What type of gas valve is commonly used for manual shut-off?

The ball valve is commonly used for manual shut-off due to its design and functionality. When activated, a ball valve uses a spherical disc with a hole in the center, allowing for a straight flow of gas when opened or completely stopping the flow when closed. This mechanism provides a tight seal and ensures that there is minimal leakage, making it highly efficient for manual control of gas flow.

In applications where a reliable shut-off is crucial — such as in residential or commercial gas installations — ball valves are favored over other types because they can be opened or closed quickly, reducing the risk of leaks during operation or maintenance.

While gate valves also serve as shut-off valves, they may not provide as reliable a seal as ball valves, especially after repeated use. Check valves and relief valves serve entirely different purposes: check valves prevent backflow and relief valves regulate pressure, thus they are not suitable options for manual shut-off applications.