ANSI/AWWA C520-14

(Revi si on of AN SI /AWWA C520 -1 0)

AWWA Standard

Knife Gate Valves, Sizes

2 In. (50 mm) Through
96 In. (2,400 mm)

Efecti ve date: Sept. 1 , 201 4.

First edition approved by AWWA Board o f Directors J une 20, 201 0.
This edition approved J une 8, 201 4.
Approved by American N ational Standards Institute M ay 23, 201 4.

SM

Copyright American Water Works Association

 AWWA Standard
This document is an American Water Works Association (AWWA) standard. It is not a speci f cation. AWWA standards
describe minimum requirements and do not contain all o f the engineering and administrative in formation normally
contained in speci f cations. The AWWA standards usually contain options that must be evaluated by the user o f the
standard. Until each optional feature is speci f ed by the user, the product or service is not fully de f ned. AWWA pub -

lication o f a standard does not constitute endorsement o f any product or product type, nor does AWWA test, certi fy,
or approve any product. The use o f AWWA standards is entirely voluntary. This standard does not supersede or take
precedence over or displace any applicable law, regulation, or codes o f any governmental authority. AWWA standards
are intended to represent a consensus o f the water supply industry that the product described will provide satis factory
service. When AWWA revises or withdraws this standard, an o f cial notice o f action will be placed in the O f cial Notice
section o f Journal - American Water Works Association . The action becomes efective on the f rst day o f the month fol -

lowing the month o f Journal - American Water Works Association publication o f the o f cial notice.

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ISBN-1 3, print: 978-1 -62576-035-7 eISBN-1 3, electronic: 978-1 -61 300-295-7

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/1 0.1 2999/AWWA.C520.1 4

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Copyright © 201 4 by American Water Works Association

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Copyright American Water Works Association
 Committee Personnel
Te AWWA Standards Committee, Knife Gate Valves, which prepared and approved this stan-
dard, had the following personnel at the time of approval:
Amzad Ali, Chair
General Interest Members
A. Ali, ADA Consulting Ltd., Surrey, B.C., Canada (AWWA)
M.L. Altland, Hatch Mott Macdonald, Millburn, N.J. (AWWA)
R.L. Gardner,* Wannacomet Water Company, Nantucket, Mass. (AWWA)
T.J. McCandless,* Standards Engineer Liaison, AWWA, Denver, Colo. (AWWA)
R. McLean,† West Vancouver, B.C., Canada (AWWA)
Producer Members
P.S. Giford, Mueller Company, Chattanooga, Tenn. (AWWA)
B. James, TTR Group Inc., Oakville, Ont., Canada (AWWA)
A.W. Libke, DeZURIK, Sartell, Minn. (AWWA)
User Members
M.H. Johnson, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, Reading, Mass. (AWWA)
M. MacConnell, Metro Vancouver, Burnaby, B.C., Canada (AWWA)
N. Persaud, City of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (AWWA)
J.V. Young, City of Richmond, Richmond, B.C., Canada (AWWA)

* Liaison, nonvoting
† Alternate
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 Tis page intentionally blank.

Copyright American Water Works Association

 Contents
All AWWA standards follow the general format indicated subsequently. Some variations from this
format may be found in a particular standard.
SEC. PAGE
Foreword
I Introduction ......................................vii
I.A Background. ......................................vii
I.B History..............................................vii
I.C Acceptance ........................................vii
II. Special Issues. ...................................viii
II.A General ............................................viii
II.B Advisory Information on Product
Application....................................x
II.C Advisory Information on Scheduling
Requirements ................................x
III Use of Tis Standard ..........................xi
III.A Purchaser Options and
Alternatives ..................................xi
III.B Data to Be Provided by the
Manufacturer or Supplier ............xii
III.C Modifcation to Standard .................xiii
IV Major Revisions................................xiii
V Comments .......................................xiv
Standard
1 General
1.1 Scope ..................................................1
1.2 Purpose ...............................................1
1.3 Application..........................................1
2 References ..........................................2
Copyright American Water Works Association
SEC. PAGE
3 Def nitions .........................................4
4 Requirements
4.1 Data Provided by Manufacturer
or Supplier.....................................5
4.2 Materials .............................................5
4.3 General Design. ..................................7
4.4 Manual Actuators. .............................12
4.5 Power Actuators ................................12
4.6 Workmanship and Coatings ..............12
5 Veri fcation
5.1 Production Test Requirements...........13
5.2 Proof-of-Design Test
Requirements ..............................14
6 Delivery
6.1 Requirements ....................................15
Appendix
A Installation
A.1 General .............................................17
A.2 Unloading .........................................17
A.3 Storage ..............................................17
A.4 Installations.......................................18
A.5 Operation..........................................18
A.6 Maintenance .....................................18
A.7 Record Keeping.................................18
 Tables 3 Stainless-Steel Valve Shaft And Stem
1 Laying Length (Inches) ......................8 Alloys .......................................... 11

2 Stem Material .................................... 11 4 Cycle Leakage Test Requirements ...... 15

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 Foreword
Tis foreword is for information only and is not a part ofANSI*/AWWA C520.

I. Introduction.
I.A. Background. Knife gate valves are generally used for isolation of pipes
in water and wastewater treatment plants. Knife gate valves can be metal or resilient
seated, bidirectional or unidirectional.
I.B. History. Te need for standardization of knife gate valves was recognized
by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) in 2007, resulting in the formation
of a standards committee. Te frst edition of C520 was approved by the AWWA Board
of Directors on June 20, 2010. Tis edition was approved on June 8, 2014.
I.C. Acceptance. In May 1985, the US Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) entered into a cooperative agreement with a consortium led by NSF
International (NSF) to develop voluntary third-party consensus standards and a
certifcation program for direct and indirect drinking water additives. Other members of
the original consortium included the Water Research Foundation (formerly AwwaRF)
and the Conference of State Health and Environmental Managers (COSHEM). Te
American Water Works Association and the Association of State Drinking Water
Administrators (ASDWA) joined later.
In the United States, authority to regulate products for use in, or in contact with,
drinking water rests with individual states.† Local agencies may choose to impose
requirements more stringent than those required by the state. To evaluate the health
efects of products and drinking water additives from such products, state and local
agencies may use various references, including
1. An advisory program formerly administered by USEPA, Ofce of Drinking
Water, discontinued on Apr. 7, 1990.
2. Specifc policies of the state or local agency.
3. Two standards developed under the direction of NSF,‡ NSF/ANSI 60,
Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals—Health Efects, and NSF/ANSI 61, Drinking
Water System Components—Health Efects.

* American National Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10036.
†
‡ NSF International, 789 North Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
Persons outside the United S tates should contact the appropriate authority having j urisdiction.

