Valve Pits and Access Chambers
Fibreglass valve pits, valve chambers and manholes, made in one piece to suit your pipework and supplied alone or built into the wet well.
Valve pits and valve chambers
A valve pit, or valve chamber, houses the valves and pipework on the discharge side of a pump station. It keeps them out of the ground and out of the sewage, so they can be operated and maintained.
Mullaly fibreglass valve pits protect pipes and valves from the damage and corrosion that can happen when they are buried directly in the ground, and protect above-ground pipework from vandalism. Each one is made in one piece and fitted out to the approved project drawings. Options include:
- Cast iron or bronze valves
- Scour lines, if required
- Bypass lines, if required
- Dismantling joints for valve removal
Combo or separate valve pit
Combo pump station
The valve chamber is built into the wet well as one unit. It shortens excavation, needs less space in the overall design, and there is no differential settlement between the wet well and the valve pit. Most projects suit a combo.
Separate valve pit
Installed beside a stand-alone wet well where a larger wet well is needed or transport limits rule out a combo. Sizes are made to suit the valve arrangement.
Valve pits supplied on Mullaly projects
| Project | Valve pit |
|---|---|
| Lotus Glen SPS upgrade, Townsville (2014) | Separate 1.8m x 2.2m x 1.75m valve pit beside a 3.75m diameter, 9.03m deep wet well |
| Innes Estate, Townsville (2007) | Separate 2.0m x 1.8m x 1.45m deep valve pit beside a 4.0m diameter, 8.5m deep wet well |
| North Queensland Stadium, Townsville (2020) | Combo: 3m diameter, 6.2m deep wet well and valve pit, supplied fully fitted out |
| Sydney Airport waste dump (2019) | Combo: 3.0m diameter, 5.0m deep wet well and valve pit with two 100mm discharge Homa pumps |
| Sino Iron Red River village, WA (2010) | Two combos: 3m diameter, 5m deep wet well and valve pit with 100mm discharge Homa pumps |
| Sydney International Airport Pier B (2010) | Combo: wet well, valve pit and macerator in one packaged unit |
Why fibreglass for a valve pit
- Less confined space entry. The valve pit arrives fitted out, which lowers the confined space entry needed to fit and service the valves.
- Corrosion resistant. Vinyl ester resin resists the corrosive gases found around wastewater, so valve pit surfaces and fittings need no sealing or coating.
- Watertight. One piece, with no joints made on site, so groundwater stays out of the chamber.
- Covers to suit the area. Aluminium lockable hinged lids and safety grates to AS 1664 for pedestrian areas, or ductile iron Class B, Class D or Class G covers. Class D is designed for vehicular traffic.
More on the material on our why fibreglass page.
Access chambers (manholes)
Manholes bring several wastewater sources into a single chamber with a single outlet. In gravity pipelines they can also provide a change in direction or grade. A Mullaly FRP manhole can be a cost-effective choice where:
- Manholes are being replaced in built-up areas, so a quick installation is critical
- Excavation is restricted, and an FRP manhole can drop into a tight hole
- The manhole is deep, which makes in-situ concrete or several precast segments hard to build
Other features of a Mullaly FRP manhole:
- Resists penetration by vegetation, which lowers long-term maintenance
- Smooth internal channels stop solids building up in the chamber
- Lengths to suit site conditions, up to 14m
- Suitable for connection to an offline storage facility
- Watertight connections for inlets and outlets
Valve pit questions
What is the difference between a valve pit and a valve chamber?
Nothing. Both terms describe the chamber that houses the pump station's discharge valves and pipework.
Do I need a separate valve pit?
Usually not. Most projects suit a combo pump station with an integral valve chamber. A separate valve pit is used with a stand-alone wet well, where a larger wet well is needed or a combo can't be transported to site.
What valves can be fitted?
Cast iron or bronze valves, with scour and bypass lines if required, and dismantling joints so valves can be removed.
Can the valve pit take traffic?
With Class D ductile iron covers, yes. Standard aluminium covers are for pedestrian traffic only, so tell us about any traffic loads when you ask for a quote.
How deep can an FRP manhole be?
Mullaly makes FRP manholes in lengths to suit the site, up to 14m.
Valve pit projects
Lotus Glen SPS Upgrade
An RPEQ certified 3.75m dia x 9.03m deep wet well and valve pit beside a creek, replacing an old concrete station.
2007 · Townsville, QLDInnes Estate
A 4.0m dia x 8.5m deep wet well and a separate valve pit in sandy ground next to a creek.
2020 · Townsville, QLDNorth Queensland Stadium
A 3m diameter, 6.2m deep wet well and valve pit combo, supplied fully fitted out for a busy stadium site.
2010 · Red River, WASino Iron Red River Accommodation Village
Two fitted-out combo pump stations for a mine accommodation village. Installation took under a week.
Download the pump station brochure
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Request a valve pit quote
Send us your valve arrangement, pipe sizes and drawings, and our team will come back with a design and quote. We reply to every enquiry within 2 business days.
Or call 02 4964 8270 or email sales@mullaly.com.au