From Raw Material to Certified Product: Inside BIMEX’s Valve and Hydrant Quality Control Process

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we go from raw material to a product you can trust in the field.

 The Right Materials, Right From the Start

High performance starts with high-quality materials. BIMEX uses virgin ductile iron, precision-machined brass or stainless steel internals, and resilient EPDM or NBR seals. All materials are sourced from certified suppliers and traceable to ensure full accountability.

We don’t compromise on material quality—because you can’t afford to compromise on safety.

 Constant Quality Checks During Production

Our valves and hydrants aren’t just built—they’re monitored at every stage. Throughout casting, machining, coating, and final assembly, our QA engineers inspect dimensions, tolerances, threads, and finishes. By solving small issues early, we ensure fewer problems later.

This in-process quality control keeps everything within BIMEX tolerances and international specs like EN, AWWA, and UL/FM.

Pressure-Tested, Every Time

Unlike manufacturers who test samples, BIMEX tests every single valve and hydrant. Using calibrated rigs, we conduct:

• Shell pressure tests at 1.5× working pressure

• Seat leakage tests at 1.1× working pressure

• Drain performance checks for hydrants

• Operation and cycle tests on stems and indicators

For example, our BX5000 Dry Barrel Hydrant is tested to 400 psi (UL) and 500 psi (FM) in order to meet AWWA C502, UL246, and FM1510.

Coatings Built for Harsh Environments

To ensure durability, we apply a fusion-bonded epoxy coating (300 µm min.) inside and out—compliant with AWWA C550. This protects the product from soil, water, and chemical exposure, ensuring long service life in even the harshest buried conditions.

Every coating is tested for:

• Thickness

• Adhesion

• Holiday detection (pinholes)

Final Audit Before Shipment

No product leaves our plant without a final quality audit. We verify labels, gasket alignment, pressure test results, and product integrity. Each unit is tracked by serial number and shipped with:

• Test reports

• Material certificates

• UL/FM or ISO compliance documentation

This end-to-end traceability gives contractors and engineers the paperwork—and confidence—they need.

 Certified Quality Management

We back up our process with certified systems:

• ISO 9001 for quality

• ISO 14001 for environment

• ISO 45001 for worker safety

• ISO 50001 for energy efficiency

At BIMEX, valve and hydrant quality control isn’t just a step—it’s a culture. From the first cast to the final bolt, we follow strict procedures to ensure that every product you install will perform exactly as expected, year after year.

📩 Contact our team to request QA documentation, inspection protocols, or a product demo.