Fireproof Assurance: Severn’s OCT TOV Butterfly Valves Exceptional Fire Safety Design and Testing Credentials

As part of a safety‑first valve design approach, Severn incorporates into its innovative Oblique Cone Technology (OCT) Triple Offset (TOV) Butterfly Valve, fire safety is a critical part of that safety first objective. Fire testing standards state the minimum requirements the valve must achieve in order to receive fire safe certification. The standards dictate the setup & parameters required to simulate the conditions a valve may be subjected to during a hydrocarbon fire scenario, and test to ensure the valve can operate satisfactorily afterwards.

To summarise, the test consists of a valve being mounted in a fire testing rig to flow water through the valve, and measure leakage both internally past the seal as well as externally through the packings and gaskets. The valves are then pressure tested at ambient temperature, once the valve has passed this element of the test, any leakage is recorded. The valve is then subject to a simulated fire by use of gas burners, with average temperatures of between 750°C & 1000°C recorded by thermocouples for the 30‑minute fire test duration. Once complete, the flames are extinguished, and the valve is subjected to a forced cooldown using water to simulate the fire being extinguished on site.

The leakage during fire is measured and recorded. The valve is then subject to a re‑ambient temperature and post‑fire operational test, with the maximum leakage requirements being defined within the relevant API and ISO fire safety standards. The tests are carried out in both the preferred and reverse directions and are witnessed by a 3rd party approval body, giving added confidence that the fire tested butterfly valve will perform as required in either flow direction.

By investing in and developing their own on‑site fire test facility, Severn can understand and interpret the results to re‑design & develop the fire safe valve technology for the OCT TOV Butterfly Valve, to further exceed the requirements set out in the standard. By doing this, Severn have been able to achieve up to zero seat leakage, even after API 607, API 6FA and ISO 10497 fire testing, giving further confidence in safety‑critical valve applications and ensuring a safety‑first solution for the end user and their operations.

The key to Severn’s success lies in their patented Oblique Cone Technology (OCT), which received approval from the UK Intellectual Property Office in 2018. This innovative triple offset valve design uses an ‘infinite circle’ geometry that allowed the research and development team to develop the circular sealing geometry, providing the flexibility to use the valve for both control and isolation duties, with the option of interchangeable seals and control trims.

Utilising its over 60 years of valve engineering expertise, Severn have designed and developed the innovative OCT TOV Triple Offset Butterfly Valve, a valve that meets the requirements of API 6FA, API 607, and ISO 10497 fire testing standards. These bi‑directional isolation and control valves offer repeatable zero leakage performance, providing peace of mind for operators while ensuring safe operations and reduced downtime.

Severn’s fire test certification covers the OCT Laminate, Hybrid (OCT‑HS) and Seawater (OCT‑SW) seals, achieving the required leakage rates in accordance with relevant international fire safety standards. By designing, developing, and testing the hybrid polymer metallic fire safe seal, Severn have been able to deliver a graphite‑free firesafe sealing solution that continues to perform even after exposure to extreme fire conditions. The OCT‑SW seal technology, designed for seawater service, prevents graphite contact with line media, eliminating galvanic corrosion risks and extending valve service life.

By meeting stringent fire testing and certification requirements, Severn provide customers with a reliable and proven fire safe butterfly valve solution. With its patented oblique cone technology, Severn has set a new benchmark in triple offset valve design, helping end users achieve their core objective of safe operations, asset protection, and reduced downtime.

Exploring the innovative features and engineering principles of Severn’s OCT TOV Butterfly Valve that puts safety first in safety‑critical valve applications.

At Severn, safety is paramount in the design of our products. With our background in safety‑critical industries such as oil & gas, petrochemical and process plants, Severn understands the importance of safety‑first valve design for both our customers and employees.

As well as adhering to the strictest international valve safety standards, Severn have identified that shaft blowout prevention was paramount to our end users and the wider industrial valve and process industries, for improved valve performance and reduced operational downtime.

Butterfly Valve shafts are designed to connect to the disc with either dowel pins, taper pins, or keyways. The separation of the shaft and disc in service can be catastrophically dangerous in high‑pressure and safety‑critical valve applications. If any of these parts fail, the shaft may be ejected from the valve body. Shaft blowouts can occur when a coupling mechanism fails, therefore, disconnecting the shaft from the disc. With the pressures in the system, it may eject the unrestrained drive shaft through either end of the valve.

Not only is this projectile a huge safety concern but has the potential to compromise the pressure envelope of the valve allowing hazardous process media to escape into the atmosphere.

Severn has designed all their Triple Offset Butterfly Valves as standard with dual anti‑blowout protection, incorporated at both ends of the valve. This negates any chance of the shaft blowing out if the pins were to fail. The reduced shaft diameter at the drive end ensures the shaft cannot blow out through the packing follower, significantly improving operator and plant safety.

On the blank end of the valve, Severn have multiple engineered anti‑blowout features, which prevent shaft blowout. The anti‑blowout ring on the threaded shaft end ensures positive engagement without the need for additional fasteners. The blank end plate is locked in place and is designed to withstand full rated test pressures in severe service conditions.

Dual anti‑blowout devices are standard on the OCT TOV Butterfly Valve, meaning that even if the gland is removed, the secondary internal anti‑blowout device will stop ejection of the shaft under pressure, further enhancing industrial valve safety and reliability.

Severn have designed their Triple Offset Butterfly Valves to exceed the minimum wall thicknesses stated in ASME B16.34 valve design standards. Instead of using only the minimum allowance, Severn have engineered additional material to ensure improved pressure containing integrity and long‑term safety performance in the field.

Within Severn’s Triple Offset OCT TOV Butterfly Valve, there is a corrosion allowance. This means that the valve can afford to concede material to corrosion over time without affecting the pressure‑containing integrity or safety of the valve. The amount of corrosion may vary depending on the environment the valve is operating in, but due to Severn’s engineering heritage and design excellence, the OCT TOV Butterfly Valve has been designed to withstand changes in process conditions and operating environments.

High MAST (Maximum Allowable Shaft Torque) figures and safety factors are key when designing quarter‑turn butterfly valves for severe service. MAST represents the Maximum Allowable Shaft Torque a valve shaft can withstand during operation without mechanical failure. By utilising higher MAST figures, Severn helps maintain the structural integrity and mechanical safety of the valve throughout its service life.

Sizing actuators correctly is a credit to Severn’s engineering‑driven valve design approach. Actuators, gearboxes, or other valve drives must be sized correctly using accurate input and output torque values. By torque testing physical valves prior to final inspection, Severn compares real operating torques against theoretical calculations, ensuring accuracy, consistency and reliable valve automation performance across the range.

Safety has always been at the forefront of Severn’s designs, and this commitment is paramount in the 8500 OCT Triple Offset Butterfly Valve range, delivering confidence, compliance and reliability for safety‑critical applications worldwide.