Valve Standards
API Std 520
SIZING, SELECTION, AND INSTALLATION OF PRESSURE-RELIEVING DEVICES IN REFINERIES,
PART I - SIZING AND SELECTION.
This standard applies to the sizing and selection of pressure relief devices used
in refineries and related industries for equipment that has a maximum allowable
working pressure of 15 psig (103 kPag) or greater.
The pressure relief devices covered in this standard are intended to protect
unfired pressure vessels and related equipment against overpressure from operating
and fire contingencies.
This standard includes basic definitions and information about the operational
characteristics and applications of various pressure relief devices. It also
includes sizing procedures and methods based on steady state flow of Newtonian
fluids. Pressure relief devices protect a vessel against overpressure only; they do
not protect against structural failure when the vessel is exposed to extremely high
temperatures such as during a fire. See API 521 for information about appropriate
ways of reducing pressure and restricting heat input.
Atmospheric and low-pressure storage tanks covered in API 2000 and pressure vessels
used for the transportation of products in bulk or shipping containers are not
within the scope of this standard.
The rules for overpressure protection of fired vessels are provided in ASME Section
I and ASME B31.1, and are not within the scope of this standard.
API RP 520
SIZING, SELECTION, AND INSTALLATION OF PRESSURE-RELIEVING DEVICES IN REFINERIES-
PART II, INSTALLATION.
This standard covers methods of installation for pressure-relief devices for
equipment that has a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of 15 psig (1.03 bar
g or 103 kPA) or greater. Pressure relief valves or rupture disks may be used
independently or in combination with each other to provide the required protection
against excessive pressure accumulation. The term PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE includes
saferty relief valves used in either compressible or incompressible fluid service,
and relief valves used in incompressible fluid service. It covers gas, vapor,
steam, two-phase and incompressible fluid service; it does not cover special
applications that require unusual installation considerations.
API Std 526
FLANGED STEEL PRESSURE-RELIEF VALVES.
This standard is a purchase specification for flanged steel pressure-relief valves.
Basic requirements are given for direct spring-loaded pressure-relief valves and
pilot-operated pressure-relief valves as follows:
orifice designation and area
valve size and pressure rating, inlet and outlet
materials
pressure-temperature limits
center-to-face dimensions, inlet and outlet
Nameplate nomenclature and requirements for stamping are detailed in Annex A.
API Std 527
SEAT TIGHTNESS OF PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES.
This standard describes methods of determining the seat tightness of metal- and
soft-seated pressure relief valves, including those of conventional, bellows, and
pilot-operated designs.
API RP 574
INSPECTION PRACTICES FOR PIPING SYSTEM COMPONENTS.
This recommended practice (RP) supplements API 570 by providing piping inspectors
with information that can improve skill and increase basic knowledge and practices.
This RP describes inspection practices for piping, tubing, valves (other than
control valves), and fittings used in petroleum refineries and chemical plants.
Common piping components, valve types, pipe joining methods, inspection planning
processes, inspection intervals and techniques, and types of records are described
to aid the inspector in fulfilling their role implementing API 570. This
publication does not cover inspection of specialty items, including instrumentation
and control valves.
API RP 576
INSPECTION OF PRESSURE-RELIEVING DEVICES.
API Recommended Practice 576 describes the inspection and repair practices for
automatic pressure-relieving devices commonly used in the oil and petrochemical
industries. As a guide to the inspection and repair of these devices in the user's
plant, it is intended to ensure their proper performance. This publication covers
such automatic devices as pressure-relief valves, pilot-operated pressure-relief
valves, rupture disks, and weight-loaded pressure-vacuum vents.
The scope of this RP includes the inspection and repair of automatic pressure-
relieving devices commonly used in the oil and petrochemical industry. This
publication does not cover weak seams or sections in tanks, explosion doors,
fusible plugs, control valves, and other devices that either depend on an external
source of power for operation or are manually operated. Inspections and tests made
at manufacturers' plants, which are usually covered by codes or purchase
specifications, are not covered by this publication.
