Commercial Pool and Spa Supplies
12" FVD Double Arm Float Valve - Open Pipe
12" FVD Double Arm Float Valve - Open Pipe
SKU:12FVD-OP
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The 12" FVD Double Arm Float Valve – Open Pipe (also cataloged as 12FVDP-OP in standard commercial PVC aquatic flow-control lines) is an extra-heavy-duty, balanced-leverage, maximum-bore mechanical water-level control valve engineered for mega-capacity commercial aquatic surge tanks, collector pits, balance tanks, and open-channel gravity return systems. Installed directly onto an open-ended 12-inch horizontal or downward-turned gravity return pipe stub inside a surge pit, the dual-arm yoke architecture distributes massive closing forces symmetrically across the 12-inch valve disc—eliminating side-loading, torsional twisting, and premature seat wear under elevated gravity static heads or severe hydraulic surge conditions.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Equipment / Part Reference | 12" FVD Double Arm Float Valve – Open Pipe (12FVDP-OP) |
| Nominal Pipe Size | 12.0 in (300 mm / DN300) |
| Inlet Connection Type | Open-Pipe Mount: Female Slip Socket (Schedule 40/80 IPS, 12.750" ID socket) or Slide-On Locking Hub for bare 12.0" nominal (12.750" actual OD) open pipe end |
| Discharge Configuration | Unobstructed Open-Discharge / Free-Fall Port (zero downstream backpressure) |
| Actuation Mechanism | Mechanical Double-Arm Yoke Lever Linkage (symmetrical dual-side extra-heavy-duty arms providing balanced axial closing force; requires no electricity or compressed air) |
| Valve Body & Housing Material | Heavy-duty machined Schedule 80 PVC, CPVC, or structural reinforced FRP composite |
| Pivot Arms & Linkage Hardware | Dual extra-heavy-gauge 316 Marine-Grade Stainless Steel arms, structural cross-yoke, machined pivot clevises, hinge pins, and locknuts (eliminates torsional deflection and galvanic corrosion) |
| Float Ball / Buoyancy Element | Heavy-wall seamless Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene, or 316 Stainless Steel oversized spherical/cylindrical float (typically 18" to 20" diameter, or high-buoyancy dual-float assembly, to generate required closing torque on a 12" bore) |
| Seat & Disc Seal Material | Replaceable thick-wall EPDM or Neoprene elastomer disc / flapper seal for drip-tight shutoff |
| Recommended Gravity Flow Capacity | Approx. 1,800 to 3,600+ US gpm (408.8 to 817.6+ m³/h) at standard gravity head (1 to 4 ft water column) |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 15 to 25 psi (1.03 to 1.72 bar) — engineered specifically for ultra-high-volume, low-head gravity gutter and collector mains |
| Operating Temperature Range | 32°F to 120°F (0°C to 49°C) |
| Level Adjustment Range | Indexed dual-pivot clevises and adjustable float rod pitch allow precise field calibration of shutoff water elevation (+/- 4 to 8 in) |
| Compliance / Standards | NSF/ANSI Standard 50 compatible materials; meets Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) surge tank overflow protection guidelines |
Hydraulic & Mechanical Operating Details
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Maximum-Capacity Gravity Throughput: With a 12-inch nominal bore (113.1 sq. in. cross-sectional flow area—44% larger than a 10" valve and more than double an 8" valve), this unit accommodates the highest-volume perimeter overflow gutter collectors on Olympic 50-meter competition complexes, multi-pool municipal aquatic centers, surf lagoons, and major water park wave pools without creating upstream hydraulic backup in deck channels.
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Mandatory Double-Arm Geometry on 12-Inch Bores: Across a 113.1 sq. in. orifice area, even modest gravity head creates substantial hydraulic seating loads that would immediately twist or bind a single-arm assembly. The 12" FVD Double Arm straddles both sides of the valve housing with twin extra-heavy-gauge 316 stainless steel arms tied into a rigid structural cross-yoke, translating buoyancy from the 18"–20" float into uniform, perpendicular closing force against the EPDM seat.
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Open-Pipe Installation: Built specifically for installations where the 12" perimeter gutter or main-drain gravity collector terminates cleanly inside the surge tank wall without a bolted ANSI flange. The female PVC hub slips directly onto the 12" pipe stub and is secured via PVC solvent cement or stainless steel mechanical locking bolts.
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Shipping Weight: Approx. 68 to 95 lbs (30.8 to 43.1 kg) complete with 12" valve body, dual extra-heavy-duty 316 SS pivot arms, cross-yoke linkage hardware, and oversized float ball.
