Selecting the right valve is a critical decision if you're working in industrial or building services applications, amongst others. Whether it's ensuring optimal flow control or managing corrosive waste in a chemical processing plant, the correct valve choice directly affects system performance, safety, and reliability. This guide is designed to help you navigate the key valve types, materials, and considerations when specifying valves for your next project.  

As a trusted supplier to the trade, Pipekit is proud to work with leading brands such as Georg Fischer, Albion Valves, Durapipe, and Astore. Our commitment to customer service includes offering expert technical advice through a dedicated sales team trained on the latest product innovations.  

What Should I Consider When Choosing the Correct Valve?  

Choosing the right valve requires consideration of various technical and application-specific factors. Here are five key points to help guide your decision:  

• Material Compatibility: The valve material must be compatible with the media it handles and the surrounding environment. For example, Georg Fischer's ABS valves perform well in chilled water systems, while Albion’s brass valves are WRAS-approved for potable water. For corrosive environments, PVC-C or stainless steel may be preferred.  

• Connection Type: Valves are available with various connections, including flanged, threaded, compression, solvent weld, and push-fit. A popular option is flanged valves which are typically used in high-pressure industrial systems, while compression fittings are popular in domestic plumbing. Astore offer solvent weld valves ideal for water distribution.  
  
  
• Pressure Rating: Understanding system pressure is essential. Valve pressure classes vary widely—for instance, Albion Valves provides valves up to PN25 for commercial heating, while Durapipe’s valves in plastic may be rated lower but are suitable for chemical processes and waste handling.  
  
  
• Operation Type: Valves can be manually operated (lever or handwheel) or actuated (pneumatic or electric).  
  
  
• Standards and Certifications: Valves often need to comply with regulations such as WRAS and BS EN 558. For example Albion Valves supplies brass ball valves that are both WRAS-approved and certified to EN 331, making them ideal for both water and gas applications. They also hold certifications for BSRIA, BESA, CIBSE and CSA across their ranges demonstrating their commitment to quality and industry best practices. Many of Georg Fischer's valves comply with ISO 5211 for actuator mounting interfaces and EN ISO 16135 for thermoplastics in industrial piping systems.  
  

What Valve Types Are Available?  

Several types of valves are commonly used by our customers across a variety of sectors including industrial, building services and water treatment. Here are some of the most popular valve types from the leading brands Pipekit stock:  

• Ball Valves: Ball valves can provide tight shut-off and are ideal for potable water systems, gas lines, and chemical applications. Brands such as Georg Fischer and Albion Valves offer ball valves in PVC-U, ABS, brass, and stainless steel, with both manual and actuated options. These can be 2-way which is most common providing a straight flow path from input to output or 3-way with L or T bore determining the direction of the flow. This allows mixing and redirection making them suitable for heating, cooling, chemical and oil applications.  
  
  
• Check Valves: Designed to allow flow in one direction and prevent backflow, check valves are crucial for system protection. Check valves are available in plastic and metal materials, with ranges suited to drainage, pump, and chemical applications.  
  
  
• Butterfly Valves: These compact valves regulate flow using a rotating disc and are ideal for larger pipe sizes. We supply an extensive range of Georg Fischer butterfly valves typically used in water treatment, ventilation, and chemical distribution systems.  
  
  
• Gate Valves: Used for isolation rather than regulation, gate valves fully open or close the flow. Pipekit offers Albion and Durapipe gate valves in ductile iron and PVC-U, often used in civil engineering and infrastructure projects.  
  
  
• Air Admittance Valves: These valves allow air into plumbing systems without letting gas escape, maintaining pressure balance. Ideal for venting applications in buildings.