
BPS32 and BPS32Y Stainless Steel Balanced Pressure Thermostatic Steam Traps
Maintainable stainless steel thermostatic steam traps with integral flat or Y-type strainers for steam condensate drainage.
Installation and maintenance instructions for BPS32 and BPS32Y stainless steel balanced pressure thermostatic steam traps, covering safety, operating limits, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and spare parts.
This page is based on the original English BPS32-IM-P005-04-EN installation and maintenance instructions. It applies to BPS32 and BPS32Y stainless steel balanced pressure thermostatic steam traps. Installation, commissioning, maintenance, and spare-part replacement must be performed by suitably qualified personnel and verified against the nameplate, supplied technical documentation, and actual site conditions.

Safe operation of these products can only be guaranteed if they are properly installed, commissioned, used and maintained by qualified personnel (see Section 1.11 on this document) in compliance with the operating instructions. General installation and safety instructions for pipeline and plant construction, as well as the proper use of tools and safety equipment must also be complied with.
Referring to the Installation and Maintenance Instructions, name-plate and Technical Information Sheet, check that the product is suitable for the intended use/application.
The products listed below comply with the requirements of the European Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU and carry the CE mark when so required.
The products fall within the following Pressure Equipment Directive categories:
| Product | Group 2 Gases | Group 2 Liquids |
| BPS32 and BPS32Y | SEP | SEP |
i) The products have been specifically designed for use on steam, air or water/condensate which are in Group 2 of the above mentioned Pressure Equipment Directive. The products’ use on other fluids may be possible but, if this is contemplated, Spirax Sarco should be contacted to confirm the suitability of the product for the application being considered. ii) Check material suitability, pressure and temperature and their maximum and minimum values. If the maximum operating limits of the product are lower than those of the system in which it is being fitted, or if malfunction of the product could result in a dangerous overpressure or overtemperature occurrence, ensure a safety device is included in the system to prevent such over-limit situations. iii) Determine the correct installation situation and direction of fluid flow. iv) Spirax Sarco products are not intended to withstand external stresses that may be induced by any system to which they are fitted. It is the responsibility of the installer to consider these stresses and take adequate precautions to minimise them. v) Remove protection covers from all connections before installation.
Ensure safe access and if necessary a safe working platform (suitably guarded) before attempting to work on the product. Arrange suitable lifting gear if required.
Ensure adequate lighting, particularly where detailed or intricate work is required.
Consider what is in the pipeline or what may have been in the pipeline at some previous time. Consider: flammable materials, substances hazardous to health, extremes of temperature.
Consider: explosion risk areas, lack of oxygen (e.g. tanks, pits), dangerous gases, extremes of temperature, hot surfaces, fire hazard (e.g. during welding), excessive noise, moving machinery.
Consider the effect on the complete system of the work proposed. Will any proposed action (e.g. closing isolation valves, electrical isolation) put any other part of the system or any personnel at risk?
Dangers might include isolation of vents or protective devices or the rendering ineffective of controls or alarms. Ensure isolation valves are turned on and off in a gradual way to avoid system shocks.
Ensure that any pressure is isolated and safely vented to atmospheric pressure. Consider double isolation (double block and bleed) and the locking or labelling of closed valves. Do not assume that the system has depressurised even when the pressure gauge indicates zero.
Allow time for temperature to normalise after isolation to avoid danger of burns.
If parts made from Viton have been subjected to a temperature approaching 315 °C (599 °F) or higher, it may have decomposed and formed hydrofluoric acid. Avoid skin contact and inhalation of any fumes as the acid will cause deep skin burns and damage the respiratory system.
If parts made from PTFE have been subjected to a temperature approaching 260 °C (500 °F) or higher, they will give off toxic fumes, which if inhaled are likely to cause temporary discomfort. It is essential for a no smoking rule to be enforced in all areas where PTFE is stored, handled, or processed as persons inhaling the fumes from burning tobacco contaminated with PTFE particles can develop ‘polymer fume fever’.
Before starting work ensure that you have suitable tools and/or consumables available. Use only genuine Spirax Sarco replacement parts.
Consider whether you and/or others in the vicinity require any protective clothing to protect against the hazards of, for example, chemicals, high/low temperature, radiation, noise, falling objects, and dangers to eyes and face.
All work must be carried out or be supervised by a suitably competent person.
Installation and operating personnel should be trained in the correct use of the product according to the Installation and Maintenance Instructions.
Where a formal ‘permit to work’ system is in force it must be complied with. Where there is no such system, it is recommended that a responsible person should know what work is going on and, where necessary, arrange to have an assistant whose primary responsibility is safety.
Post ‘warning notices’ if necessary.
Manual handling of large and/or heavy products may present a risk of injury. Lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying or supporting a load by bodily force can cause injury particularly to the back. You are advised to assess the risks taking into account the task, the individual, the load and the working environment and use the appropriate handling method depending on the circumstances of the work being done.
In normal use the external surface of the product may be very hot. If used at the maximum permitted operating conditions the surface temperature of some products may reach temperatures in excess of 300 °C ( 572 °F ).
Many products are not self-draining. Take due care when dismantling or removing the product from an installation (refer to ‘Maintenance instructions’).
Provision must be made to protect products which are not self-draining against frost damage in environments where they may be exposed to temperatures below freezing point.
See the relevant Sections of the attached Installation and Maintenance Instructions for specific details relating to these products.
Unless otherwise stated in the Installation and Maintenance Instructions, this product is recyclable and no ecological hazard is anticipated with its disposal providing due care is taken, except:
Please visit the Spirax Sarco product compliance web pages
https://www.spiraxsarco.com/product-compliance
for up to date information on any substances of concern that may be contained within this product.
Where no additional information is provided on the Spirax Sarco product compliance web page, this product may be safely recycled and/or disposed providing due care is taken. Always check your local recycling and disposal regulations.
Customers and stockists are reminded that under EC Health, Safety and Environment Law, when returning products to Spirax Sarco they must provide information on any hazards and the precautions to be taken due to contamination residues or mechanical damage which may present a health, safety or environmental risk. This information must be provided in writing including Health and Safety data sheets relating to any substances identified as hazardous or potentially hazardous.
The BPS32 and BPS32Y are stainless steel maintainable balanced pressure thermostatic steam traps with straight connections.
The BPS32 has an integral flat strainer screen and the BPS32Y an integral cylindrical, Y-type strainer. All pressure bearing components are produced by TÜV approved suppliers in accordance with AD-Merkblatt WO/TRD100.
Both traps are unaffected by waterhammer and are available as follows:-
| Standard units | BPS32 and BPS32Y | having 'STD' fill capsule |
| Also available | BPS32CV and BPS32YCV | having 'STD' fill capsule and check valve. |
Note: When placing an order always state capsule fill.
Standard capsule - Is marked with ‘STD’ for operation at approximately 12 °C (21.6 °F) below steam saturation temperature.
Optionally - The capsule can be supplied for sub-cooled ‘SUB’ operation at approximately 24 °C (43.2 °F) below steam saturation temperature or near-to-steam ‘NTS’ operation at approximately 6 °C (10.8 °F) below steam temperature.
This product fully complies with the requirements of the European Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU
This product is available with certification to EN 10204 3.1.B.
Note: All certification/inspection requirements must be stated at the time of order placement.
Note: For additional information see Technical Information Sheet, TI-P005-03.
1/2”, 3/4”, and 1” screwed BSP T Rp (ISO 7-1) or NPT.
1/2”, 3/4”, and 1” socket weld ends to BS 3799.
1/2”, 3/4”, and 1” butt weld ends to EN 12 627.
DN15, DN20 and DN25 standard flange to EN 1092 PN40,
ANSI B 16.5 Class 150 and 300, JIS/KS 10K and JIS/KS 20K.