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 4. Other references, including AWWA standards, Food Chemicals Codex,
Water Chemicals Codex,* and other standards considered appropriate by the state or
local agency.
Various certifcation organizations may be involved in certifying products in accor-
dance with NSF/ANSI 61. Individual states or local agencies have authority to accept
or accredit certifcation organizations within their jurisdiction. Accreditation of certi-
fcation organizations may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Annex A, “Toxicology Review and Evaluation Procedures,” to NSF/ANSI 61 does
not stipulate a maximum allowable level (MAL) of a contaminant for substances not
regulated by a USEPA fnal maximum contaminant level (MCL). Te MALs of an
unspecifed list of “unregulated contaminants” are based on toxicity testing guidelines
(noncarcinogens) and risk characterization methodology (carcinogens). Use of Annex A
procedures may not always be identical, depending on the certifer.
ANSI/AWWA C520 does not address additives requirements. Tus, users of this
standard should consult the appropriate state or local agency having jurisdiction in
order to
1. Determine additives requirements, including applicable standards.
2. Determine the status of certifcations by parties ofering to certify products
for contact with, or treatment of, drinking water.
3. Determine current information on product certifcation. In an alternative
approach to inadvertent drinking water additives, some jurisdictions (including California,
Maryland, Vermont, and Louisiana at the time ofthis writing) are calling for reduced lead
limits for materials in contact with potable water. Various third-party certifers have been
assessing products against these lead content criteria, and a new ANSI-approved national
standard, NSF/ANSI 372, Drinking Water System Components—Lead Content, was
published in 2010. On Jan. 4, 2011, legislation was signed revising the defnition for “lead
free” within the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) as it pertains to “pipe, pipe fttings,
plumbing fttings, and fxtures.” Te changes went into efect on Jan. 4, 2014. In brief,
the new provisions to the SDWA require that these products meet a weighted average
lead content of not more than 0.25 percent.
II. Special Issues.
II.A. General. Conditions under which a valve is to be operated must be
evaluated carefully by the purchaser. Te evaluations must include the determination

* Both publications available from National Academy of Sciences, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington,
DC 20001.
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 of the hydraulic characteristics of the system in which the valve will be installed
and the operation of the valve, including (1) the maximum transient and static
diferential pressure across the valve gate and (2) fow through the valve under the
most adverse operating conditions. Torque and thrust requirements for valve operation
vary considerably with diferential pressure across the valve, fuid velocity, and fuid
temperature. Knife gate valves are not intended for throttling service.
Shutof direction is important in the installation and use of a knife gate valve.
Te valve’s performance and sealing characteristics vary with direction of sealing. A
manufacturer may designate a recommended high-pressure sealing side for long-term
reliability.
Installation: Knife gate valves may have protrusions in the bonnet area that may
come in contact with oversize mating fanges. Te top works of the valve may be sig-
nifcant and should be considered when designing the piping system. While knife gate
valves are commonly provided with port fange bolt patterns (number of bolts, bolt
size, bolt circle, etc.) that dimensionally match ANSI/AWWA C207, ANSI/AWWA
C606, ASME* B16.1 , ASME B16.5, ASME B16.42, MSS-SP-44, or ASME B16.47
fange bolt patterns to facilitate installation, they are not designed to handle the same
torque requirements of a Class 150 fange. With a lower nominal pressure rating, nar-
row face-to-face dimension, and thinner body fanges, a knife gate body may distort if
subjected to the full torque values of a Class 150 fange, causing irreparable damage.
Refer to manufacturer’s recommended fange torque values and recommended instal-
lation instructions.
Use of nontraditional fanging arrangements may exceed normal knife gate design
criteria. Refer to manufacturer’s recommended installation instructions.
Gasket selection has a bearing on potential fange torques. Refer to manufacturer’s
recommended installation instructions.
Manual Actuation: Due to long linear travel during gate stroking, large knife gate
valves require many rotations of handwheels or chainwheels with high rimpull force.
Tis may be impractical and may fatigue operating personnel. It may be advisable to
specify 2-in. nuts on input shaft of bevel gear actuators to allow use of powered torque
devices.
However, powered devices may over torque valves and/or actuators at the ends of
the stroke if the devices are not properly sized. When powered devices are employed,

