Apollo Valve Selection Guide

Valve selection on commercial and industrial projects comes down to five factors: function, body material, connection type, pressure rating, and certifications. This guide walks through each factor using Apollo's product line so you can make the right call the first time.

Step 1: What Does the Valve Need to Do?

• Isolate / shut off flow → Ball Valve (quarter-turn, full port preferred)
• Regulate / throttle flow → Globe Valve, Butterfly Valve (with gear operator), or V-Port Ball Valve
• Prevent backflow → Check Valve or Backflow Preventer Assembly
• Reduce pressure → Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV)
• Protect against overpressure → Safety Relief Valve (T&P or ASME rated)
• Mix hot and cold water → Thermostatic Mixing Valve
• Drain a system → Boiler Drain / Drain Valve

Step 2: Body Material

Bronze / Brass — The default for commercial plumbing, domestic water, and HVAC. Good corrosion resistance in water service. NSF/ANSI 61 certified models available for potable water. Use lead-free (LF/NL) models where required by code.

Stainless Steel (316 CF8M) — For corrosive fluids, chemicals, high-purity applications, or systems where bronze would corrode. Higher cost, higher pressure ratings. Required in some food service, pharmaceutical, and chemical applications.

Carbon Steel (WCB) — For industrial process piping, steam, oil and gas, and high-temperature/high-pressure service. Not suitable for potable water. Most common in threaded, socket weld, and flanged configurations 1/2"–12".

Ductile Iron / Cast Iron — For larger diameter butterfly valves, fire protection, and HVAC applications where weight and cost efficiency matter over tight tolerances.

Step 3: Connection Type

• FNPT (Female NPT threads) — Standard for most commercial plumbing and industrial applications under 3". Most Apollo bronze and SS ball valve series.
• Press-fit (ApolloPress / PowerPress / SmartPress) — No soldering, no threading, no hot work permits. Fastest installation method for 1/2"–2" piping. Requires compatible press tool.
• Flanged (ANSI 150 / 300) — For larger industrial piping 2" and above, and for butterfly valves. Easier to remove for maintenance.
• Socket Weld — For high-pressure industrial service where threaded connections are not acceptable.
• Grooved — For fire protection mains and large mechanical systems. VSH Shurjoint product line.

Step 4: Pressure Rating

Match the valve's Cold Water Working Pressure (CWP / WOG) to your system operating pressure with a safety margin of at least 25%.

• 125–150 psi — Standard commercial plumbing. Most Apollo bronze series rated at 600 WOG — well within range.
• Up to 300 psi — Industrial systems. Apollo 83/86/87A/88A rated 1,000 WOG.
• Steam service — Use ASME-rated valves. Apollo 83/86 rated for 150 psi saturated steam in applicable configurations.
• Gas service — Requires UL listing for gas. Apollo 90-100 Series is UL listed for fuel gas.

Step 5: Required Certifications

• Potable water — NSF/ANSI 61 (body material) + NSF/ANSI 372 (lead-free) required in most US jurisdictions
• Public projects — Buy American Act (BAA) or Build America Buy America (BABA) — Apollo Made in USA series qualify
• Fire protection — UL/FM listed series required for sprinkler system isolation valves
• Backflow — ASSE 1013 (RP), ASSE 1015 (DC), ASSE 1020 (PVB) — Apollo 4A Series
• Boiler/vessel relief — ASME Section I (steam), Section IV (hot water), Section VIII (pressure vessels) — Apollo 10/19 Series
• PRV — ASSE 1003 — Apollo 36 Series

Common Application Quick Reference

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