The fastest way to find, compare and buy Val-Matic air release valves.
Describe the pipe size, operating pressure, or high-point air problem you have. ChatMRO finds the exact Val-Matic match, shows alternatives, and gives you a quote — in seconds. No part number needed.
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AI-generated imageAn air release valve (also called a small orifice valve) is a self-actuating valve installed at high points in a pressurized pipeline that continuously vents small pockets of trapped air while the system remains in operation and under pressure. A stainless steel float inside the valve rises and falls with the internal water level; as air accumulates and the float drops, a precision orifice in the cover opens to release the trapped air, then reseats once water fills the chamber again.
Water and wastewater utility operators, municipal engineers, and industrial piping designers rely on air release valves wherever accumulated air pockets threaten flow efficiency, cause air-related surges, or create false readings in flow instrumentation. Their small-orifice, continuous-venting design — distinct from the larger-port air/vacuum valves used for filling and draining lines — makes them the standard solution for ongoing air management at high points along an already-pressurized, operating pipeline.
Common configuration: sizes from 1/2" to 6", simple lever (single pivot arm and resilient orifice button) or compound lever (two levers with adjustable mechanical advantage) designs, T316 stainless steel floats and internal trim, and cast iron (ASTM A126 Class B, up to 300 psig) or ductile iron (ASTM A536, higher pressure) body and cover construction. Pressure ratings span roughly 150 psig to 740 psig depending on model and orifice size, with orifice diameters commonly ranging from 1/16" to 23/64".
Stop second-guessing. Match your use case below — then let ChatMRO's AI surface the exact model, pressure rating, and alternatives in one natural-language search.
Typical potable water distribution systems at moderate pressure. 150–300 psig rated simple lever models dominate here.
Wastewater force mains and fire protection piping needing corrosion-resistant, code-recognized valves. Series 15A/22 models dominate here.
Higher-pressure water transmission mains or industrial piping requiring elevated pressure ratings.
Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing Corp. is a long-standing standard for AWWA-compliant air valves, with the Series 15A through 61 lineup covering the vast majority of water and wastewater air release applications. Here's how to navigate their catalogue without a 40-tab browser session.
ChatMRO indexes the full Val-Matic air release valve catalogue. Search any product by description, application, or rough spec.
The water distribution workhorse. 1/2"–1" NPT connections, 1/16"–3/32" orifice sizes, 175–300 psig CWP. Simple lever design, T316 stainless steel float and trim, FM Approved/UL Listed for fire protection use.
Search 15A/22 Series →3/4"–2" NPT connections, 1/8"–3/16" orifice sizes, 150–500 psig CWP depending on model. Compound lever design with two levers and adjustable mechanical advantage for higher-pressure applications.
Search 25/38 Series →2"–3" NPT/flanged connections, orifice sizes up to 23/64", 150–400 psig CWP. Ductile iron body/cover option for higher-pressure transmission line service, larger inlet for high-flow air/water exchange.
Search 45/48A Series →Use this table as a decision shortcut. Ask ChatMRO for the exact part once you know which row fits your spec.
| Series | Size | Orifice Size | Best For | CWP Rating | Lever Type | ChatMRO Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15A / 15A.2 / 15A.3 | 1/2"–1" NPT | 1/16" | Standard water distribution, small lines | 175 psig | Simple lever | Best entry point for standard municipal distribution mains |
| 22 Series | 1/2"–1" NPT | 3/32" | Distribution lines needing higher capacity than 15A | 175–300 psig | Simple lever | Good step-up when 15A orifice capacity isn't sufficient |
| 25 Series | 3/4"–1" NPT | 1/8"–3/32" | Mid-size lines, moderate pressure | 150–300 psig | Simple lever | Solid middle ground for moderate flow and pressure |
| 38 / 38HP Series | 1"–2" NPT | 1/8"–3/16" | Higher pressure or higher capacity venting | 150–500 psig | Simple lever | Go-to when higher pressure rating is required in a compact size |
| 45 / 45HP / 45.2 Series | 2"–3" NPT | 23/64", 3/16", 7/32" | Transmission lines, high-capacity venting | 150–400 psig | Simple lever | Use for larger pipeline high points needing maximum air capacity |
| 48A Series | 2"–3"+ NPT/flanged | 3/16" and up | Large industrial and municipal transmission mains | 150 psig and up | Simple/compound lever | Best for the largest pipe sizes and highest venting demand |
Not sure which row is yours? Describe your application to ChatMRO and get an instant AI-matched recommendation with datasheets.
Traditional catalogues force you to know the exact MPN before you find anything. ChatMRO flips that: describe what you need in plain English, and the AI finds the right air valve from 30M+ indexed parts.
In plain language — by pipe size, operating pressure, or venting problem. No MPN required.
Natural language processing maps your description to the closest-fit products across brands and specs.
Cross-brand equivalents, lower-cost substitutes, and in-stock alternatives shown side-by-side.
Add to cart or request RFQ directly from the results. No phone calls. No email chains.
Whether you're a municipal engineer specifying valves for a new water main, or a maintenance technician replacing a failed air valve — use this framework before you procure.
Orifice size is typically sized to a maximum pressure differential of around 5 psi — higher working pressure generally allows a smaller orifice for the same air discharge capacity. Use the manufacturer's air discharge capacity table rather than guessing.
Confirm the valve's CWP (cold working pressure) rating meets or exceeds your pipeline's maximum operating pressure — models range from roughly 150 psig up to 740 psig depending on size and orifice. On a zone fed through a pilot operated pressure reducing valve, rate the air valve for the upstream pressure it would see if that valve fails open, not the reduced setpoint.
Simple lever designs use a single pivot arm and suit lower-pressure applications; compound lever designs use two levers with adjustable mechanical advantage to open reliably under higher operating pressure.
If the valve will be used in a drinking water system, verify NSF/ANSI 61 certification rather than assuming all air release valves qualify for potable service.
Cast iron (ASTM A126 Class B) suits working pressures up to 300 psig; higher-pressure applications require ductile iron (ASTM A536) construction. Confirm this matches your system's rating.
Two valves with the same NPT connection size can have very different orifice diameters and capacities. Search by function on ChatMRO — the AI surfaces exact matches AND available substitutes sized to your actual operating pressure.
An undersized orifice on a large-diameter pipe won't relieve air effectively even if the connection size seems adequate — confirm capacity against your pipeline's actual air volume needs, not just the nominal connection size.
FM Approved and UL Listed models (such as Series 15A and 22) carry a price premium tied to fire protection certification — confirm whether your application actually requires this listing before specifying it.
Describing your application to ChatMRO takes 30 seconds. The AI reads the full Val-Matic air release valve catalogue so you don't have to.
Just describe what you need. ChatMRO finds the right Val-Matic air release valve in seconds.
Val-Matic air release valves are among the most widely specified small-orifice air venting components in water and wastewater pipeline systems. Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing Corp. commands significant market presence due to its ISO 9001 certified manufacturing, AWWA-compliant Series 15A through 61 product line, 316 stainless steel internal trim, and NSF/ANSI 61 certification for potable water service. Procurement professionals and municipal engineers in India, Southeast Asia, and North America regularly source Val-Matic air release valves for water distribution mains, wastewater force mains, and industrial transmission line high points.
ChatMRO simplifies this procurement process by providing AI-powered natural language search across a catalogue of 30 million+ indexed industrial parts. Engineers and buyers no longer need to memorize model codes or navigate multi-level filter trees to find the right air valve. A simple description of the pipe size, operating pressure, or air venting problem is sufficient to surface the correct Val-Matic product alongside cross-brand alternatives and real-time pricing.