* ASME International, 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

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 torque-limiting devices or declutching mechanisms set at 300 ft-lb (406 N-m) should
be considered.
Permeation: Te selection of materials is critical for potable water, wastewater,
and reclaimed water service and distribution piping in locations where there is a likeli-
hood the pipe will be exposed to signifcant concentrations of pollutants composed of
low-molecular-weight petroleum products or organic solvents or their vapors. Research
has documented that pipe materials, such as polyethylene, polybutylene, polyvinyl
chloride, and asbestos cement; and elastomers, such as used in jointing gaskets and
packing glands, are subject to permeation by lower-molecular-weight organic solvents
or petroleum products. If a potable water, wastewater, or reclaimed water pipe must
pass through such a contaminated area or an area subject to contamination, consult
with the manufacturer regarding permeation of pipe walls, jointing material, and so
forth, before selecting materials for use in that area.
II.B. Advisory Information on Product Application. Tis standard does not
describe all possible applications or manufacturing technologies. Te purchaser should
identify special requirements and required deviations from this standard and include
appropriate language in purchase specifcations. Refer to Sec. III.A in this foreword.
Other advisory information is provided below.
1. Te maximum anticipated fuid velocity through the valve, maximum non-
shock operating pressure, water temperature range, and valve classifcation are used by
manufacturers to calculate torque and thrust requirements, which then may determine
valve operating-component design and actuator sizing. Tis information should be
provided according to items in Sec. III.A in this foreword.
2. Te direction of shutof and whether it is uni- or bidirectional can afect
valve design.
3. Tere is no standard for valve laying lengths for valves larger than 36 in.
(900 mm). Laying lengths should be provided by the supplier on certifed drawings
(Sec. 4.1 .1 .1) for the contract.
4. Whether the valve is to be provided with or without a bonnet.
5. Some actuators may produce sufcient torque that may damage the valve if
the valve is prevented from closing because of an obstruction in the pipeline. Preventive
measures such as torque-limiting devices or shear pins and keys are beyond the scope
of this standard.
II.C. Advisory Information on Scheduling Requirements. Valves made in
accordance with this standard in large sizes are not “production run” products. Tey
are custom designed and manufactured for the specifc application. As a consequence
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 of this, the valve manufacturers may require more time than usual for large valves to
develop bid prices, prepare valve designs, submit shop drawing data, manufacture the
valve, and shop test the valve. Te purchaser should discuss schedule requirements
with manufacturers in advance of placing orders or advertising for bids.
III. Use of Tis Standard. It is the responsibility of the user of an AWWA
standard to determine that the products described in that standard are suitable for use
in the particular application being considered.
III.A. Purchaser Options and Alternatives. Te following information should be
provided by the purchaser.
1. Standard used—that is, ANSI/AWWA C520, Knife Gate Valves, Sizes 2 In.
(50 mm) Trough 96 In. (2,400 mm), of latest revision.
2. Whether compliance with NSF/ANSI 61, Drinking Water System
Components—Health Efects, is required.
3. Size of valve and quantity required.
4. Minimum design pressure.
5. Maximum nonshock shutof pressure and maximum nonshock line pressure.
6. Required fow rate through valve.
a. Under normal conditions.
b. Under maximum-fow conditions.
7. Description of connecting piping: material, outside diameter (OD) and
inside diameter (ID), and fanged-end connection.
8. Type of seat: metal to metal or resilient, unidirectional, or bidirectional; and
shutof requirement.
9. Type of shaft (stem) seal (packing).
10. Whether valve is bonnetless (gate and shaft exposed) or bonneted (gate and
shaft enclosed) in a bonnet.
11. Materials.
a. If the purchaser specifes a wetted component that was not tested and
certifed to NSF/ANSI 61 requirements, the certifcation may not be valid.
b. If one or more of the materials included in this standard are unaccept-
able, the purchaser should specify other acceptable materials that are included in this
standard.
12. Type of installation: buried (specify depth and loadings) vault, submerged
(specify depth and duration), indoors, or outdoors.
13. Actuator type: manual, handwheel, chain-wheel, manual with gear assist,
electric, cylinder, or other; and service conditions.
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 14. Manual actuator.
a. Type: handwheel, chain-wheel, or wrench nut, or manual with gear as-
sist with chain-wheel or wrench nut.
b. Direction to turn the handwheel, chain-wheel, or wrench nut to open
valves. (Unless otherwise required in the purchase documents, the valve will open by
turning counterclockwise.)
c. Position indicator.
d. Special devices or features if required: gate guards, extension shaft, foor
stand, or handwheel diameter.
15. If required, confguration for vault, submerged, or in-plant service.
16. Type of power actuator when required (Sec. 4.5.1).
17. Description of fuid and temperature range, including considerations relat-
ing to anticipated problems with rubber components exposed to line content contain-
ing chlorine, chloramines, or other chemicals. If these problems are anticipated, the
purchaser should identify the maximum expected concentrations of these chemicals
and other factors, such as pH and temperature ranges, which may afect the corrosiv-
ity of these chemicals. Te purchaser should consult with the manufacturers and, if
appropriate, specify special requirements for these components.
18. If purchaser requires shop inspection or test observations to be performed
by the purchaser or purchaser’s agent, the extent of such inspections and observations
shall be defned.
III.B. Data to Be Provided by the Manufacturer or Supplier. Sec. 4.1 describes
the minimum data to be provided by the supplier. Because these valves may be custom
designed and manufactured, purchasers may require more detailed or comprehensive
data. Such data may include
a. Chemical analysis of materials for body, gate, and shaft.
b. Tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, and impact test data for body,
gate, and shaft materials.
c. Weld procedures and documentation.
d. Laying length, sizes greater than 36 in. (900 mm) NPS.
e. Center of gravity.
All such requirements shall be clearly defned in the purchase documents. Te
appropriate submittal requirements per AS TM and ASME material and design stan-
dards should be referenced.
1. Details of other federal, state or provincial, and local requirements (Sec. 4.2.1).
2. Records of materials tests (Sec. 4.2.2.4.1).
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 3. Te providing of test records that are specifed according to Sec. 4.2.2.4.1 ,
5.1 .1 , 5.1 .2, and 5.1 .3 of this standard. Test records required for ANSI/AWWA C541,
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Cylinder and Vane-Type Actuators for Valves and Slide
Gates, and ANSI/AWWA C542, Electric Motor Actuators for Valves and Slide Gates,
may also be requested. Te purchaser may require all records or may stipulate a break-
down of production test records or proof-of-design test records.
4. Other actuators: actuators other than those described in this standard or
ANSI/AWWA C541 and C542 shall be specifed by the purchaser in detail.
5. Valve and actuator arrangement and position.
6. Protective coatings if other than specifed in Sec. 4.6 of this standard.
7. Hydrostatic body and bonnet test durations greater than 1 min as required
in Sec. 5.1 .2.1 .
8. Low-pressure seat test down to 0 psig (Sec. 5.1 .3.1).
9. Copies ofthe “proof-of-design test” performed in accordance with Sec. 5.2.1.2.
10. Special markings to be applied to valve by manufacturer (Sec. 6.1 .1).
11. Afdavit of compliance with applicable provisions of this standard nota-
rized and signed by the valve and actuator manufacturer’s person in responsible
charge (Sec. 6.1 .3).
III.C. Modifcation to Standard. Any modifcation of the provisions, defnitions,
or terminology in this standard must be provided by the purchaser.
IV. Major Revisions. Major revisions made to the standard in this edition
include the following:
1. Revised last paragraph of Sec. I.C, Acceptance, to include information re-
garding lead-free and SDWA requirements.
2. Revised Sec. II.A., General Installation, advises the user to refer to the man-
ufacturer’s recommended fange torque values as fange bolt patterns are not designed
to handle the same torque requirements as a Class 150 fange.
3. Clarifed Sec. 1.1 , Scope, to state that this standard includes steel, stainless
steel, and cast ductile-iron body knife gate valves.
4. Added clarifcation note to Table 1 regarding the laying length of sizes >36 in.
5. Added clarifcation to Sections 4.3.4, Body Seat; 4.3.5, Bonnet; 4.3.6, Yokes;
4.3.8 Valve Stem or Shaft; and 4.3.9, Gate.
6. Clarifed and included changes to Sec. 5.1 , Production Test Requirements,
to be consistent with other industry knife gate valve tests.
7. Added Sec. 5.2.4, Proof-of-Design Test Requirements, to state that fnite
element analysis (FEA) for proof of design of larger valve sizes is required.
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 V. Comments. If you have any comments or questions about this standard,
please call AWWA Engineering and Technical Services at 303.794.7711, FAX at
303.795.7603, write to the department at 6666 West Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO
80235 -3098, or email at standards@awwa.org.

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 ANSI/AWWA C520-14
(Revi si on of AN SI /AW WA C520 -1 0)

AWWA Standard

Knife Gate Valves, Sizes 2 In. (50 mm)

Through 96 In. (2,400 mm)

