ISO 15848-1 / -2
Fugitive Emission Measurement, Test and Qualification
Fugitive emission type testing and production acceptance testing
What it covers
- Part 1: type testing of the valve design, with tightness class, endurance class and temperature class
- Part 2: production acceptance testing of individual valves
- Measurement methods - helium or methane, sniffing or vacuum
- Classification of results (A, B, C tightness; CO1 to CO3 endurance)
What it does not cover
- Shell and seat pressure testing - that is API 598
- A general assurance of low leakage. A valve is qualified for a specific design, size range, class and temperature class, not as a product line.
- Emissions from the body joints once the valve has been in service and repacked
This section exists because standards are routinely listed on valve datasheets in positions where they do not apply. Knowing the boundary is what makes the reference useful.
Type test versus production test
Part 1 qualifies a design by testing a representative valve through a defined number of mechanical and thermal cycles. Part 2 tests individual production valves to a less demanding regime. A supplier who says "we comply with ISO 15848" without saying which part, which class and which specific design has been tested is not saying anything checkable.
Why we do not claim it across the range
A type test applies to a specific design within a stated size and class envelope. Claiming it generally would be misleading. Where your specification requires ISO 15848, tell us at the enquiry stage and we will state plainly whether the qualification exists for that design or would have to be obtained - including the cost and time that involves.
When you actually need it
Petrochemical and refinery specifications commonly require it. Power plant steam specifications usually do not, because steam is not a regulated emission in the same way. Requiring it on a main steam valve adds cost for no environmental benefit, and is worth questioning if it appears in a power specification by copy-paste.
Verify it yourself
We summarise what the standard governs. We do not reproduce its content - it is copyrighted and you should work from the current edition, not from a supplier's summary.
If anything on this page conflicts with the current edition of the standard, the standard is right and this page is wrong. Tell us and we will correct it.