Vag GA 920 User manual

INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
Figure 920
1” & 2” Compound Lever
Air Release Valves
Drawing EAR-7003
234 Clay Avenue • Mars, PA 16046 USA
Telephone [phone] • Fax [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Manual Number 920-IOM 022420 Rev C

INSTALLATION, OPERATION
INSTALLATION, OPERATION and
MAINTENANCE
Figure 920 Air Release Valves
INTRODUCTION
This manual will provide the information to
properly install, operate and maintain the valve
to ensure a long service life. The Air Release
Valve is ruggedly constructed to provide years of
trouble-free operation with minimal
maintenance.
These Air Release Valves are not intended for
use with fluids containing suspended solids such
as wastewater and sewage. The GA Industries
Figure 925, 927 or 929 Air Release Valves are
recommended for such applications.
CAUTION
The valve is NOT recommended for use with
toxic fluids, fuels or fluids containing hazardous
gases
CAUTION
The valve will not function if used at a pressure
higher than the maximum working pressure
indicated on the nameplate.
The Shop Order (SO) Number, Figure Number,
size and pressure rating are stamped on a
nameplate attached to the valve. Please refer to
the SO number when ordering parts.
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
The Air Release Valve is designed to
automatically vent air that has accumulated
within the valve. These valves are usually
installed at high points in the system where air
tends to collect. The valve as shipped is
”normally open” and will vent air through its
orifice at the top of the valve. The float rises
when water enters the valve and closes the
orifice. Air from the system accumulates in the
valve forcing the water level down until the float
drops and opens the venting orifice. As air is
released the water level rises lifting the float and
re-closing the valve.
This sequence occurs as often as necessary to
release air that has collected in the valve.
RECEIVING AND STORAGE
Inspect the valve upon receipt for damage
during shipment. Carefully unload all valves to
the ground without dropping.
The valves should remain in a clean, dry and
weather protected area until installed. For long
term storage (greater than 6 months) the rubber
surfaces of the seat should be coated with a
non-toxic lubricant such as "SuperLube" made
by Synco Chemical. Do not expose the rubber
parts to sunlight or ozone.
INSTALLATION
The Figure 920 is standard with NPT screwed
connections. An optional flange pipeline
connection is available on special order.
Consult the drawings of record to verify the
configuration supplied and installed.
The valve must be installed in an upright vertical
orientation, normally at a high point in the
system.
If installed outdoors, below ground in a vault or
in an unheated area, adequate freeze protection
must be provided. Some discharge of water
may occur during operation so the valve outlet
should be piped to an adequate drain.
An isolating valve should be installed between
the valve and the pipeline or system to facilitate
maintenance.
Carefully screw threaded end valves onto pipe
nipple using compatible thread sealant. Tighten
valve using wrench flats. DO NOT OVER-
TIGHTEN.
Flat-faced flanged valves should be mated with
flat-faced flanges and full-face gaskets. If ring
gaskets are used the bolt material shall be
ASTM A307 Grade B (or equivalent). Higher
strength bolting should only be used with full-
face gaskets.

