Brass ball valves in Hagen: drain valve (KFE) and Universal ball valve

Ball valve or KFE valve: which valve for which job?

A ball valve shuts off a pipe with a quarter turn: inside is a ball with a bore that turns parallel or perpendicular to the flow. When the handle runs along the pipe, the valve is open; when it is across the pipe, it is closed. The KFE valve is a ball valve with a hose connection used for filling and draining heating systems.

Ball valves: uses, sizes and approvals

Ball valve	Use	Sizes and connection	Approvals and limits
KFE ball valve (fill and drain valve)	Filling and draining heating, solar and plumbing systems	1/2 inch male thread, with cap, chain and hose union	up to 110 °C, FKM seal, red butterfly handle with locking ring
Universal ball valve with lever handle	Heating, drinking water, gas, compressed air and oil	3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1 and 1 1/4 inch, chrome-plated brass	DIN-DVGW to EN 13828 (drinking water) and EN 331 (gas), MOP 5; water up to 100 °C, depending on pressure
Universal ball valve with butterfly handle	Drinking water, gas, heating, heating oil and compressed air	3/8 to 1 1/4 inch, female thread to ISO 7/1, chrome-plated brass	DVGW for gas up to 5 bar and drinking water up to 10 bar; drinking water −20 to +65 °C, briefly +95 °C

Find shut-off valves, angle valves and connection valves under Plumbing and installation, pumps and heating valves under Heating components, and nipples and adaptors under Brass threaded fittings.

KFE valve: filling and draining the heating system

The boiler fill and drain valve is fitted at a low point in the system, often directly at the heat source. To fill, screw the hose onto the hose union, open the valve and let water in slowly until the pressure gauge shows the filling pressure specified by your heating contractor. Then vent the system and top up if needed. Finally, close the valve and fit the cap; the chain keeps it attached to the valve.

Heating water must not flow back into the drinking water pipe. If filling from the drinking water supply, backflow protection such as a system separator must be fitted between the two. A specialist contractor installs this.

Ball valves for drinking water and gas: what should you check?

Approval matters for drinking water and gas. Both Universal ball valves are DVGW certified to EN 13828 for drinking water and EN 331 for gas with MOP 5. The butterfly-handle valve also has a silicone-free, blow-out-proof operating spindle with a double O-ring seal. Temperature limits also depend on the medium: for gas, the butterfly-handle valve is rated from −20 to +60 °C.

Only gas-approved thread sealants may be used on gas pipes. Find hemp, paste, sealing cord and PTFE tape for water and heating under Consumables.

Installation and care

• Keep it accessible: The handle must be able to turn fully, even if it is later behind panelling.
• Exercise the valve: A ball valve left unused for years can become stiff. Closing and reopening it from time to time helps.
• Heating: After filling through the KFE valve, bleed the radiators and check the pressure gauge.
• Specialist contractor: A registered specialist contractor carries out work on drinking water and gas pipes, including replacing a single valve. A qualified electrician handles electrical work on the system.

Collection in Hagen or delivery

Ball valves are order items: collect them from our Hagen warehouse once received; we give you the date with our reply.

1. Choose the ball valve and thread size.
2. Add it to your enquiry list, with fittings and sealant if needed.
3. Send your enquiry.
4. We provide the price, availability and date by email or phone.

Warehouse: Im Mühlenwert 22, 58135 Hagen. Shop: Eilper Straße 29, 58091 Hagen. Shipping on request. Find out more under Collection and enquiries and Locations.