Lever Ball Valves, Gate Valves & Isolating Valves — 15mm, 22mm and 28mm for UK Plumbers

Shutting off water quickly and safely is one of the most fundamental requirements in any plumbing installation. Whether you are isolating a tap for a washer change, fitting a gas appliance or commissioning a central heating system, the right valve makes the difference between a clean, leak-free job and a flooded floor. APM Electricals stocks a full range of lever ball valves, gate valves and isolating valves from Embrass Peerless — available in 15mm, 22mm and 28mm — so trade plumbers can grab everything they need in one order.

Lever Ball Valves — Quarter-Turn Isolation for Fast Shut-Off

Lever ball valves use a quarter-turn mechanism to open or close a spherical bore in the valve body, giving the user a full-bore shut-off with a simple 90° turn of the handle. They are the preferred isolation method for heating systems, cold water supplies and gas appliances where speed and positive confirmation of position (handle parallel to pipe = open, handle at right angles = closed) matter.

The standard 15mm Lever Ball Valve with Red Handle from Embrass Peerless is a compression-fit, full-bore valve rated for potable water and central heating. The red handle is the UK industry convention for heating circuit isolation. With 20 units in stock at APM, this is our most popular isolation product and a reliable van-stock staple for every plumber.

For gas applications, Embrass Peerless produce the 15mm Lever Ball Valve with Yellow Handle, which uses compression fittings and is rated for use with natural gas and LPG. The yellow handle conforms to the standard colour-coding for gas pipework. It meets the requirements for Isogas-type applications and is suitable for both new-build and replacement installations.

Both valves feature brass construction with chrome-plated bodies, PTFE seats for leak-free performance and DZR (dezincification resistant) alloy where required. They are compatible with Type B copper tube to BS EN 1057 and can be used with compression olives for a push-on, no-solder installation.

Isolating Valves — Compact Under-Sink Isolation

Where space is limited — under sinks, behind toilets, beneath baths — a full-size lever ball valve is often too large. The Embrass Peerless 15mm Chrome Lever Isolating Valve is designed specifically for appliance isolation in these confined areas. It provides a positive shut-off via a small flathead-screwdriver slot, giving the user a tamper-resistant isolation point that can be turned off when the property is unoccupied.

At £2.99 per unit, chrome lever isolating valves are an economical way to give every individual appliance its own local shut-off — a requirement under Water Regulations for taps, toilets and washing machines in new installations. APM carries these with 21 units in stock for immediate dispatch.

Isolating valves are available in a range of configurations: straight, angled, and with varying end connections including compression, capillary and push-fit. Always confirm the required connection type before ordering.

Gate Valves — Full-Flow, Low-Resistance Shut-Off

Gate valves use a rising spindle and gate mechanism to shut off flow. They are slower to operate than ball valves but offer extremely low resistance to flow when fully open — making them the valve of choice on gravity-fed heating systems, cold water storage tank outlets and mains water supplies where pressure loss through the valve must be minimised.

Embrass Peerless gate valves to BS 5154 are WRAS approved for use with potable water. APM stocks sizes 15mm, 22mm and 28mm:

• 15mm Gate Valve — £3.99 — 11 in stock. For individual appliance feeds and gravity-fed cylinder connections.
• 22mm Gate Valve — £6.41 — 9 in stock. For main branch connections on cold water systems and 22mm gravity heating circuits.
• 28mm Gate Valve — £11.29 — 9 in stock. For large-bore gravity and pump-assisted systems where full flow is critical.

Gate valves are end-feed capillary fit (C×C — copper-to-copper), making them ideal for solder-jointed copper pipework. They should not be used on mains pressure systems where a ball valve is faster and more positive in its isolation action. On low-pressure gravity systems, however, the gate valve remains the industry-standard choice.

Choosing the Right Valve

The three main valve types serve different purposes and are not interchangeable in every situation:

If in doubt, a lever ball valve with compression fittings is the safest, most versatile choice for mains pressure applications. Gate valves should be reserved for gravity-fed or low-pressure systems where their low flow resistance is an advantage.

Regulations and Compliance

Under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, all fittings used on a cold water supply or in a heating system must be approved to WRAS standard or otherwise demonstrated to meet the performance requirements. Embrass Peerless valves are manufactured to BS 5154 (gate valves) and relevant EN standards for ball valves and are suitable for compliance with Water Regulations requirements in England, Wales and Scotland.

For gas applications, all work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The yellow-handled gas lever ball valve described above is designed and rated for gas supply isolation, but must be installed within the scope of a notifiable gas installation or service work.

Available at APM Electricals

APM Electricals stocks a broad range of Embrass Peerless plumbing valves for next-day dispatch. All prices are inclusive of VAT. Order before 3pm weekdays for same-day despatch on in-stock items.