This publication does not cover training requirements for mechanics involved in the
inspection and repair of pressure-relieving devices. Those seeking these
requirements should see API 510, which gives the requirements for a quality control
system and specifies that the repair organization maintain and document a training
program ensuring that personnel are qualified.
API STD 594
CHECK VALVES: FLANGED, LUG, WAFER AND BUTT-WELDING.
This international standard covers design, material, face-to-face dimensions,
pressure-temperature ratings, and examination, inspection, and test requirements
for two types of check valves.
API Std 598
VALVE INSPECTION AND TESTING.
API 598 covers inspection, examination, supplementary examinations, and pressure
test requirements for resilient-seated, nonmetallic-seated (e.g. ceramic), and
metal-to-metal-seated valves of the gate, globe, plug, ball, check, and butterfly
types.
API Std 599
METAL PLUG VALVES-FLANGED, THREADED AND WELDING ENDS.
This standard covers design, materials, face-to-face dimensions, pressure-
temperature ratings, and examination, inspection, and test requirements for
metallic plug valves.
This standard includes requirements for valves fitted with internal body, plug, and
port linings or applied hard facings on the body, body ports, plug, and plug port.
The extent of linings and the facing materials of which they are made are not
covered in this standard.
This standard also provides additional requirements for plug valves that are in
full conformance to the requirements of ASME B16.34 for Standard Class 150 through
2500. Ductile iron valves, Class 150 and 300, shall follow the additional
requirements of ASME B16.42 for pressure-temperature ratings, wall thickness,
flange dimensions, and material grade.
Plug valves covered in this standard belong to one of four general design groups
that in many cases have different face-to-face and end-to-end dimensions. Some
types of plug valves are not made to all patterns. The four groups of valve design
are described below.
The standard nomenclature for valve parts is shown in Annex B. Figure B.1, Figure
B.2, Figure B.3, and Figure B.4 illustrate typical plug valve designs and are not
to be construed as precluding other available designs that comply with the
requirements of this standard. The only purpose of these figures is to identify
part names. The construction of a valve is acceptable only when it complies with
this standard in all respects.
API Std 600
STEEL GATE VALVES - FLANGED AND BUTT-WELDING ENDS, BOLTED BONNETS.
This International standard specifies the requirements for a heavy-duty series of
bolted bonnet steel gate valves for petroleum refinery and related applications
where corrosion, erosion and other service conditions would indicate a need for
full port openings, heavy wall sections and large stem diameters.
API Std 602
STEEL GATE, GLOBE AND CHECK VALVES FOR SIZES DN 100 AND SMALLER FOR THE PETROLEUM
AND NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES.
This international standard specifies the requirements for a series of compact
steel gate, globe and check valves for petroleum and natural gas industry
applications.
It is applicable to valves of:
nominal pipe sizes NPS1/4, NPS 3/8, NPS 1/2, NPS 3/4, NPS 1, NPS 1�, NPS 1�, NPS 2,
NPS 2�, NPS 3, and NPS 4
corresponding to nominal sizes DN 8, DN 10, DN 15, DN 20, DN 25, DN 32, DN 40, DN
50, DN 65, DN 80, and DN 100
It is also applicable to pressure designations of Class 150, Class 300, Class 600,
Class 800 and Class 1500.
Class 800 is not a listed class designation, but is an intermediate class number
widely used for socket welding and threaded end compact valves.
It includes provisions for the following valve characteristics.
