to seal

the valve discharge port with drip-tight shut-off. The orifice

diameter must be sized for use within a given operating

pressure range to insure maximum air venting capacity.

The float shall be of all stainless steel construction and

guaranteed to withstand the designed system surge pressure

without failure. The body and the cover shall be ductile iron

and valve internal parts shall be stainless steel and

Viton

Buna-N

(standard)for water tight shut-off.

The air release valve shall be manufactured per ANSI/AWWA

C512-04 Series 34 from Cla-Val in Newport Beach, CA, USA.

Product Specifications

Sizes

1/2", 3/4", 1"

Pressure Ratings

(see note)

175 UL/FM

300 UL/FM

Temperature Range

Water to 180°F

Note: Specify when operating

pressure below 10 PSI

Materials

Body and Cover:

Ductile Iron ASTM 536 65-45-12

Float:

Stainless Steel

Internal Parts:

Stainless Steel

Seal:

Viton

or Buna-N

(Standard)

Note:

Vacuum check valves can be supplied on the discharge of all

size air release valves to prevent air re-entering the system; during

negative pressure conditions

visit www.cla-val.com to see our

complete line of air and check valves.

Figure A

Series 34

Air Release Valve Sizing

Air release valve sizing requires determining the volume of air that must be released from pipeline high points during normal

operation and the diameter of the pipeline. Series 34 Fire Protection System Air Release Valves are primarily used to

continuously release pockets of air (as they develop) from high point, hence it is not critical to determine exact volume of air

to be released.

See chart on page 3 for sizing based on venting capacity.

Air Release Valve Sizing Chart For Water Pipelines

Figure A

Fire Protection System

Air Release Valve

Figure A Model No. Inlet Size Outlet Size Orifice Size GPM MWP Height Width Wt. (lbs.)

UL Listed • FM

Approved

3450-AR332

3475-AR332

3410-AR332

1/2", 3/4", 1" 1/2"

3/32"

200 -

2200

175

5-7/8" 3-3/4"

UL Listed

FM Approved

3450-AR116.3

3475-AR116.3

3410-AR116.3

1/2", 3/4", 1" 1/2" 1/16"

200 -

2200

300

5-7/8" 3-3/4"

Venting Capacity Graph for Air Release Valves

Venting Capacity in Cubic Feet of Free Air Per Minute

Pressure Differential Across Valve is PSI

Series 34

Fire Protection System

Air Release Valve

Valve Selection Based on Venting Capacity

Follow these steps to select and size an air release valves when a specific venting capacity is required:

A) Enter graph with required system pressure and venting capacity

B) Read off nearest orifice diameter to intersection of pressure and capacity lines on graph

C) Enter table above with orifice diameter and select valve that can use this orifice diameter with the

corresponding pressure

Figure A

CLA-VAL

1701 Placentia Avenue • Costa Mesa CA 92627 • Phone: 949-722-4800 • Fax: 949-548-5441 • E-mail: [email protected] • Website cla-val.com

Series 34 Fire Protection System Air Release Valve Technical Data

E-34 Series Fire Protection System (R-10/2019)

When Ordering, Please Specify:

1. Model Number

2. Inlet Size (NPT)

3. Inlet Pressure Rating

4. Orifice Size

Installation Tips

1. The effectiveness of Series 34 Fire Protection System Air Release Valve is dependent upon it being located at appropriate high

points in a pipeline and at uniform intervals of approximately 2500 feet on horizontal pipelines.

2. There are four variables that can cause an air pocket to form slightly downstream of the true high point in a piping system:

1. Severity of the slope adjacent to the high point or change of gradient

2. Velocity of the liquid

3. Texture of the inside surface of the pipe being used

4. Viscosity of the fluid

It is recommended where an air pocket can form slightly downstream of the high point, to install additional Series 34 Fire Protection

System Air Release Valves at this point.

3. Cla-Val has available, upon request, a Slide Rule Air Valve Calculator. It will greatly reduce the amount of time to size valves for

pipeline service.

Other typical applications include:

1. Centrifugal pumps

2. Hydropneumatic tanks

3. Enclosed systems

4. Sewage lines

Combination Air Valve

t peaks and sharp change in gradient due to

possibility of column separation and vacuum

ydraulically Controlled Air/Vacuum Valve

here secondary surges due to rejoining of

previously separated water could occur

Air Release Valve

on long, ascending stretches

at 1/4 to 1/2 mile intervals

ydraulically Controlled Air/Vacuum Valve

here secondary surges due to rejoining of

previously separated water could occur

Combination Air Valve

at peaks and sharp change in gradient due to

possibility of column separation and vacuum

Air Release Valve

n long, ascending stretches

at 1/4 to 1/2 mile intervals

Air/Vacuum Valve

t peaks and sharp change in gradient due to

ossibility of column separation and vacuum

Air/Vacuum Valve

Air Release Valve

Combination Air Valve

Hydraulically Controlled Air/Vacuum Valve

Figure A