_RP_615-2016.pdf

Valve Selection GuideAPI RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 615 SECOND EDITION,AUGUST 2016Special NotesAPI publications necessarily address problems of a general nature.With respect to particular circumstances,local,state,and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.Neither API nor any of APIs employees,subcontractors,consultants,committees,or other assignees make any warranty or representation,either express or implied,with respect to the accuracy,completeness,or usefulness of the information contained herein,or assume any liability or responsibility for any use,or the results of such use,of any information or process disclosed in this publication.Neither API nor any of APIs employees,subcontractors,consultants,or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so.Every effort has been made by the Institute to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them;however,the Institute makes no representation,warranty,or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication may conflict.API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven,sound engineering and operating practices.These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized.The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.Users of this recommended practice should not rely exclusively on the information contained in this document.Sound business,scientific,engineering,and safety judgment should be used in employing the information contained herein.API is not undertaking to meet the duties of employers,manufacturers,or suppliers to warn andproperly train and equip their employees and others exposed,concerning health and safety risks andprecautions,nor undertaking their obligations to comply with authorities having jurisdiction.the information contained herein.Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard.API does not represent,warrant,or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.All rights reserved.No part of this work may be reproduced,translated,stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted by any means,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,or otherwise,without prior written permission from the publisher.Contact the publisher,API Publishing Services,1220 L Street,NW,Washington,DC 20005.Copyright 2016 American Petroleum InstituteAll rights reserved.No part of this work may be reproduced,translated,stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted by any means,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,or otherwise,without prior written permission from the publisher.Contact the publisher,API Publishing Services,1220 L Street,NW,Washington,DC 20005.Copyright 2016 American Petroleum InstituteForewordNothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right,by implication or otherwise,for the manufacture,sale,or use of any method,apparatus,or product covered by letters patent.Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.Shall:As used in a recommended practice,“shall”denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the recommended practice.Should:As used in a recommended practice,“should”denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in order to conform to the recommended practice.May:As used in a recommended practice,“may”denotes a course of action permissible within the limits of a recommended practice.Can:As used in a recommended practice,“can”denotes a statement of possibility or capability.This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard.Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards,American Petroleum Institute,1220 L Street,NW,Washington,DC 20005.Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.Generally,API standards are reviewed and revised,reaffirmed,or withdrawn at least every five years.A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle.Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API