Author: admin

Emergency Mixing Valve System

All Valve Industries Develops Australia’s First Watermark Certified Mixing Valve Solution For Emergency Shower and Eye Wash Equipment

Since the publication of AS4775 – 2007: Emergency eyewash and shower equipment, the challenge of how to supply “tepid” water to these critical first emergency response products using Watermark certified mixing valves had not been resolved. Until now!

All Valve Industries through collaboration with key industry stakeholders has responded by developing an innovative Watermarked solution in the Caleffi EMS120 – Emergency Mixing Valve System.

The issue of tepid water delivery to these emergency fixtures is one that has been largely misinterpreted and rarely applied in practice as you investigate the emergency shower landscape in Australia. Essentially the stated tepid water temperature range of 16°C – 38°C referenced in AS4775, is intended to deliver flushing fluid at a temperature conducive to encouraging an injured party to complete the full 15-minute flush during an emergency whether this occurs at an emergency shower or eye or eye/face wash unit.

Once this is understood and the parameters of the workplace environment such as the geographic location of the site, the location of the emergency equipment within the facility and the types of hazardous materials to which a person may be exposed are included in the risk assessment, the application of tepid water then begins to make sense!

Often it is mistakenly thought that cold water will be sufficient for emergency eye wash and shower applications, however an uncontrolled water supply temperature delivers uncertainty and can result in users simply being unable to complete the recommended 15 minute flushing procedure where the water is too cold or too hot. At temperatures below 15°C prolonged exposure increases the hypothermia risk to the user and uncontrolled temperatures above 38°C (ideal bathing temperature), could lead to chemical interaction with eyes and skin and also increases the risk of scalding as well as potential exposure to Legionella.

All Valve Industries Caleffi EMS120 Emergency Mixing Valve System delivers the following key high performance features:

  • Watermark certified Mixing Valves to AS4032.2
  • 20°C- 38°C controlled temperature range;
  • + / – 3°C accuracy of flushing fluid;
  • 12 l/min – 120 l/min mixed water flow rate range;
  • 76 l/min cold water bypass capacity;
  • Thermal shut off in the event of cold water failure;

One crucial design element for the Caleffi EMS120 assembly is the inclusion of a cold water bypass. As first response emergency equipment must remain functional in the event of an emergency, the cold water bypass becomes a critical to allow cold water only to flow at a rate suitable to support the continued use of an emergency shower or eye or eye/face wash in the event of hot water failure. A standard TMV does not incorporate such a feature and will shut down in the event of either hot or cold water supply failure making them totally unsuitable for critical infrastructure installations such as those described here.

The combination of All Valve Industries’ Watermark certified Caleffi EMS120 Emergency Mixing System, as well as AS4775 and AS4020 certified and compliant emergency shower and eye/face wash technology, allows you to specify and install Australia’s first compliant and most innovative emergency response package knowing that they have been researched, designed and engineered to be safe, reliable and fit for purpose with the needs of your industry.

Emergency Mixing Valves

View our range of mixing valve assemblies for safety showers and eyewash units
Click Here

Future of Water Management

For decades, mechanical water meters have been the backbone of utility management, offering reliability and familiarity. However, as water utilities face increasing challenges such as population growth, water scarcity, and aging infrastructure, solid-state metering technology emerges as a transformative solution.

Why Upgrade to Solid State Meters?

Solid-state meters, powered by advanced sensor technology and data analytics, provide a host of benefits that outpace their mechanical counterparts:

  • Unmatched Accuracy
    Solid-state meters measure lower flow rates with precision, capturing as little as 1 liter/hour compared to the 5 liters/hour of high-end mechanical meters. This ensures more accurate billing and eliminates revenue losses from undetected flow.

  • Enhanced Longevity
    Unlike mechanical meters, solid-state meters lack moving parts, making them resistant to wear, corrosion, and mineral buildup. This reduces maintenance costs and ensures consistent performance over their lifespan.

  • Remote Reading Capabilities
    Equipped with communication features like RF, cellular, or internet connectivity, solid-state meters enable remote readings via automated systems, saving time and resources.

