The new Mark 4 Donkin Ductile Iron Gate Valve. More Sustainable, Firesafe Tested, and Hydrogen-Ready.

Raising the Quality Benchmark for the Global Gas Market. 26-03-2024

AVK UK is launching the fourth generation Donkin Series 555 Ductile Iron Softseal Gate Valve, that not only retains the design strengths and everything you'd expect that has made it an industry staple for 50 years, but has now been updated with some great new features.

Additions to the Mark 4 have arisen by working in close collaboration with gas customers to ensure its future technical superiority, and include PE tailed variations, as well as being hydrogen-ready, firesafe-tested, and more sustainable. Read the full list of new features below.

Donkin gas valves have been manufactured in the UK for over 175 years and are used on gas networks all around the world. 

The UK Preferred Gas Gate Valves

The Donkin Series 555 Softseal Gate Valve has been the preferred valve in the UK Gas Distribution Sector and export markets for over five decades.

Whilst there have been minor modifications and upgrades over the years, it keeps its basic original and successful design. The latest MK4 variant, the Donkin Series 555/401 Softseal Valve is a double-faced, internal screw, clear bore wedge gate valve, designed primarily for the isolation of natural gas and manufactured gas.  It is designed and Kitemarked™ according to GIS/V7-1.

New valve features include:-

  • Firesafe tested (BN EN 1775), Hydrogen Ready (BSI PP1547), and PE tailed variants available
  • Reduction of embodied carbon to improve sustainability and reduce carbon footprint
  • Updated with enhanced stem seal technology, providing live maintenance functionality
  • An advanced new ergonomic, lighter weight design for improved handling and installation
  • Enhanced strength stainless steel spindle, offering extended service life
  • DONKIN soft-seal, metallic wedge gate design, providing dual sealing technology
  • Self-supporting “Flange Feet” for ease of installation and storage
  • PUR coated for buried applications. Black transit coated or primed for above ground applications.
  • Fasteners fully encapsulated and seal with a hot melt for superior protection
  • 28mm False cap or handwheel and position indicator options available

Retained valve features:-

  • Full ‘Clear Bore’ design for high performance application
  • The same Donkin internal design which gives the globally proven ‘Double Block and Bleed’ functionality, which exceeds the current industry standard

Gas Valve Experts

Jon Briafield, Market Sector Manager for Gas at AVK UK, said: “The original design for the Donkin Series 555 Softseal Gate Valve has performed exceptionally well over the past 50 years.

“With the launch of our fourth-generation gate valve, we have worked closely with customers to incorporate updates and improvements based on feedback and the valve’s extensive use across the UK gas networks and around the world.

“The Donkin Series 555/401 gate valves have been updated with some great new features, while retaining the same design strengths that have made it a staple of the industry for five decades.”

Setting the Gas Valve Standard

At AVK UK and Bryan Donkin Valves Ltd, we’re proud to say that quality is built into all our products, from the initial concept, through design and right through the manufacturing process at our factory in Chesterfield, United Kingdom.

AVK was the first in the gas distribution sector to achieve the international quality standard ISO/TS 29001:2011 for the entire design-to-delivery gas valve manufacturing process.

AVK is also certified to ISO 9001 quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management.

Our valves are all approved to UK Gas Industry Standards (GIS) and certified to the BSI Kitemark scheme. Other relevant international standards are complied with where appropriate including the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED).

Certification

See all of AVK UK and Donkin certificates here

Contact AVK UK GAs Valve Specialists

Jon Briafield is our technical Donkin gas valve expert. Call Jon on the number shown above, or click on the email to write to Jon directly, if you would like to discuss your gas project or installation. we're here to help.

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