Frequently Asked Questions

Will HepVo promote better hygiene by stopping the escape of foul sewer air into habitable spaces?

YES - The HepVo valve has been proven to perform under conditions in which traditional water seal traps are vunerable to failure. It will continue to perform under back pressures 10 times greater than those experienced in typical soil and waste systems.

Does the air tight seal break down if a strand of cloth or hair collects in the grating and falls down between the faces of the valve?

NO - the valve has undergone extensive foreign body testing (WIMLAS Certificate No. 042/97 - Revision 1, June 1998). Tests show that the valve will maintain an air tight seal around an obstruction such as hair, fabric strands or spaghetti.

What is the life expectancy of?

Current test results indicate that the valve has a life expectancy at least equivalent to current water sealed traps .

Is subject to limescale crustation?

NO - the flexibility of the valve seal prevents accumulation of limescale.

Will block easily?

NO - Extensive testing has shown that the valve is less prone to blockage than traditional water seal traps.

Will the seal be maintained even when the appliance hasn't been used for some time?

YES - The valve does not depend on a water seal and so it will continue to maintain a seal whether an appliance never gets used or is used very infrequently.

Can be used to protect a number of sanitary appliances in the same way as a running trap is used?

YES - However should be placed adjacent to the appliance as required by BS 5572.

Does comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations and BS 5572?

YES - HepVo is a self sealing valve designed to seal the waste connection below a sanitary appliance to prevent the escape of foul air into the building and thereby complies with the requirements of BS 5572 : 1994 Code of practice for Sanitary pipework and Document H of the Building Regulations 1985 'Drainage and Waste Disposal'. (UK)

What is the effect of hot and cold fat being discharged into the valve?

In tests the valve continues to perform and will maintain an air tight seal when not discharging an appliance. In comparative tests with conventional traps, a solid plug of fat forms within the trap as the fat comes into contact with the cold water held in the trap.

Does the valve make a noise?

NO - Independent tests confirm that the valve operates silently when subjected to a range of abnormal pressures.

Will encourage rats and mice to gnaw at the valve?

NO - Rats and mice gnaw to shorten and sharpen their teeth. The sealing valve of is not hard enough to encourage gnawing, neither is it attractive as a food or nesting source.

Will support microbiological growth?

NO - The materials used to manufacture will not support microbiological growth.