At Fox Global, we supply and support a full range of wafer style check valves and butterfly valves suited for pipelines across industries including civil construction, mining, water treatment, irrigation, pump stations, tunnelling and more.

Wafer-style valves are popular due to their slim profile, ease of installation, and cost-effectiveness — but they must be installed correctly to ensure long-term performance and safety.

✅ What is a Wafer Style Valve?

Wafer valves are sandwiched between two flanges and held in place by the flange bolts. They do not have their own bolt holes, unlike lug or flanged types.

• Wafer Check Valves: Allow flow in one direction, preventing backflow.
• Wafer Butterfly Valves: Feature a rotating disc to regulate flow and shut-off. Can be lever or gear operated.

These valves are available in various materials — stainless, cast iron, ductile iron, and more — and pressure ratings including PN16, ANSI 150, etc.

🧰 Tools & Materials You’ll Need

• Correctly sized wafer valve (check or butterfly)
• Gaskets (rubber, EPDM, NBR or compatible with fluid)
• Appropriate flange set (ANSI, PN, JIS, AS4087)
• Flange bolts & nuts
• Torque wrench
• Lubricant (non-petroleum based, if rubber components are used)
• Spacer or alignment tool (optional)

📝 Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. Inspect the Valve and Flanges

• Check the valve for any damage from transport or storage.
• Ensure the pipe flanges match the valve’s face-to-face dimensions and pressure rating.
• Inspect gasket surfaces for flatness and cleanliness.

2. Determine Flow Direction (for Check Valves)

• Check valves must be installed with the arrow (flow direction indicator) pointing in the direction of media flow.
• Installing in reverse can cause valve failure or water hammer.

3. Position the Gaskets

• Place a gasket on each side of the valve face.
• Gasket material should match the fluid type and pressure.
• Do not use sealants that may interfere with rubber seals or discs.

4. Align the Valve

• Insert the wafer valve between the flanges.
• Use a dummy bolt or alignment pin to help centre the valve.
• Ensure valve disc does not contact the pipe wall when open (for butterfly valves).
• Keep the valve slightly open (~10–15°) during installation to avoid disc damage.

5. Insert and Tighten Bolts

• Insert all flange bolts evenly.
• Tighten in a cross-pattern sequence to apply even pressure across the valve.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten to manufacturer-specified torque.
• Do not over-torque – it may crush the valve body or damage gaskets.

6. Function Check (Butterfly Valves Only)

• Slowly operate the handle or gear to fully open and close the disc.
• Ensure no binding or obstruction occurs.
• Check that the disc does not hit internal pipe walls or bolts.

7. Final Torque and Inspection

• After full assembly, re-check all bolts for tightness in a criss-cross sequence.
• Inspect for gaps between the valve and gaskets.
• Perform a leak test or pressure test as required.

⚠️ Best Practices & Common Mistakes

🧪 Material & Pressure Considerations

• Cast iron/ductile iron valves – common in water & wastewater, PN16 or ANSI150
• Stainless steel valves – ideal for corrosive or aggressive media
• Check valve cracking pressure – consider low cracking pressure valves for low-pressure systems
• Butterfly valves with EPDM or NBR seats – match to the media (air, water, slurry, chemicals)

🏗️ Where These Valves Are Commonly Used

Fox Global wafer style valves are used extensively in:

• ✅ Civil water infrastructure
• ✅ Slurry and water lines in mining
• ✅ Pump station bypass lines
• ✅ Tunnelling dewatering systems
• ✅ Washdown systems
• ✅ Irrigation control valves
• ✅ Industrial air or process water circuits

📦 Fox Global Stocks a Full Range

At Fox Global, we stock a wide range of wafer style check valves and butterfly valves, including:

• Sizes from DN50 to DN600
• Material options: cast iron, stainless steel, bronze, epoxy coated
• Compatible with PN16, ANSI150, JIS 10K and AS4087
• With handles, gear operators or actuators
• Gaskets, flanges, and bolt kits ready for immediate dispatch

We can assist you in valve selection based on flow direction, pressure rating, and media compatibility.

📞 Need Help with Install or Valve Selection?

Fox Global’s technical team is here to help you every step of the way. From product selection to after-sales support, we ensure you get the right product for your job, on time.

📍 Locally owned | 🚚 Fast nationwide shipping | 📦 Full valve & flange kits available

📞 Call us on 1300 852 795
🌐 Visit: www.foxglobal.com.au
✉️ Email: sales@foxglobal.com.au