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OFFICIAL CHILEAN STANDARD NCh731.Of1998

Water – Faucets or valves for home use -

specs

Preamble

The National Institute for Standardization, INN, is the body in charge of

study and preparation of technical standards at the national level. He is a member of the
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION (ISO) and the COMMISSION
PAN AMERICAN TECHNICAL STANDARDS (COPANT), representing Chile before those
organisms.

The NCh731 standard has been prepared by the Standards Division of the National Institute of
Normalization and in its study the organisms and natural persons have participated
following:

AMADEI Faucets Aldo Amadi

louis olives
Bronze NIBSA SA Wilson Sejas S.
John Zambrano C.
Center for Studies, Measurement and Certification of
Quality, CESMEC Ltda. Claudio Orellana
Cecilia Simon
DICTUC SA, Pontifical Catholic University
from Chile Joseph Louis Montalvo
DURATEC-VINILIT SA Miguel Angel Maldonado B.
Pedro Oteiza F.
Metropolitan Sanitary Works Company, EMOS FAS SA Mario Jimenez A.
George Burgos F.
PLASTIC INDUSTRY SALADILLO SA Jorge Benitez V.
National Institute for Standardization, INN Domingo De Negri Q.
Ernest Riedel S.
Plastics HOSFENS Nancy Daza C.
REHAU SA Claudio Achurra
MOSAICO Commercial Company Kenneth CrozierW.
Horace Pavez A.

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NCh731

Superintendence of Sanitary Services, SISS Victor H. Figueroa S.

Gerardo Samhan E.
TEBISA Jeanette Arias B.
Hydraulic Technology THC SA Sergio Barrientos
Angel Tessini F.

This standard cancels and replaces the standard NCh731.Of71 Water - Faucets for home use
for drinking water - Specifications, declared Official of the Republic by Decree No. 1014 dated
November 17, 1971 of the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation.

Annex A is not part of the body of the standard, it is inserted for information purposes only.

This standard has been approved by the Council of the National Institute for Standardization, in
a session held on September 21, 1998.

This standard has been declared an Official Chilean Standard of the Republic by Decree No.
2556 dated December 7, 1998, of the Ministry of Public Works, published in the Official Gazette
No. 36,260 of January 11, 1999.

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OFFICIAL CHILEAN STANDARD NCh731.Of1998

Water – Faucets or valves for home use -

specs

1 reach

1.1 This standard establishes the specifications of faucets or valves for home use
of nominal sizes 3/8" to 2", whose general requirements and classification are established
in NCh700.

1.2 This standard applies to the production of faucets or valves for home use
following:

a) stopcocks;

b) shower faucets for hot and cold water;

c) pillar faucets and lavatory combinations, for hot and cold water;

d) pillar faucets and dishwasher combinations, for hot and cold water;

e) outlet valves with their outlet end flat or threaded for an accessory (union
for hose, narrowing to produce a jet, union for a shower, etc.);

f) bidet combinations.

2 References

NCh43 Random sample selection.

NCh44 Inspection by attributes – Sampling tables and procedures.
NCh396 Capillary solder joint accessories for copper tubes.
NCh699 Fluids - Keys or valves - Terminology and classification.
NCh700 Water - Faucets and valves for home use - General requirements.
NCh1290 Accessories for plastic tubes - Tightness test under
internal pressure.

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NCh731
NCh1593/1 Whitworth pipe thread – Part 1: Internal cylindrical thread and external
cylindrical thread – Nominal dimensions.
NCh1593/2 Whitworth pipe thread – Part 2: Internal cylindrical thread and external
cylindrical thread – Tolerances.
NCh1594 Whitworth thread for tubes and fittings.
NCh1721 Unions and accessories for polyvinyl chloride pipes, rigid PVC, for conduction
of pressurized fluids - Requirements.

3 Terminology

See NCh699 and NCh700.

4 Materials and general requirements

4.1 Faucets or valves for home use must comply with the requirements established in NCh700.

5 Connection ends

5.1 The connection ends of faucets or valves for home use can be threaded, cemented, welded or
another type of union.

5.2 The threaded connection ends must comply with the specifications indicated in NCh1593/1 and
NCh1593/2 or in NCh1594/1.

