Nova’s counter weighted valve pits are used to house military hydrant valves, large isolation valves or surge suppression equipment in aircraft traffic areas.

Nova’s counterweighted valve pit consists of a molded fiberglass shell and a counterweighted cast aluminum lid assembly rated to support aircraft wheel loads. The shell design incorporates deep corrugated fiberglass walls engineered for construction loads during concrete embedment. The large overall size is designed to economically provide maximum clear span working area while providing clearance for the counterweight assembly. The actual inside dimensions of the pit can be customized to the specific on-site requirements of the project. The sloped pit floor provides a natural sump for the efficient removal of both spilled fuel and water. The pit design allows for both sidewall and bottom pipe penetrations complete with a single or double Buna-N-Rubber boot.

The cast aluminum lid assembly consists of a 25″ x 75″ or a 41″ x 75″ lid rated for aircraft wheel loads, and a counterweight lift assembly requiring a maximum lift force of 35 lbs. to open the lid. The cast aluminum lid is provided with a neoprene seal in a machined groove for a water-resistant seal. The opening latch mechanism is a simple button type operation, requiring the pushing of one of the two flush-mounted buttons. A safety catch is provided to engage when the lid is opened and prevent a lid from closing until the catch is disengaged by the operator. The large lid size provides for easy access to operating valves or for the removal or repair of valves or surge suppression equipment.

Counterweighted Valve Pit Construction

Lid

• Materials:
  • Cast aluminum, ASTM B26, alloy A356.0, temper T6
  • Lid Waterseal gasket, neoprene foam
  • Shafts, Stainless Steel
  • Bearings, Oil impregnated Bronze sleeve type
  • counterweight, Vinyl Coated Carbon Steel
  • Lid Model 2575, Clear opening 25″ wide x 75″ long (41″ x 75″ lid available)
• Design:
  Designed for two 50,000 lb. aircraft wheel loads with a 4:1 safety factor and L/200 maximum deflection.
• Operation:
  Counterweight with 35 lb. maximum lift force, open to 90 degrees, 50 lb. maximum pull to close, self-closing at less than 30 degrees, fail safe opening at greater than 70 degrees.

Gutter

• Features:
  Self-draining with gasketed seal to lid. RTRP construction. Polyester resin reinforced with chop strand or glass mat.

Pit

• Materials:
  RTRP 3/8″ minimum polyester resin construction with 12″ pitch x 2 1/2″ deep corrugated structural walls. Engineered for construction loads during concrete embedment. Non-skid floors.

Pipe Seal

• Features:
  Pipe penetrations through floor or walls to suit. Sealed with single Buna-N flexible boot between RTRP wall sleeve and pipe collar of material same as carrier pipe.

Options

• Ladders All aluminum construction
• Grating Removable aluminum safety grating and work platforms, 400 lb./sf. load rating
• Drainage 2″ Pumpout pipe with cam type bronze connector and dust cap
• Ground 1/2″ diameter Stainless Steel Grounding Lug
• Double Boot Double Buna-N-flexible boot between RTRP wall sleeve and pipe collar of material same as carrier pipe.
• Valves & Piping All pits are available with prefabricated valve and piping assemblies to the owner’s specifications

Custom Pits

Oversized Pits with a custom configuration available upon request.