FI.VE: valves, manifolds, and the EPD gap
FI.VE, short for F.I.V. Fabbrica Italiana Valvole, builds brass valves and hydronic system components used across residential and light commercial jobs. Their catalog is broad and deep, yet their Environmental Product Declaration footprint appears thin. If a spec calls for documented carbon and material transparency, that gap can quietly push a bidder behind a rival that comes with paperwork in hand.
Company snapshot
FI.VE (fiv.it) focuses on plumbing and heating hardware built around brass. The core includes ball valves, radiator valves, pressure reducers, fittings, multilayer pipes, underfloor heating, manifolds, and control accessories. It is a components business that shows up in many BOMs rather than one flagship system.
Product range and SKU breadth
Across heating, hydraulics, and gas, FI.VE’s portfolio spans several product families, each with multiple sizes and connection types. Expect product counts in the dozens to hundreds, driven by diameter, thread standards, and kit options. That breadth is great for wholesalers and MEP contractors who prefer a single brand family for most touchpoints.
What we could verify on EPDs today
As of December 11, 2025, we did not find published product‑specific EPDs for FI.VE’s valves or manifolds in major public registries. Their site highlights management certifications like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, but no EPD library yet. See their Quality and Environment page for current policies and certifications (FIV Quality and Environment).
Where peers already publish EPDs
Competitors and near‑substitutes have begun to post declarations for similar hardware:
- Cimberio, Manual Valves, validity noted to 2030‑10‑24 (EPD International, 2025) (EPD International, 2025).
- LK Armatur, Ball Valves 702–704 and 801–802, valid to 2030‑02‑27 (EPD International, 2025) (EPD International, 2025).
- Honeywell, Pressure Independent Control Valves, valid to 2030‑06‑05 for Europe scope (EPD International, 2025) (EPD International, 2025).
These are not one‑to‑one drop‑ins for every FI.VE SKU, but they cover adjacent buying decisions on many projects.
Why the gap matters on specs
LEED v5 was ratified by USGBC members on March 28, 2025. It continues to reward product transparency backed by verified EPDs, which keeps EPD‑ready products in the consideration set for owners and GCs who track embodied impacts (USGBC, 2025) (USGBC, 2025). When an MEP schedule compresses, teams rarely stop to debate missing documents. They pick the compliant option and move.
Likely best‑seller without an EPD
FI.VE’s ball valves for water service are common, high‑volume, and visible on submittals. They are a smart starting point for an EPD, followed by gas ball valves and standard heating manifolds. That sequence covers a big swath of revenue while keeping data collection contained to a few repeatable assemblies.
Picking the right rulebook and operator
A PCR is the rulebook of Monopoly. Ignore it and the game falls apart. For small metal components, programs using EN 15804 are common across Europe, and the International EPD System has been sunsetting older PCR versions, including a June 20, 2025 date for 2019:14 v1.3.4, so new EPDs should align to the current revision to avoid rework (EPD International, 2025) (EPD International, 2025).
Who FI.VE meets on bids
On hydronics packages and valve lots, FI.VE is often evaluated against Giacomini, Caleffi, IVAR, Oventrop, Watts, and Honeywell. Many of these brands already publish EPDs for parts of their catalog, so they can tick the transparency box quickly while price and lead time decide the rest.
Coverage snapshot by category
Valves and radiator accessories appear to represent the widest assortment with variants by size and actuation. Manifolds and underfloor heating kits add system value and bundled sales. Controls and thermostatic heads extend into MEP scope. Overall EPD coverage looks low today, and we did not see category‑level declarations that would bridge the gap.
Execution tips that reduce friction
Start with a single reference plant year of utilities and scrap, then build a data pack that covers brass composition, machining, plating, assembly, and packaging. Collect one clean manufacturing flow for the water ball valve and reuse the model for nearby SKUs. The heavy lift is data wrangling, not the modeling. A partner that actually handles internal data pulls, rather than asking teams to do it, keeps schedules on track and quality high. Dont underestimate that.
A practical next step
Publish one product‑specific EPD for the flagship water ball valve, then extend to a representative gas valve and a standard manifold kit. That trio unlocks more bids, satisfies most procurement asks, and creates a template for the rest of the line. The cost of getting there is often outweighed by a single mid‑sized project win once the enviromental paperwork is in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FI.VE currently publish Environmental Product Declarations for its valves and manifolds?
As of December 11, 2025, we did not find product‑specific EPDs for FI.VE in major public registries. Their website lists ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications but no EPD library yet. See their Quality and Environment page for current certifications.
Which FI.VE products should be prioritized for first EPDs to maximize commercial impact?
Water service ball valves first, then gas ball valves and a standard heating manifold kit. These SKUs are high volume, appear frequently on submittals, and share similar manufacturing data, which reduces effort.
Which competitors already have EPDs for similar categories?
Examples include Cimberio for manual valves, LK Armatur for ball valves, and Honeywell for PICVs. Each has current EPDs listed with the International EPD System in 2024–2025.
Which PCR or standard should govern FI.VE’s EPDs?
Use EN 15804 aligned PCRs from a recognized program operator. Note that older PCR 2019:14 v1.3.4 had a sunset date of June 20, 2025, so align new work to the current revision to avoid rework (EPD International, 2025).
About the Author
John brings a clear, research-driven perspective on the EPD, LCA and HPD space and keeps a close pulse on environmental trends and standards in North America, helping clients understand where the industry is heading and how to get there.