SEC TI ON 1 : G EN ER AL

Sec. 1.1 Scope

Tis standard describes bonneted, bonnetless, cast, and fabricated steel;
stainless-steel; and cast ductile-iron body knife gate valves with resilient or
metal seats, including tapping knife gate valves, for use in water, wastewater,
and reclaimed water systems with pH range from 6 to 12 and a temperature range
from 33°F to 125°F (0.6°C to 52°C). Te minimum design pressure rating shall be
150 psig (1,034 kPa) for nominal sizes 2 in. to 24 in. (50 mm to 600 mm), and the
minimum design pressure ratings for nominal sizes 30 in. to 96 in. (750 mm to
2,400 mm) shall be 25 psig (172 kPa), 75 psig (517 kPa), or 150 psig (1,034 kPa).
Sec. 1.2 Purpose
Te purpose of this standard is to provide minimum requirements for stainless
steel and ductile-iron body knife gate valves with resilient and metal seats, including
tapping knife gate valves, for use in water, wastewater, and reclaimed water systems,
including materials, design, testing, rejection, marking, and shipping.
Sec. 1.3 Application
Tis standard can be referenced in specifcations for purchasing of stainless-
steel and ductile-iron body knife gate valves with resilient and/or metal seats,
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 2  AWWA C520 -1 4

including tapping knife gate valves. Te stipulations of this standard will apply when
this document has been referenced and then only to stainless-steel and ductile-iron
body cast and fabricated knife gate valves with resilient or metal seats, including tap-
ping knife gate valves.
SECTION 2: REFERENCES
Tis standard references the following documents. In their latest editions,
they form a part of this standard to the extent specifed within the standard. In any
case of confict, the requirements of this standard shall prevail.
ANSI*/AWWA C207—Steel Pipe Flanges for Waterworks Service, Sizes 4 In.
Trough 144 In. (100 mm Trough 3,600 mm).
ANSI/AWWA C541—Hydraulic and Pneumatic Cylinder and Vane-Type
Actuators for Valves and Slide Gates.
ANSI/AWWA C542—Electric Motor Actuators for Valves and Slide Gates.
ANSI/AWWA C550—Protective Interior Coatings for Valves and Hydrants.
ANSI/AWWA C606—Grooved and Shouldered Joints.
ASME† B16.1 —Cast-Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings.
ASME B16.42—Ductile Iron Pipe Flanges and Pipe Fittings.
ASME B16.47—Large Diameter Steel Flanges.
ASME B16.5 —Pipe Flanges and Flange Fittings.
ASME SA312—Stainless Steel Pipe and Tubing.
AS TM‡ A36—Standard Specifcation for Carbon Structural Steel.
ASTM A108—Standard Specifcation for Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy.
ASTM A216—Standard Specifcation for Steel Castings.
ASTM A240—Standard Specifcation for Chromium and Chromium Nickel
Stainless Steel Plate.
ASTM A276—Standard Specifcation for Stainless Steel Bars.
ASTM A283—Standard Specifcation for Low and Intermediate Tensile
Strength Carbon Steel Plates.
ASTM A285—Standard Specifcation for Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon
Steel.
* American National Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10036.
† ASME International, 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016.
‡ AS TM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.

Copyright American Water Works Association

 KN I FE G ATE VALVES, SI ZES 2 IN . (50 M M ) TH ROUGH 95 I N . (2,400 M M )  3

T
AS M A31 2—Standard Speci fcation for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily
Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes.
T
AS M A351 —Standard Speci fcation for Castings, Austenitic, for Pressure
Containing Parts.
T
AS M A395 —Standard Speci fcation for Ferritic Ductile Iron Pressure
Retaining Castings for Use at Elevated Temperatures.
T
AS M A473 —Standard Speci fcation for Stainless Steel Forgings.
AS TM A516 —Standard Speci fcation for Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon
T
Steel, for Moderate- and Lower- emperature Service.
T
AS M A536 —Standard Speci fcation for Ductile Iron Castings.
AS TM A564—Standard Speci fcation for Hot-Rolled and Cold-Finished
Age-Hardening Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes.
T
AS M A582—Standard Speci fcation for Free-Machining Stainless Steel
Bars.
T
AS M A743 —Standard Speci fcation for Castings, Iron-Chromium, Iron-
Chromium-Nickel, Corrosion Resistant, for General Application.
T
AS M B16 —Standard Speci fcation for Free-Cutting Brass Rod, Bar and
Shapes.
T
AS M B98 —Standard Speci fcation for Copper-Silicon Alloy Rod, Bar and
Shapes.
T
AS M B1 27—Standard Speci fcation for Nickel-Copper Alloy (UNS
N04400) Plate, Sheet, and Strip.
T
AS M B1 38 —Standard Speci fcation for Manganese Bronze Rod, Bar, and
Shapes.
T
AS M B148 —Standard Speci fcation for Aluminum-Bronze Sand Castings.
AS TM B154—Standard Test Method for Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper
Alloys.
T
AS M B160 —Standard Speci fcation for Nickel Rod and Bar.
AS TM B283 —Standard Speci fcation for Copper and Copper-Alloy Die
Forgings (Hot-Pressed).
T
AS M B584—Standard Speci fcation for Copper Alloy Sand Castings for
General Applications.
T
AS M B763 —Standard Speci fcation for Copper Alloy Sand Castings for
Valve Applications.
T
AS M D471 —Standard Test Method for Rubber Property.

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 4  AWWA C520 -1 4

ASTM D1149—Standard Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration—Crack-

ing in an Ozone Controlled Environment.
MSS* SP-44—Steel Pipe Line Flanges.
MSS SP-81—Stainless Steel, Bonnetless, Flanged Knife Gate Valves.
NSF†/ANSI 61—Drinking Water System Components—Health Efects.
NSF/ANSI 372— Drinking Water System Components—Lead Content.
SSPC‡-SP 10/NACE§ No. 2—Near-White Blast Cleaning.
SECTION 3: DEFINITIONS
Te following defnitions shall apply in this standard:
1. Bonnet: A pressure-retaining part that contains the packing and seals
the top end of a valve body. It may contain gate guides.
2. Design pressure: Te maximum internal steady-state pressure, at the
specifed operating temperatures, that the valve is designed to withstand with the
gate in any position.
3. End connections: As described in ANSI/AWWA C207, ANSI/AWWA
C606, ASME B16.1 , ASME B16.5, ASME B16.42, and ASME B16.47.
4. Manufacturer: Te party that manufactures, fabricates, or produces
materials or products.
5. Pull-down-packing-gland sealing system: An adjustable-type shaft or
blade seal in which the deformable sealing material is composed of one or more
seals that have square or rectangular cross sections or are V-shaped (Chevron).
6. Purchaser: Te person, company, or organization that purchases any
materials or work to be performed.
7. Self-adjusting packing: A packing system that employs a square or angled
cross-section packing material that requires no adjustment and uses live preload for
packing compression.
8. Supplier: Te party that supplies material or services. A supplier may or
may not be the manufacturer.

* Manufacturers Standardization Society, 127 Park Street, NE, Vienna, VA 22180.

† NSF International, 789 North Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
‡ SSPC: Te Society for Protective Coatings, 40 24th Street, Sixth Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
§ NACE International, 1440 South Creek Drive, Houston, TX 77084.

