A tempering valve is used for tempering the hot condensate or hot water discharge from commercial or industrial equipment going to a drain to comply with local, national, and international plumbing codes. According to the IPC (International Plumbing Code) and most state codes, the maximum allowable temperature entering a sewer system is 140°F (60°C) to avoid damage to existing piping.
Commercial dishwashers, humidifiers, sterilizers, boiler blowdown lines, and autoclaves produce 180°F+ (82.2°C+) wastewater.
This high-temperature discharge damages PVC piping, which can cause failed inspections, costly fines, interruptions to day-to-day business operations, and damage to personnel.
Tempering valves mix cold water into the equipment discharge to reduce the temperature to acceptable levels before it reaches any PVC piping or public sewers.
How Does a Tempering Valve Work?
Thermostatic drain tempering valves monitor water temperatures and control the cold water supply that mixes with the hot discharge, eliminating the risk of water or waste exceeding 140°F (60°C) going down the drain. If the hot effluent is above the specified set point of the valve (offered in 5-degree increments from 120°F to 140°F), the actuator senses the rising temperature. It signals the valve to open to allow cold water to temper the discharge fluid.
The drain tempering valve (DTV) is a mechanical valve that eliminates the need for electrical solenoid valves or thermostats. It is open only when the effluent exceeds the specified set-point temperature, usually 10°F below the full open temperature, so it conserves water by automatically turning off cold water when not needed.
Where is the Tempering Valve Located?
The tempering valve’s inlet is connected to the cold water supply and installed into the drain line of commercial or industrial equipment. Hence, the flow passes over the thermal actuator to sense the temperature of the water going to drain and prevent over-temperature conditions.
What Are Common DTV Applications?
Industries such as restaurants, hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing have equipment that requires tempered water before draining. A steam condensate drain cooler, or Drain Tempering Valve (DTV), is typically used in commercial dishwashers, boiler blowdown drain lines, humidifiers, autoclaves, sterilizers, automatic cleaning equipment, or any application discharging scalding water.
Drain Tempering Valve Solutions
ThermOmegaTech’s thermostatic DTV is an effective solution for commercial/industrial facilities because it prevents damage to PVC piping, complies with plumbing codes, and meets drain temperature limitations.
It is self-operating, minimizes water waste, is easy to install, and is clog-resistant.
Compared to other solutions, the DTV is compact, adaptable to almost any drain size, and operates automatically to keep drain water within appropriate plumbing code limits.
Protect Your Drains and Water Lines with ThermOmegaTech
If you are starting a project where there is a possibility of high-temperature discharge into the drain/sewer, it needs to be tempered with cold water so as not to damage the drains or piping. A thermostatic drain tempering valve is the most efficient solution to control the water temperature and prevent damage, fines, and scalding.
Getting started has never been easier! Contact ThermOmegaTech to learn how our DTV will protect your client’s systems, piping, and drains.
We had another great year, thanks to you! As the year ends, we reflect on what we have accomplished. Read our 2023 CircuitSolver Year in Review below.
2023 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
CircuitSolver is excited to announce the rollout of our2D/3D Product Catalog! Now, you can search and find product renderings, specifications, and more for specific part numbers.
We debuted a new ASPE-approved CEU presentation on thermostatic balancing valves. Reach out to your regional sales manager to discuss opportunities for presentations in the New Year!
TRADESHOWS WE ATTENDED
In February, we exhibited the AHR Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, at the ASPE Tech Symposium in Bellevue, Washington, in September, and at the ASPE Philadelphia ChapterExpo in Oaks, Pennsylvania, in October.
CIRCUITSOLVER SUMMIT 2023
We were honored to welcome our principal Representatives to our CircuitSolver Summit in May. This critical Summit focused on the benefits of connecting with partners in the industry, and discussed ways to reach new customers, new products and initiatives, and more.
NEW CIRCUITSOLVER VIDEOS
CircuitSolver is the ideal solution for balancing recirculation systems, and we thank our Representatives, engineers, and contractors who spoke about their experiences with the CircuitSolver line. Watch the anniversary video!
We launched a Talking With TOTs video featuring Director of Sales Tom Ruggierio as the subject matter expert
on the inner workings of CircuitSolver. Watch now!
CIRCUITSOLVER FEATURES
CircuitSolver is excited to celebrate 10 Years of transforming the plumbing industry. Read about the CircuitSolver journey here.
PHCP Pros featured Tom Ruggierio discussing the brand’s success over the last decade in this informative Q&A.
