Relief Valve testing requirements
Relief Valve testing requirements
(OP)
Our company is located in Louisiana. We are an LNG facility with approximately 140 relief valves. My past experience is to always use a third party inspection company to do our annual relief valve testing (annual because one of the LNG codes requires it).
Our company is going to have our mechanics test the relief valves this year in order to save money. My question is...are we allowed to test our own relief valves? We have no certifications.
All of our relief valves have inlet and outlet blocks and bleeds and the systems are such that we can easily prepare the valves to be safely tested in line using nitrogen as the test media.
My "gut" tells me we should stick with the NBIC approved third party but I cannot back this up.
Any thoughts?
David Wene, P.E.
Our company is going to have our mechanics test the relief valves this year in order to save money. My question is...are we allowed to test our own relief valves? We have no certifications.
All of our relief valves have inlet and outlet blocks and bleeds and the systems are such that we can easily prepare the valves to be safely tested in line using nitrogen as the test media.
My "gut" tells me we should stick with the NBIC approved third party but I cannot back this up.
Any thoughts?
David Wene, P.E.





RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
Lacking a Code Stamp, you can 'Test Only' -- absolutely no repairs, resetting, lapping of nozzles, etc. Every PRV that fails your in-house 'Test Only' will need to be sent to a certified Code Valve shop.
Basically, I would either send all the PRV's out [or bring a Test & Repair trailer on-site], or aquire the expertise & training to sucessfuly apply for an "Owner-User" VR stamp. Trying to do any work on Code PSV's without the knowledge is criminal. Alternatively, if you spend the time and money to train up and buy the test equipment and knowledge & experience to properly perform the work, go ahead and become Code-certified. Trying to stand in the middle leaves untrained, uncertified people working on Code safety items. You are messing with the last device between the system and catastrophic release and/or fire, with resultant damage in the $$ millions, and probable maiming and/or death. The risk is immense, the cost savings is puny compaired to the new, added risk exposure. Refer your in-house 'genius' to any good AI or Insurance underwriter.
Alternatively, ask your genius if he would let some $8/hr immigrant laborers work on the brakes of his wifes car. Same idea.
RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
I would appreciate as many responses as possible. I've lost the first round of debate and would like to be better armed with for my next argument.
RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
Refer to API 510. That explains the qualification requirements. Possibly it would be Ok for your internal folks to do the pop test and visual inspections, but I'd leave all repair tasks to a qualified valve technician.
BTW.... Duwe6, some of us married folks might not answer that break repairman question the same way as you would :)
RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
You can 'pop-test'and reset your own valves w/o a VR stamp, but everything else requires the Stamp. Fully trained and qualified people, but lacking certification; or a fully equipped, properly calibrated valve test bench without a VR stamp are not allowed to work on Code valves. This is a legal requirement. Thus my firm suggestion that dwene refer his boss to an AI or Insurance underwriter. Wouldn't hurt to have the corporate legal advisor to look at this too. Might want to have a de-fibrillator standing by -- this proposal may give Legal a heart attack.
RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
What do I know...I just the only PE at our site.
RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
Alternatively,QUIT. IMMEDIATLY.
Nobody will hire anyone from the [2005] MI dept of BP after the debacle in Houston that killed 15 & injured 108 in 2005. Don't let this be you.
RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
In God we trust.....everyone else ought to cite references.
RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
In USA, the only non-Code states are Idaho and Wyoming [all Canadian provences mandate Code]. In the rest, ASME & NBIC have force-of-law. Thus, using 'Joes Valve and Fender shop' to repair your Code PRV's is a legal violation, [assuming Joe doesn't hold a VR stamp].
RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
For Sec VIII there are states other than those you mentioned which are not code states. For example, the OP is in a state (Louisiana) which isn't a code state.
RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
as far as i am concerned, GEP is defined by the codes. not sure i would quit over it but i would have it fully documented via e-mails, etc.
the problem i have when good people quit is that those that remain are even less likely to do anything right. this can be the beginning of a "death spiral"
on the other hand, if you are of retirement age anyways, you might consider the whistleblower card if you can snag a % of the fines. i think this has a better likelihood of a pay-out than most lotteries.
RE: Relief Valve testing requirements
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