| Valve Construction | Bolted-bonnet or pressure-seal gate valve with a welded metal bellows assembly around the stem. | API 600ASME B16.34 | General arrangement drawing, sectional drawing, and bill of materials. | Confirm whether the bellows is welded, the stem is guided, and the valve includes secondary stem packing. |
| Nominal Size Range | NPS 2 to NPS 24 is a commonly requested range; larger sizes may be available as engineered products. | ASME B16.10ISO 5752 | Published dimensional tables and face-to-face measurements. | Check the actual size range for the required pressure class and end connection. |
| Pressure Class | ASME Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, and 2500 are commonly specified for industrial gate valves. | ASME B16.34 | Pressure-temperature rating tables and design calculations. | Verify the rating at the operating temperature rather than selecting by class alone. |
| Body and Bonnet Materials | Carbon steel, austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, and low-temperature alloys are commonly used. | ASTM Material SpecificationsASME B16.34 | Material certificates, heat numbers, and positive material identification records. | Match the body, trim, bellows, and bolting materials to corrosion, temperature, and fluid conditions. |
| Bellows Material | Stainless steel bellows are widely used; nickel alloys may be selected for severe corrosion or high-temperature service. | Design SpecificationNACE Requirements Where Applicable | Bellows material certificate, forming method, weld procedure, and cycle-life data. | Request the rated stroke cycles and confirm compatibility with the process medium. |
| End Connections | Raised-face, ring-type-joint, butt-weld, and socket-weld ends are common depending on size and service. | ASME B16.5ASME B16.47ASME B16.25 | End-connection drawings, flange dimensions, and welding-end details. | Confirm flange series, facing, bore, wall thickness, and piping compatibility. |
| Pressure Testing | Shell and seat testing should be completed before shipment, with test results retained for traceability. | API 598ISO 5208 | Certified hydrostatic and seat-test reports identifying the valve serial number. | Specify test medium, duration, allowable leakage, and witness or inspection requirements. |
| Fugitive Emissions | Low-emission performance is typically required for hazardous, toxic, volatile, or environmentally regulated fluids. | ISO 15848-1API 624 Where Applicable | Type-test certificate, emission-class declaration, and packing or bellows design details. | Define the test temperature, number of mechanical cycles, leakage class, and acceptance criteria. |
| Fire-Safe Design | Fire-safe construction may be required in hydrocarbon processing and other combustible-fluid services. | API 607API 6FA Where Applicable | Fire-test certificate and details of the secondary sealing arrangement. | Confirm whether the complete valve configuration, including the bellows and actuator interface, is covered. |
| Quality Management | A documented quality system and controlled manufacturing process are expected for critical industrial valves. | ISO 9001 | Current certificate, inspection and test plan, nonconformance process, and calibration records. | Check certificate validity, manufacturing location, subcontractor controls, and traceability practices. |
| Inspection and Certification | Independent inspection may be required for pressure-retaining parts, welding, NDE, and final testing. | EN 10204 3.1/3.2Project ITP | Material certificates, weld maps, radiography or dye-penetrant reports, dimensional reports, and final dossiers. | Agree on document requirements before production to avoid delays during shipment or commissioning. |
| Typical Applications | Refining, chemical processing, power generation, cryogenic support systems, and high-purity process lines. | Process SpecificationP&ID Requirements | Application references described by service type, fluid, pressure, temperature, and valve configuration. | Evaluate proven service experience for the exact medium and operating conditions, not only general valve experience. |
| Commercial Lead Time | Stock or standard configurations may ship faster than custom materials, special testing, or large pressure classes. | Project ScheduleManufacturing Plan | Written production schedule, manufacturing milestones, inspection dates, and shipping commitment. | Request a confirmed lead time after technical approval because bellows testing and documentation can affect delivery. |
| After-Sales Support | Technical support should cover installation, commissioning, spare parts, repair guidance, and warranty handling. | Supplier Service Procedure | Maintenance manual, spare-parts list, warranty terms, and service-contact structure. | Confirm availability of replacement bellows assemblies, packing kits, gaskets, and qualified service personnel. |