Standards & Certifications
include addition of high temperature testing of graphite packing . Alongside , API has also developed type testing standards of valves for fugitive emissions :
• API 624 : Rising stem valves
• API 641 : Quarter turn valves
Both the valve type testing standards require the graphite seals to be in compliance to API 622 . An equivalent ISO standard for fugitive emission valve type testing is ISO 15848 , which has been classified into 2 parts :
• Part 1 : Type test
• Part 2 : Production valve testing
The type testing requirement in ISO 15848 , Part 1 is more complicated and stringent compared to API test requirement . It allows different levels of test parameters such as fugitive emission levels , number of mechanical cycles , stem seal adjustments , temperature ranges , choice of test media , and endurance classes . The tests performed between API and ISO cannot be compared as the methodology used and governing factors are very different . Ultimately , the decision lies with the user to specify the minimum acceptance criteria to meet their specific operating conditions . The testing and certifications for ISO are not mandated by their design standards and allows the manufacturer to determine if the market necessitates the need for testing and certifying the valve . The API standards , on the other hand , have embedded these fugitive testing standard requirements into the valve design standards to enforce the American Clean Air act right from the design phase of the valve .
2 . Firesafe testing : Firesafe testing is another critical part in the valve design ; it is solely intended to keep personnel , process , facilities , and equipment safe from fire hazards when the valves are subjected to dangers of fire accidents and explosion . The ‘ API 6F Series ’ is for evaluating the valves designed under API 6A and API 6D . These standards are maintained under the API wing of valves and wellhead equipment , an upstream oil and gas segment . The downstream oil and gas refinery segment has developed standard API 607 for evaluating the fire testing capabilities of quarter turn valves and other valves equipped with non-metallic seating . The scope of this standard is currently under revision to include fire testing capability of metallic seats for quarter turn valves to avoid any misinterpretation . While API fire testing standards are written considering both the upstream ( well head ) and downstream ( refinery ) segments differently , ISO originally adopted API 6FA , an upstream segment fire testing standard to create ISO 10497 . With recent updates , the most current edition of ISO 10497 is more equivalent to API-607 ( refining segment ) and is different than API 6FA testing requirements . Valve manufacturers often choose to dual certify their valve testing when the testing requirements overlap or are in close proximities . Until 2004 , API 6FA and ISO 10497 were considered equivalent standards so the tests could have been dual certified to meet both . Now , the API 607 and ISO 10497 current standard editions are mirror-like , so valve testing can be dual certified to meet both test standards .
“
Ultimately , the end results for both
API & ISO governing standards are the same : to provide a higher quality of service and ensure businesses work in the safest and most efficient way possible . AM systems help improve customer performance and competitiveness .”
3 . Quality certification : Valve manufacturers receive their quality management certifications by successfully demonstrating their ability to meet safe manufacturing practices and other supporting processes in their quality management system for doing business . A certification shows that the product adheres to the expectations and qualifications of the latest standards set in the industry and the manufacturing organisation is keeping up with the latest industry standards and regulations . Quality certification is both crucial and necessary for valve manufacturers to demonstrate their product worthiness and differentiate themselves in this fast paced and competitive market . Quality and safety are two terms that go hand in hand - a product that meets the set quality standard requirements is safer to use than the product for which none exist . ISO informs and guides several industry leaders around the world for manufacturing processes , safety requirements , quality assurance , and more . ISO 9001 is a singular measure within the body of the ISO 9000 standards that specifies requirements for a quality management system when an organisation needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products / services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements . ISO 9001:2015 is the current version of ISO quality management system and has several updates from its previous version with main focal points on measuring and properly assessing the input and output processes , risk-based thinking to solve potential problems , leadership , and commitment from all levels of the organisation . Quality Certifications to ISO 9001 are very common in valve industry and serve as one of the basic requirements to differentiate between product and process quality . All requirements are generic and are intended to apply to any organisation regardless of the product type . On the other hand , API qualifications are specifically developed for natural gas and oil businesses . Historically API quality management requirements are in line with ISO 9001-2008 but in 2011 it parted ways to elaborate and exceed the quality management requirements to make API Q1 , 9 th edition . The latest version of these guidelines was issued in 2013 , with a large focus on risk management and risk assessment , a new addendum added in 2018 for supply chain requirements and an Errata addressed in 2019 for Product Quality plans . Following are some key differences between the two systems that should be noted :
• Formal approach to the training of employees and personnel competency
• Emphasis of risk management and risk assessment ( potential problem accessing )
• Contingency planning ( potential problem prevention plan )
• Control within the supply chain
• Design validation
• Preventive maintenance
• Management of change .
46 Valve World November 2022 www . valve-world . net