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 KN I FE G ATE VALVES, SI ZES 2 IN . (50 M M ) TH ROUGH 95 I N . (2,400 M M )  5

9. Tapping valve: A special knife gate valve designed with end connections
and unobstructed waterway to provide proper alignment and position of a tapping
sleeve, valve, and tapping machine for tapping pipe dry or under pressure.
SECTION 4: REQUIREMENTS

Sec. 4.1 Data Provided by Manufacturer or Supplier

4.1 .1 General requirement. When required by the purchase documents,
the supplier shall submit the following documents for review.
4.1 .1 .1 Certifed drawings. Drawings shall include principal dimensions,
including those necessary for interfacing with other pipeline structures and dis-
tribution system; the maximum valve fow port diameter; the maximum valve
height, including all positioning devices, if applicable; and maximum face-to-face
dimensions.
4.1 .1 .2 Recommended storage practice. Recommended storage practices
shall be placed in the manufacturers’ operation and maintenance manuals or on
the outside of the shipping container.
4.1 .1 .3 Installation, operation, and maintenance manuals. Manuals shall
contain the following information:
• Instructions: Complete installation, operation, and maintenance instruc-
tions.
• Parts list: Complete parts list.
• Spare parts: List of recommended spare parts.
• Special tools: List of special tools for installation, maintenance, or repair
and adjustments.
4.1 .1 .4 Submittal copies. Te number of certifed drawings, installation
instructions, and operation and maintenance manuals shall be submitted by the
supplier when requested.
Sec. 4.2 Materials
4.2.1 Regulatory requirements. Materials shall comply with the require-
ments of the Safe Drinking Water Act and other federal regulations related to
potable water and wastewater systems as applicable.
4.2.2 Physical and chemical properties. Materials shall be in conformance
with the following physical and chemical requirements:

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 6  AWWA C520 -1 4

• Interior coatings: ANSI/AWWA C550.

T
• Ductile iron: AS M A536 or AS M A395. T
T
• Stainless steel, fabricated or wrought: AS M A240 (UNS S30403, S31603);
T T T
AS M A31 2; ASME SA31 2; AS M A276; or AS M A564 (UNS S30400,
S31600, S63000).
T
• Nickel-copper alloy: AS M B1 27.
• Carbon steel—forged: AS M A108.T
T
• Steel—cast: AS M A216, Grade WCB.
T
• Stainless steel—cast: AS M A743 or AS M A351.T
T T T
• Fabricated steel: AS M A36; AS M A283; AS M A285; or AS M A516, T
Grade 70.
T
• Nickel rod: AS M B160.
• Resilient seats: See Sec. 4.3.10.2.
• Brass or bronze: Components made of brass or bronze shall conform to
T
AS M or the uni fed numbering system (UNS) standard.
4.2.2.1 Bronze alloys. Any bronze alloy used in the cold-worked con-
dition shall be capable of passing the mercurous nitrate test in accordance with
T
AS M B154 to minimize susceptibility to stress corrosion.
4.2.2.2 Zinc/de-aluminization. Bronze shall not contain more than 7 per-
cent zinc.
4.2.2.2.1 If aluminum-bronze is used, the alloy shall be inhibited against
de-aluminization by receiving a temper anneal at 1,200°F with a 50°F ± tolerance
for 1 hr per inch of section thickness, followed by cooling in moving air or by water
quenching.
4.2.2.3 Corrosion-resistant materials. Corrosion-resistant metals used
for clamping and retaining rubber seats, glands or gland assemblies, bearings or
bushings, and O-ring removable recesses that are wetted by line content shall be
made of stainless steel, nickel-copper alloy, or bronze.
4.2.2.4Test requirements. Whenever valve components are to be made
in conformance with AS TM or other standards that include test requirements or
testing procedures, the valve manufacturer shall meet these requirements or pro-
cedures.
4.2.2.4.1 Records of these tests shall be available if required by the pur-
chase documents.

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 KN I FE G ATE VALVES, SI ZES 2 IN . (50 M M ) TH ROUGH 95 I N . (2,400 M M )  7

Sec. 4.3 General Design

4.3.1 Working pressure. Valve body and bonnet shall be designed to with-
stand the minimum design pressure of the valve without exceeding one-half of the
tensile strength of the material used.
4.3.2 Maximum input torque. Te valve assembly and operating mecha-
nisms shall be capable of withstanding maximum input torque or thrust required to
fully open or fully close the valve under maximum diferential pressure conditions.
4.3.3 Valve body. Te valve body is the primary pressure-retaining struc-
ture of the valve that forms part of the pipeline and has ends adapted for connec-
tion to the piping system.
4.3.3.1 Construction. Body can be of one- or two-piece construction.
4.3.3.2 Material. Body may be cast ductile iron, steel, fabricated steel, or
stainless steel, and may include end fanges for bolting to the piping system.
4.3.3.3 Bonnet attachment. When a separate bonnet is provided, the
body shall have an adaptor fange for bolting of a fange bonnet.
4.3.3.4 Guides. Te internal structure of unidirectional-seated valve
bodies shall have one or more cast or welded guides on the side of the gate opposite
the seat. Bonnetless valves 20 in. and larger shall have external gate guides when
the valve is to be installed with its shaft horizontal and perpendicular to the pipe’s
horizontal longitudinal axis.
4.3.3.4.1 Purpose of the guide(s) is to maintain gate stroke parallel to the
seat and/or in the seat groove or to minimize permanent gate deformation during
the accidental application of reverse pressure.
4.3.3.4.2 Bidirectional-seated valves may not require guides if the gate is
guided between both seating surfaces.
4.3.3.5 Gate jams. Te interior structure of unidirectional-seated valve
bodies shall have two or more cast or welded gate jams to provide tight contact
between the gate and seat at the end of the closing stroke.
4.3.3.5.1 Bidirectional-seated valves may not require jams.
4.3.3.6 Laying lengths. Laying lengths shall be in conformance with
MSS SP-81 (Table 1).
4.3.4 Body seat. Te seat shall be of steel, stainless steel, alloy, polymeric,
or resilient material, and shall comply with drinking water standards.
4.3.4.1 Body seat surfaces. Te body shall be machined to provide an
integral metal seat surface, or shall be manufactured to receive nonintegral seat of
steel, stainless steel, alloy, polymeric, or resilient material.

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 8  AWWA C520 -1 4

Table 1 Laying length (inches)*

Outside Diameter Outside Diameter

Valve Size of Flange Face-to-Face Valve Size of Flange Face-to-Face
2.00 6.00 1.88 14.00 21.00 3.00
3.00 7.50 2.00 16.00 23.50 3.5 0
4.00 9.00 2.00 18.00 25.00 3.5 0
5.00 10.00 2.25 20.00 27.5 0 4.50
6.00 11.00 2.25 24.00 32.00 4.50
8.00 13.50 2.75 30.00 38.75 4.62
10.00 16.00 2.75 36.00 46.00 4.62
12.00 19.00 3.00
* To convert inches to millimeters, multiply by 25.4.
Source: MSS SP-81.
Notes: To convert inches to millimeters, multiply by 25.4.
1. Face-to-face tolerances 2 in. (50 mm) to 12 in. (250 mm) NPS: ±0.0625 in. (1.6 mm); 14 in. (350 mm)
NPS and larger: ±0.125 in. (3.2 mm).
2. Valves larger than 36-in. are typically custom designed and manufactured for user-specifed applications,
including design pressure. Te laying length will vary to accommodate the design pressure requirements.
4.3.4.1.1 Nonintegral seats shall be secured by threads, clamps, or other
mechanical means and shall be easily replaceable. Some nonintegral seats may require
valve to be removed from pipeline to allow seat replacement. Te manufacturer’s
instructions shall clearly state whether removal from the pipeline is necessary.
4.3.5 Bonnet. Te bonnet shall be designed to be secured to valve body
with corrosion-resistant fasteners.
4.3.5.1 Shaft packing box. Shaft packing box shall be of suitable depth
to accept a minimum of three packing rings with an adjustable packing gland
follower or self-adjusting preload device. Actuator mounting surfaces shall have a
machined surface and be perpendicularly true to the valve shaft for the actuator
housing or mounting bracket to sit fush.
4.3.5.2 Bonnet top work structure. Te bonnet top work may have
f anges to support outside yoke structure.
4.3.6 Yokes. Te yoke shall be designed for safe operation. Te top work
of the yoke shall be ftted with a suitable bearing, either antifriction or a bronze
bushing to withstand opening or closing thrust force.
4.3.6.1 Yoke design. Te yoke shall be so designed so that there will be
minimal defection which will not afect valve performance. It shall withstand

