Valve Inspection and Testing

API STANDARD 598

TENTH EDITION, OCTOBER 2016

Special Notes

API publications necessarily address problems of a general nature. With respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.

Neither API nor any of API’s employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication. Neither API nor any of API’s employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.

API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by the Institute to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however, the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication may conflict.

API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineering and operating practices. These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized. The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.

Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard. API does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.

Users of this standard should not rely exclusively on the information contained in this document. Sound business, scientific, engineering, and safety judgment should be used in employing the information contained herein.

API is not undertaking to meet the duties of employers, manufacturers, or suppliers to warn and properly train and equip their employees, and others exposed, concerning health and safety risks and precautions, nor undertaking their obligations to comply with authorities having jurisdiction.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Contact the publisher, API Publishing Services, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Copyright © 2016 American Petroleum Institute

Foreword

Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

Shall: As used in a standard, “shall” denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the

standard.

Should: As used in a standard, “should” denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in order to conform to the standard.

May: As used in a standard, “may” denotes a course of action permissible within the limits of a standard. Can: As used in a standard, “can” denotes a statement of possibility or capability.

This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually by API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards Department, API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005, standards@api.org.

Contents

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Terms and Definitions 2

4. Inspection, Examination, and Supplementary Examination 3

   1. Inspection at the Valve Manufacturer’s Plant 3

   2. Inspection Outside the Valve Manufacturer’s Plant 3

   3. Inspection Notice 3

   4. Extent of Inspection 3

   5. Examination 3

   6. Supplementary Examination 3

5. Pressure Tests 3

   1. Test Location 3

   2. Test Equipment 4

   3. Tests Required 4

   4. High-pressure Closure Test 5

   5. High-pressure Pneumatic Shell Test 5

   6. Test Fluid 5

   7. Test Pressures 5

   8. Test Duration 5

   9. Test Leakage 8

6. Pressure Test Procedures 10

   1. General 10

   2. Backseat Test 11

   3. Shell Test 11

   4. Low-pressure Closure Test 11

   5. High-pressure Closure Test 12

   6. Double Block and Bleed High-pressure Closure Test 12

7. Valve Certification and Retesting 12

   1. Certificate of Compliance 12

   2. Retesting 12

   3. Material Test Report 12

Annex A (informative) Information to Be Specified by the Purchaser 13

Bibliography 14

Figure

1 Volumetric Device 10

Tables

1. Pressure Tests 4

2. Shell Test Pressures 6

3. Backseat and Closure Test Pressures 7

4. Duration of Required Test Pressure 8

5. Maximum Allowable Leakage Rates for Closure Tests 9

Valve Inspection and Testing

1. Scope

   
   

   1. This standard covers inspection, examination, supplementary examinations, and pressure test requirements for resilient-seated, nonmetallic-seated (e.g. ceramic), and metal-to-metal-seated valves of the gate, globe, plug, ball, check, and butterfly types. Resilient seats are considered to be:

      
      

      1. soft seats, both solid and semisolid grease type (e.g. lubricated plug);

         
         

      2. combination soft and metal seats (e.g. laminated seat rings);

         
         

      3. any other type of seat material designed to meet resilient seat leakage rates as specified in Table 5.

      
      

      API Standard 598 supplements the API standards that reference it, but it may also be applied to other types of valves by agreement between the purchaser and the valve manufacturer. Reference Annex A for information to be specified by the purchaser.

      
      

   2. The inspection requirements pertain to examinations and testing by the valve manufacturer and any supplementary examinations that the purchaser may require at the valve manufacturer’s plant. The test requirements cover both required and optional pressure tests at the valve manufacturer’s plant or at a facility mutually agreeable to both the manufacturer and the purchaser.

      
      

   3. The following tests and examinations are specified in this standard:

      
      

      1. shell test,

         
         

      2. backseat test,

         
         

      3. low-pressure closure test,

         
         

      4. high-pressure closure test,

         
         

      5. double block and bleed high-pressure closure test,

         
         

      6. visual examination of castings,

         
         

      7. high-pressure pneumatic shell test.

      
      

2. Normative References

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

ASME B16.11,1 Forged Fittings, Socket-Welding and Threaded ASME B16.34, Valves—Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End MSS SP-45,2 Bypass and Drain Connections

MSS SP-55, Quality Standard for Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges and Fittings and Other Piping Components Visual Method for Evaluation of Surface Irregularities

1 ASME International, 3 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016-5990, www.asme.org.

2 Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry, 127 Park Street, NE, Vienna, Virginia 22180-4602, www.mss-hq.com.

1