Materials System Specification
34-SAMSS-611 23 May 2019
Pressure Relief Devices
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee
Contents
1 SCOPE ................................................................... 2
2 CONFLICTING REQUIREMENTS ........................... 2
3 REFERENCES........................................................ 2
4 PART-I: FLANGED STEEL PRESSURE-RELIEF
VALVES (API-526) .................................................. 4
6 ORIFICE AREAS AND DESIGNATIONS (API-526 -
CLARIFICATION) ........................................................ 5
7 DESIGN (API-526) .................................................. 5
8 MATERIAL (API-526) .............................................. 6
9 INSPECTION AND SHOP TESTS (API-526-
ADDITION) ................................................................... 6
10 PREPARATION FOR SHIPMENT (API-526) ........... 8
PART-II RUPTURE DISKS AND BUCKLING PIN
DEVICES...................................................................... 8
PART-III VACUUM AND LOW PRESSURE
RELIEF VALVES (AS PER API-2000). .......................... 8
REVISION SUMMARY ................................................ 10
Previous Issue: 31 May 2016 Next Planned Update: 23 May 2024
Page 1 of 10
Contact: Farooq, Ghulam (farooqgx) on +966-13-8800687
©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.
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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-611
Issue Date: 23 May 2019
Next Planned Update: 31 May 2024 Pressure Relief Devices
1 Scope
This specification together with Buyer's Quotation Request or purchase order,
applicable Instrument Specification Sheets (SA-8020-611, SA-8020-612, SA-8020-613)
and Inspection requirements (175-341800, 175-341900) define the minimum mandatory
technical and testing requirements for Conventional, Balanced Bellows, Pilot-operated
and low pressure industrial safety relief valves. Moreover, with Buyer's Quotation
Request or purchase order, applicable Instrument Specification Sheets (SA-8020-614)
and Inspection requirements, it is applicable for rupture disks and buckling pin devices.
Part-I (Section 4-10) of this specification is applicable for the Conventional, Balanced
Bellows and Pilot-operated Industrial safety relief valves with Set pressure greater than
15 Psig, which shall adhere to the requirements of API-520, API-521, API-526, ASME
SEC VIII-D1 or ASME SEC-I, as applicable.
Part-II of this specification is applicable to the rupture disks and buckling pin devices,
which shall adhere to the requirements of ASME SEC-VIII-D1, as applicable.
Part-III of this specification is applicable to the Low Pressure and Vacuum relief
devices, which shall adhere to the requirements of API-2000, API-620 and API-650 as
applicable.
2 Conflicting Requirements
Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the EK&RD Coordinator.
Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company procedure
SAEP-302.
3 References
Material or equipment supplied to this specification shall comply with the latest edition
of the references listed below unless otherwise noted.
3.1 Saudi Aramco Documents
Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure
SAEP-302 Waiver of a Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement
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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-611
Issue Date: 23 May 2019
Next Planned Update: 31 May 2024 Pressure Relief Devices
Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirements Form
175-341800 Safety Relief Valves, Vacuum and Low Pressure
175-341900 Safety Relief Valves Conventional, Balanced and
Pilot Types
Saudi Aramco Non-material Requirements
Form SA-7907 Non-Material Requirements for Instrumentation
(general)- Safety Relief Valves
Saudi Aramco Forms and Data Sheets
SA-8020-611 Instrument Specification Sheet - Pressure Relief
Valves Conventional and Balanced Types
SA-8020-612 Instrument Specification Sheet - Pressure Relief
Valves Pilot Operated
SA-8020-613 Instrument Specification Sheet- Pressure-Vacuum
Relief Valves
SA-8020-614 Instrument Specification Sheet - Rupture Disks and
Buckling Pin Devices
3.2 Industry Codes and Standards
American Petroleum Institute
API STD 520 Sizing, Selection, and Installation of Pressure -
Relieving Devices
Part I - Sizing and Selection
Part II – Installation
API STD 521 Pressure Relieving and Depressuring Systems
API STD 526 Flanged Steel Pressure Relief Valves
API STD 527 Seat Tightness of Pressure Relief Valves
API STD 620 Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-
pressure Storage Tanks
API STD 650 Welded Tanks for Oil Storage
API STD 2000 Venting Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage
Tanks
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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-611
Issue Date: 23 May 2019
Next Planned Update: 31 May 2024 Pressure Relief Devices
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASME BPVC SEC I Rules for Construction of Power Boilers
ASME BPVC SEC VIII D1 Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
ASME B1.20.1 Pipe Threads, General Purpose
American Society for Testing and Materials
ASTM E10 Standard Test Methods for Brinell Hardness of
Metallic Materials
ASTM E18 Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of
Metallic Materials
National Association of Corrosion Engineers/International Standardization
Organization
NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries –
Materials for Use in H2S Containing
Environments in Oil and Gas Production
NACE MR0103/ISO 17945 Petroleum, Petrochemical and Natural Gas
Industries – Metallic materials resistant to
sulfide stress cracking in corrosive petroleum
refining environments
4 PART-I: Flanged Steel Pressure-relief Valves (API-526)
API STD 526 is modified, as indicated in this specification, to cover requirements for
pressure relief valves that have threaded connections. All standards referenced in API-
526, shall be also considered as references for this document.
