Applicable Valve Tseting Standards vs. ASME B31.3-345.2.2

[VVman1]

Please advise your expert opinions, I have a customer who insists to test valves in his fabricated steam pipeline to the standards of ASME B31.3 2006; 345.2.2. The customer is ignoring the testing standards of API-598, ASME B16.34, MSSP-61 and API-6D. While each of these referenced standards states a required minimum testing time, my customer wants to test his pipeline for 2 hours at the testing requirements of WOG x 1.5. While we beleive our testing times of 2-4 min meets the requirements of all applicable testing standards, our customer states he is testing the fabricators work (welding). It is our contention that the customer is putting additional stress to the valves in his piping system. Where does the customer's desire stand compared to the adherance of the manufacture to the mandated testing of the above mentioned standards. WHO IS RIGHT?

 

[vpl]

B31.3 appears to be an appropriate code for a steam pipeline. The API codes are intended for oil/gas service and the B16.34 is for grey iron threaded fittings; these standards don't seem appropriate for steam piping.

What standards did your customer originally specify for the valves?



Patricia Lougheed

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[VVman1]

My customer had specified Steel Gate Valves to API-600, ANSI B16.34 std. Cl, End to End Dimensions to ANSI B16.10
Testing compliant to API-598, ANSI 616.34. NO special request for extended testsing time, chart recording or TPI. At no point were we informed that the customer was going to expose the valves to extreme periods of testing @ 1.5 the valves rated pressure for 2hours. Our contention to the customer is the long durations of testing at these high pressures cause early stress fatigue to bolting and packing glands. THe customer has failed to re-torque the valves or the pipe flanging after the inspection and acceptance by production.