Product Description
Kunkle Valve Company, headquartered historically in Fort Wayne, Indiana and later part of the Tyco Flow Control and then Emerson organizations, is one of the most widely recognized names in ASME-code safety and pressure relief valves. Kunkle valves protect boilers, pressure vessels, air receivers, and process piping across power generation, refining, chemical processing, marine steam plants, and general heavy industry.
According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, Kunkle safety and pressure relief valves were allegedly furnished originally with asbestos-fiber gasketing at the seat, at the body/bonnet joint, and — on certain lift-lever models — with asbestos-fiber packing at the spindle. Because ASME code requires annual boiler-inspection cycles including relief-valve pop testing and rebuild, Kunkle valves were allegedly disassembled and re-gasketed on a routine schedule throughout their service lives.
Workers Exposed
Power plant operators, boiler-room pipefitters, and plant maintenance mechanics allegedly disassembled Kunkle safety valves during every code-inspection cycle. Scraping heat-cycled asbestos gasket material off seat and bonnet mating surfaces allegedly generated visible dust in the immediate breathing zone. Valve-shop technicians who bench-rebuilt Kunkle valves allegedly cut and installed fresh asbestos gasketing during every rebuild.
Steamfitters and utility pipefitters allegedly serviced Kunkle valves on steam headers, feedwater lines, and process vessels throughout the plant. Refinery and chemical-plant pipefitters allegedly performed the same work in hydrocarbon and chemical service. Litigation records allege Kunkle knew of the hazard and failed to warn foreseeable end-users.