Manual No.

A/VV-OM1-4

½"-3" Air/Vacuum Valve

Models 100S to 103S

Operation, Maintenance and

Installation Manual

INTRODUCTION ............................................ 1
RECEIVING AND STORAGE ......................... 1
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION ................... 1
INSTALLATION .............................................. 2
VALVE CONSTRUCTION .............................. 2
MAINTENANCE ............................................. 2
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................... 3
DISASSEMBLY .............................................. 3
REASSEMBLY ............................................... 3
PARTS & SERVICE ....................................... 4
WARRANTY ................................................... 4

VAL-MATIC® VALVE AND MANUFACTURING CORP.

9 05 R i ver s id e D r . ● Elmhurs t, IL 60126

Phone (630) 941-7600 ● Fax (630) 941-8042
www.valmatic.com
 VAL-MATIC'S ½"-3" AIR/VACUUM VALVE
OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND INSTALLATION
INTRODUCTION
The Air/Vacuum Valve has been designed with
stainless steel trim to give years of trouble-free
operation. This manual will provide you with the
information to properly install and maintain the
valve to ensure a long service life. The
Air/Vacuum valve is designed to exhaust large
quantities of air upon system start-up and allow
air to re-enter the line upon system shut down.

Note: While Air/Vacuum Valves will exhaust

large quantities of air upon start-up, they will not
continuously release air during system
operation. For that function, an Air Release
Valve is required.

Also, this valve is not intended for fluids

containing suspended solids such as
wastewater. For waste-water and other high
turbidity applications, use Val-Matic Series 300A
Sewage Air/Vacuum Valves.

CAUTION
This valve is not intended for fuel service
or fluids containing suspended solids. FIGURE 1. ½"-3" AIR/VACUUM VALVE

The valve is a float-operated, resilient-seated

valve designed to handle clean fluids. The Size,
Maximum Working Pressure, and Series No. are DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
stamped on the nameplate for reference. The Air/Vacuum Valve is designed to exhaust
large quantities of air upon system start-up and
Note: Low Durometer seats are available for low allow air to re-enter the line upon system shut-
pressure applications. down or line break. As water enters the valve
during start-up, the float will rise, closing the
outlet port. The valve will remain closed until
RECEIVING AND STORAGE system pressure drops to near zero pressure. It
Inspect valves upon receipt for damage in will open during shut-down to perform a dual
shipment. Unload all valves carefully to the purpose. First, it eliminates the possibility of a
ground without dropping. vacuum forming and a potential pipeline
collapse. Second it allows rapid drainage of the
Valves should remain crated, clean and dry until line when system maintenance is required.
installed to prevent weather related damage.
For long term storage greater than six months,
the rubber surfaces of the seat should be coated
with a thin film of FDA approved grease. Do not
expose seat to sunlight or ozone for any
extended period.

1
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION (Cont'd)
The only moving parts in the valve are the float Table 1. ½”-3” Air/Vacuum Valve Parts List
and the float guide. The float guide assures that Item Description Material
the float enters the seat at the optimum angle 1 Body Cast Iron
and assures that the float will not make contact 2 Cover Cast Iron
with any surface other than the resilient seat 3 Baffle Ductile Iron
thus assuring long maintenance free life.
4 Seat* Buna-N
5 Float* Stainless Steel
INSTALLATION
6 Gasket* Non-Asbestos
The installation of the valve is important for its
proper operation. Valves must be installed at 7 Cover Bolt Alloy Steel
the system high points in the vertical position 8 Retaining Screw* Stainless Steel
with the inlet down. A vault with adequate 9 Guide Bushing* Stainless Steel
venting and drainage should be provided. A full- 14 Pipe Plug Iron
ported shut-off valve should be installed below 20 Guide Shaft* Stainless Steel
each valve in the event servicing is required. * Recommended Spare Part

VALVE CONSTRUCTION
The Air/Vacuum Valve body and cover are cast MAINTENANCE
iron. All internal components are stainless steel The Air/Vacuum Valve requires no scheduled
with the exception of the valve seat which is lubrication or maintenance.
resilient. The float (5) and float guide (20) are
the only moving parts assuring long life with INSPECTION: Periodic inspection for leakage
minimal maintenance. The general details of can be performed. A manual drain valve can be
construction are illustrated in Figure 2. The installed in the lower drain plug to perform this
body (1) is threaded for connection to the operation as shown in Figure 3.
pipeline. The seat (4) is retained in the cast
cover (2). The seat (4) is retained by a baffle
(3).

