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Q1. Why is it important to allow air circulation in a building’s plumbing system?
Air circulation allows trap seals to work properly. Without ventilation negative pressure would result in the siphonage of the water seal from the trap. (Look under your sink where the pipes form a U-shape - that’s a trap seal.) The trap seals form a water barrier that prevents sewer gases from entering the building - gravity and air pressure create a simple solution that has been working well for decades!
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Q2. What is “new” about the  AAV?
In the past, open vent piping was the only answer to maintaining pressure control and trap seals - the pipes extended through the roof of the building to admit air. The range offers an alternative to installing an expensive piping system for plumbing ventilation by making it possible to utilize air within the building.
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Q3. How new is this technology? Is it proven effective?
The Studor AAV has been installed in millions of installations worldwide since the 1970s. The valves are tested to “AI” within European Standard EN12380:2002 - the highest rating for AAVs.
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Q4. Do valves fit all applications?
Yes! The Mini-Vent is designed to ventilate fixture branches and single fixtures. The Maxi-Vent provides ventilation for stacks.
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Q5. Are the valves durable?
Yes! AAVs comply with American and European Standards -, they have been tested to 1.5 million cycles, the equivalent of 80 years of average service without failure. In addition, each valve is individually tested, as opposed to "batch testing" before it is packaged and shipped.
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Q6. Can Studor AAVs be used in extreme temperature conditions?
AAVs are provided with insulation as part of the packaging. This insulation protects the function of the valve to temperatures in
the range of -20ºC to +60ºC.
Q7. Where can the valves be installed?
The Mini-Vent / Mini-KNITS can be installed above the fixture and up to 1000mm below the fixture. It can be installed under the sink, in roof space between floors, in wall spaces, etc. - as long as the valve is installed 100mm above the horizontal waste to the fixture that it serves. There must be free movement of air to the valve. The Maxi-Vent
/ KNITS II can be installed at the top of the stack in the loft, eliminating the need to penetrate the roof. The Maxi-Vent
/ KNITS II must be installed 150mm above the flood level of the highest fixture.
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Q8. Is an open vent pipe still required?
In the majority of buildings, yes - it depends on the type of building and the building regulations. The purpose of the open vent pipe is to relieve any positive pressure in the drainage system. In buildings up to ten storeys high, one open vent is recommended to relieve the constant positive pressure build-up that can occur if the main sewer is blocked for some time. In higher buildings the positive pressure generated is in transient form, so each stack would need an open vent. However, if the P.A.P.A. is used, this will eliminate the requirement for open vents, although it is recommended that the stack closest to the main sewer has an open vent in order to relieve the constant pressure. In all applications, refer to your local building regulations for confirmation.
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Q9. Do the valves need to be maintained or replaced after a certain time?
The valves are maintenance free. As long as they are protected from foreign objects and have free movement of air, no maintenance is required. The valves have a warranty period equal to that of the plumbing system in which they are installed.
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Q10. What is a positive pressure?
Positive pressure is generated in two forms within the drainage system: a) constant pressure - which is the slow build-up of pressure due to a long-term blockage within the system; and b) positive transients - which are produced at every discharge of the system, mainly at the base of the stack. The positive transient is the most harmful to the trap seal, as it travels through the system at the speed of sound, 320m/s, with an average volume of 2 litres of air.
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