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 KN I FE G ATE VALVES, SI ZES 2 IN . (50 M M ) TH ROUGH 95 I N . (2,400 M M )  9

weight and normal operating thrust of suitably sized actuators; either manual, elec-
tric, pneumatic, or hydraulic in a vertical orientation.
4.3.6.1 .1 Yokes on large valves may need external side-load support when
the valves are installed in a horizontal gate orientation. Tis shall be communi-
cated by the supplier to the purchaser.
4.3.6.2 Strut. Te yoke strut can be a one-, two-, or four-piece structure
capable of fastening to the body or bonnet with either a welded, bolted, or cast
upper bridge for installation of an actuator.
4.3.6.3 Actuator mounting surfaces. Actuator mounting surfaces shall
have a smooth surface and be perpendicularly true to the valve shaft for the actua-
tor housing or mounting bracket to sit fush.
4.3.7 Handwheel. Te handwheel shall be of cast or fabricated material
with antislip feature and shall be steel, stainless steel, or ductile or gray iron.
4.3.7.1 Diameter. Te handwheel diameter shall be sufcient to open
and close the valve with an 80-lb rim pull.
4.3.7.2 Sleeve. Te handwheel shall be ftted with a bronze sleeve with
Acme threads to efect valve opening and closure when engaged with valve spindle
or shaft.
4.3.7.3 Direction of opening. Handwheel shall have a permanent arrow a
minimum of 3 in. long to indicate the direction of opening.
4.3.7.3.1 Te normal direction of opening shall be counterclockwise as
viewed from the top.
4.3.8 Valve stem or shaft. Te valve stem is the primary means of efect-
ing the valve gate movement. It may be threaded to provide thrust to the gate
with rotary input actuators or a polished rod-type shaft to provide thrust from a
cylinder actuator.
4.3.8.1 Rising stem valves. Te stem of rising stem valves shall be
designed to engage the full length of the sleeve/stem nut when the valve is fully
closed. It may include provision for a stop nut to prevent column buckling or
overcompressing seats in bidirectional-seated valves; in this case, the stem or shaft
may be recessed within the sleeve/stem nut when the valve is fully closed, provided
remaining engaged length is of sufcient length to efect the smooth operation of
the valve.
4.3.8.2 Valves and bonnets. Te stem of valves with bonnets shall be of
suitable fnish to provide sealing with the packing or stufng box. Te stem shall
provide means to incorporate an open/closed position indicator.

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 1 0  AWWA C520 -1 4

4.3.8.3 Stem or shaft thread. Te threads on the valve shaft shall be

Acme or suitable thread and shall be threaded straight and true to work smoothly
with the handwheel nut.
4.3.8.4 Stem connection. Stem connection to the gate shall be with either
one or more solid pin(s) secured in place with a pin or with suitable cap screw with
double nut or a self-locking nut.
4.3.8.4.1 Te stem connection pin shall withstand normal operating force
of a properly sized actuator without shearing.
4.3.8.5 Stem or shaft material. Te stem or shaft material shall be of cop-
per alloy or of stainless steel and comply with Table 2 and Table 3.
4.3.9 Gate. Te knife gates shall be designed to withstand full diferential
pressure across the closed valve gate when against the seat without exceeding a stress
level equivalent to the lower of either 30 percent of the tensile strength or 70 percent
of the yield strength of the material.
4.3.9.1 Machining. Te gates of bonnetless valves shall be precision
machined on both faces, along both sides and the bottom.
a. Gate edges shall be beveled or relieved to avoid indenting the packing
material when operated or left in one position for long periods of inactivity.
b. Te gate body and bonnet sealing faces shall be precision machined on
both sealing surfaces.
c. Te gates of perimeter-seated, bidirectional valves shall be machined on
the perimeter edge that contacts the resilient seat with a fnish of 63 µ-in. or less.
d. Te faces of a perimeter seated gate do not require machining provided
that the sharp edges are broken to avoid damage to packing material when cycled.
4.3.9.2 Metal-to-metal seating surfaces. Te metal-to-metal seating sur-
faces shall be fnished as required for maximum tightness.
4.3.1 0 Gaskets. Gaskets and O-rings or other suitable elastomeric seals
shall be used on bonnet and split-body fanged joints intended to be watertight.
4.3.10.1 NSF/ANSI 61. Wetted material used for gaskets shall comply
with drinking water standard NSF/ANSI 61 when used for potable water.
4.3.10.2 Resilient seats. Material shall withstand temperatures and pH
range stated in Sec. 1.1 of this standard.
4.3.10.2.1 Te design of the resilient seat shall provide shutof, according to
tests required by Section 5 of this standard.

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 KN I FE G ATE VALVES, SIZES 2 IN . (50 M M ) TH ROUGH 95 I N . (2,400 M M )  11

Table 2 Stem material

T
AS M Number Alloy Designation

T
AS M B16 UNS C36000

AS T M B98 UNS C66100

AS T M B1 38 UNS C67500

AS T M B148 UNS C95200

AS T M B283 UNS C67600

AS T M B584 UNS C86200, C86500, C86700, C87500, C87600, C87610

AS T M B763 UNS C86200, C86500, C86700, C99400, C9500

Table 3 Stainless-steel valve shaft and stem alloys

T
AS M Number Alloy Designation

AS T M A276 UNS S30400, S31600, S41000, S43100

AS T M A473 UNS S30400, S31600

AS T M A582 UNS S30300, S43020

4.3.10.3 Rubber compounds. Rubber compounds shall contain no more

than 8 ppm of copper ion and shall include copper inhibitors to prevent copper
degradation of the rubber material.
4.3.10.3.1 Rubber compounds shall be capable of withstanding an ozone
T
resistance test when tested in accordance with AS M D1149, using 50 parts per
100 million minimum ozone concentration.
4.3.10.3.2 Ozone resistance test shall be conducted on unstressed samples
for 70 hr at 104°F (40°C) without visible cracking in the surfaces of the test sample
after tests.
4.3.10.3.3 Rubber compounds shall be free of vegetable oils, vegetable-oil
derivatives, animal fats, and animal oils.
4.3.10.3.4 Reclaimed rubber shall not be used.
4.3.10.3.5 Rubber compounds shall contain no more than 1.5 parts of wax
per 100 parts of rubber hydrocarbon.
4.3.10.3.6 Rubber compounds shall have less than 2 percent volume
T
increase when tested in accordance with AS M D471 after being immersed in
distilled water at 74.4°F (23°C ±1°C) for 70 hr.

