Wafer butterfly valves represent the most compact and economical butterfly valve configuration, designed to fit between pipe flanges using the flange bolting itself to secure the valve in position. This space-saving design eliminates the need for valve-specific bolting, reducing installation costs by 40-60% compared to double-flanged configurations while enabling valve installation in confined spaces common to African HVAC systems, water treatment facilities, and industrial process piping.
The wafer design philosophy centers on minimizing weight, installation space, and cost for applications where the pipeline remains pressurized from both sides during operation. When installed between ANSI B16.5 or DIN/EN 1092 flanges, the through-bolts compress the valve body between the pipe flanges, creating a pressure-tight seal suitable for PN 6-16 (ANSI 150) services typically encountered in municipal water distribution, building HVAC, and low-pressure process applications across African infrastructure and global installations.
Critical application limitations require understanding: wafer valves cannot provide downstream isolation when upstream pressure is removed (dead-end service), making them unsuitable for pipeline sections requiring individual removal or maintenance. For African water networks requiring flexible maintenance access or oil & gas applications demanding bidirectional isolation, lug-style or double-flanged butterfly valves address these operational constraints while wafer designs optimize cost-performance in continuous-service applications.
Common size range DN 50-1200 (2″-48″) covers the majority of African municipal water infrastructure, commercial HVAC systems, and industrial process applications. Resilient EPDM or NBR seats provide bubble-tight shutoff per ISO 5208 Rate A for potable water, chilled water, and low-pressure air service, while compact wafer designs enable installation in mechanical rooms, valve vaults, and elevated pipeline configurations where space and weight are constrained.
Chilled water, heating hot water, and condenser water systems in African commercial buildings, hospitals, hotels, and industrial facilities. Compact installation in mechanical rooms where space is premium, particularly in retrofits and urban high-rise construction (DN 50-600).
Trunk mains, distribution networks, and pumping stations across African cities where continuous system pressure enables wafer installation. Cost-effective solution for large-diameter applications (DN 300-1200) where double-flanged valves become prohibitively expensive.
Cooling water circuits, fire protection systems, and process water distribution in South African mining, Nigerian manufacturing, and Kenyan industrial facilities. Resilient-seated designs provide reliable isolation with minimal maintenance in clean water service.
Avoid wafer valves in dead-end service where downstream isolation is required with upstream pressure removed—the valve body is not self-supporting and requires flange compression from both sides. Use lug-style butterfly valves instead for applications requiring: (1) Removing downstream piping for maintenance while keeping valve in place, (2) Blanking off one side of the valve for testing or service, (3) Tank or vessel isolation where only one side sees pressure, (4) Pipeline sections requiring frequent disassembly. For African water networks requiring flexible maintenance access or oil & gas gathering systems, specify lug or double-flanged designs.
Critical installation steps: (1) Verify disc is in CLOSED position before installation to prevent flange bolt interference, (2) Center valve body between flanges ensuring equal gasket compression, (3) Use full-length flange bolts passing through the valve body (not stub bolts), (4) Torque bolts in star pattern to manufacturer specifications—typically 50-70% of standard flange bolting torque to avoid body distortion, (5) Verify disc rotates freely after bolting (over-torquing can deform the body and bind the disc), (6) Install with shaft horizontal when possible to minimize bearing loads in large sizes. For African installations without trained technicians, provide detailed torque sequences. Never use wafer valves as end-of-line isolation—catastrophic failure occurs if downstream flange is removed under pressure.
Wafer butterfly valves typically suit PN 6, 10, and 16 (ANSI 150) applications, with some manufacturers offering PN 25 (ANSI 300) ratings in smaller sizes. Pressure limitations stem from: (1) Body thickness constraints to maintain compact face-to-face dimensions, (2) Reliance on flange bolt compression rather than integral flanges, (3) Seat compression requirements that can be exceeded at high differential pressures. For African applications: municipal water (PN 10-16), HVAC (PN 6-10), low-pressure process (PN 16). For higher pressures (PN 25-63) or critical services, specify lug-style or double-flanged butterfly valves with integral pressure ratings. High-performance triple-offset designs are available in wafer bodies to PN 100 for specialized applications, but lug or flanged configurations are more common for severe service.
Browse our selection of wafer butterfly valve
Professional Wafer Butterfly Valve engineered for superior performance in industrial applications. Features robust construction, precise flow control, and reliable operation. Ideal for oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation, and chemical processing applications.
Compact pneumatic wafer butterfly valve for space-saving automated installations between standard flanges.
Compact electric actuated wafer butterfly valve designed for installation between standard flanges.
Premium Aluminium Bronze Wafer Butterfly Valve supplied by African Valve for industrial applications. We stock multiple specifications and materials, available across Africa with expert technical support.
Premium Awwa Wafer Butterfly Valve supplied by African Valve for industrial applications. We stock multiple specifications and materials, available across Africa with expert technical support.
