Gas valves are essential components in any system, as they allow the flow of gas to pass, be regulated, and be blocked at any time via a control.

On the other hand, safety valves are necessary components to prevent any malfunction or failure in the system from causing harmful consequences for nearby areas or individuals in contact with the system. For these reasons, combining them allows for a higher level of safety and better control of the flow and the system as a whole.

The safety valves available in the Gnali Bocia catalog come in various types and can meet the needs of different customers. In particular, the main operating principle can be connected either to a measured pressure value that must not exceed a certain threshold to avoid risk, or to a thermocouple that evaluates the presence of the flame generated by the burner and, if absent, stops the gas flow to prevent excessive and uncontrolled leaks into the environment. The valves available in the catalog also come in different types and are suitable for applications ranging from cylinders used for welding to systems equipped with boilers and multi-directional ramps.

Choosing the correct type of gas valve with a safety valve is the first step and therefore requires a targeted design and study of the system. In any case, considering the wide range of options available, it is always possible to find a suitable model that meets the specifications and needs of each customer.

The importance of proper installation and maintenance

As with all components that come into contact with flammable gases or hazardous liquids, installation is a fundamental starting point for reducing risks and extending the useful life of components. Preventing damage during installation, properly checking the system and its characteristic pressure values, and correctly calibrating all used indicators are just some of the essential measures that must be taken at the initial stage. In addition, if any operational anomalies occur that affect both functionality and safety, it is extremely important to regularly maintain these components and replace them when necessary.

Regulation of gas valves with safety valves

In Europe, there is legislation 2014/68/EU, known as the PED (Pressure Equipment Directive), which regulates all stages of pressure system construction and the components used within them for system regulation and safety. The basis of this standard is the determination of the hazard level associated with each component, based on technical specifications, physical variables, and maximum allowable limits.

Safety valves and shut-off valves

Systems that transport flammable gases require precise and reliable control systems capable of intervening in case of any anomaly, preventing accidents and serious failures that could compromise the operation of the systems themselves and pose a danger to people nearby. For this purpose, two main types of valves have been developed, also available in the Gnali Bocia catalog: safety valves and shut-off valves.

Features of safety valves

Safety valves are central components of systems and can be regulated by two different mechanisms:

- the presence of a thermocouple detects whether there is a flame. This mechanism is necessary to prevent uncontrolled leakage of flammable gas, reducing both waste and risks;

- pressure-based control with a mechanism that blocks the flow in case of malfunction. A distinctive feature of this type of valve is that it can only be manually reset by specialized operators.

Features of shut-off valves

Shut-off valves do not represent a separate category but rather a subgroup of safety valves regulated by overpressure. Another advantage of this type of valve is that they can also be suitable for detecting pipe rupture and preventing losses caused by accumulation.

The importance of maintenance for proper valve operation

As with all safety components, proper installation and calibration of valves, as well as optimized assembly, are not sufficient conditions to ensure optimal operation during use. In fact, over time, there may be a gradual loss of calibration value, which can lead to various problems. The first control option is provided by an externally positioned lever, which allows testing and blocking in manually accessible systems. However, this does not guarantee compliance with calibration values. Therefore, additional checks must be carried out by placing the valves on calibration benches with increasing airflow to restore them to standard values. Finally, ultrasonic inspections ensure the management of leaks that may be difficult to diagnose and detect.