FIGURE 2. ½"-3" AIR/VACUUM VALVE

FIGURE 3. INSPECTION PIPING

2
MAINTENANCE (Cont'd) 1. Close inlet shut-off valve. Open drain valve
1. Close the inlet shut-off valve. or remove drain plug. Remove the cover
bolts (7) on the top cover.
2. Open the drain valve to allow the fluid in the
valve to drain. It may be necessary to apply 2. Pry cover (2) loose and lift off valve body.
a downward force on the float to unseat the
valve. 3. Remove retainer bolts (8) and inspect seat
for cracks in rubber or wear in sealing
3. Close the drain valve. surface.

4. Slowly open the inlet shut-off valve to fill the 4. Turn guide bushing (9) to remove it from the
valve with water. Observe the seating action cast baffle (3).
and verify that the valve closes without
leakage. 5. Clean and inspect parts. Replace worn parts
as necessary.
5. If leakage occurs, the valve should be
removed and inspected for wear or possible
damage from foreign matter. RE-ASSEMBLY
All parts must be cleaned and gasket surfaces
should be cleaned with a stiff wire brush in the
TROUBLESHOOTING direction of the serrations or machine marks.
Several problems and solutions are presented Worn parts, gaskets and seals should be
below to assist you in troubleshooting the valve replaced during reassembly.
assembly in an efficient manner.
1. Apply Loctite to guide bushing threads (9)
• Leakage at Bottom Connection: Tighten valve and thread bushing into baffle (3). Insert float
threaded connection. If leak persists, remove shaft into float (5).
valve and seal threads with Teflon sealant.
2. Lay seat (4) over inverted cover with flat
• Leakage at Cover: Tighten bolts, replace surface directed toward cover.
gasket.
3. Install float assembly and baffle over seat
• Valve Leaks when Closed: Inspect seat for and secure with retaining bolts (8) at 10 ft-
damage and replace. lbs.

4. Lay cover gasket (6) and cover (2) over bolt

DISASSEMBLY holes in body (1).
The valve can be disassembled without
removing it from the pipeline. Or for 5. Insert lubricated bolts (7) and tighten to the
convenience, the valve can be removed from the torques listed in Table 2.
line. All work on the valve should be performed
by a skilled mechanic with proper tools. Table 2. Valve Cover Bolt Torques
Size Torque (ft-lbs)
5/16” 10
3/8” 24
WARNING 1/2” 59
The line must be drained before removing 5/8” 117
the cover or pressure may be released
causing bodily harm.

3
PARTS AND SERVICE
Parts and service are available from your local
representative or the factory. Make note of the
valve Size, Series No, and Serial No. located on
the valve nameplate and contact:

Val-Matic Valve and Mfg. Corp.

905 Riverside Drive
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Phone: (630) 941-7600
Fax: (630) 941-8042
www.valmatic.com

A sales representative will quote prices for parts

or arrange for service as needed.

LIMITED WARRANTY
All products are warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of
shipment, subject to the limitations below.

If the purchaser believes a product is defective, the purchaser shall: (a) Notify the manufacturer, state the alleged defect
and request permission to return the product; (b) if permission is given, return the product with transportation prepaid. If
the product is accepted for return and found to be defective, the manufacturer will, at his discretion, either repair or replace
the product, f.o.b. factory, within 60 days of receipt, or refund the purchase price. Other than to repair, replace or refund
as described above, purchaser agrees that manufacturer shall not be liable for any loss, costs, expenses or damages of
any kind arising out of the product, its use, installation or replacement, labeling, instructions, information or technical data
of any kind, description of product use, sample or model, warnings or lack of any of the foregoing. NO OTHER
WARRANTIES, WRITTEN OR ORAL, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND MERCHANTABILITY, ARE MADE OR AUTHORIZED. NO AFFIRMATION OF FACT,
PROMISE, DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCT OF USE OR SAMPLE OR MODEL SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY FROM
MANUFACTURER, UNLESS SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE MANUFACTURER. These products are not
manufactured, sold or intended for personal, family or household purposes.

VAL-MATIC® VALVE AND MANUFACTURING CORP.

9 05 R i ver s id e D r . ● Elmhurs t, IL 60126

P h one (630) 941-7600 ● Fax (630) 941-8042
www.valmatic.com