API 607 vs API 608: Key Differences and Applications

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# API 607 vs API 608: Key Differences and Applications

Introduction

When it comes to industrial valves, API standards play a crucial role in ensuring safety, reliability, and performance. Two important standards in this domain are API 607 and API 608, both of which address fire safety but for different types of valves. Understanding the differences between these standards is essential for engineers, procurement specialists, and safety professionals working in industries where fire-safe valves are required.

What is API 607?

API 607 is the standard for fire testing of quarter-turn valves and valves equipped with non-metallic seats. Originally developed for soft-seated ball valves, it has been expanded to cover various quarter-turn valve designs. The standard specifies the fire test requirements that valves must pass to be considered fire-safe.

Key characteristics of API 607:

  • Applies to quarter-turn valves (ball, butterfly, plug valves)

  • Focuses on valves with non-metallic seating materials

  • Specifies testing procedures for external and internal leakage during and after fire exposure

  • Requires testing at both high and low pressure conditions

What is API 608?

API 608 covers metal ball valves – flanged, threaded-end, and welding-end. While it includes some fire test requirements, its primary focus is on the design, materials, dimensions, and testing of metal ball valves for general industrial applications.

Key characteristics of API 608:

  • Applies specifically to metal ball valves

  • Includes requirements for design, materials, and dimensions

  • Contains optional fire test requirements (based on API 607)

  • Addresses both full bore and reduced bore valves

Key Differences Between API 607 and API 608

Feature API 607 API 608
Scope Fire testing standard Design and manufacturing standard
Valve Types Quarter-turn valves with non-metallic seats Metal ball valves
Primary Focus Fire safety performance General design and construction
Testing Requirements Mandatory fire testing Optional fire testing (based on API 607)
Seat Materials Non-metallic (PTFE, elastomers, etc.) Primarily metal-to-metal

Applications of API 607 and API 608 Valves

API 607 Valve Applications

API 607 compliant valves are typically used in applications where fire safety is critical:

  • Oil and gas processing facilities

  • Petrochemical plants

  • Refineries

  • Offshore platforms

  • Any location where flammable materials are present

API 608 Valve Applications

API 608 valves are commonly found in:

  • General industrial piping systems

  • Power generation plants

  • Water treatment facilities

  • Chemical processing plants

  • Applications requiring durable metal-seated valves