FEBCO MasterSeries LF850 and LF870V lead-free double-check valve assemblies from Watts Water Technologies are designed to prevent the backflow of pollutants that are objectionable but nontoxic from entering the potable water supply.

“The FEBCO MasterSeries is one of our most up-to-date assemblies in that they are USC 10th edition-approved,” says Jeff Hawkins, backflow prevention valve national product manager for Watts. “We have achieved numerous approvals and certifications for the MasterSeries product lines, from ASSE and USC to NSF, CSA, FM and UL. It is in many ways our most advanced backflow prevention valve.”

Features include an epoxy-coated, ductile iron body (Grade 65-45-12) with NRS or OSY resilient wedge gate valves and N-pattern orientation for installation in tight quarters (vertical-up/vertical-down and vertical-up/vertical-up orientations), as well as inline horizontal.

“The compact N-pattern has a tight centerline distance for mounting, which reduces the footprint for the valve,” Hawkins says. “If you have a tight mechanical room, the N-pattern offers real advantages. Or if you’re in an environment where you place the valve inside enclosures, the smaller the valves, the smaller the enclosure and less cost you have for the total installation.”

Other features include inline serviceability, reversible and replaceable check discs, field-replaceable check seats, stainless steel check components and reduced pressure loss.

Lead-free certified to NSF 61G standards, the wetted surface contacted by consumable water contains less than 0.25 percent of lead by weight. Valve sizes range from 2 1/2 to 10 inches in diameter and have a maximum working pressure of 175 psi, hydrostatic safety pressure of 700 psi and temperature range of 33 to 140 degrees F.

The valves require little maintenance beyond annual certification.

“A certified plumber or certified backflow tester typically would exercise a double-check valve assembly once per year and validate the static differential pressure across each check,” Hawkins says. “You may find that you have experienced wear in the check seat or in the elastomeric material that forms the compliant seal in the check valve. Those are the typical service items you would verify, maintain or replace. Generally speaking, it’s the rubber disc that has worn. Occasionally you may have a damaged or broken check component, but that’s very rare.” www.febcoonline.com.