Lower heavy valves over the mating flange
using slings or chains around the valve body.
Lubricate the bolts or studs and insert around
flange. Lightly tighten bolts until gaps are
eliminated. Torque bolts in an alternating
pattern in graduated steps. If leakage occurs
wait 24 hours and re-torque the bolts but do not
compress the gasket more than 50% or exceed
bolt maximum torque rating.
VALVE CONSTRUCTION
The standard Figure 920 Air Release Valve has
a cast iron body, stainless steel float and linkage
mechanism and a rubber seat. Optional
materials such as ductile iron body can be
provided for higher working pressures. Refer to
the List of Materials submitted for the order if
non-standard materials were provided.
Refer to Page 4 for details of construction and
parts location.
The body (1) has an inlet connection at the
bottom where the valve attaches to the system
and a smaller outlet connection at the top
through which air leaves the valve.
WARNING
Removing the valve from the line or
disassembling the valve while there is pressure
in the valve body may result in injury or damage
to the valve
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Figure 920 Air Release Valves require no
scheduled lubrication, adjustment or preventive
maintenance.
A periodic visual inspection should be performed
to ensure the outlet piping is not obstructed and
to verify there is no fluid leakage.
TESTING
Valve operation can be easily tested. Close the
inlet isolation valve and remove or loosen the
pipe plug nearest the inlet to drain the water
from the valve. The float should drop as the
water leaves the valve. NOTE: A ball or gate
valve can be installed in place of the pipe plug to
facilitate testing.
Replace or tighten the pipe plug and slowly open
the inlet isolating valve. The valve should float
closed and seat tightly.
TROUBLESHOOTING
•Valve Does Not Close / Fluid Leakage
Verify debris has not collected on the seat
preventing tight closure
Verify rubber orifice button and/or orifice
seating surfaces are not damaged
Verify float has buoyancy
Verify linkage mechanism operates freely
without binding or sticking
Verify the pressure at the valve inlet is at
least 10 PSI
•Valve Does Not Open
Verify debris in the valve is not
preventing the float from freely falling
when fluid is drained from valve
Verify linkage mechanism operates freely
without binding or sticking
Verify the pressure at the valve inlet does
not exceed the maximum working
pressure
DISASSEMBLY
While small valves may be more easily serviced
by removing it from the line, all valves can be
serviced while the body remains connected to
the pipeline. A skilled technician with proper
tools should perform all work. No special tools
are required.
First ensure there is no pressure within the
valve. Remove the cover bolts and nuts (16 &
17) and lift off cover (2) with float and linkage
attached. It may be necessary to pry the cover
off. Be careful no to damage or lose O-ring (21).
Remove the two spring pins connecting the lever
arm (5) and float arm (6) to the bracket (3). The
float and linkage will be free from the cover.
Remove the spring pin connecting the pivot link
(12) to the float arm (6) and remove the float
screw (13) and lockwasher (9). Remove the hex
nut (8) and lockwasher (9) and unscrew the
orifice button (7) from the lever arm (5).
Remove the bracket screw (4) to remove the
leverage bracket (3). Using a hex socket
remove the orifice (20) from the cover.

Inspect all parts for wear and damage. Minor
scratches and dents in the float are normal.
Some floats may contain sand for added weight
but if water is detected replace the float.
Carefully clean the orifice of scale. Replace
damaged parts.
REASSEMBLY
Clean all parts especially seating and sealing
surfaces before reassembling valve. Worn parts
should be replaced during re-assembly.
Apply Loctite©PST thread sealant to orifice (20)
and thread into cover. Torque to maximum 22
ft-lbs.
Thread orifice button (7) all the way into lever
arm (5) and install hex nut (8) and lockwasher
(9) but do not tighten. Connect the lever arm (5)
and float arm (6) to the bracket (3) using two
spring pins.
Adjust the orifice button (7) so that the end of
the lever arm (5) nearest the orifice button is
about 1/16” (1.6mm) farther from the cover than
the opposite end when the orifice button (7) is
gently resting on the orifice (20). Secure by
tightening hex nut (8)
Secure float (15) to pivot link (12) using screw
(13) and lockwasher (9). Attach pivot link (12) to
float arm (6) using spring pin. Verify free
movement of linkage mechanism and that the
orifice button (7) presses against the orifice (3)
when the float is lifted and pulls away when falls.
Lubricate and place O-ring (21) in cover (2) and
carefully place cover (2) on body (1) ensuring o-
ring is retained. Install the cover bolts (16) and
nuts (17) and tighten in an alternating pattern.
Carefully introduce pressure and check for leaks
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Genuine replacement parts are available from
your local VAG/GA Industries representative or
from the factory:
VAG USA, LLC
234 Clay Avenue
Mars, PA 16046 USA
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Please have the nameplate data available when
ordering parts.
REPAIR KITS
Soft Goods Kit A920 (Part Number 2-80-11000-
005) includes Items 7, 8, 9 and 21.
Linkage Kit AL920 (Part Number 2-80-11000-
081) includes Items 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11,12 and 14
WARRANTY:
The Warranty for GA Industries valves is
included in our Terms and Conditions which can
be found here: https://gaindustries.com/terms
PARTS LIST
Item Name Material
1. Body Cast Iron
2. Cover Cast Iron
3. Bracket 316 Stainless Steel
4. Bracket Screw 304 Stainless Steel
5. Lever Arm 316 Stainless Steel
6. Float Arm 316 Stainless Steel
7. Orifice Button Buna-N/Stainless Steel
8. Hex Nut 304 Stainless Steel
9. Lock Washer 302 Stainless Steel
10. Spring Pin 302 Stainless Steel
11. Valve Link 316 Stainless Steel
12. Pivot Link 316 Stainless Steel
13. Float Screw 304 Stainless Steel
14. Lock Washer 302 Stainless Steel
15. Float Ball 316 Stainless Steel
16. Cover Bolts Zinc Plated Steel
17. Cover Nuts Zinc Plated Steel
18. Pipe Plug Steel
19. Pipe Plug Cast Iron
20. Orifice 316 Stainless Steel
21. O-Ring Buna-N Rubber