The following paragraph numbers refer to API STD 526, Seventh Edition, September
2017 with Errata 1 - 2018, which is a part of this specification. The text in each
paragraph below is an addition, exception, modification, or deletion to API STD 526 as
noted. Paragraph numbers not appearing in API STD 526 are new paragraphs to be
inserted in numerical order.
Additional documentation covered by SA-7907, “Non-Material Requirements for
Instrumentation (general) - Safety Relief Valves,” as specified to be provided by the
manufacturer.
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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-611
Issue Date: 23 May 2019
Next Planned Update: 31 May 2024 Pressure Relief Devices
6 Orifice Areas and Designations (API-526 - Clarification)
Saudi Aramco Specification Sheets (ISS) show both the calculated required orifice area
and the selected standard API orifice area. Relief valve sizing calculations shall be
shown on the Form or included as an additional sheet.
7 Design (API-526)
7.1 General (Modification)
All pressure relief valves specified by this SAMSS shall be designed,
manufactured and tested in accordance with the applicable requirements of
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII or ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code Section I (as applicable) and shall carry the
appropriate stamp, including those for liquid services.
7.2 Valve Selection (Addition)
Tables 3 through 30 apply to flanged valves only. Pressure temperature
limits for threaded pressure relief valves shall be specified by the
manufacturer and approved by Company.
7.3 Dimensions (Addition)
Dimensions for threaded pressure relief valves shall be per manufacturers’
specification.
Threaded connections shall comply with ASME B1.20.1.
7.4 Dimensions (Exception)
Some large size pilot operated pressure relief valves are not covered by API
STD 526. These are acceptable provided they meet the ASME Code and the
Buyer is notified with all relevant details.
7.5 Pilot-operated Pressure-relief Valves (Addition)
In dirty, corrosive or sour services where no suitable purge medium is
available, the pilot line shall be oversized, i.e., ¾ inch or larger (up to the
PZV pilot filter connection). Integral pilot connections are not allowed
when oversized pilot lines are required since the PZV valve body connection
is generally too small.
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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-611
Issue Date: 23 May 2019
Next Planned Update: 31 May 2024 Pressure Relief Devices
For restricted lift or larger-than-API pilot operated valves, the manufacturer
shall specify the actual orifice size, lift and equivalent flowing area and
equivalent coefficient of discharge. These values will be used to calculate
actual flowing capacity, inlet pressure drop and noise.
Lift restrictors shall be non-adjustable and shall be secured in place with a
spigot. Fixed spacers or equivalent shall be used to restrict main valve
piston lift.
Pilot valves shall be non-flowing type. Flowing pilots are not acceptable.
Pilot set-pressure springs and stem seals shall be protected from blowing
dust/sand. Open yoke bonnets are not allowed.
All elastomer seals, seats and O rings shall be suitable for design conditions
and the process fluid.
All Pilot valves shall be provided with a Pilot filter.
Field test connection shall be furnished when it is available for the supplied
pilot operated pressure relief valve. This connection shall be able to verify
pilot set-pressure in place while the valve is in service.
8 Material (API-526)
8.1 General (Addition)
All wetted parts, welds and heat affected zones of welds exposed to wet sour
service shall meet the hardness and heat treatment requirements specified in
NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 or NACE MR0103/ISO 17945 as applicable.
This includes material under overlays, platings and coatings.
9 Inspection and Shop Tests (API-526 - Addition)
Minimum inspection requirements are specified in Saudi Aramco Inspection
Requirement Form 175-341900.
When NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 or NACE MR0103/ISO 17945 is specified in the
Purchase Order (PO), the manufacturer shall conduct hardness tests on wetted parts in
accordance with ASTM E10 or ASTM E18. Manufacturer shall conduct tests on a
production sampling basis on all affected components or produce test documentation to
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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-611
Issue Date: 23 May 2019
Next Planned Update: 31 May 2024 Pressure Relief Devices
certify the base material has been tested. Components or base metal shall be tested on a
heat lot basis. Test results shall be traceable to Purchase Order line items.
9.1 Set Pressure Test (Addition)
Set Pressure test shall be conducted in accordance with as specified in the
PO and ASME BPVC SEC VIII D1, UG-136 (d) (4) or ASME BPVC SEC I,
PG-73.5.2, as applicable.
9.2 Seat Leakage Test (Addition)
Seat Leakage test shall be conducted in accordance with as specified in the
PO and API-527 or ASME BPVC SEC I, PG-73.5.3 as applicable.
9.3 Hydrostatic Test (Addition)
Hydrostatic test shall be conducted in accordance with ASME BPVC SEC
VIII D1, UG-136 (d) (1-3) or ASME BPVC SEC I PG-73.5.1 as applicable.
