03. April 2020

DallVent WE ventilation valve - The key to effective pipe ventilation

Adequate ventilation is essential to ensure the proper functioning of a drainage system and public sewers. With faulty ventilation, negative pressure can suck out the water seal in a trap allowing sewer gases to enter the room, resulting in foul odour and gurgling pipes. Dallmer’s DallVent WE air-admittance valve offers a quick, standard-compliant solution. 

Nasty smells and loud pipes are always a nuisance. Especially if the problem can be easily rectified. Air-admittance valves can be used on downpipes and connecting pipes and effectively prevent bad smells and noises as well as drainage problems. These arise as a result of a negative pressure in the drainage system with insufficient ventilation of the pipes and high flushing flows from the toilet. Such valves are often used in direct and indirect auxiliary ventilation ducts, secondary ventilation ducts and regular ventilation ducts. 

Standard-compliant solution

For decades, the drainage specialist Dallmer has stood for high-quality drainage technology that offers the optimal solution for every project and for various problems. This also applies to the optimal and standard-compliant ventilation of drainage pipes, which is precisely defined according to DIN 1986-100 in conjunction with DIN EN 12056. “Air-admittance valves are therefore perfectly suitable for detached or semi-detached houses as well as drainage units that are comparable in terms of drainage technology,” explains Dominik Diekämper, installer and heating engineer at Dallmer. 

Spectacular space-saver 

The owner-managed family company is always keen to develop high-quality products that are easy to install and that bring great benefits to users. This is the case with the DallVent WE air-admittance valve. It can be easily integrated into the front wall and, thanks to its oval shape, is ideal for low-profile walls. The air-admittance valve is used for the immediate reduction of negative pressure in the drainage system. “When developing the air-admittance valve, it was important to us that it looks great and at the same time takes up as little space as possible,’ explains Diekämper. These advantages also won over the planners and architects of the PHOENIX See residences in Dortmund. The stepped design of the individual storeys meant that it was not easy to ventilate the sanitation pipe system of the modern residential houses. DallVent WE offers the ideal solution to ensure the necessary ventilation in the complex pipe systems. In addition, the appealing look with covers in chrome-plated plastic and white ensure a harmonious bathroom design in the aesthetic buildings.

Gravity principle

In addition to its elegant look, the DallVent WE scores with sophisticated technology. As a precision valve, it reacts immediately to changes in pressure in the line. “Due to the rubber membrane of the DallVent WE, which rises from the valve cover when the vacuum develops (min. 250 Pa), ambient air flows into the drainage pipe and thus ensures pressure equalisation,” explains Diekämper. Like the DallVent Maxi and DallVent Mini, the DallVent WE works on the principle of gravity. 

It is essential that an air-admittance valve is installed vertically, otherwise the rubber membrane will not fit properly on the valve cover and sewer gases would escape, essentially rendering the valve useless, according to Diekämper.  

No replacement for ventilation

Air-admittance valves can take over the task of on-demand ventilation at various points in the pipe system. However, it should be noted here that ventilation valves do not replace ventilation via the roof. At least one downpipe must be led outside through the roof to discharge rising sewer gases and other odours. However, the air-admittance valve can be used to improve pipe ventilation and drainage behaviour. 

Counteract high material and labour costs

The advantages of such a ventilation solution are obvious: due to the small size and the quick and easy connection of the DallVent WE to pipe systems, the air-admittance valve is very flexible and can be used in different situations as required. “The point-of-need is crucial here: almost every construction project – be it a new building or a refurbishment – has a place where it makes sense to install a ventilation valve to ensure adequate ventilation of the pipes and to prevent sewer odours,” explains Diekämper. 

By using ventilation valves such as DallVent WE, this supply can be inconspicuously ensured without the need for further complex installation of ventilation lines, which is associated with lots of labour and high material and mounting costs. Effective energetic advantages become obvious in particular in low-energy or passive houses, since no further air discharge to the outside is necessary.

Note the installation situation

The air-admittance valve has a flow rate of 12.0 l/s and also be used as a substitute for the recirculation ventilation of connecting pipes that are more than 4 metres away from the downpipe. In addition to large detached houses, this is often the case in apartment blocks. The ventilation valves must be installed at least 10 cm above the pipe crown. In the case of downpipes, the admittance valve should be installed 60 cm from the highest branch. “However, ventilation valves may only be installed above a wash basin to prevent possible backflow,” explains Diekämper. 

Simple socket system

The DallVent WE can be easily installed using a push-in socket system, and it can also be connected directly to DN 50 and DN 70 wastewater pipes. “During assembly, the variably cut-to-length red wall-mounted housing is a real benefit for installers, because it enables them to react to almost any installation situation and install the air-admittance valve,” explains Diekämper. An additional advantage is that in contrast to other commercially available air-admittance valves on the market, the DallVent WE can be completely dismantled thanks to its plug-in socket system and, as an inspection opening, offers further access for maintenance and cleaning of pipes. 

Cleaning the valve is even easier for the user, since the cover and valve insert – including the membrane – can be removed in a few steps without any tools. The DallVent WE is easy to clean under running water and then reinserted. 

At a glance: 

DallVent WE

- Ventilation valve according to EN 12380, class 1

- Compact component for space-saving installation without an additional installation box

- Universal use in drywall

- Variable assembly thanks to the red protection box that can be cut to length

- Connected directly to wastewater pipes DN 50 and DN 70

- Removable functional element for easy inspection/maintenance

- Elegant cover plate with integrated ventilation openings