Written by Tim-Frederik Kohler
on May 10, 2017

ASME B16.10 – Exploring why it matters to DBB Valves

Ever since 1922, ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) has been defining pipeline safety upon demand from both industry and government. One of their standards has to do with face-to-face as well as end-to-end dimensions of straightway valves, centre-to-face and centre-to-end dimensions of angle valves. In this informative post, our primary focus will be on ASME B16.10 industrial valves.

So What’s the purpose of ASME B16.10?

Well, the primary goal of ASME B16.10 is to guarantee installation interchangeability for valves of a particular material, size, type, rating class and end connection. The careful application of this standard will assist you in complying with applicable regulations within your jurisdiction, while still achieving the cost, operational as well as the safety benefits.

For starters, the Single Isolation Ball Valve is typically installed on plants; this is more common in older plants. It’s typical for the single isolation ball valve to be replaced with DBB valves, but the entire process is sure to be challenging to the maintenance engineer. Well, at this point we’re going to explore how you can be successful with the upgrade.

How To Install a DBB Valve (containing two ball valves and one bleed valve) Where a Single Isolation Ball Valve Was Previously Installed?

For the most part, most engineers will start out by cutting the pipe in order to correct the dimension and weld new flanges on it. However, this daunting process can be avoided only if the DBB valves conform to the ASME B16.10 End-to-End dimensions. In other words, the DBB valves have to be manufactured or designed according to the ASME B16.10 Standard.

Well, the good news is that producing such valves is possible. In other words, most DBB valve manufacturers can improve their design by integrating the two balls and one bleed valve into a compact DBB design that complies with the ASME B16.10 End to End Dimensions. Doing this will the entire process of replacing the Single Isolation Ball Valves with DBB valves, and the best part is that you won’t have to go through the hassle of cutting any pipe.

If you want to know more, my friend Markus has recently posted a blog post about ASME B16.10 which can be found here.