The “design pressure of the parts” in UG-136 (d) (2) shall mean vendor's
maximum design pressure for the subject valve (NOT SET-PRESSURE of
SUBJECT VALVE).
9.4 Test Requirements (Addition)
Production tests shall comply with ASME BPVC SEC VIII, or ASME
BPVC SEC I requirements, as applicable.
At least 30%, with a minimum of one, of the total number of valves ordered
shall be selected for visual inspection, witness of set-pressure and leakage
testing by Company Inspector.
9.5 Radiography of Cast Bodies (Addition)
Welds shall be 100% radiographed and evaluated in accordance with the
applicable ANSI/ASME standard.
9.6 Painting (Addition)
All pressure relief devices mentioned in this document shall be painted as
per manufacturer standard. Moreover, the Balanced Bellows-type pressure
relief valves shall have the bonnets painted green to indicate that they must
have vented bonnets.
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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-611
Issue Date: 23 May 2019
Next Planned Update: 31 May 2024 Pressure Relief Devices
10 Preparation for Shipment (API-526)
(Addition) Export packing, marking and shipping shall be in accordance with the
requirements of the Purchase Order.
(Addition) Proper protection against damage during shipping and transit shall be
provided, e.g., bonnet shipping plugs.
PART-II Rupture Disks and Buckling Pin Devices.
1. Rupture Disks design, materials selection, production test, pressure testing,
inspection and welding shall meet the relevant requirements of ASME SEC
VIII-D1, UG-137. All rupture disks shall be ASME Code stamped “UD.”
2. Buckling Pin devices design, materials selection, production test, pressure
testing, Set point test, inspection and welding shall meet the relevant
requirements of ASME SEC VIII-D1, UG-138. All Buckling Pin Devices
shall be ASME Code stamped “UD.”
PART-III Vacuum and Low Pressure Relief Valves (As per API-2000).
1. Pressure Relief devices (PZVs) installed on vessels designed for operation at
pressures from vacuum through 100 kPa (15 psig), shall adhere to the design
requirements of API STD 2000. These PZVs do not carry an ASME code
stamp.
2. Relief devices for vacuum services shall comply with the requirements of
API STD 620 or API STD 650 (as applicable) and API STD 2000.
3. Minimum inspection requirements for the low pressure and vacuum relief
valves are specified in Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirement Form 175-
341800.
When NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 or NACE MR0103/ISO 17945 is specified
in the Purchase Order, the manufacturer shall conduct hardness tests on
wetted parts in accordance with ASTM E10 or ASTM E18. Manufacturer
shall conduct tests on a production sampling basis on all affected components
or produce test documentation to certify the base material has been tested.
Components or base metal shall be tested on a heat lot basis. Test results
shall be traceable to Purchase Order line items.
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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-611
Issue Date: 23 May 2019
Next Planned Update: 31 May 2024 Pressure Relief Devices
4. Production Test: Production test shall be conducted in accordance with
the requirements as specified in the PO and API-2000, Sec 5.4.
At least 30%, with a minimum of one, of the total number of valves
ordered shall be selected for visual inspection, witness of set-pressure
and leakage testing by Company Inspector.
5. Set Pressure Test: Set pressure or popping test shall be conducted in
accordance with as specified in the PO and API-2000, Sec 5.4.
6. Seat Leakage Test: Seat leakage or Seat tightness test shall be
conducted in accordance with as specified in the PO and API-2000, Sec
5.4.
7. Radiography of Cast Bodies: Welds shall be 100% radiographed and
evaluated in accordance with of the applicable ANSI/ASME standard.
8. Marking for the Devices: The marking for Low pressure and Vacuum
devices shall be as specified by API-2000, Sec 6.
9. Shipment: Proper protection against any damage shall be provided for
these devices, during shipment.
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Saudi Aramco: Company General Use
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-611
Issue Date: 23 May 2019
Next Planned Update: 31 May 2024 Pressure Relief Devices
Revision Summary
31 May 2016 Revised the “Next Planned Update”. Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and reissued
with editorial changes. The revision also comes as part of the Instrumentation MSAERs
optimization initiative and to ensure more alignment with the core applicable industry standards
for relief valves. 34-SAMSS-612 is cancelled and its requirements are integrated into this
revised 34-SAMSS-611 in an overlay format.
23 May 2019 Major revision
Summary of Change Form
No. Change Type Technical Change
Paragraph
No. (New, Modification)
1 Sec 1 Modification Re-arranged the scope section.
2 Sec 3 Modification Updated references by adding and deleting few.
Updated the mentioned documents
3 Sec 4 Modification
description/numbers.
4 Sec 9 Modification Mentioned NACE MR0103/ISO 17945.
5 PART-II Modification Added the requirements for Rupture Disks and
Buckling Pin Devices.
Added the requirements for Vacuum and Low
6 PART-III Modification Pressure Relief Valves (As per API-2000).
7 All Modification Minor editorial changes.
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