Regulatory drivers, test standards, and practical guidance on specifying fugitive emission-rated valves for refinery and chemical plant applications.
Fugitive emissions from valve stem packing represent a significant environmental and health risk in process plants. Regulatory pressure — from the EU's Industrial Emissions Directive to India's Central Pollution Control Board — is driving tighter requirements.
Key Standards
ISO 15848-1: Testing and qualification procedures for industrial valves (fire type testing) ISO 15848-2: Production acceptance test API 641: Type testing for quarter-turn valves (ball, butterfly, plug) TA Luft: German standard with tightest allowable leakage rates
Emission Classes
ISO 15848 defines three emission classes: - Class AH: ≤ 50 ppm — highest performance, for critical services - Class BH: ≤ 100 ppm — standard performance - Class CH: ≤ 500 ppm — basic performance
Practical Guidance
For refinery and chemical plant LDAR (Leak Detection and Repair) programmes: 1. Specify ISO 15848 Class AH or BH for all valves on VHAP (Very Hazardous Air Pollutant) service 2. Use live-loaded packing systems with Belleville spring washers 3. Consider graphite ribbon packing for fire-safe applications 4. Maintain packing torque records as part of your LDAR programme
AIRA's low-emission valve range carries ISO 15848-1 Class BH certification as standard, with Class AH available for critical applications.
AIRA Euro Automation's engineering team publishes technical guides and application notes based on 30+ years of industrial valve manufacturing experience.
