The purpose of this technical bulletin is to outline the correct procedure for installing a Banlaw break-away valve. Also detailed are the forces required to separate the AUS4W- 50 valve, along with precautions that must be considered when locating the valve with respect to the orientation of the hose during a drive-away.

The Banlaw break-away valve was designed to provide a means of both protecting refuelling system components from damage and preventing spillage of fuel in the event of a vehicle drive-away. The three shear studs connecting each half of the valve are designed to fracture at a certain stress, allowing the valve assembly to separate into 2 separate dry-break components. These dry-break components prevent fuel spillage from either the delivery hose attached to the offending vehicle or the remainder of the pipework downstream of the pump.

The position of the valve with respect to the orientation of the hose during a drive-away greatly affects the force required to fracture the shear studs, hence allowing the valve assembly to separate. The tensile (axial) force required to separate the valve is 27kN (2.7 tonnes), whereas the required bending torque is only 1080Nm when the force is applied perpendicular to the valve axis. To ensure this correct mode of break-away, the valve should be mounted vertically at a height marginally above the level of the nozzle when connected to the vehicle.