Watch our latest webinar on Thermostatic Balancing Valves. Learn the history of DHWS balancing and the types of balancing valves used today and earn 0.10 ASPE CEUs. Watch now!
NEW CIRCUITSOLVER CASE STUDIES
CircuitSolver balancing valves were installed in the hot water recirculating system of a large e-commerce company’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Read about it here.
See how this California laboratory remodeled its space to include DTVs in this Drain Tempering Case Study.
A magical hotel in California comes to life with CircuitSolver. Read about the installation here.
A Plumbing Engineer discusses the benefits of specifying CircuitSolver® Thermostatic Balancing Valves for an installation project at an Assisted Living Facility. Read about the retrofit here.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024
Join the CircuitSolver team at the AHR Expo in Chicago on January 22-24, 2024.
Please stop by and see us at Booth #S10166.
Thank you for reading our 2023 CircuitSolver Year in Review. Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Questions? Let’s start that project now. Contact us here, and we’ll be in touch very soon.
A three-story pharmaceutical laboratory in La Jolla, California, underwent a complete remodel in 2017. The rooftop HVAC unit was replaced, and humidification was required, which presented the need to cool the drainage water.
“The roof was constructed oddly. Due to where the drain had to terminate, we had minimal fall to work with,” said Ed Parisi, Plumbing Design Manager at ICS (Industrial Commercial Systems), the contractor on this project.
“I had to get on the roof of the building to see what conditions we had to deal with. It was tough logistically to get the slope from the unit to the receptor; we had about eighty feet to travel.” Parisi needed an eighth of an inch per lineal foot to complete the drainage and had about nine and a half inches of fall available.
“We had been using typical devices for cooling humidifier drain water. Some had a tank or odd configurations, but none would fit correctly.” Parisi notes. He needed a better solution.
Parisi was previously introduced to the CircuitSolver product line by Chrissy Hamm of Specification Sales in Southern California. When Parisi was investigating other drainage devices, she suggested the DTV (Drain Tempering Valve). This was Parisi‘s first time using a DTV from ThermOmegaTech. “I didn’t even know it was available!” he said.
“Because [the DTV] just slips into the bottom of the pipe, it made it easy to overcome the lack of fall. Previously, there had been no device for the condensate drain for the steam humidifier at this location. The DTV worked perfectly because it’s such a compact installation. The DTV fits into a tee with the sensor probe extending into the drain flow at the bottom of the drainpipe,” says Parisi.
“The compactness of the DTV makes it a good solution. The technology is more complex but a simpler installation,” said Hamm.
Parisi’s team installed three Drain Tempering Valves for this project. “We installed one DTV on the roof and one in the first-floor laboratory ceiling for a humidifier with limited fall. A DTV was also installed for the lab’s autoclave in their wash/wear room,” he said.
The whole renovation project took about a year. “It was very complex, with eleven different piping systems,” he explains. “The three DTVs worked well. The lab had no issues with drain water that would have been too hot for the drainage piping systems,” Parisi says.
Parisi was very fascinated by this Drain Tempering Valve. “It is one of those valves nobody else would appreciate without understanding the simplicity of this solution and installation,” Parisi explains. “…the DTV is our automatic solution for these systems.”
Compared to other options on the market, Parisi says ThermOmegaTech’s DTV is his favorite. “Their products are first class, extremely reliable, well-engineered, and well-manufactured.”
“I would recommend the DTV for the ease of installation and the lack of needing special conditions (like extra space) or other equipment. [You can] thread it into the drainpipe, connect the water supply, and it’s complete,” Parisi added. “The availability and convenience of getting the product from ThermOmegaTech are also well appreciated.”
We had another great year, thanks to you! We attended several industry expos, launched the new CircuitSolver® Cold Water Valve, and debuted several pieces of content that showcase how our valves work and engineers’ and contractors’ thoughts about them. Read our CircuitSolver Year in Review below!
TRADESHOWS WE ATTENDED
We attended the AHR Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, in February and the ASPE Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, in September.
NEW CIRCUITSOLVER® PRODUCT LAUNCH
We launched the new CircuitSolver Union Cold Water balancing valve (CSU-CW). This valve automatically and continuously balances a cold water recirculation system to discourage Legionella bacteria colonization and to reduce stagnation.
By maintaining a set temperature in each branch/riser, the valve reduces stagnation and ensures “residual chlorine” is distributed throughout the system.
Tupelo Honey Café, in Denver, CO.
Project Manager, Eric McTee of ME Engineers details his experience with specifying CircuitSolver over the last few years.
