The Benefits of Fire Safe Valves

One of the most vital roles valves do is stopping fires. Activated by heat, the spring-loaded valves prevent fuel from feeding a fire. This fuel is generally a liquid such as oil. When exposed to heat, the valves snap shut, and the fluid which fueled the fire is shut off. The valves stop the flow and minimize any potential leakage fueling the fire. The valves appear in every kind of equipment, small or large, on the market.

Why Should You Use Fire-Safe Valves

There are several important reasons to use a fire-safe valve. The most straightforward reason is to protect human lives. A fire-safe valve is one of if not the most critical pieces of technology when dealing with combustibles. There are material benefits as well, from protecting equipment and the environment to simply cutting insurance rates.

Fire-Safe Ball Valves

One of the most common fire-safe valves is a ball valve. In this piece of equipment, a metal ball floats between two seats. When the valve reaches an excessive temperature, the seats warp, releasing the ball against the end cap and forming a tight metal-to-metal seal that prevents further leaking. These seals may also have stem seals with the top part sitting in the fluid to prevent further leakage.

Purpose of API 607

The primary goal of API 607 is to ensure that valves used in hydrocarbon processing plants (such as oil refineries, gas plants, and offshore platforms) can withstand fire and continue to function, or at least minimize leakage, to prevent the escalation of accidents. This standard is critical for fire-safe valves, which are designed to limit leakage when exposed to extreme heat.

Fire Resistance

• API 607 valves must pass a fire test that simulates real fire conditions. The test involves exposing the valve to high temperatures and assessing whether the valve body and sealing components maintain a safe level of integrity.

Leakage Limits

• Even when exposed to fire, the valve must limit leakage from the seat and other parts to acceptable levels, as specified by the standard.

Design Requirements

• Valves tested under API 607 must be equipped with metallic seats or fire-safe seals. These seals prevent hydrocarbons from escaping in case non-metallic parts (such as elastomers or soft seats) fail due to high heat.

Material Considerations

• Valves are typically made from fire-resistant materials, such as steel, and use metal-to-metal sealing or special graphite-based gaskets that can withstand fire.