5.3 The welding connection ends, in the case of metallic materials, must comply with the NCh396
standard and in the case of thermoplastic materials, they must comply with the NCh1721 standard.

5.4 Another type of union can be used, which must comply with the dimensions indicated by the
manufacturer, which must be verified. Its functionality must comply with the pressure tests indicated
in NCh1290 if it is for thermoplastic pipes or in NCh396 if it is for metal pipes. In addition, it must
meet all the requirements specified in NCh700 and in this standard.

6 Brands

Faucets or valves for domestic use for drinking water must be marked according to NCh700.

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7 Durability

7.1 General test procedure

7.1.1 The different types of faucets or valves for home use, once finished, must allow 30,000
cycles of closing, opening and movement of all the parts likely to be mobile in normal use.
These tests must be carried out connected to a cold water source (15°C to 25°C), at a
pressure of 0.4 MPa (1 MPa = 10.2 kgf/cm2 ). For stopcocks the number of cycles required is
10,000.

7.1.2 The rotation speed of the wrench stem should not exceed 35 turns per min.

7.1.3 The test torque must be 20% more than the torque necessary to plug the sample,
without exceeding the maximum torques established as requirements.

7.1.4 The opening and closing torques of the faucet or valve during the entire test, when
applicable, must not exceed the following values:

- 3 Nm for wrenches with a nominal size equal to or less than 1”.

- 5 Nm for wrenches with a nominal size greater than 1".

7.1.5 The cycle for carrying out this test must be:

1) Opening equal to 75% of total opening.

2) Rest of 5 s in open position.

3) Full closure.

4) Rest for 5 s in the closed position.

7.1.6 The cycle indicated in 7.1.5, for mixer taps and faucets with another type of
obturation, must be tested with a cycle previously established by the manufacturer.

7.2 Test evaluation conditions

7.2.1 Products that, after testing and without the need to replace any of their components,
satisfactorily meet the hydrostatic pressure test and correct operation, shall be considered
acceptable.

7.2.2 It is considered a product defect if it is not possible to manipulate the keys or valves
with the maximum torques indicated.

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8 Hydrostatic pressure test

The purpose of this test is to verify the tightness of faucets or valves for household use in the open and closed position.

8.1 General test procedure

8.1.1 Place the faucet or valve for household use as the terminal of a pumping installation.

8.1.2 Plug the outlet end of the stopcocks and bring the unit to its open position, applying a gauge pressure of 1.57 MPa
(16 kgf/cm2 ) for 1 min ± 15 s.

8.1.3 Observe if the faucet or valve leaks; if this is the case, reject the drive.

8.1.4 Remove the outlet blanking plug, bring the unit to its closed position and apply again the pressure of 1.57 MPa (16
kgf/cm2 ) for 1 min ± 15 s.

8.1.5 Observe if the unit leaks or if the default manometric pressure of the faucet or valve drops; the unit is rejected if
either or both conditions occur.

8.1.6 In faucets or outlet and combination valves, carry out the test only in the closed position.

8.2 Test evaluation conditions

The product that in the course of the test presents any of the following abnormalities is considered defective:

-
Filtration in the stem in any of its positions.

- Leaking at shutter when faucet or valve is closed.

-
Leaks through the assembled areas due to defects in gluing, fusing or tight mechanical joints.

-
Leaks through the seals or imperfect sealing areas.

- Exudations or permanent deformations of the product or components.

- Disconnection of some mechanism of the product.

- Network disconnection.

-
Impossibility of continuing to function after the test.

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9 Mechanical resistance tests

9.1 Opening and closing test

9.1.1 The faucet or valve must resist without permanent deformation the value of the torque
specified in table 1 during the opening-closing cycle.

9.1.2 The maximum opening and closing torques for single-handle faucets or valves are 6 Nm.

9.2 Flexural test

9.2.1 The test consists of subjecting the stopcock or valve to a bending stress as shown in
figure 1. The load is applied for 30 s and its value is indicated in table 1.

