'I am actively looking for opportunities to use the AVK Series 36 on other projects'
Woodford Plastic Fabrications Ltd has installed an SDR11 polyethylene sprinkler main on a major UK Government new build in the Oxford area. The critical role of the sprinkler main in building safety, and the need to ensure there were no leaks, meant that the AVK UK’s PE-Tailed Gate Valve (Series 36) was the natural choice.
Brian Whitehead, co-founder of Woodford and Joint Managing Director, has over twenty years’ experience in polyethylene fabrications, machining and contracting:
‘In my experience, when leaks occur on networks they tend to be at points where bolted flanges and gaskets have been used. In some cases this can simply be because no support has been placed under the valve leading to stress on the flanged joint and, eventually, a leak path.
On the Oxford project I wanted to ensure the integrity of the sprinkler main by creating a fully-welded system. In over twenty years of installing polyethylene pipe systems, I have never had a joint failure when using butt fusion.’
The AVK UK PE-Tailed Gate Valve is suitable for electrofusion and butt fusion, with potential for off-site fabrication /pre-assembled units, as this installation demonstrates.
Image below shows the pre-assembled units.
The AVK UK PE-Tailed Gate Valve is supplied with SDR11 tails. The tails are pressed on to the grooved valve end and locked in place with a steel ring using a process patented by AVK. The connection is sealed with a plastic shrink hose.
Woodford installed 15 AVK UK Gate Valves on the Oxford sprinkler main:
‘The valve fabrications were completed offsite, palletised and delivered to site when the team needed them. For Oxford, I welded a reducing spigot and a small spool piece to the AVK Series 36 PE tails which ensured it was the right diameter and SDR for installation on site. There was a small added cost for the spool piece but it gave me peace of mind that the work on site would be more straightforward for the installation team.’
Brian is a staunch advocate for the AVK UK’s PE Tailed Gate Valve (Series 36):
‘I first came across the AVK Series 36 several years ago when I installed them on the Manchester City Etihad Stadium build. After the success of the Oxford project I am actively looking for opportunities to use the AVK Series 36 on other projects.’
The Series 36/89 gate valves are made in the UK by AVK.
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