ADELAIDE • BRISBANE • PERTH

PRESSURE AND FUNCTIONAL TESTING API 598

Technical Instruction AP/PT5 Review: 00 Date: 05/03/19 Page: 1/3

Issued by: GP Approved by: BT

LIST OF REVIEWS
REV. DATE DESCRIPTION

TESTING VALVES AS PER API 598

1. SHELL HYDROSTATIC TEST

Scope: 100% of batch.
Testing pressure: See table Nº 1
Testing times: See table Nº 2
Acceptance criteria: See table Nº 3
1. Mount the valve on the test-bed, closing off the inlet and outlet ports, and with the disc/ball in the half open
position, fill the interior completely with water until it overflows through the vent connection provided in the
upper test flange. The stem must be accessible to operate the valve.
2. Close the vent connection.
3. Valve shall be operated for one complete open/close cycle, then half open (at least 10º to ensure
pressurisation of the cavity).
4. Check for the absence of leaks at the temporary joints, used for the test. Dry the external surface of the
valve.
5. Apply the required test pressure as per Table No. 1 & Table No. 2 pressures & durations shown below.
Close the water inlet and maintain the pressure for the required time.
6. Leaks through the pressure retaining parts are not permitted, except through the temporary joints, which
are installed for the carrying out of the test, and only provided that they do not obstruct the interpretation of
the results. Permanent deformations will not be allowed.

2. HYDROSTATIC TESTING OF SEATS

This test is optional depending on size, class and type but is carried out for standard.
Scope: 100% of batch. To apply from both directions (except check valves).
Testing pressure: See table Nº 1
Testing times: See table Nº 2
Acceptance criteria: See table Nº 3
1. Close off the valve inlet and outlet ports with flanges.
2. The valve is adjusted until the ball/disc is in a half open position.
3. The valve is filled with water through the lower flange, until it overflows from the venting in the upper flange.
4. The valve is operated until it closes and is pressurised through the lower flange.
5. The pressure is maintained for the required time as per Table No. 1 & Table No. 2 pressures & durations
shown below, and it is checked that there are no drops from the drain / vent and upper flange vent. (The
leakage shall be measured in opposite side only when there is no provision of drain/vent)
6. As per Table No. 3 below.
7. The valve is operated to open under pressure, checking that the actuating device is operational.
8. Follow the same operation for the other seat.
9. See pressures and testing times as per Table No. 1 & Table No. 2.

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 PRESSURE AND FUNCTIONAL TESTING API 598
Technical Instruction AP/PT5 Review: 00 Date: 05/03/19 Page: 2/3

Issued by: GP Approved by: BT

3. PNEUMATIC TESTING OF TIGHTNESS SEATS

Not performed on metal seated check valves.
Scope: 100% of batch. To apply from both directions.
Testing pressure: Between 4 & 7 bars
Testing times: See table Nº 2
Acceptance criteria: See table Nº 3
This test is optional depending on size, class & type but on API 608 valves and API 600 gate valves it is always
performed by APV.
1. The valve inlet and outlet are closed off with flanges.
2. The valve is adjusted until the ball/disc is in a half open position.
3. The valve is filled with dry, clean and oil free nitrogen or air through the lower flange. If the air test pressure
is above 10 barg the test must be carried out with the valve submerged in water, for safety reasons.
4. The valve is adjusted until it is in the closed position.
5. The pressure is released through the upper flange and it is connected to a tube with an internal diameter of
4mm, the end of which is submerged between 3 and 6mm below the surface of water.
6. Acceptance criteria: Refer to Table No. 3 below.
7. The valve is operated until it opens, it is pressurised again to the test pressure, then closed again and the
pressure is released through the lower flange, checking the lower closure for bubbles.
8. As per Table No. 1 & Table No. 2 pressures & durations shown below

TABLE No 1

SHELL AND SEAT HYDRO TESTING PRESSURE

CLASS 1.5 x PN (bar) 1.1 x PN (bar)
150# 30 22
300# 78 56
600# 156 114
800# 204 152
900# 233 171
1500# 388 281
2500# 647 474

Note: This pressure is applicable for A105N, LF2, WCB, LCC, F304, F316, CF8M, CF8, CF3M, CF3 for other
materials see B16.34.

TABLE No 2

TESTING MINIMUM TIMES (SECONDS)

TESTS
DN
Shell Seats
≤ 50NB (2”) 15 15
65NB ~ 150NB (2 1/2” - 6”) 60 60
200NB ~ 300NB (8” - 12”) 120 120
≥ 350NB (14”) 300 120

NOTE: These are minimum test times, APV test durations are equal or longer.

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 PRESSURE AND FUNCTIONAL TESTING API 598
Technical Instruction AP/PT5 Review: 00 Date: 05/03/19 Page: 3/3

TABLE No 3

MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LEAK FOR SEATS TESTING

SOFT SEAT METAL SEAT VALVE* METAL SEAT CHECK VALVE
DN Water Air Water Air
Water Air
(drops per minute) (bubble per minute) (cm3/min) (litres per minute)
≤2” 0 0 0 6 1,33
2 1/2” 0 5 10 7,5 1,83
3” 0 6 12 9 2,17
4” 0 8 16 12 2,83
5” 0 10 20 15 3,50
6” 0 12 24 18 4,17
8” 0 16 32 24 5,67
10” 0 20 40 30 7,00
12” 0 24 48 36 8,33
14” 0 28 56 42 9,83
16” 0 32 64 48 11,17
18” 0 36 72 54 12,67
20” 0 40 80 60 14,00
24” 0 48 96 72 16,83
26” 0 52 104 78 18,17
28” 0 56 112 84 19,67
30” 0 60 120 90 21,00
32” 0 64 128 96 22,33
36” 0 72 144 108 25,17
40” 0 80 160 120 28,00
42” 0 84 168 126 29,33
48” 0 96 192 144 33,67
1 Millilitre = 16 drops ; 1 Millilitre = 7 bubbles

* ISO 5208 or ANSI/FCI 70 leakage rates can also be specified.

APV Functional Testing - API 598 - AS

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