Outside screw with rising stems (OS and Y), in sizes1/4 < or = NPS < or = 4 (8 < or
= DN < or = 100) and pressure designations including Class 800
Inside screw with rising stems (ISRS), in sizes1/4 < or = NPS < or = 2� (8 < or =
DN < or = 65) and pressure designations of classes < or = 800
Socket welding or threaded ends, in sizes1/4 < or = NPS < or = 2� (8 < or = DN < or
= 65) and pressure designations of Class 800 and Class 1500
Flanged or butt-welding ends, in sizes 1/2 < or = NPS < or = 4 (15 < or = DN < or =
100) and pressure designations of Class 150 through Class 1500, excluding flanged
end Class 800
Bonnet Joint Construction-Bolted, welded and threaded with seal weld for classes <
or = 1500 and union nut for classes < or = 800
Standard and full-bore body seat openings
Materials, as specified
Testing and inspection
This publication is applicable to valve end flanges in accordance with ASME B16.5,
valve body ends having tapered pipe threads to ASME B1.20.1 or ISO 7-1, valve body
ends having socket weld ends to ASME B16.11 and butt-weld connections per the
requirements described within this standard. It is applicable to extended body
construction in sizes 1/2 < or = NPS < or = 2 (15 < or = DN < or = 50) and pressure
designations of Class 800 and Class 1500, and to bellows and bellows assembly
construction as may be adaptable to gate or globe valves in sizes1/4 < or = NPS <
or = 2 (8 < or = DN < or = 50). It covers bellows stem seal type testing
requirements.
API Std 603
CORROSION-RESISTANT, BOLTED BONNET GATE VALVES-FLANGED AND BUTT-WELDING ENDS.
This standard specifies the requirements for corrosion-resistant bolted bonnet gate
valves meeting the requirements of Standard Class, ASME B16.34 and having full port
openings for use in process piping applications. This standard sets forth the
requirements for the following gate valve features:
bolted bonnet
outside screw and yoke
rising stems
non-rising handwheels
single or double gate
wedge or parallel sealing
metallic seating surfaces
flanged or butt-welding ends
Corresponding to nominal pipe size DN:
15, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600.
It covers valves of the nominal pipe size NPS:
1/2, 3/4, 1, 1�, 1�, 2, 2�, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24.
Applies to pressure class designations: 150, 300, 600.
Annex B illustrates a bolted bonnet gate valve for the purpose of establishing
standard nomenclature for valve parts.
API Std 607
FIRE TEST FOR QUARTER-TURN VALVES AND VALVES EQUIPPED WITH NONMETALLIC SEATS.
This International Standard specifies fire type-testing requirements and a fire
type-test method for confirming the pressure-containing capability of a valve under
pressure during and after the fire test. It does not cover the testing requirements
for valve actuators other than manually operated gear boxes or similar mechanisms
when these form part of the normal valve assembly. Other types of valve actuators
(e.g. electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic) may need special protection to operate
in the environment considered in this valve test, and the fire testing of such
actuators is outside the scope of this International Standard.
API Std 608
METAL BALL VALVES-FLANGED, THREADED AND WELDING ENDS.
This standard specifies the requirements for metal ball valves suitable for
petroleum, petrochemical, and industrial applications that have:
flanged ends in sizes DN 15 through DN 600 (NPS 1/2 through NPS 24)
butt welding ends in sizes DN 15 through DN 600 (NPS 1/2 through NPS 24)
socket welding ends in sizes DN 8 through DN 50 (NPS1/4 through NPS 2)
threaded ends in sizes DN 8 through DN 50 (NPS1/4 through NPS 2)
Corresponding to the nominal pipe sizes in ASME B36.10M.
This standard applies to metal ball valves with pressure classes as follows:
flanged ends in Classes 150, 300, and 600
butt welding ends in Classes 150, 300, and 600
socket welding ends in Classes 150, 300, 600, and 800
threaded ends in Classes 150, 300, 600, and 800
This standard establishes requirements for bore sizes described as:
full bore
single reduced bore
double reduced bore
This standard applies to floating (seat-supported) ball (Figure B.1) and trunnion
ball valve designs (Figure B.2). These figures are to be used only for the purpose
of establishing standard nomenclature for valve components - other floating and
trunnion designs also exist. This standard establishes additional requirements for
ball valves that are otherwise in full conformance to the requirements of ASME
B16.34, Standard Class.
API Std 609
BUTTERFLY VALVES: DOUBLE-FLANGED, LUG- AND WAFER-TYPE.
