Industrial valves are crucial assets and play a key role in the operation of any continuous generating process plant. Valves either isolate the pressure, regulate the flow or protect the process plant. It is therefore obvious that the plant efficiency is directly affected by the non-performance of valves, either in terms of output or in terms of reliability and availability. A long and reliable working effect starts by selecting and sizing the correct valve and applying the right standards for each specific application.

There are a good number of standards which are applicable to valves and their construction. These standards are essential and mandatory to ensure that valves comply to the technical requirements, process conditions and environmental regulations.

Standards are based on the design of the piping system, requested by the end-user, builder or engineering company. The standards will guide the engineers in the selection process of the valve. This includes (among others) the selection of the material, pressure and temperature classification.

The industry is using standards which have a direct or indirect influence on the valve type, design and application.

The standards address the following subjects;

• General construction and functionality within the process
• Design of the valve.
• Certification.
• Environmental rules and regulations.
• Safety.
• Testing and inspection.

The most common and internationally applied shut-off valve testing standards are;

• API 598
• EN 12266 Part-1 and 2

There is a strong correlation (resemblance) between the American API 598 and European EN 12266. Both standards agree on the basic test methods and procedures, but describe slightly different test and inspections criteria i.e.; pressure, times, allowable leak rates.

Ventil can deliver the test bench  for any type of valve, testing and qualifying according to any valve testing standard.