Engineering Procedure

SAEP-35

25 December 2010

Valves Handling, Hauling, Receipt Tests and Storage

Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents
1

Introduction.................................................... 2

Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2

References..................................................... 2

Safety Precaution........... 3

Handling and Hauling................... 3

Receiving Inspection.................... 4

Hydrotest Requirement.................... 4

Preparation and Test Procedures........ 5

Storage Area Requirement....... 6

10

Storage Procedures....... 6

11

Long Term Store Requirement.... 6

Previous Issue: 20 October 2009 Next Planned Update: 20 October 2014

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin
Primary contact: Shiha, Saad Mohammed on 966-3-876 0163
CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2010. All rights reserved.

Page 1 of 6

Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee

Issue Date: 25 December 2010
Next Planned Update: 20 October 2014

SAEP-35
Valves Handling, Hauling, Receipt Tests and Storage

Introduction
1.1

Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to establish guidelines for valves supply
process to insure their continuous reliability and to preserve their quality
throughout the whole process of transportation, receipt, testing and storage.

1.2

Scope
This procedure is intended only to provide general guidelines for valve handling,
hauling, receipt, testing and storage.
It shall be noted that this document is intended as a guideline and minimum
requirements only, as it may not cover all possible variations and combinations
of specific valve type. Manufacturer's instructions take precedence in the event
that they conflict with these guidelines.

Conflicts and Deviations

Any conflicts between this procedure and other applicable Saudi Aramco Engineering
Standards (SAESs), Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Standard Drawings
(SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be resolved in writing to the
Valves Standards Committee Chairman (VSCC).

References
The requirements contained in the following documents apply to the extent specified in
this procedure.
3.1

Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard
SAES-A-004

General Requirements for Pressure Testing

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

04-SAMSS-035

General Requirements for Valves

04-SAMSS-048

Valve Inspection and Testing Requirements

Saudi Aramco Inspection Checklists

SAIC-A-2009

Verification of Test Preparation and test

Equipment for Pressure Testing

SAIC-A-2015

Visual Inspection of Pressure Test

Page 2 of 6

Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee

Issue Date: 25 December 2010
Next Planned Update: 20 October 2014

SAEP-35
Valves Handling, Hauling, Receipt Tests and Storage

SAIC-A-2017

Depressurization & Disposal of Hydrotest Water

SAIC-L-2040

Receiving Inspection of Manual Valves

SAIC-L-2041

Storage and Preservation of Valves

SAIC-L-2042

Field Hydrostatic Testing of Isolation Valves

Saudi Aramco General Instruction

GI-0002.102
3.2

Pressure Testing Safely

Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute
API STD 598

Valve Inspection and Testing

API STD 6D

Pipeline Valves

British Standards
BS 6755 Part 2
4

Testing of Valves

Safety Precautions
Certain precautionary steps must be addressed clearly and adhered to prior to and
during the performance of Hydrostatic Testing of valves and transportation such as, but
not limited to the following:

i)

Prior to starting any work, all requirement of GI-0002.102 is fulfilled.

ii)

Personnel involved with the testing and inspection shall be adequately trained.

iii)

Use only designated lift lugs for lifting.

iv)

Tools must be inspected to be fit for service, including sling wires and tie
connection.

v)

Never try to open or make repairs to any pressurized part of the valve before
depressurizing and verifying no trapped pressure exists.

vi)

Work area must be prepared; accessibility must be fully provided and inspected.

Handling and Hauling

5.1

Special cares and consideration shall be taken during handling and transporting
of valves against mechanical.

5.2

Critical points of the valves such as the valve end ports and stem shall be
protected.

Page 3 of 6

Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee

Issue Date: 25 December 2010
Next Planned Update: 20 October 2014

Valves Handling, Hauling, Receipt Tests and Storage

5.3

All valves shall comply with 04-SAMSS-035 shipment preparation requirement

during transportation, handling and field storing at all times.

5.4

Valves shall be restrained from movements during transportation to avoid any

damages to the main valve and its accessories.

5.5

Small size valves shall be positioned carefully to prevent any damage.

