Interpretation of Industry Standard: JB/T 13459-2018—Technical Specification Requirements for Exhaust Valves

As the standardization of the HVAC industry accelerates, the regularization of product quality has become the cornerstone for ensuring the safe operation of buildings. The mechanical industry standard JB/T 13459-2018, “Copper Float-Type Automatic Air Vent,” currently serves as a key national guideline for the production and inspection of air vents, imposing stringent technical requirements on product performance.

As the standardization of the HVAC industry accelerates, the regularization of product quality has become the cornerstone for ensuring the safe operation of buildings. The mechanical industry standard JB/T 13459-2018, “Copper Float-Type Automatic Air Vent,” currently serves as a key national guideline for the production and inspection of air vents, imposing stringent technical requirements on product performance. A thorough interpretation of this standard is of great significance for understanding the industry’s technical barriers and for enhancing project quality.

I. Scope of Application of the Standard and Definition of Media

JB/T 13459-2018 clearly defines the application scope of copper float-type automatic air vents. According to this standard, such valves are primarily intended for hot and cold water piping systems, pressure vessels, and central air-conditioning systems with a nominal pressure PN ≤ 25 and a working temperature range of −20°C to 110°C. The standard places particular emphasis on the compatibility of the working medium: in addition to ordinary water, the valve must also be capable of handling solutions containing antifreeze agents such as ethylene glycol. This requirement ensures that, in solar heating systems or outdoor pipe networks located in regions with severe winter cold, the air vent will not swell or fail due to changes in the chemical properties of the working medium.

II. Core Technical Metrics: Sealing Performance and Durability

The standard sets stringent performance requirements for the “sealing performance” and “pressure resistance” of vent valves.

Shell pressure test: The valve body shall be subjected to 1.5 times the nominal pressure for a duration no less than the specified time, with no leakage or deformation allowed. This means that a PN16 valve must be able to withstand a pressure of 2.4 MPa without rupturing, thereby providing sufficient safety margin for the system.

Sealing Test: At 1.1 times the nominal pressure and with the valve in the closed position, the leakage rate must be kept to an extremely low level. This directly determines whether the vent valve can achieve a “zero-leak” performance.

Durability Testing: The standard specifies that valves must undergo thousands of opening-and-closing cycles. This simulates the operating condition in which the float rises and falls frequently with the water level over long-term use, ensuring that the sealing surfaces maintain a tight closure even after prolonged friction, thereby addressing the issue of premature aging and leakage common in conventional valves.

III. Standardization of Materials and Manufacturing Processes

JB/T 13459-2018 also sets forth clear requirements for the quality of raw materials. The valve body shall be made of forged or cast brass that complies with national standards, with lead content kept within the limits specified by environmental protection standards (e.g., in accordance with the “Green Manufacturing Specification for Copper Alloy Valves”). In addition, the standard specifies requirements for the density of the float, the material strength of the lever, and the temperature resistance of the sealing gasket (typically requiring the use of EPDM rubber or polytetrafluoroethylene).

The implementation of this set of standards has directly facilitated the industry’s transition from “fragmented competition” to a “quality-oriented” approach. For purchasers, conducting acceptance inspections in accordance with JB/T 13459-2018 is the most effective means of eliminating substandard products and ensuring the long-term reliable operation of heating systems.