Fire-Safe Testing and Standards for Gas Butterfly Valves

In our previous blogs, we explained why triple offset butterfly valves are increasingly preferred in gas pipelines and how advanced sealing technologies reduce leakage risks. Building on those topics, this article focuses on a critical but often overlooked aspect of gas valve safety: fire-safe testing and international standards.

In gas systems, fire is not only a secondary risk—it is often the most destructive scenario. When exposed to fire, a valve must continue to perform its core function long enough to isolate the system and prevent escalation.

Why Fire-Safe Performance Is Critical in Gas Applications

Gas butterfly valves are frequently installed in environments where fire hazards cannot be completely eliminated, such as:

• Natural gas transmission stations

• Chemical and petrochemical plants

• LNG and gas processing facilities

In the event of a fire, soft sealing materials may burn or degrade rapidly. Without a reliable fire-safe design, uncontrolled gas release can significantly worsen the situation. This is why fire-safe performance is now a mandatory requirement in many gas pipeline projects.

What Does “Fire-Safe” Mean for Butterfly Valves?

A fire-safe gas butterfly valve is designed to maintain a minimum level of sealing after exposure to high temperatures. Typically, this involves:

• Metal-to-metal secondary sealing

• Fire-resistant materials in critical components

• Structural integrity under thermal stress

Once soft seals are damaged by fire, the valve relies on its metal sealing surfaces to limit leakage. It’s a simple concept, but the engineering behind it is not simple at all.

Common Fire-Safe Testing Standards

API 607

API 607 is one of the most widely recognized fire-test standards for quarter-turn valves, including butterfly valves. It evaluates:

• External leakage during fire exposure

• Internal leakage after fire

• Operational capability after cooling

This standard is commonly specified in gas pipeline and refinery projects worldwide.

API 6FA

API 6FA is primarily applied to valves used in upstream and midstream oil and gas applications. It focuses on:

• Fire resistance under controlled conditions

• Valve sealing integrity during and after fire

Although originally developed for other valve types, it is increasingly referenced for high-performance gas butterfly valves.

ISO 10497

ISO 10497 is an international fire-test standard aligned with API requirements. It is often preferred in projects that follow European or international specifications.

As discussed in our earlier blogs on global gas safety trends, compliance with recognized standards is essential for international projects.

Design Features That Enable Fire-Safe Performance

To pass fire-safe testing, gas butterfly valves often incorporate:

• Triple offset metal-seated sealing design

• Fire-resistant graphite packing

• High-temperature-resistant shaft and disc materials

• Controlled deformation zones

These features ensure that, even under extreme heat, the valve can still isolate the pipeline. And yes, this level of design detail makes a real difference in emergencies.

Fire-Safe Testing and Real-World Gas Pipeline Safety

While laboratory fire tests are standardized, real-world fire scenarios are unpredictable. Therefore, valves that meet or exceed fire-safe standards provide an additional safety margin.

Fire-safe butterfly valves contribute to:

• Reduced gas leakage during fire incidents

• More time for emergency response

• Lower risk of secondary explosions

There is many safety audits where fire-safe valve compliance directly influences project approval.

Why Fire-Safe Standards Matter in Valve Selection

From a B2B perspective, selecting fire-safe certified gas butterfly valves offers several advantages:

• Compliance with regulatory and insurance requirements

• Improved system reliability and risk management

• Enhanced confidence for operators and stakeholders

As we have emphasized throughout this content series, valve selection is a strategic decision that directly impacts gas system safety.

Conclusion

Fire-safe testing and standards play a vital role in ensuring the safety of gas butterfly valves. Through advanced design, metal sealing technology, and compliance with recognized standards such as API 607 and ISO 10497, modern butterfly valves provide reliable performance even under fire exposure.

For gas pipeline operators and engineering teams, choosing fire-safe certified valves is not just about meeting specifications—it is about protecting lives, assets, and infrastructure.