Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Novasfer Made in Italy brass components for heating, air conditioning, plumbing, solar thermal, heat pump and biomass systems, plus our dedicated OEM service.
About Novasfer
Who is Novasfer and what does it manufacture?
Novasfer is an Italian manufacturer with over 40 years of experience in brass hot forging and in the production of components for heating, air conditioning and plumbing systems, both residential and industrial. Our range includes ball valves for water and gas, safety components, accessories for solar thermal, heat pumps, biomass and central plant systems, plus a dedicated OEM service.
Are Novasfer products Made in Italy?
Yes. Novasfer’s entire production takes place in Italy, from brass hot forging to machining and final testing. Our in-house supply chain ensures quality control at every stage and full traceability of materials and processes.
Which certifications and approvals do Novasfer products hold?
Novasfer operates in compliance with the highest international standards, collaborating with the leading certification bodies in the sector such as KIWA, DVGW, TÜV RHEINLAND, NF and WRAS.
The company guarantees compliance and quality in the following areas:
The company guarantees compliance and quality in the following areas:
- Quality Management System: KIWA ISO 9001:2015
- Pressure equipment: PED 2014/68/EU
- Safety components: UNI EN ISO 4126:2019
- Gas ball valves: UNI EN 331:2015 (DVGW EN 331:2016, NF ROB-GAZ)
- Drinking water: WRAS WATER, KTW GUIDELINE and W270
- Corporate sustainability: ECOVADIS 2025 and CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)
Ball valves
What is a ball valve used for?
A ball valve is a flow shut-off device used in hydraulic piping to open or close the passage of fluids such as water, gas, air or oils. The sealing element is a hollow ball that, when rotated 90°, aligns or blocks the bore relative to the pipe, providing fast and tight isolation.
What types of ball valves does Novasfer produce?
The Novasfer range includes water ball valves, gas ball valves, EN 331 gas approved ball valves, angle ball valves for boiler templates, ball valves for water meters and boiler filling cocks. Available in multiple sizes, MF/FF configurations and lever types (butterfly, long lever, short lever).
What is the difference between a water ball valve and a gas ball valve?
Gas ball valves are designed, approved and tested to EN 331, with materials and seals suitable for combustible gases. Water ball valves follow other reference standards and are not certified for gas applications. The yellow lever identifies gas valves, while red or blue levers are typical of water valves.
What does EN 331 gas approved mean?
An EN 331 gas approved ball valve is a valve that has passed the tests of a recognised certification body and complies with the EN 331 standard for gas systems of the first, second and third family. Approval is mandatory for installation in residential and industrial gas systems and ensures safety, tightness and an anti-blow-out stem.
Are Novasfer ball valves full bore?
The Novasfer range includes both full bore valves, where the ball bore matches the pipe diameter to minimise pressure drop, and standard bore versions. The choice depends on the application: full bore is preferred in systems where flow rate is critical.
Can a ball valve be left half open?
No. A ball valve is a shut-off device, designed to operate either fully open or fully closed. Prolonged use in an intermediate position causes wear of the ball and PTFE seats, compromising long-term sealing. For flow regulation, dedicated valves such as globe or needle valves should be used.
Brass and materials
Why is brass the ideal material for hydraulic components?
Brass is a copper-zinc alloy that offers an excellent combination of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and good thermal conductivity. It is easy to process by hot forging and machining, ensures long-term durability in contact with water and gas, and maintains stable sealing in residential, industrial, solar and heat pump systems.
Which brass alloys does Novasfer use for its components?
Novasfer uses standard brass CW614N, CW617N and CW625N. However, to align with the new European DWD (Drinking Water Directive) which requires lead-free brass (<0.001%), the company has already started working with the new alloy CW724R.
Is brass safe for drinking water?
Yes, when the right alloy is used. For drinking water contact, low-lead or lead-free brass alloys are required, compliant with European and national regulations on materials in contact with water for human consumption. Novasfer selects raw materials that match the specifications of each application.
What is dezincification of brass?
Dezincification is a selective corrosion process which, under aggressive water conditions, dissolves the zinc from the brass alloy and leaves a porous, weakened structure. For critical applications, dezincification-resistant brass (DZR/CR) is used: it is specifically formulated to withstand this type of corrosion.
Heat pump accessories
Which brass accessories are needed for a heat pump system?
A heat pump system requires shut-off valves, check valves, fittings, unions, pump valve kits, dirt separators and connections for hydraulic groups. Novasfer manufactures a complete range of brass accessories specifically designed for the operating conditions of heat pumps, both air-to-water and geothermal.
Does brass withstand the thermal cycling of a heat pump?
Yes. Brass retains excellent mechanical properties across the typical heat pump temperature range (from about –20 °C in cooling mode up to 70-80 °C in heating mode). Novasfer components are tested to withstand repeated thermal cycling without loss of sealing performance.
Solar thermal
Why are dedicated accessories required for solar thermal systems?
Solar thermal systems can reach stagnation temperatures above 200 °C and operate with water-glycol mixtures. Standard components are not designed for these conditions: brass valves, fittings and accessories with high-temperature seals are required, such as those in the Novasfer line dedicated to solar applications.
Which Novasfer components are suitable for solar thermal systems?
The Novasfer Solar Thermal Accessories line includes high-temperature ball valves, check valves, safety valves, fittings and dedicated accessories for the primary circuits of solar thermal panels. All components use brass alloys and seals selected for the mechanical and thermal resistance required by the sector.
Biomassa and heating
What is a boiler filling cock used for?
A boiler filling cock is used to introduce water into the heating system to restore operating pressure. It is an essential component of every wall-mounted or floor-standing boiler. Novasfer manufactures brass filling cocks with reliable sealing and long-lasting performance.
What components are required for a biomass system?
Biomass systems (pellet, log or wood chip boilers) require shut-off valves, thermal safety valves, fittings and accessories that can withstand the high temperatures of the primary circuits. The Novasfer Biomass Accessories line includes brass components tested for the specific demands of this sector.
Safety components
What is meant by safety components?
Safety components are devices designed to protect the system and its users from abnormal conditions such as overpressure, overtemperature or backflow. This category includes safety valves, check valves, boiler safety groups and anti-blow-out devices. All Novasfer safety components are certified to current regulations.
OEM service
What is the Novasfer OEM service?
The service OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Novasfer allows manufacturers of boilers, heat pumps, heating and plumbing systems to receive brass components built to customer drawing, with custom marking, dedicated packaging and technical specifications matching the project. The Novasfer team supports the customer from design to series production.
Does Novasfer manufacture components to customer drawing and specification?
Yes. Thanks to an in-house engineering department and over 40 years of experience in brass forging, Novasfer produces customised components starting from a customer drawing, physical sample or functional specification. The service covers design, prototyping, validation and series production with ISO 9001:2015 quality control.
What is the minimum order quantity for a Novasfer OEM order?
Minimum order quantities depend on component complexity, the tooling required and the technical specifications. The Novasfer sales team evaluates each request individually and provides a tailored quotation; for details, please contact us directly via the OEM section of the website.
Central plant systems and domestic hot water
Which Novasfer solutions are suitable for central plant systems?
For central plant systems (apartment blocks, multi-family buildings, hotels and hospitality facilities) Novasfer offers distribution and metering solutions including ball valves for water meters, isolation groups and safety components. The range is engineered for reliability, durability and compliance with heat metering regulations.
Does Novasfer produce components for domestic hot water?
Yes. The Novasfer Systems Division has a dedicated line for domestic hot water (DHW), with brass components suitable for drinking water contact, resistant to corrosion and to the thermal cycles typical of hot water generation and distribution systems for residential and commercial use.