Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
(OP)
Hi all, I am looking for some advice on the direct deep burial of gate valves.
I have been asked to explore the option of placing a gate valve on an FST drain-down pipeline to allow controlled drainage of the tank during maintenance.
The only difficult bit being it is to be buried approx 8m below finished ground level. I have never dealt with buried gate valves and was looking for any advice or tips on a starting point. The pipeline will be MDPE with stub flange assemblies for jointing to the valve. An extension spindle to ground level will be used to operate the valve.
I am having trouble picturing the arrangement required when such deep burial is proposed if infact it is even possible?
Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time
Nick
I have been asked to explore the option of placing a gate valve on an FST drain-down pipeline to allow controlled drainage of the tank during maintenance.
The only difficult bit being it is to be buried approx 8m below finished ground level. I have never dealt with buried gate valves and was looking for any advice or tips on a starting point. The pipeline will be MDPE with stub flange assemblies for jointing to the valve. An extension spindle to ground level will be used to operate the valve.
I am having trouble picturing the arrangement required when such deep burial is proposed if infact it is even possible?
Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time
Nick





RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
Thanks in advance for any further help
Nick
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
http://www.binghamandtaylor.com/pdf/castironcatalo...
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
IMO you should really put it in a manhole. You say that you don't need maintenance, but what about when you do. The ultimate eventuality is that you will need maintenance. Pay now, or pay more later.
"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
Thanks again,
Nick
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
unless you add an electric valve operator, you will have a long extension stem anyway, but I think the torsion/stem failure issue is a bit overstated (unless this is a very large valve, but then you would have a gearbox).
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
It is not entirely unknown to shear valve stems (Murphy would add, especially when they are in unaccessable locations) and when they get a bit stuck and they have electric operators.
I don't think it's so much of an issue of "how often a valve fails". They certainly can fail ONE time, and BTW it's something you would be EXTREMELY unhappy about if they were buried 8 M deep. Even ONCE is once too often!
"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
It is impossible to do an accurate cost/risk analysis. Only God knows how long a gate valve will last without requiring major maintenance. If one does need to be pulled for maintenance or replacement, the cost will be far more than putting in 6 manholes.
I think that is a question for the owner. Your recommendation should be to use manholes .. not based on an engineering analysis, but rather that using a system which may cause major expense and real problems in the future. Better to do it right the first time. But if they want to save a little money, then go with the alternative.
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
if you are shearing off the valve stem/operator - it is because the valve is stuck / broken and you have an over zealous operator trying to force it.
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
Assuming that turning the valve at this length is not an issue, what is wrong with a valve box with extensions?
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
Adding manholes at each valve with pipe supports, etc. will be very costly. The location of these valves should be considered for future maintenance. If they are out in a field area with not much around them, they would be more accessible than if they are in a paved area surrounded by other structures where expensive shoring means and restoration would be needed.
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
"People will work for you with blood and sweat and tears if they work for what they believe in......" - Simon Sinek
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?
RE: Direct Burial of Gatve valve, is it possible at 8m deep - how?