  • Actionable Data Insights
    Solid-state meters collect detailed consumption data, enabling utilities to analyze usage patterns, optimize networks, and plan infrastructure upgrades effectively.

  • Environmental Impact
    By detecting leaks and promoting conservation, solid-state meters help minimize water waste and support sustainable resource management.

  • Adaptability and Resilience
    Designed to withstand harsh environments, modern solid-state meters can operate in extreme conditions when paired with specialized housings from manufacturers like Itron.

  • Streamlined Billing and Consumer Engagement
    Accurate data enhances billing efficiency and transparency, allowing consumers to monitor their usage through online portals.

A Seamless Transition for Utilities

Solid-state meters integrate easily with automated systems, allowing utilities to transition gradually from manual readings to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). This shift not only enhances operational efficiency but also provides opportunities to elevate staff roles, focusing on data analysis and system management.

Choosing the Right Solution

Not all solid-state meters are created equal. Collaborating with experienced vendors, such as Itron, ensures utilities select the right products for their needs. For example, Itron’s wSource meters offer a battery life of up to 22 years and compatibility with open standards, making them a reliable choice for utilities worldwide.

Embrace the Future of Water Management

Solid-state metering is more than a technological upgrade—it’s a pathway to improved efficiency, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. To explore how solid-state meters can revolutionize your utility operations.

Download Itron's white paper

Solid State Water Metering
Click Here

Itron Engage Expert Partner

All Valve Industries Achieves Itron Engage Expert Status

All Valve Industries (AVI) announced that it achieved Expert level status in the Itron Engage Channel Partner Program in 2024, the first company in Australia to be awarded this tier.

Itron Engage is a global program with benefits designed to recognize their partner’s expertise across the Itron portfolio. Through ongoing training, development, certification and support, Itron enables their partners to leverage the strength of the Itron portfolio, brand and leadership position to deliver market leading products and solutions for their customers.  

"We're delighted to be recognized by Itron with Expert partner status," said Trent Kilner, Managing Director at AVI. "We have heavily invested in the capabilities within our organization to capitalize on the opportunities provided to us by Itron and the Engage Channel Partner Program. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team in supporting Itron’s solutions to the market.”

Along with its Expert level status, AVI is certified by Itron in the delivery of smart water devices, AMI and AMR network solutions, Temetra meter data management deployment services and water operations management solutions.

AVI is one of the Australia’s most accomplished distributors for Itron, currently delivering AMR and AMI systems for some of Australia’s largest water authorities, including Sydney Water, as well as many regional NSW councils and a vast network of plumbing merchants.

Itron Metering Projects

All Valve Industries has been appointed as a National distributor for Itron’s range of metering products. This partnership means Itron now has a well-established distribution channel for the wholesale market, as well as additional local stock and support in Sydney.

Itron received approval to provide metering solutions in compliance to Sydney Water’s Multi-Level Individual Metering (MLIM) Policy.

Itron is a world-leading technology and services company dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions that measure, manage and analyze energy and water. It is also an industry leader in metering solutions and the number 1 supplier of water meters and communication modules globally. With over 90 million water meters and more than 21 million water communication modules supplied worldwide, Itron is your best choice in resource management.

Project Quotes

  • Must install metering on each unit as per MLIM Guidelines (common water optional).
  • Source and install Master Meter(s) from Sydney Water.
  • Attach the included labels on the pipe on the outlet side of the meter with lot number and tap test.
  • Ensure appropriate access to site for Itron Technicians and Subcontractors at mutually agreeable time

 If you lodge a Section 73 application after 1 September 2014, these conditions will be in the:

  • Notice of Requirements letter
  • complying Section 73 Certificate development letter. 
  • Address of Project site
  • Number of master meters – Plumber to organise with Sydney Water
  • Number of apartments – residential meters required
  • Number of common water meters – If required
  • Number of buildings in projects
  • Number of Levels per building
  • Required Lead time from Meter supplier (for meters and commissioning)
  • Are sub assembly kits required (meter brackets)

Itron is able to offer a fixed price quotation due to the mobile battery operated EverBlu Collector Technology. This technology enables Itron to provide full RF coverage across the whole site without requiring additional power points. The infrastructure requirements and positions are determined during the Infrastructure survey using specialised tools. This process is only required to be performed once. If additional collectors and/or access points are required after this process, they will be provided at Itron’s cost. Itron have successfully deployed EverBlu networks across entire buildings and towns / cities in Australia, with the largest single deployment being 13,500 meters.