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 1 2  AWWA C520 -1 4

Sec. 4.4 Manual Actuators

4.4.1 Design factor. Actuator housing, supports, and connections to the
valve shall be designed with a minimum safety factor of two based on the yield
strength of materials used.
4.4.2 Design operating torque. Actuators shall be designed to produce the
required operating torque with a maximum rim pull of 80 lb (356 N) on the hand-
wheel or chainwheel and a maximum input of 150 ft-lb (203 N-m) on wrench nuts.
4.4.2.1 Gear actuators. Gear actuators and bevel-gear actuators shall be
designed to transmit twice the actuator-rated output torque without damage to the
faces of the gear teeth.
4.4.2.1.1 Tese actuators shall be totally enclosed in a gear case and shall have
bronze, ductile-iron, or hardened steel worms and gears that operate in a lubricant.
4.4.2.2 Rotary actuator. Manufacturers shall select a representative
rotary actuator within each of the torque ranges for proof-of-design test purposes.
4.4.3 Two-inch square nuts. Two-inch (2-in.) square nuts may be recom-
mended for actuators that require many turns to stroke the valves.
Sec. 4.5 Power Actuators
4.5.1 Power actuator requirements. Power actuators either electric or pneu-
matic-hydraulic shall meet the requirements of ANSI/AWWA Standards C541 or
C542 for valves and slide gates.
Sec. 4.6 Workmanship and Coatings
4.6.1 Interchangeability. Valve parts shall be designed with manufactur-
ing tolerances set to provide interchangeability of parts between units of the same
size and type produced by any one manufacturer.
4.6.2 Assembly. When assembled, valves manufactured in accordance
with this standard shall be well-ftted and shall operate smoothly.
4.6.3 Watertightness. Te body-to-gate packing on bonnetless valves, or
shaft seal on bonneted valves, shall be watertight as demonstrated by no visible
leakage at the valve’s rated pressure.
4.6.4 Surface preparation. Interior and exterior surfaces, except stainless-
steel or bearing surfaces, shall be carefully prepared to SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2,
Near-White Blast Cleaning.
4.6.5 Epoxy coatings. Interior and buried exterior ferrous surfaces, except
f nished or bearing surfaces, shall be shop-coated with an epoxy coating conform-
ing to the requirements of ANSI/AWWA C550.

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 KN I FE G ATE VALVES, SIZES 2 IN . (50 M M ) TH ROUGH 95 IN . (2,400 M M )  13

4.6.6 External surfaces for nonburied services. Te exterior of each valve,

except stainless-steel and fange faces, shall be shop-coated with a suitable metal
primer to a dry-flm thickness of not less than 3 mil.
4.6.6.1 Compatibility. Te primer shall be compatible with anticipated
feld coatings when feld coatings are identi fed by the purchaser.
4.6.6.2 Flanges. Flange faces shall be protected from atmospheric
corrosion.
SECTION 5: VERIFICATION
Work performed in accordance with this standard shall be subject to inspec-
tion and approval by the purchaser.
Sec. 5.1 Production Test Requirements
5.1 .1 Operational test. To demonstrate that the valve and actuator are
workable, valves shall be shop-operated once from fully closed to fully open and
the reverse under no-fow condition.
5.1 .2 Hydrostatic (body and bonnets) test. Each bonneted and bonnetless
valve body, including bonnet if part of the pressurized shell, shall be hydrostati-
cally pressure-tested at 1.5 times the rated working pressure with no visible leakage
allowed nor shall any parts have permanent visible deformation. Leakage through
the packing of bonneted valves or past gate seal (packing) of bonnetless valves, at
pressures above 100 percent of rated pressure, shall not be cause for rejection. Te
test fuid shall be water at a temperature not to exceed 125°F (50°C).
5.1 .2.1 Test duration. Te test duration shall be a minimum of 1 minute.
When required in the purchase documents, longer test durations are allowed.
5.1 .3 Seat test. After the hydrostatic test, each valve shall have the gate
closed and be seat-tested at design pressure, with no visible leakage for resilient-
seated valves and 2.44 in. 3 (40 cm3) per minute per inch diameter (NPS) for
metal-seated valves. Diferential pressure shall be applied on the side opposite the
seat. Test duration shall be a minimum of 15 sec. Valves rated at pressures lower
than 40 psi shall be seat-tested at their maximum rated pressure.
5.1 .3.1 Low-pressure seat test. With valve closed, a pressure of 5 psi shall
be applied for 3 min to valves rated 25 psi to 150 psi.
5.1 .3.2 Resilient-seated valves. Tere shall be no visible leakage from the
seat area.

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 1 4  AWWA C520 -1 4
Sec. 5.2
Copyright American Water Works Association
5.1 .3.3 Metal-seated valves. For metal-seated valves, seat leakage shall
not exceed 2.44 in. 3 (40 cm3) per minute per inch diameter nominal valve size
(2.44 in. 3/min/in. dia).
5.1 .3.4 Bidirectional valves. Bidirectional valves with a pressure-assisted
seat design shall be seat-tested in both directions at 40 psi; valves rated at pressures
lower than 40 psi shall be seat-tested in both directions at their maximum rated
pressure. Bidirectional valves with perimeter, non–pressure-assisted seat confgura-
tions do not need to be tested in both directions but shall be tested to the full rated
pressure of the valve with no visible leakage from the seat area.
Proof-of-Design Test Requirements
5.2.1 Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to demonstrate the ade-
quacy of each basic valve type ofered by a manufacturer to perform, under design
pressures, within the applicable rating of the valve for a sufcient number of opera-
tions to simulate a full service life.
5.2.1 .1 Selected valve type. Te adequacy is to be demonstrated by test-
ing valves selected to represent each basic type of seat design in applicable size
group, and in a pressure class or classes equal to or greater than the valves being
purchased.
5.2.1 .2 Certifed statement. On request, the manufacturer shall issue a
certifed statement that proof-of-design tests were performed as described in this
standard and all requirements were successfully met.
5.2.2 Hydrostatic testing. One valve of each size shall be hydrostatically
tested with twice the rated design pressure for a duration of 5 min. for sizes up to
36 in. Valve sizes above 36 in. shall be tested for a duration of 10 min.
5.2.2.1 Deformation. No part of the valve shall have permanent visible
deformation resulting from this test.
5.2.2.2 Packing leakage. Te manufacturer shall make provisions for
leakage through the packing.
5.2.3 Cycle test, 2-in. to 36-in. valves. A valve of each group of valve size
shall be operated fully open–fully closed for the number of complete cycles as per
Table 4.
5.2.3.1 Unidirectional-seated valves. For unidirectional-seated valves,
test pressure shall be applied to the side of the valve opposite of the seat so as to
energize the gate toward the seat.
5.2.3.1 .1 Te test apparatus shall have sufcient fow capacity so that the
valve is at the rated pressure on the closed gate before the opening stroke begins.
 KN I FE G ATE VALVES, SI ZES 2 IN . (50 M M ) TH ROUGH 95 I N . (2,400 M M )  15

