There are several brands of Freeze-Resistant PVB's advertised on the market. They all have some sort of pressure relief valve in the poppet assembly. They reportedly protect the plastic internal parts of the back flow assembly. The ball valves have no freeze protection as yet, so they still need to be drained or put at half open position.
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The febco ball valve on the febco 765 pvb are famous for cracking. The febco valves are subject to outdoor temperatures that get below freezing. Febco ball valves are routinely neglected. From 2 inch febco ball valves to 3/4 inch febco ball valves, or Watt's ball valves or Wilkins ball valves, they all need protection from freezing.
Blue Heron PVB - Freeze-Tolerant valves come standard.
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only the Blue Heron PVB comes standard with Freeze-Tolerant Valves
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Q.--- Will the Freeze-Tolerant ball valve protect my piping or my Vacuum Breaker?
A.---NO, the Freeze-Tolerant ball valve is only made to protect the body of the ball valve itself from cracking.
There are 3 brands of freeze resistant PVB's made that help protect the bonnet & poppet assemblies from cracking. The freeze resistant Conbraco PVB (Conbraco 4A-504-02F 3/4 in. Freeze Resistant PVB Backflow Preventer), Wilkins 3/4" 420 Freeze Resistant PVB Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly and the Febco FR 767 described here :Series 767FR Freeze-Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breakers are designed to prevent backsiphonage of contaminated water under continuous pressure into the potable water supply. Its superior design protects the valve body and internal components during sudden freeze conditions. Water inside the PVB freezes from the outside-inward. As the ice forms and expands causing a buildup of pressure, the FEBCO 767FR relieves the pressure through a unique relief valve built into the plastic float. Test cocks are positioned at the lowest point of the valve for winterization draining. They feature a bronze body. Maximum Working Pressure: 150psi. Inlet/Outlet Ball valves are not protected, or the 1/4 inch tests cocks which are miniature ball valves.
The Wilkins 3/4" 420 Freeze Resistant PVB Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly Backflow Preventer 34-420 with Integral Anti-Freeze Relief Valve The integral relief valve reduces the risk of valve damage under freezing conditions- The Wilkins 3/4" 420 Freeze Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker also does not have any freeze protection for the ball valves.
A.---NO, the Freeze-Tolerant ball valve is only made to protect the body of the ball valve itself from cracking.
There are 3 brands of freeze resistant PVB's made that help protect the bonnet & poppet assemblies from cracking. The freeze resistant Conbraco PVB (Conbraco 4A-504-02F 3/4 in. Freeze Resistant PVB Backflow Preventer), Wilkins 3/4" 420 Freeze Resistant PVB Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly and the Febco FR 767 described here :Series 767FR Freeze-Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breakers are designed to prevent backsiphonage of contaminated water under continuous pressure into the potable water supply. Its superior design protects the valve body and internal components during sudden freeze conditions. Water inside the PVB freezes from the outside-inward. As the ice forms and expands causing a buildup of pressure, the FEBCO 767FR relieves the pressure through a unique relief valve built into the plastic float. Test cocks are positioned at the lowest point of the valve for winterization draining. They feature a bronze body. Maximum Working Pressure: 150psi. Inlet/Outlet Ball valves are not protected, or the 1/4 inch tests cocks which are miniature ball valves.
The Wilkins 3/4" 420 Freeze Resistant PVB Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly Backflow Preventer 34-420 with Integral Anti-Freeze Relief Valve The integral relief valve reduces the risk of valve damage under freezing conditions- The Wilkins 3/4" 420 Freeze Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker also does not have any freeze protection for the ball valves.
