5. Installing valves

Requirements for the placement of valves in accordance with the Norwegian Building Technical Regulations (Only valid in Norway)

In Norway, there has been a requirement for the installation of automatic leakage stoppers in new buildings and installations as of TEK10 (Building Technical Regulations). Regulations on technical requirements for construction works (Building engineering regulations, TEK17) § 15-5, point (4) belonging to the Planning and Building Act (PBL) sets requirements that leaks must be easily detected and not cause damage to water installations and building components.

The scope of coverage for automatic leak stoppers is described in the Building Engineering Regulations (TEK 17) with associated guidance, see § 15-5, point (4), and is reproduced as an extract below:

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Pre-accepted performance

1. Leaks from built-in cisterns or similar must be made visible. In rooms other than wet rooms, the leak must also cause the water to be shut off automatically.
2. If the building's fixed water installation has an indoor tapping point where the leaking water will not run to a drain or into an overflow, an automatic leak stopper must be installed. The same applies to connection points for products and equipment that use water, such as washing machines and dishwashers. Automatic leak stopper is a moisture sensor that gives a signal to a valve that shuts off the water supply.

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Waterguard+ is type-approved by Sintef (TG20834), which makes it possible to get the installation FG-approved. This can give you a discount on your insurance.

NB! In order to have the installation of the Waterguard+ automatic leak stopper FG approved, there is a requirement to complete an FG certificate.

Template for FG certificate is available on Finans Norge's website under FG certificate leak stopper.

The FG certificate is the customer's proof that the installation, including the products, is in accordance with the Norwegian requirements as stated in FG rules for automatic leak stoppers (FG-600:3).

The installation of Waterguard+ must be carried out by an authorized plumber with a valid certificate, central approval for liability law and compulsory liability insurance. Failure to comply will invalidate the warranty and FG approval, as well as make the installer liable for damages or errors.

Based on the description of the scope of coverage in TEK17 above, we recommend that Waterguard+ is installed so that the following areas are secured:

• Kitchen bench with associated pipe connections
• Dishwasher with associated connections
• Washing machine with associated connections
• Water filters with associated connections
• Refrigerator with water connection and associated water pipes
• Drink dispensers with associated connections
• Water heaters with connecting pipes
• Rooms without drains with sanitary equipment without overflow
• Room without a drain with distribution cabinet for a pipe-in-pipe system with drainage into the room. Leakage from a pipe-in-pipe system is led to a distribution cabinet, where a detector or similar can be placed, which leads to shut-off of the water. In distribution cabinets where the leakage water is led out of the wall and does not lead to a drain must it is equipped with a water sensor connected to an automatic leak stop that shuts off the water.
• Concealed and open water pipes that are not secured with a drained supply pipe or placed in a room with waterproof floor and drains, must have approved leak stoppers where installation of sensors such as means that the system detects, alerts and shuts down water leaks before damage occurs building.
• Built-in cisterns, tap fittings or similar.

If the dishwasher is installed in the kitchen worktop, there is no need for a leak stopper for both machine and bench. Corresponding water installations not mentioned above must also be secured.

 

Important notes regarding valve installation

• Valves must be installed in a dry and frost-free environment and shall be accessible for service.
• A separate filter must be installed upstream of the valve(s) if large particles or objects may be present in the water.
• Make sure that any thread sealing material does not enter the valve during assembly. This may reduce the leak tightness of the valve.
• The valve dimension should always be the same as the pipe dimension. Normally, DN15 (1/2") valves are used for kitchen, bathroom and other wet room installations, while DN20 (3/4") valves are used for main intake installations in single family homes and larger housing units.

• Valves shall be mounted on the water pipeline, downstream of:

  • manual shut-off valves.
  • water meters.
  • pressure reduction valves.
  • outlets for fire sprinkler systems.
  • Fire hose.
  • outlets for emergency cooling of heating systems.
  • hydrophore / hydro press or similar equipment.
  • rewinding filters.

 

Space requirements

The largest ball valve (3/4" - DN20) is 68 mm long and largest diameter is 38 mm. The valve actuator is 97 mm long and 57 mm wide, in addition a fixed cable of 100 mm with RJ45 connector at the end is added.

Total height of valve and actuator is 92 mm from bottom valve to top actuator (77 mm from center valve to top actuator).

Linkbox+ covers an area of 119 mm x 119 mm and is approx. 30 mm thick (depending on the type of mounting bracket used).