Table 4 Cycle leakage test requirements

Size Group Number of Cycles

2 in.–20 in., All seat designs 500
24 in.–36 in., Resilient-seat designs 250

5.2.3.2 Resilient-seated valves. For resilient-seated valves, there shall be

no leakage after the cycle test.
5.2.3.3 Metal-seated valves. Metal-seated valves shall not exceed 2.44 in.3/
min/in. (40cm3/min/in. dia).
5.2.3.3.1 Te valve shall be disassembled, and gate, seat, and stem/shaft
shall be inspected for any deformation or galling.
5.2.3.4 Tested valve. Te tested valve can be rebuilt and used for produc-
tion provided that it is fully disassembled and inspected for damage, deformation,
and wear in body, gate, stem, and packing that may afect the performance of the
valve.
5.2.3.4.1 Parts such as packing, resilient seats, and gaskets shall be replaced.
5.2.3.4.2 Following reassembly, the valve shall be tested as per Sec. 5.1 , 5.2,
and 5.1 .2.1 .
5.2.4 Finite element analysis (FEA) verifcation. Metal-seated valves of
sizes 24 in. and larger and resilient-seated valves larger than 36 in. shall be verifed
by FEA for ability to provide safe design factors that will result in full service life.
Te FEA shall show conformance to the design requirements of Sec. 4.3. Te FEA
report shall be made available to the purchaser.
5.2.5 Actuator testing. Actuator proof of design shall be in compliance
with latest revision of ANSI/AWWA C541 or C542 as applicable.
SECTION 6: DELIVERY

Sec. 6.1 Requirements

6.1 .1 Markings. Markings shall be cast or stamped on the bonnet or body
of each valve, or on a stainless-steel or brass identifcation (data) plate permanently
attached to the body, yoke, or bonnet. Tey shall show manufacturer’s name or
mark, the year the valve was made, the size of the valve, and the designated work-
ing pressure.

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 1 6  AWWA C520 -1 4

6.1 .2 Shipment. Te manufacturer shall carefully prepare valves for

shipment.
6.1 .2.1 Cavities. Cavities shall be drained of water.
6.1 .2.2 Large valves. Valves larger than 24 in. shall be bolted or other-
wise fastened to skids.
6.1 .2.3 Machined surfaces. Uncoated steel and iron-machined surfaces
shall be coated with a corrosion inhibitor.
6.1 .2.4 Flange protectors. Full-face fange protectors of waterproof ply-
wood or weather-resistant pressboard, of at least the outside diameter of the fange,
shall be fastened to each fange to protect both the fange and the valve interior.
6.1 .2.5 Small valves. Small valves may be fully packaged at the manufac-
turer’s option.
6.1 .2.6 Component shipment. Components shipped unattached shall be
adequately protected and identifed for correct assembly.
6.1 .3 Afdavit ofcompliance. Whether the purchaser has an agent at the
plant or not, the purchaser may require an afdavit attesting that the valves pro-
vided comply with applicable provisions of this standard.

Copyright American Water Works Association

 APPENDIX A
Installation
Tis appendix is for information only and is not a part ofANSI/AWWA C520.

SECTION A.1 : GENERAL

Users are advised to refer to manufacturer’s provided installation instruc-
tions. Knife gate valves are gaining their acceptance in the water and wastewater
industry and such are a signi fcant component of any distribution, collection, and
plant process system. Valve failures caused by improper installation, operation, and
maintenance in these systems may result in damage, downtime, and costly repairs.

SECTION A.2: UNLOADING

Inspect the valve on receipt for damages in shipment and conformance with
quantity and description on shipping notice and order. Unload valves carefully to
the ground without dropping. On valves larger than 18 in., use forklift or slings
under skids. On smaller valves, do not lift valves with slings or chain around the
operating shaft, actuator, or through the waterway. Lift these valves with eye bolts
or rods through the fange holes or chain hooks at ends of valve parts.

SECTION A.3: STORAGE

If it is not practical to store the valve indoors, protect the valve and actua-
tors from weather, freezing, and the accumulation of water, dirt, rocks, and debris.
When valves ftted with power actuators and controls are stored, energize electric
actuators or otherwise protect electrical-control equipment to prevent corrosion of
electrical contacts due to condensation resulting from temperature variations. Do
not expose resilient seats to sunlight or ozone for any extended period. Always refer
to manufacturers’ speci fc storage instructions.

17

Copyright American Water Works Association

 1 8  AWWA C520 -1 4

SECTION A.4: INSTALLATIONS

Ensure valve ends and seats are clean. Check all exposed bolting for loosen-
ing in transit and handling and tighten to manufacturer’s recommendations. Open
and close the valve to make sure it operates properly and that stops or limit switches
are correctly set so that the valve seats fully. Close the valve before installing. It is
strongly recommended that the instruction manual supplied by the manufacturer
be reviewed in detail before installing knife gate valves.
SECTION A.5: OPERATION
Do not permit the use or operation of any valve at pressures above the rated
design pressure of the valve. Do not exceed 300 ft-lb (407 N-m) input torque on
actuators with wrench nuts and do not exceed 200 lb (890 N) rim pull for hand-
wheels or chainwheels. If portable auxiliary actuators are used, size the actuator or
use a torque limiting device to prevent application of torque exceeding 300 ft-lb
(407 N-m).
SECTION A.6: MAINTENANCE
Each valve should be operated through a full cycle and returned to its nor-
mal position on a time schedule designed to prevent a buildup of tuberculation or
other deposits that would render the valve inoperable or prevent a tight shutof.
Te interval of time between operations of large-diameter valves, valves in critical
locations, or valves subject to severe operating conditions should be shorter than
for other, less important installations but can be for whatever period shown to be
satisfactory based on local experience. Te number of turns required to complete
the operation cycle should be recorded and then compared with permanent instal-
lation records to ensure full gate travel.
SECTION A.7: RECORD KEEPING
T o carry out a meaningful inspection and maintenance program, it is essen-
tial that the location, make, type, size, and date of installation of each valve be

Copyright American Water Works Association

 KN I FE G ATE VALVES, SI ZES 2 IN . (50 M M ) TH ROUGH 95 I N . (2,400 M M )  19

recorded. Depending on the type of record keeping used, other information may
be entered in the permanent record. When a valve is inspected, an entry should be
made in the permanent record indicating the date of inspection and condition of
the valve. If repair work is necessary, it should be indicated, and on completion, the
nature of the repairs and date completed should be correctly recorded.

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