Where should a shutoff valve be installed in hydronic piping systems?

In hydronic piping systems, it is crucial to have shutoff valves installed before and after the Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) to facilitate maintenance and troubleshooting. The PRV is responsible for regulating the pressure within the system, and having shutoff valves on both sides of it allows the technician to isolate the PRV for repairs or inspection without needing to drain the entire system.

This configuration provides flexibility and ensures a safe working environment; if the PRV requires maintenance, one can shut off the flow of water from both directions. This means the system remains operational in other areas, preventing service interruptions to the connected heating or cooling equipment.

Understanding the necessity of having these shutoff valves in place is essential for proper system management and ensuring reliability in hydronic heating solutions. Each of the other configurations lacks the adaptability and safety that having valves both before and after the PRV provides.