9.2.2 Regardless of the union end (threads, welding or cementing), the rigid element must be
integral with the faucet or valve for all purposes of the test and transmit the bending moment.
In the case of taps or valves with threaded connection, the rigid elements must be tightened
with a torque of 10 ± 1 Nm.

9.2.3 At the end of the test, the tap or shut-off valve must not show signs of fracture,
permanent deformation or disconnection of components.

Figure 1

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NCh731

Table 1

nominal size maximum torque of maximum torque of

closing
Load P
opening

Inch hmm*) Nm Nm N

3/8” 10 10 10 40

1/2" 13 10 10 60

3/4" 19 fifteen 10 80

one" 25 twenty 10 100

1 1/4" 32 25 10 120

1 1/2" 38 30 10 140

two" fifty 35 10 160

*) This nominal size is the equivalence of the metal pipe and is referred to the copper pipe; the
equivalence of the nominal size for the keys of thermoplastic material will refer to the diameter in
millimeters of installed pipe.

10 Pneumatic pressure test

The pneumatic pressure test must be carried out according to 11.4 of the NCh700 standard.

11 Low pressure hydraulic test

11.1 General test procedure

All types of faucets or valves for home use must withstand a hydraulic test
low pressure, at 0.14 MPa, for 3 complete cycles of operation. For this
effects, proceed as follows:

1) Place the key as the terminal of a pumping installation.

2) Plug the outlet end and bring the unit to the open position.

3) Apply a pressure of 0.14 MPa for a period of at least 30 s.

4) Without removing the blanking plug from the outlet, bring the unit to the closed position.

5) Reopen and close successively, holding each position for 30 seconds until
complete all three cycles.

11.2 Test evaluation conditions

Units leaking at any stage of the test will be considered defective.

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12 Minimum flows

12.1 General

The characteristics of the internal surfaces of the taps covered by this standard must be such
that their imperfections allow the circulation of the minimum flows specified in 12.2 and 12.3.

12.2 The minimum flow rate for stopcocks is that specified in 6.1.2 of the NCh700 standard.

12.3 For faucets or valves of the types: hot and cold shower faucets, hot and cold lavatory
faucets and dishwasher combinations, the minimum flow rate at a sealing pressure of 0.25
MPa (1 MPa = 10.2 kgf/ cm2 ), is the one indicated in table 2.

Table 2

minimum flow
Product
L/
Hot and cold shower faucets s 0.366

Hot and cold lavatory faucets 0.15

dishwasher combinations
one)
0.15

Other exit keys 0.25

1) In dishwasher combinations, the minimum flow rate considers

the opening of a faucet or valve.

13 Acoustic requirements

Units that do not produce humming during the minimum flow test are considered acoustically
acceptable.

14 Certification of faucets or valves for home use

14.1 If required by the buyer and/or the Competent Authority, the manufacturer or
representative must provide a certification of conformity of the faucets or valves that are
supplied.

14.2 The certification of conformity must be carried out by a body that is recognized for this
purpose by the Competent Authority.

14.3 The certification model will be mutually agreed between the buyer and the manufacturer.
As a guide, three types of certification are indicated in Annex A.

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Annex A
(Informative)

A.1 Model Certification

A.1.1 Process by which a manufacturer or its representative submits a model of a key or

valve, through samples taken from production, to a certification body
recognized by the Competent Authority, to verify compliance with all
requirements specified in this standard and NCh700.

A.1.2 There should be as many valve keys as necessary to cover the

least one test for each of the requirements specified in Certification of
Model.

Requirements specified in NCh700:

-
Comply with chapter 5 Design and materials.

-
Comply with Chapter 6 General Requirements.

-
Comply with Chapter 7 Requirements for component parts and accessories.

-
Comply with Chapter 8 Filing and Termination.

-
Comply with chapter 9 Designation and marking.

Requirements specified in NCh731:

-
Comply with chapter 5 Connection ends.