Valve Cavitation

Every now and again, a product is used in an application which isn’t fit for purpose and the consequence of doing so becomes evident very quickly. However, these situations can also be treated as lessons learnt and this brief article has been written to help understand the effects of high differential pressures across a flow control valve.

In this instance, unbeknownst to All Valve Industries, a Cimberio 746 series balancing valve was used to control the circulating flow of cold water through various circuits in a building, much like you would for a domestic hot water system, with the aim to reduce stagnant cold water and the risk of Legionella.

The issue was that rather than relying on a circulating pump with a relatively low head pressure for the circulation, the system used the mains water and booster pumps which were normally used to provide the peak flow demand to the building. This mains pressure water circulated through the system and back to an open tank for recirculation.

In order to provide the design flow for each circuit and balance the system, the Cimberio 746 series balancing valves were installed at the end of each circuit. Although the flow rates achieved were correct, the valves had to create a pressure loss of nearly 500kPa, whereby the maximum suggested pressure loss for these balancing valves is 50kPa.

The result of the valves creating this excessively high pressure loss was that cavitation occurred inside the valve and, within just 6 months, eroded the brass body to the point of failure. The tell tale sign of cavitation is the pitted rough surface structure and being located directly downstream of the ‘vena contracta’ which is the narrowest flow area that creates the pressure loss. The pictures show just how destructive the cavitation can be.

There are several alternative solutions to rectify the issue, for example, using a hydraulic style differential pressure sustaining valve at the end of the common return line which fed the tank, thereby reducing the pressure loss required across the balancing valves, or potentially redesign the system to not vent to the open tank and use a smaller circulating pump, or possibly use a control valve that featured an anti-cavitation trim (although unlikely available with Watermark approval).

This is just one example of cavitation in valves that All Valve Industries have seen over the years, but it serves as a reminder of the importance to carefully review manufacturer’s recommendations for the valve’s working conditions to ensure reliable performance for the life of the product.

For more information on cavitation, Flowserve provides a very good overview of this topic and you can read about it here;

Flowserve cavitation article

H-BOX water saving

Working with E-LAB Consulting, a leading specialist sustainability engineering consultancy company, we approached the BASIX technical support team with our innovative H-BOX unit with the aim of recognising the product for it’s water savings potential.

Various water savings calculations and theoretical water savings were modelled, showing potential savings ranging from 16 to 25% depending on the proposed hot water design, apartment size, number of occupants, etc.

These savings were also validated through a case study where the H-BOX unit was retrofitted into an existing building to reduce the HW delivery times. The embedded network company of the building provided anonymous data of the hot water usage for the apartments before and after the installation of the H-BOX for a 2 year period. Due to limitations in access, the full benefit of the H-BOX could not be achieved by circulating hot water through the entire apartment, however, despite this the H-BOX proved to reduce hot water consumption on average by 10%. Of course, had the circulation of hot water continued through to each fixture, the water savings would likely be closer in line with the water savings initially calculated.

This data, along with the proposed water savings calculations was accepted by BASIX in June 2022. Now within the BASIX tool, if using a central hot water system, the H-BOX system can be utilised by selecting a “Hot Water Re-heating Circulation Device” to indicate that this device is present and will apply a water saving to your sustainability score.

HBOX Basix Screenshot

Note that at this stage the main change has been to remove the validation that prevented the use of an ‘on-demand hot water recirculation system’ to be connected to central hot water system. The water savings offered under the ‘on demand’ type system is similar to that demonstrated by the H-BOX, and so this category was suitable to be updated to recognise the savings offered by the H-BOX system. BASIX is still in the process of updating the wording in this section as well as in the help note to mention the use of a “Hot Water Re-heating Circulation Device” which will be the generic term for a H-BOX product.

With most projects, we see an average of a 1% increase in the overall BASIX water score, which is a significant achievement for any project.

Now, there are even more reasons to specify a H-BOX into your next project!

See our H-BOX products