Butterfly Valve

Term from Plumbing industry explained for recruiters

A Butterfly Valve is a common type of control device used in plumbing and industrial systems to regulate the flow of water, gas, or other fluids. Think of it like a round door that spins in the middle of a pipe - when turned one way it blocks flow completely, and when turned the other way it allows full flow. It's called a butterfly valve because the circular disk in the middle reminds people of a butterfly's wings. Plumbers and industrial workers deal with these regularly because they're simple to use, reliable, and work well in both small household plumbing and large industrial systems.

Examples in Resumes

Installed and maintained Butterfly Valve systems in commercial building water networks

Supervised installation of 20+ Butterfly Valves in industrial cooling systems

Trained junior plumbers on proper Butterfly Valve maintenance and troubleshooting

Typical job title: "Plumbers"

Also try searching for:

Industrial Plumber Commercial Plumber Valve Technician Mechanical Systems Technician Pipeline Maintenance Technician Industrial Maintenance Technician

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you troubleshoot a malfunctioning butterfly valve in a critical system?

Expected Answer: A senior plumber should explain the systematic approach: checking for mechanical issues, inspecting seals, verifying proper alignment, and testing the actuator if present. They should also mention the importance of having backup plans and safety procedures.

Q: How do you determine the right size butterfly valve for a system?

Expected Answer: Should discuss factors like flow rate, pressure requirements, pipe size, type of fluid, and system specifications. Should mention the importance of proper sizing for system efficiency.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the main maintenance requirements for butterfly valves?

Expected Answer: Should describe regular inspection schedules, lubrication needs, seal checking, and common wear points to monitor. Should mention preventive maintenance importance.

Q: What safety considerations are important when working with butterfly valves?

Expected Answer: Should discuss pressure release procedures, lockout/tagout practices, proper tools, and system-specific safety requirements.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic parts of a butterfly valve?

Expected Answer: Should identify the main components: the body, disk, stem, and seat. Should be able to explain the basic function of each part.

Q: How do you open and close a butterfly valve properly?

Expected Answer: Should explain the quarter-turn operation, importance of smooth movement, and checking for proper seating when closed.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic valve operation and maintenance
  • Simple installation procedures
  • Basic tool usage
  • Understanding of safety procedures

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Complex system installations
  • Troubleshooting skills
  • Reading technical drawings
  • Emergency repair procedures

Senior (5+ years)

  • System design and optimization
  • Project supervision
  • Advanced problem diagnosis
  • Team leadership and training

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic safety procedures
  • Unable to identify common valve types
  • Lack of experience with hand tools
  • No understanding of water pressure principles