Pressure psi g 
Pressure bar g The product must not be used in this region. The product should not be used in this region or beyond its operating range as damage to the internals may occur.
A - B Screwed, socket weld, butt weld and flanged ANSI 300. A - C Flanged EN 1092 PN40. A - D Flanged JIS/KS 20K. A - E Flanged ANSI 150. A - G Flanged JIS/KS 10K.
| Body design conditions | PN40 | ||
| PMA | Maximum allowable pressure | 50 bar g @ 50 °C | (725 psi g @ 122 °F) |
| TMA | Maximum allowable temperature | 400 °C @ 35 bar g | (752 °F @ 507 psi g) |
| Minimum allowable temperature | -200 °C | (-328 °F) | |
| PMO | Maximum operating pressure for saturated steam service | 32 bar g | (464 psi g) |
| TMO | Maximum operating temperature | 281 °C @ 32 bar g | (538 °F @ 464 psi g) |
| Minimum operating temperature | 0 °C | (32 °F) | |
Note: For lower operating temperatures consult Spirax Sarco.
| BPS32 and BPS32Y product ranges are verified safe for use under full vacuum conditions | ||
| Designed for a maximum cold hydraulic test pressure of: | 75 bar g | (1088 psi g) |
Referring to the Installation and Maintenance Instructions, name-plate and Technical Information Sheet, check that the product is suitable for the intended installation:
3.1 Check materials, pressure and temperature and their maximum values. If the maximum operating limit of the product is lower than that of the system in which it is being fitted, ensure that a safety device is included in the system to prevent overpressurisation. 3.2 Determine the correct installation situation and the direction of fluid flow. 3.3 Remove protective covers from all connections and the protective film from all name-plates, where appropriate, before installation on steam or other high temperature applications. 3.4 The trap is designed for installation in any position, horizontal or vertical, preferably with a drop leg immediately preceding the trap - typically 150 mm (6”) see Figure 4. Caution: If no drop leg is allowed then it may be possible (under low load conditions) for steam to flow over the condensate in the bottom of the pipe and reach the trap. 3.5 Always fit a non-return (check) valve downstream of any steam traps which discharge into condensate return lines where backpressure is experienced. This is most commonly caused by a rising condensate line. The check valve will prevent the steam space flooding when the inlet pressure is reduced or the steam is shut off. Use a suitable valve such as the Spirax Sarco DCV41, see Figure 4. 3.6 When the trap is discharging to atmosphere, it is strongly recommended to install a diffuser on the outlet side of the trap. This reduces any problem of noise and erosion by cushioning high velocity discharge. See TI-P155-02 for further information. 3.7 Isolation valves must be installed to allow for safe maintenance and trap replacement. 3.8 Open isolation valves slowly until normal operating conditions are achieved. 3.9 Check for leaks and correct operation. 3.10 Ensure adequate space is left to remove the cover from the body for maintenance. Minimum withdrawal distance for the cover is 37 mm (1½”) and minimum withdrawal distance for the strainer screen (BPS32Y) is 28 mm (11”). 3.11 Welding into the pipeline - There is no need to remove the operating capsule from the product providing the welding is performed using the electric arc method. For specific weld procedures consult the relevant National and International welding standards.
Note: If the trap is to discharge to atmosphere ensure it is to a safe place as the discharging fluid may be at a temperature of 100 °C ( 212 °F ).

