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Ball Intake Valves (BIVs)

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Ball Intake Valves (BIVs)

Ball Intake Valves (BIVs)

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KEY FEATURES | FAQ | SHOP BIVs

What is a Ball Intake Valve?

A ball intake valve provides a path for water as it moves from your water source — a firefighting apparatus, hydrant, or alternative water supply — to your pump’s intake.

What Problems do BIVs Solve for Firefighters?

  • Limited Space on Pump Panels: BIVs solve the problem of fitting onto tight pump panels by offering low-profile options that can even fit behind roll-up doors. This makes it easier to install and use in confined spaces.
  • Hose Kinks and Maneuverability Issues: The swiveling elbow on BIVs enhances maneuverability and reduces hose kinks, allowing for smoother water flow. The 30-degree intake elbow swivels 360 degrees, making connections easier and more efficient, which improves firefighting effectiveness.
  • Obstructed Water Flow: BIVs address the problem of obstructed water flow with a wide open waterway design. The half-ball valve swings completely out of the way, ensuring high water flow when needed, while keeping the valve dry when not in use.
  • Limited Water Supply Access: The aerial inlet option solves the issue of limited water supply access by providing enhanced water supply control, reducing setup time, and increasing operational flexibility. It also improves safety by minimizing the need for firefighters to operate in hazardous positions.
  • Overpressure Situations: The optional adjustable pressure relief valve helps prevent overpressure situations by efficiently expelling air and ensuring optimal water flow and system pressure.

Key Features of TFT Ball Intake Valves

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Configuration Options for Any Need

We provide low profile options for tight pump panels, ensuring a perfect fit for your specific needs. Whether you prefer remote controlled or manual versions, we have you covered with options that suit your preferences and operational requirements. Our BIVs are available with different coupling types and sizes, making them versatile for various apparatuses or industrial settings. For manual versions, you can choose from hand crank and wheel placement options, providing convenience and flexibility in operation.

Pivot

Swiveling Elbow

Enhances maneuverability, reduces hose kinks, and ensures a smooth water flow. The swiveling elbow allows for easy positioning, improving setup efficiency and overall firefighting effectiveness. Our 30-degree intake elbow swivels 360 degrees to make connections possible with minimal hose kinking.

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Wide Open Waterway

When you need high flow, your waterway needs to be fully unobstructed. Our half-ball valve swings completely out of the way for high flow. When the valve is closed, water stays on the truck side, keeping your valve dry when not in use.

Aerial

Aerial Inlet

An aerial inlet offers enhanced water supply access, precise flow control, and versatile hose connections. It reduces setup time, increases operational flexibility, and improves safety by minimizing hazardous positions for firefighters.

Pressure

Optional Adjustable Pressure Relief Valve

Efficiently expels air, ensuring optimal water flow and system pressure. This feature enhances safety by preventing overpressure situations.

Outside

Corrosion Resistance

Inside, the aluminum alloy half-ball valve has a coating for added corrosion protection. The hose couplings and truck connections are attached to the valve using polymer bearing rings which means less galvanic corrosion over time. Our intake valves are constructed of hard coat anodized and powder-coated aluminum alloy.

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Frequently Asked Questions About TFT Ball Intake Valves (FAQ)

Our Jumbo Low-Profile Ball Intake Valve has a swiveling elbow that allows you to store the intake valve in a truly low-profile manner. This makes it more likely to fit behind your roll up door.

When selecting a BIV, you should consider your apparatus’s available space, hose connections, and water flow needs. For tight spaces, opt for a low-profile BIV that fits behind a roll-up door. If you need better maneuverability, select a model with a swiveling elbow to prevent hose kinks and optimize water flow. Also, ensure the valve can handle your expected water flow rates and pressure.

The adjustable pressure relief valve on a BIV automatically releases excess pressure, helping to prevent hose bursts and pump damage. This feature is particularly important for high-pressure firefighting operations, where overpressure can quickly escalate.

Yes, BIVs with pressure relief valves or slow-opening mechanisms can mitigate water hammer, a potentially damaging surge in pressure that occurs when water flow is suddenly interrupted. These features protect both the valve and your firefighting equipment from pressure surges.

The 360-degree swiveling elbow allows for easier positioning and connection of hoses, especially in tight spaces or when operating under pressure. This flexibility reduces hose kinks, which improves water flow efficiency and makes setup faster during firefighting operations.

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