 

 

Ball valve body installation - 1/2" and 3/4" valves

Install a suitable size Waterguard ball valve (DN15 (1/2") or DN20 (3/4")) to brass, stainless steel, galvanized, or hard steel pipes using the appropriate joining method. The valves have G1/2 (DN15) and G3/4 (DN20) ISO-228 female threads on both ends.

The ball valves have DN10 classification (max. working pressure 10 bar) and is tested according to EN13828 up to 25 bar.

The valve may be installed in horizontal or vertical directions and is bi-directional (allowing flow in either direction).

Ensure the valve stem is level with or pointing upwards above the horizontal line. This ensures the motorized actuator is not at the lowest point, causing potential water accumulation.

 

Standard union with external threads (½" or ¾" depending on valve size) must be used for valve installation. Use appropriate thread sealing (e.g., thread tape, hemp + hemp paste or Loctite). Make sure that the selected thread seal is not fed into the valve, as this can result in the valve not sealing completely when the water is shut off. The maximum torque when tightening must not exceed 75 Nm.

 

NB! Pressure test must always be conducted after installation to ensure tight connections.

 

Ball Valve Actuator installation

Installing the actuator on the valve doesn't require any tools.

 

1. Assemble the Valve Actuator to the valve in the desired orientation by pushing the actuator down onto the valve stem.


If the valve stem is not properly aligned with the pipe direction, you can use the actuator to turn the stem. (If there's not enough space for turning the stem with the help of the actuator, use a monkey wrench or similar for approximately positioning and then the actuator for the fine positioning). Once in position, push the actuator down.

 

2. Install the steel clip attached to lock the actuator. A tactile and audible "click" provides evidence that the clip is securely locked in place. Check that the valve actuator is secured by pulling on the actuator in the opposite direction of installation.

 

 

5. Insert communication cable (Cat.6). Push until an audible "CLICK" is heard and tactile feedback is felt.

 

Valve cable splitter installation (for controlling 2 ball valves)

The RJ45 cable splitter is an accessory product that allows simultaneous control of two (2) valves from one (1) Linkbox+.

1. Install the splitter in an appropriate place between the Linkbox+ and the valves using 2x screws (not provided with the product). Avoid over-tightening the screws.
   
   NB! Ensure connector openings are facing down to ensure proper water ingress protection.
2. 
3. Align cables with the appropriate connectors.
   
   
   
4. Push until an audible "CLICK" is heard and tactile feedback is felt.
   

 

230V magnetic solenoid valve installation (1" to 2")

For pipe dimensions larger than 3/4", 230V Solenoid valves must be used. Install a suitable size solenoid valve (1" (DN25) to 2" (DN50)) to brass, stainless steel, galvanized, or hard steel pipes using the appropriate joining method. The valves have G1 (DN25) to G2 (DN50) ISO-228 female threads on both ends.

The valve may be installed in horizontal or vertical directions. The valve is uni-directional, and water must flow in the direction of the arrow on the valve body.

Ensure the valve anchor is level with or pointing upwards above the horizontal line. This ensures the magnetic solenoid is not at the lowest point, causing potential water accumulation.

If the valve coil is not already fixed to the valve anchor, press it down until you hear and feel a "CLICK":

 

 

Power Adapter installation for Solenoid Valves

The magnetic solenoid valves operate at 230V AC and not at 24V as the motorized ball valves. This requires a separate Waterguard+ 230V Power Adapter to be used.

 

 

1. Connect the Cat.6 and 24V DC power cable to the Abra Linkbox+
   
   
   
   
2. Connect the 230V power cable to the valve coil and tighten the center screw to secure the power cable to the magnetic solenoid valve.
   
   
3. Plug the power adapter into a 230V AC outlet.

 

Solenoid valve split and extension cable installation (for controlling 2 or more solenoid valves)

 

The Solenoid Valve Split and Extension Cable is an accessory product that allows simultaneous control of up to three (3) solenoid valves from one (1) Linkbox+.

1. Connect the Solenoid Valve Split and Extension Cable (0.5 m or 3 m) to both valves (continue connection in series if three (3) valves shall be operated in parallel).
2. Connect the 230V AC power cable (from Power Adapter - Solenoid Valve and Linkbox+) to the male counterpart of the connector (connected to the left valve as shown in the illustration below).
3. Replace the default 20 mm long screw in the 230V AC power cable with the included 40 mm screw, then tighten the center screws to secure both power cables.

 

 

NOTE

When using the 0.5 m or 3 m cable to extend the length of the supplied 230V AC power cable (1 valve), the included mounting plate shall be used to firmly fixate the connector assembly. See the image below.