Summary of Industry Specifications

API 6D Specification for Pipeline Valves

Design, manufacture, testing and documentation for Ball, Check, Gate and Plug
valves for the Petroleum and Natural Gas industries, for ratings to ASME Class
2500 (ASME B16.34) or PN 420 (EN1092-1).
End connections may be: Flanged, RTJ, BW and SW.
Face-to-Face Dimensions per API 6D, Table 4 (Ball valves), or ASME B16.10 (per
agreement).
Position Indication: Handle in-line with pipeline when valve is in open position,
and off 90 degrees when closed.
Lifting Points required for 8+ valves.
NDE per API 6D Annex A
Testing
Stem Backseat Test
Hydrostatic Shell at 1.5 x valve rating for 2-30 minutes depending on
valve size (Table 10) with no visible leakage.
Hydrostatic Seat Leakage at 1.1 x valve rating for 2-5 minutes depending
on valve size (Table 11) with leakage not more than ISO 5208, Rate D.
Special Testing per agreement with Purchaser
Hydrostatic Shell at higher pressure and/or longer test duration
Low-pressure Gas Seat Test
High-pressure Gas Seat Test
Anti-static Test
Torque/Thrust Functional Test
Cavity Relief Test (B.8.2 and B.8.3)

API 598 Valve Inspection & Testing

Specification covers inspection, examination, and pressure test requirements for

resilient seated, non-metallic, and metal-to-metal seated Gate, Globe, Plug, Ball,
Check and Butterfly valves.
Testing includes; Hydrostatic Shell, Backseat Test, Low-pressure Test, Highpressure Test, Visual Examination, and High-pressure pneumatic testing.
Valves 4 and smaller with pressure ratings up to and including ASME Class
1500, and valves larger than 4 with pressure rating up to and including ASME

Class 600 are tested per Table 1. All valves which exceed size/rating are tested
to Table 2.
Ball Valves are required to be tested; Shell, Low-pressure Closure. High-pressure
Closure test is optional.
Shell pressure test is per Table 3 and generally for EVS to be the same as ASME
B16.34.
Test durations per Tables 5 and 6.

API 607 Metal Ball Valves Flanged, Threaded, and Welding Ends

Spec covers Trunnion and Floating Ball designs.

Spec establishes additional requirements for valves that are in full compliance
with ASME B16.34.
Minimum Seat P/T ratings are per Table 1.
Face-to-face for Flanged and Buttweld ends are per B16.10 (long and short
pattern).
Face-to-face for Socketweld ends are per B16.11, except minimum wall thickness
per B16.34, Table 4.
Cylinder diameter/bore sizes per Table 3.
Upstream sealing of trunnion ball valves shall have a test port in the body cavity
between seats to allow seat testing per API 598.
Anti-static design feature is required to insure electrical continuity between stem
and body for 2 and smaller valves and for 2 and larger valves, between ball,
stem and body. Resistance shall not exceed 10 ohms.
Ball-stem design shall include:
Blowout proof stem
No permanent deformation occurs and not failure of any part occurs when
a force is applied to the lever or gear operated handwheel produces a
torque equal to the greater of 15 ft-lbs or 2 X manufacturers maximum
published torque.
Adjustable Packing Gland and Gland Bolting
Position Stops and Indication are required.
Pressure testing per API 598.