API Standard 600
API Standard 600, from the American Petroleum Institute, describes the criteria for valve design/construction and the material/trim designations for steel gate valves. The most recent version of this standard was published in January 2015, effective as of July 15, 2015.
Scope
API 600 covers bolted bonnet steel gate valves for the petroleum and natural gas industries, specifically where “corrosion, erosion, and other service conditions indicate a need for full port openings, heavy wall sections, and extra large stem diameters.”
Design specifications
API 600 specifies design criteria related to the following:
- Body wall thickness
- Bonnet wall thickness
- Body dimensions
- Flanged ends
- Butt-welding ends
- Body seats
- Openings
- Bonnet dimensions
- Bonnet-to-body joints
- Gate
- Yoke
- Stem and stem nut
- Packing and packing box
- Bolting
- Auxiliary connections
The standard also covers designations related to materials and trim.
Finally, API 600 specifies the procedures for testing, inspection, and examination of bolted bonnet steel gate valves.
- Shell test
- Closure tightness test
- Backseat test
A full copy of API 600, with complete design specifications and testing requirements, can be purchased from the American Petroleum Institute.
Learn more about valve leakage tests.