This standard covers design, materials, face-to-face dimensions, pressure-
temperature ratings, and examination, inspection and test requirements for gray
iron, ductile iron, bronze, steel, nickel-based alloy, or special alloy butterfly
valves that provide tight shutoff in the closed position. The following two
categories of butterfly valves are included.
Category A-Manufacturer's rated cold working pressure (CWP) butterfly valves,
usually with a concentric disc and seat configuration. Sizes covered are NPS 2 to
NPS 48 for valves having ASME Class 125 or Class 150 flange bolting patterns.
Category B-ASME Class and pressure-temperature rated butterfly valves that have an
offset seat and either an eccentric or a concentric disc configuration. These
valves may have a seat rating less than the body rating. For lug and wafer, Class
150, 300, and 600, sizes covered are NPS 3 to NPS 24. For double flanged long
pattern, Class 150, 300, and 600, sizes covered are NPS 3 to NPS 36. For double
flanged short pattern, Class 150 and 300, sizes covered are NPS 3 to NPS 48. For
double-flanged short pattern, Class 600, sizes covered are NPS 3 to NPS 24.
API Spec 6D
SPECIFICATION FOR PIPELINE VALVES.
API Specification 6D is the (proposed) national adoption of ISO 14313: 1999,
Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries-Pipeline Transportation Systems-Pipeline
Valves. This International Standard specifies requirements and gives
recommendations for the design, manufacturing, testing and documentation of ball,
check, gate and plug valves for application in pipeline systems.
API Spec 6FA
FIRE TEST FOR VALVES.
It is the purpose of this document to establish the requirements for testing and
evaluating the pressure-containing performance of API Specs 6A amd 6D valves when
exposed to fire. The performance requirements of this document are intended to
establish standard limits of acceptabliltyregardless of size or pressure
rating.This document establishes acceptable levels for leakage through the test
valve and also external leakage after exposure to a fire for a 30 minute time
perioud. The burn period has been established on the basis that it represents the
maximun time required to extinguish most fires. Fires of greater duration are
considered to be of a major magnitude with consequences greater than those
anticipated in this test. This standard covers the requirements for testing and
evaluating the performance of API Specs 6A and 6D valves when exposed to
specifically defined fire conditions. However, this standard is not intended to
cover check valves or end connections.
API Spec 6FC
SPECIFICATION FOR FIRE TEST FOR VALVES WITH AUTOMATIC BACKSEATS.
This document establishes the requirements for testing and evaluating the pressure-
containing performance of API Specification 6A and API Specification 6D automatic
backseating valves when exposed to fire. The performance requirements of this
document are intended to establish standard limits of acceptability regardless of
size or pressure rating.
This document establishes acceptable levels for leakage through the test valve and
also external leakage after exposure to a fire for a 30-minute time period, both
before and after reworking the stuffing box. The burn period has been established
on the basis that it represents the maximum time required to extinguish most fires.
Fires of greater duration are considered to be of a major magnitude with
consequences greater than those anticipated in this test.
API 6RS
REFERENCED STANDARDS FOR COMMITTEE 6, STANDARDIZATION OF VALVES AND WELLHEAD
EQUIPMENT.
API RP 11V6
DESIGN OF CONTINUOUS FLOW GAS LIFT INSTALLATIONS USING INJECTION PRESSURE OPERATED
VALVES.
Intended to set guidelines for continuous flow gas lift installation designs using
injection pressure operated valves. The assumption is made that the designer is
familiar with and has available data on the various factors that affect a design.
API RP 11V7
RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR REPAIR, TESTING, AND SETTING GAS LIFT VALVES.
Applies to repair, testing, and setting gas lift valves and reverse flow (check)
valves. It presents guidelines related to the repair and reuse of valves; these
practices are intended to serve both repair shops and operators. The commonly used
gas pressure-operated bellows valve is also covered. Other valves, including
bellows charged valves in production pressure (fluid) service should be repaired
according to these guidelines.