-
Comply with chapter 7 Durability test.

-
Comply with chapter 8 Hydrostatic pressure test.

-
Comply with chapter 9 Mechanical resistance test.

-
Comply with chapter 10 Pneumatic pressure test.

-
Comply with chapter 11 Low pressure hydraulic test.

-
Comply with chapter 12 Minimum flow test.

-
Comply with chapter 13 Acoustic requirements.

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A.1.3 Repetition of tests:

A.1.3.1 In the event that any of the original sample(s) do not meet any of the requirements specified above for
pattern certification, the defective sample may be replaced by two new samples, to which the corresponding test
must be repeated.

A.1.3.2 In this case, both samples must meet the requirements of the repeated test for there to be conformance to
that test.

A1.3.3 If one (or both) of the replacement samples fails to meet the requirements for repeated testing, then the
pattern is rejected.

A.1.3.4 Alternatively, the supplier may request the performance of the approval tests, presenting the three samples
for the requirements it deems necessary, which must be tested simultaneously for each test. In the event that two
of the samples do not meet the test requirement, then the model must be rejected without giving rise to new tests,
otherwise the test is approved.

A.1.4 Validity of an approved model

A.1.4.1 If a faucet or valve model is approved, the faucets or valves that are supplied must correspond to the
approved model and any proposal to modify its design or the materials used must be previously communicated to
the Competent Authority. through a written report.

A.2 Batch certification

A.2.1 All faucets or valves that make up a lot must meet all the requirements established in this standard and
NCh700.

A.2.2 For purposes of verifying the quality characteristics, the set of faucets or valves of the same model and
nominal capacity, which are subjected to inspection as a unitary set, shall be considered an inspection lot.

A.2.3 Sampling plans

A.2.3.1 The number of faucets or valves to be tested for the certification of a batch will be 5 taken from the batch
to be certified, for the tests of:

Requirements specified in NCh700:

-
Comply with chapter 5 Design and materials.

-
Comply with Chapter 7 Requirements for component parts and accessories.

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Assays specified in NCh731:

-
Comply with chapter 7 Durability test.

-
Comply with chapter 9 Mechanical resistance test.

-
Comply with chapters 8 Hydrostatic pressure test, 12 Minimum flow rates
and 13 acoustic requirements.

A.2.3.2 If one of the samples does not meet any of the requirements mentioned
the lot is previously rejected.

A.2.3.3 For the other tests, the sampling plan is as follows:

Requirements specified in NCh700:

TEST inspection level AQL

- II 1.5
Comply with Chapter 6
General requirements

- II 1.5
Comply with Chapter 8
Presentation and termination

- II 1.5
Comply with Chapter 9
Designation and marking

Requirements specified in NCh731:

TEST inspection level AQL

- II 1.5
Comply with Chapter 5
connection ends

- II 1.5
Comply with Chapter 10
Pneumatic pressure test

- S-1 1.5
Comply with Chapter 11
Low pressure hydraulic test

NOTE – The simple sampling plan for normal inspection should be applied.

A.2.3.4 Samples for inspection and testing resulting from sampling plans
indicated, should be randomly drawn according to NCh43 and NCh44.

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A.3 Permanent production certification

A.3.1 If the inspection is carried out through a permanent production control, giving rise to a
permanent production certification, the agreement signed between the Certification entity and
the manufacturer must be based on full compliance with all the requirements that are
established in this standard and in NCh700.

A.3.2 The faucets or valves must have incorporated, in some visible place, the characteristic
seal of approval of the Certification entity.

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OFFICIAL CHILEAN STANDARD NCh 731.Of1998

NATIONAL INSTITUTION OF NO RMALIZATION ! INN - CHILE

Water – Faucets or valves for home use -

specs
Water – Taps, cocks and valves for domestic purposes - Specifications

First edition: 1998

Descriptors: equipment for fluids, sanitary installations, taps, valves, keys (valves),
requirements

CIN 23,060; 91.040.60

COPYRIGHT © : 1999 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STANDARDIZATION - INN * *

Reproduction and sale prohibited
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