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  1. #1
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    Default air admittance valves sealed for testing?

    I saw a few of these in a one year old house this morning. I don't believe they are allowed in Philadelphia, but what's up with the orange rubber band? Were they put there for pressure testing and never removed, or what?

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    Last edited by John Arnold; 08-20-2011 at 10:59 AM. Reason: typo
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  2. #2
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    Default Re: air admittance valves sealed for testing?

    Quote Originally Posted by John Arnold View Post
    I saw a few of these in a one year old house this morning. I don't believe they are allowed in Philadelphia, but what's up with the orange rubber band? Were they put there for pressure testing and never removed, or what?

    Not quite, its "or what", and yes should have been removed, along with the foam inserts which are beneath and which serve to BLOCK the Air Admittance Valve's "air intake openings" before final and first occupancy, or before use of fixture and/or branch.

    AAVs may NOT be installed prior to DWV rough-in pressure testing, only afterwards.

    Example citation, 2006 IPC, 917.2 & 917.3:

    917 Air Admittance Valves

    917.2 Installaton

    The valves shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of this section and the manufacturer's installaton instructions. Air admittance valves shall be installed after the DWV testing required by Section 312.2 or 312.3 has been performed.


    917.3 Where permitted.

    Individual, branch and circuit vents shall be permitted to terminate with a connection to an air admittance valve. The air admittance valve shall only vent fixtures that are on the same floor level and connect to a horizontal branch drain. The horizontal branch drain shall conform to Section 917.3 or Section 918.3.2
    The rubber band and its associated foam blocks/plugs are in place as shipped and packaged. They are designed to protect the AAV and the as-installed-to DWV plumbing system from contamination and fouling from construction/finishing/decorating debris, dust, paint, etc. from entering/blocking/clogging the air inlet, the valve itself, and the DWV system. The "rubber band" is also designed, and left in place during installation, to assist in "grip" as the AAV is installed (turned, threaded into place).

    They should have been removed as soon as the activities were completed, and BEFORE the sink pictured, and/or anything else on the horizontal branch was put "into service".

    Attached is a 2-page pdf file, which is the Manufacturer's instructions for the pictured AAV (Oatey's Sure-Vent(R)). You can download this directly yourself at the following (clickable) link: http://www.oatey.com/apps/catalog/in...ctionSheet.pdf

    Note page 2 the following (the word "REMOVE" is in all-caps in the official Oatey instructions):


    Sure-Vent (R) AAVs should be installed after DWV rough-in testing has been performed. REMOVE protective rubber band and foam inserts covering Sure Vent air ports after drywalling is complete. (Failure to remove rubber band and foam inserts may cause venting failure).

    The foam inserts (behind rubber band) and the rubber band itself prevent the free movement of air into the valve's intake openings.

    Their (the rubber band & associated foam blocks/plugs) prevent the DWV system from being able to equalize pressures correctly, and left in place are a hazard (public health hazard, plumbing system design); violate all of its approvals and are a violation of all the plumbing codes that allow their use (and the product instructions). The multiple references regarding same are on each of Oatey's Sure-Vent(R) submitle sheets as well.

    AAVs may not be installed in a manner which inhibits the free movent of air into the valves' intake openings. The lingering rubber "bands" and the underlying foam blocks/plugs indicate an "incomplete" installation and improper state of function of the DWV system.

    Attached Files Attached Files
    Last edited by H.G. Watson, Sr.; 08-20-2011 at 12:51 PM.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: air admittance valvew sealed for testing?

    Thanks!

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
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  4. #4
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    Default Re: air admittance valvew sealed for testing?

    Quote Originally Posted by John Arnold View Post
    Thanks!
    You're welcome!

    AFAIK, AAVs are still not legal to sell or install in Philadelphia.

    This is the most recent update addendum list (revised April 2011) to the city's approvals I could find, and have attached below. If you wish to download directly from the official source you can acquire it here (clickable link): http://www.phila.gov/li/UpdDocs/Code...eApprMatls.pdf

    Philly's code is very strict, unless expressly permitted/approved material, fixture, fitting, etc. it is not allowed.

    IIRC, Philly's Plumbing code provides for confiscation of unauthorized materials and prohibits display or sale within city limits of unauthorized unapproved plumbing materials.

    Attached Files Attached Files

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Default Re: air admittance valvew sealed for testing?

    Here's a list of states, etc. for Studor AAV approval, from 2006.

    In Pennsylvania they're approved, "except Philadelphia".

    STUDOR (R) inVENTive Technology (TM) - Air Admittance Valves

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

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