API fire testing for Metal Seated Ball valve
API fire testing for Metal Seated Ball valve
(OP)
We have our soft seated ball valves fire tested to API 607, which refers to fire testing for soft seated quarter turn valves. Is there a API standard for metal seated valves?





RE: API fire testing for Metal Seated Ball valve
Patricia Lougheed
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RE: API fire testing for Metal Seated Ball valve
In my opinion, metal seated valves may be considered fire safe by design, provided that materials are properly selected, dimensions and tolerances correctly choosen and realized, etc... and the valve design itself is sufficiently proven-in-use.
But sometimes a test certificate is easier to obtain than Customers reasoning (about the above aspects); so, some Manufacturers applied the API "Soft-seated" procedure to metal seated valves too, perhaps complying with stricter acceptance criteria (no visible leakage before, during and after the fire, for example)...
Hope this helps, 'NGL
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RE: API fire testing for Metal Seated Ball valve
So for metal seated valves, you can state they are naturally fire safe provided they don't contain any parts or seals that will melt at the test temperature, or when you get tired of explaining to inexperienced customers why you don't need to fire test metal seated valves, just test to ISO 10497. It will be a long time before this standard ever gets revised.