Butterfly Valve Standards Summary
A butterfly valve is a valve that uses a rotary motion of its circular disc to control the flow rate and pressure of a substance. Butterfly valves come in several standard designs and configurations, and each has its own set of rules and guidelines as set out by various national and international standards organizations. Understanding the most common butterfly valve standards is important as it will help ensure proper and safe use of the valves in industrial operations. Here we provide a summary of the most important national and international standards relevant to butterfly valves.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a non-profit organization that coordinates the U.S. voluntary standards system. It is responsible for overseeing and approving safety and control valves, including butterfly valves. ANSI/FCI 70-2, for example, is a standard for the face-to-face and end-to-end dimensions of resilient-wedge gate valves. This standard is important for for butterfly valves, as it specifies the dimension requirements for a valve with a resilient wedge to fit between raised faces of flanges.
American Petroleum Institute (API)
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the primary source of technical standards for the oil and natural gas industry, and it maintains and updates a range of standards relevant to control valves, including butterfly valves. These include API 6D, which covers pressure-temperature ratings, face-to-face dimensions, flange and butt-weld end connection dimensions, testing, and inspection requirements.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international organization that develops and publishes standards, guidelines, and specifications that manufacturers, developers, and service providers must adhere to in order to promote safety and efficiency in their products and services. ISO 5211, for example, is a standard for the connection between actuators and industrial valves, including butterfly valves. This standard specifies the face-to-face dimensions, flange mounting requirements, and other technical parameters of the actuator-valve connection.
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a non-governmental, international organization that works to promote international standards in the electrical and electronics industries. It is responsible for developing and maintaining standards for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of industrial control systems, including butterfly valves. IEC 60947 is an example of a relevant standard that covers safety-related signal and control elements. This standard is important as it specifies the requirements for the safe operation of butterfly valves in industrial control systems.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a non-profit organization that tests and certifies products and materials in the manufacturing industry in order to ensure that they meet accepted safety standards. UL 834 is an example of a relevant standard for butterfly valves, as it specifies the safety requirements for the performance and wiring of electric butterfly valves.
British Standards Institution (BSI)
The British Standards Institution (BSI) is the national standards body of the United Kingdom, and is responsible for the development and maintenance of a range of standards that apply to butterfly valves. BS EN ISO 5208, for example, is a standard for the testing of resilient-seated gate valves, including butterfly valves. The purpose of this standard is to provide requirements for the testing of resilient-seated gate valves in order to ensure their satisfactory performance.
Conclusion
This summary highlights the most important national and international standards governing the design, operation, maintenance, and safety of butterfly valves. Adhering to these standards is critical for the safety and efficiency of industrial operations, and knowledge of these standards is essential for anyone working with or dealing with butterfly valves.