Wyoming Life Resource Center in Lander, WY.
Cody Cline, Vice President of GW Mechanical talks about the benefits he saw when installing the DTV (Drain Tempering Valve).
New CircuitSolver® Video
CircuitSolver balancing valves are temperature devices that solve a temperature problem. The valve continuously monitors the water temperature in the system and will automatically adjust flow to maintain a set temperature at the end of each branch or riser eliminating the need for manual balancing.
CircuitSolver® Union Cold Water Balancing Valve Video
The CircuitSolver Union Cold Water thermostatic balancing valve automatically and continuously balances a cold water recirculation system (DCWS) to discourage Legionella bacteria colonization. By maintaining a set temperature at the end of each branch or riser, the valve reduces stagnation and ensures “residual chlorine” is distributed throughout the system.
PHCP Pros Interview with Tom Ruggierio at ASPE Expo
Tom Ruggierio, Sales Director for our Commercial Plumbing Division, CircuitSolver, spoke with PHCP Pros’ editor at the ASPE expo about trends in the commercial plumbing industry and the effects CircuitSolver thermostatic balancing valves have made on the industry.
Webinar Alert!
Tom Ruggierio held a Webinar with PHCP Pros in April on Managing Flow Through Domestic Hot Water Systems While Performing Thermal Disinfection.
The webinar is available on-demand on the PHCP Pros website, and attendees can earn CEUs. Watch Now!
WE ARE EXPANDING OUR REACH
In Rep news, we now have 4 regional managers covering the country – Anthony Ceresa, Tim Hartung, Tim Grisi, and Tom Ruggierio.
This will allow us more time to work alongside our reps in our efforts to continue to support the engineers, contractors, and wholesalers in their respective regions.
Wyoming Life Resource Center is a licensed, Intermediate Care Facility for people with disabilities. Each person served has an individual plan for training, work, healthcare, and recreation. Residence homes are for three to nine individuals each.
The Center offers a comfortable, family-like setting in an accessible neighborhood. Independence is promoted in life skills, community access, social interaction, and leisure activities.
The older buildings were demolished to clear land for the new Center with ten new client cottages, day programming buildings, a clinic, a recreation center with an indoor pool, and a facilities building.
The Opportunity
Cody Cline, Vice President of GW Mechanical, had the opportunity to use ThermOmegaTech’s thermostatically controlled Drain Tempering Valves (DTV) in the new construction of the Wyoming Life Resource Center in Lander, Wyoming.
These Drain Tempering Valves (DTVs) are typically used in applications where a high-temperature discharge flow to a drain or sewer must be tempered with cold water to meet plumbing code requirements and prevent PVC piping damage due to over-temperature conditions.
“This healthcare facility has 14 separate buildings where we used the drain tempering valves (DTVs)” said Cline. “All the buildings have commercial dishwashers [installed] underneath the counters because we are working with limited space, [all the DTVs were] installed within cabinetry underneath the kitchen sinks.”
Each new building has one commercial dishwasher with discharge flow to a drain that needs to be tempered down; therefore, one DTV was installed in each location.
The Installation
“We had used [DTVs] on another application, and we liked it because we could modify the piping to work for the application. For this installation, I think [the engineer] chose [DTV] because it was so small and had to fit under the counter, in a very limited space,” explained Cline. “I would have chosen these DTVs anyway because it is the right application for the space.”
The dishwashers’ discharge temperature is 180 (degrees) Fahrenheit, so the water needed to be cooled down before reaching the PVC piping underground to comply with the plumbing codes.
The DTVs installed had a set point of 120 (degrees) Fahrenheit. These valves will automatically open to allow the injection of cold water to temper down the discharge fluid before it reaches the drain if the valves sense fluid temperatures above 120 (degrees) Fahrenheit.
“In this specific job, the DTV sped up the process because of its size and adaptability to that space. It made it easy. Other than that, the only way I know [how to temper the water is by] using a drain cooler. Drain coolers are big and bulky, you need the space to put them in, and there are more requirements,” Cline mentioned.
When asked what advantages the DTV has compared to other options on the market, Cline said, “Size and simplicity.” DTVs are small, have minimal moving parts, and are easy to maintain.
“It comes down to space and the fact that [the DTV] is mechanical; there are no moving parts, which is nice. There is nothing really to maintain,” said Cline.
“I recommend the product for functionality and space requirements. The DTV works great,” said Cody Cline, Vice President of GW Mechanical.
For more information on the Drain Tempering Valve, visit here.
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