5.6

Transportation, lifting and handling of valves shall be carried out safely by

appropriate equipment and trained personnel.
Note:

SAEP-35

Handwheels, stems, gears, actuators or any other accessories shall never be

used as lifting points.

Receiving Inspection
Receiving inspection shall be performed prior to transfer of custody to insure no
damage has occurred during transportation and handling. A standard inspection
checklist SAIC-L-2040 can be used for full check of valves integrity.

Hydrostatic Requirement
Hydrostatic tests shall be carried as per below requirements and against the standard
inspection checklist SAIC-L-2042 Field Hydrostatic Testing of Isolation Valves.
7.1

Test Location
The following requirements shall be available in the test locations:
a)

The location/shop: It shall not introduce any foreign materials that could
intervene with the valve functions such as dirt/sand or other hard particles.
The location should have means of protections.
Commentary Note:
During site testing, the weather conditions must be suitable for performing
the test.

7.2

b)

Valves fixtures: Valves should be supported off the ground and restrained
from any free movement.

c)

Floor profile: Flooring shall be hard such as concrete floor, paving or any
sort tiling.

Testing Equipment Capability

a)

Blinds: they shall be matching with the same rating and type of the valve
ends. Both blinds shall be provided with pressure/vent connections.

Page 4 of 6

Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee

Issue Date: 25 December 2010
Next Planned Update: 20 October 2014

7.3

SAEP-35
Valves Handling, Hauling, Receipt Tests and Storage

b)

Blind/bolts conditions. They must be clean and shall not have signs of
corrosion.

c)

Pressure gauges: the test pressure shall not be less than 30% no greater
than 80% of the full scale range of the pressure gauge. All instruments
shall have the calibration certificates.

d)

All connections must have the proper pressure ratings.

e)

The pressure reliefs and their setting must comply with SAES-A-004.

Test Fluid
The fluid quality shall be within the acceptable criteria of API STD 6D,
API STD 598 or BS 6755 Part 2.

Test Procedure
The following requirements need to be available in order to perform the hydrostatic
testing:
8.1

Prior to commencing the testing, a test procedure shall be developed in

accordance with 04-SAMSS-048, SAIC-A-2009, SAIC-A-2015 and
SAIC-L-2042.

8.2

Manufacturer instructions and guidelines shall be taken into consideration.

8.3

The procedures shall address the following as minimum requirement:

i)

The set pressures for hydrostatic shell test and/or seat test.

ii)

Test durations.

iii)

Acceptable leakage rates.

iv)

Sequence of testing

v)

Stabilization periods.

vi)

Monitoring procedures.

vii)

If the valve is equipped with Double-Piston Effect (DPE) feature, the

procedure shall include steps to test this seat configuration.

viii)

Draining, drying procedures: The procedure shall specify the draining,

dewatering procedure. Assurances of completely dried valve shall be
clearly mentioned such as blowing of hot or dried compressed air,
controlled dew point, inert gas or other methods to remove all test
medium residuals.

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee

Issue Date: 25 December 2010
Next Planned Update: 20 October 2014

10

11

SAEP-35
Valves Handling, Hauling, Receipt Tests and Storage

ix)

Corrosion prevention, upon completion of drying process, means of

corrosion inhibition and lubrication shall be applied as applicable.

x)

Upon completion of the testing, valves shall be restored to the original

packing condition if installation time is not immediately after the testing
as per 04-SAMSS-035 and/or SAIC-L-2041.

Storage Area Requirements

9.1

The store area should provide means of protections against severe weather
conditions such as sand encroachment, rains, and other conditions that can affect
valves integrity.

9.2

Valves should be supported off the ground.

Valves Storing Procedures

10.1

New valves shall be stored with their packaging unopened, or if inspected shall
be restored accordingly.

10.2

For packaging of unpacked valves please refer to 04-SAMSS-035 or

SAIC-L-2041.

Long Term Store Inspections

(Any storage for a period of three months and longer shall be considered as long term
store)
11.1

At least once every 3 months, the valves shall be visually inspected to check the
integrity of the covers, caps, grease and other visible conditions.

11.2

Prior to installation, long term stored valves shall be re-tested.

20 October 2009
25 December 2010

Revision Summary
New Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure.
Editorial revision to reflect the changes in committee members list.

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