Understanding the 39A Air Valve and How It Prevents Pipe Ruptures and Bursts

We’ve all seen it–the Old Faithful geyser on the corner gushing water into the street, blocking traffic and sending pedestrians running in the other direction. It is a partial pipe rupture, and over 250,000 happen in the U.S. each year. This episode of “Valve Chronicles” uncovers how these bursts happen and how they can be prevented.

Host Tyler Kern welcomes Technical Product Specialist at Cla-Val, Roger Lah, to explore the many features of the 39A triple action valve.

Surge events are a pipe’s worst enemy and all too common when basic air valves cause negative pressure in the pipeline. Pipes can burst for a number of reasons, like excessive air accumulation, improper ventilation, and these aforementioned surge events. The 39A valve confronts these common problems head on.

Operating much like an air bag for rushing water, the 39A slows the venting process and cushions the rejoining of the water with the air valve exhaust. The result? No surge event and no slam effect. Over time, these slam events weaken pipes, causing costly ruptures.

But 39A not only medicates this problem, it also prevents it, using Cla-Val software to analyze slam events and provide data that engineers use to prevent future ruptures.

Easily disassembled with hand tools and serviced with locally obtained parts, the 39A is a cost-effective improvement to a pipeline. Lah points out that now is the perfect time for water districts to inspect, repair and service pipelines, since road traffic is reduced.

Find the “high-hazard areas where surges can happen,” said Lah, and service the pipe before it’s too late.

To learn more about Cla-Val valves and software visit www.cla-val.com.