Fig. 4 Small process equipment BPS32 DCV41
After installation or maintenance ensure that the system is fully functional. Carry out tests on any alarms or protective devices.
The operating element is a capsule containing a small quantity of a special liquid with a boiling point below that of water. In the cold conditions that exist at start-up, the capsule is relaxed. The valve is off its seat and is wide open, allowing unrestricted removal of air. This is a feature of all balanced pressure traps and explains why they are well suited to air venting.
As condensate passes through the balanced pressure steam trap, heat is transferred to the liquid in the capsule. The fill liquid boils before steam reaches the trap. The vapour pressure within the capsule causes it to expand and the trap shuts. Heat loss from the trap then cools the water surrounding the capsule, the fill condenses and the capsule contracts, opening the valve and releasing condensate until steam temperature approaches again at which the cycle is repeated.
Note: Before actioning any maintenance programme observe the ‘Safety information’ in Section 1.
The cover gasket contains a thin stainless steel support ring which may cause physical injury if not handled and disposed of carefully.
Before undertaking any maintenance on the trap it must be isolated from both the supply line and return line and any pressure allowed to safely normalise to atmosphere. The trap should then be allowed to cool. When reassembling, ensure that all joint faces are clean.
Maintenance can be completed with the trap in the pipeline, once the safety procedures have been observed. It is recommended that new gaskets and spares are used whenever maintenance is undertaken. Ensure that the correct tools and necessary protective equipment are used at all times. When maintenance is complete open isolation valves slowly and check for leaks.
Note: Care must be taken to ensure the cover bolts (9) are progressively tightened to the recommended torque (see Table 1).

Fig. 5a
BPS32 and BPS32Y Stainless Steel Balanced Pressure Thermostatic Steam Traps
Note: Care must be taken to ensure the cover bolts (9) are progressively tightened to the recommended torque (see Table 1).

Fig. 5b
BPS32 and BPS32Y Stainless Steel Balanced Pressure Thermostatic Steam Traps
The spare parts available are shown in solid outline. Parts drawn in a grey line are not supplied as spares.
Available spares
| Capsule and seat assembly set | 2, 3, 17, 18 | ||
| Strainer screen | BPS32 | (3 off) | 5 |
| Strainer screen and gasket | BPS32Y | (1 off each) | 5, 11 |
| Set of cover gaskets | (packet of 3) | 7 | |
| Strainer cap gasket | (packet of 3) | 11 | |
Always order spares by using the description given in the column headed ‘Available spares’ and state the size, model number and capsule reference.
Example: 1 - Capsule and seat assembly set for a Spirax Sarco DN25 BPS32Y having an ‘STD’ fill capsule for operation at 12 °C (21.6 °F) below steam saturation temperature.

* Note: Items 9 and 10 are not available as spares.
Fig. 6
BPS32 and BPS32Y Stainless Steel Balanced Pressure Thermostatic Steam Traps