06/06/2011	<<Back to News
EN Norm Testing & Approval
Dual EN approved Uniflow combination valve
Product safety, performance and reliability are paramount to Fort Vale. These core principals are reflected in every step of the company’s design and production process, which is why the company has taken an extremely thorough approach to the testing of its range of valves to satisfy the EN Norms to ADR regulations Ch.6.8.
Rather than to apply for approval on a generic range of valves, Fort Vale has separately tested and applied for the approval of each valve configuration that has a significantly different geometry or construction method, for example a cast rather than fabricated body or a different shear groove location. However, Fort Vale has gone above and beyond the test parameters of the EN Norm requirements, in particular with primary closure valves (Footvalves). Design & Development Director David Bailey explains why. “Whilst the EN Norm test requirements cater for the rigours of operation on a road tanker, some of the valves covered by the testing are used on container tanks where dual approval may be required. Rather than testing our valves only to meet the minimum EN Norm requirements, we have also subjected our footvalves to a bottom impact test. We designed a rig to replicate the action of a tank container being lowered onto an uneven surface and rupturing the footvalve from underneath. In our experience, this is the most common type of impact damage caused to a footvalve on an ISO container tank. Our footvalve shear grooves break safely in “real world” applications, leaving the closure poppet liquid-tight, so our customers can be confident that they are buying the best possible protection for their cargo in road tankers and ISO container tanks.” Testing and proving the performance and integrity of valves, both for existing and new designs, is part of the production and development strategy of the company. Fort Vale customers are welcome to view the new test facility at the company’s headquarters, a number of whom have already visited. Over 200 Fort Vale valves and manways have already been approved by Lloyds Register. Plans are in motion to continue with at least another hundred products. Already approved to BS EN 14432:2006 are a number of airline ball valves and butterfly valves and secondary (discharge) ball valves and butterfly valves, including the “Tankpro” and “Unifly” road tanker models. A range of 300mm inspection hatch assemblies and 500mm manlid assemblies to suit 3 and 4 Bar MAWP have been approved to BS EN14025:2008. Footvalves compliant with BS EN14433:2006 include 3” 30° and 45° Highlifts, 3” and 4” 45° Cleanflows (both manually and pneumatically actuated), 3” and 4” 90° Cleanflows and 3” 105° Cleanflows. The combination footvalve/butterfly valves such as the “Univalve” and “Uniflow” qualify for dual approval to EN14433 and EN14432. For a full list of parts available with EN Norm approval, please contact sales@fortvale.com.