Fire-Safe Ball Valve for Oil & Gas
Fire-Safe · DN15–DN300 · PN16 · Metal Backup Seat · Oil & Gas
Our fire-safe ball valve keeps sealing even after a fire: the soft seat burns away and a metal-to-metal backup seat holds line pressure — the fire-safe design principle (no API 607 certificate held).
Built for refineries, terminals and offshore skids where safety ratings are mandatory.
Key Features
Bubble-Tight Shutoff
Soft PTFE seats give zero-leakage shutoff for gas, water and chemical service.
Low Torque
Floating and trunnion designs keep operating torque low for lever or compact actuators.
Anti-Blowout Stem
Stem shoulder and live-loaded packing prevent ejection under line pressure.
Fire-Safe Design
Metal-to-metal backup seat holds line pressure after a fire (design principle; no API 607 certificate held).
Actuator Ready
ISO 5211 flange accepts pneumatic or electric actuators and gearboxes.
Full / Reduced Bore
Full-bore models give unobstructed Cv; reduced-bore saves weight and cost.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Body Material | WCB Carbon Steel / SS304 / SS316 / CF8M |
| Ball / Trim | SS304 / SS316 / 17-4PH |
| Seat Material | PTFE / RPTFE / PEEK / Metal |
| Size Range | DN15 – DN600 (1/2" – 24") |
| Pressure Rating | PN16 (ANSI 150 / 300) |
| End Connection | Flanged / Threaded / Welded / Wafer / Tri-clamp |
| Operation | Lever / Gear / Pneumatic / Electric Actuator |
| Bore | Full Bore / Reduced Bore |
| Fire Safe | Fire-safe design with metal backup seat (design principle; no API 607 certificate held) |
| Leakage Class | Bubble-tight, ANSI ISO 5208 Rate A (soft seat) |
| Standards | API 608 / ISO 17292 / GB/T 12237 |
| Certification | ISO 9001:2015, MTC available |
How to Specify a Fire-Safe Ball Valve for Oil & Gas
A fire-safe ball valve is defined by what happens after the soft seat has burned away. The design intent is a metal backup that keeps the line sealed when it matters most.
The metal backup seat is the whole point
In a fire-safe design the soft seat can be consumed by heat, and a metal-to-metal backup seat then holds line pressure. A standard soft-seated ball valve has nothing behind the seat and will pass the line contents once the seat is gone.
Design principle, not a certificate
Fire-safe is a design and testing concept. We build to the API 607 fire-safe design principle with a metal backup seat, and we state our certification position openly: our quality system is ISO 9001 with SGS-CSTC factory audit reports. If your project requires a specific third-party fire test certificate, tell us at enquiry stage so we can confirm what is available.
Metal seat or soft seat with metal backup
A soft seat gives bubble-tight closure in normal service; the metal backup takes over in a fire. A fully metal-seated valve is for high temperature in normal service as well.
Antistatic continuity matters as much as fire safety
In hydrocarbon service, static build-up between ball, stem and body is an ignition risk. Confirm antistatic construction along with the fire-safe design.
Where it belongs
Refineries, tank farms, loading terminals and offshore skids — anywhere the consequence of a seat failure during a fire is a release of flammable inventory.
Installation & Maintenance
Confirm the flow direction and drain arrangement
Where the valve has a cavity bleed, plan the orientation so it is reachable.
Test the seat before commissioning
Record the shell and seat test result at installation. That record is your baseline for later comparison.
Verify antistatic continuity if specified
A simple resistance check between ball, stem and body confirms the antistatic path is intact.
Include it in the fire system maintenance plan
A fire-safe valve that has not been exercised in years is an untested safety device.
Common Specification Mistakes
Assuming any ball valve is fire-safe
Without a metal backup seat there is nothing to seal after the soft seat fails.
Claiming a fire test certificate that has not been issued
State the design principle and say plainly what certification exists. We would rather answer the question honestly at enquiry stage.
Overlooking antistatic continuity
Fire safety and static control are separate requirements in hydrocarbon service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between floating and trunnion ball valves?
Floating ball valves seat the ball against the downstream seat by line pressure (DN15–DN150). Trunnion-mounted balls are held by top and bottom shafts for larger sizes (DN200+) and higher pressures.
Which seat material should I choose?
PTFE / RPTFE for most chemicals and clean fluids up to +200°C. PEEK for higher temperature. Metal seat for slurry, abrasive or high-temperature service.
Can ball valves be used for throttling?
Ball valves are best for on/off. For modulating duty use our V-port control ball valves or control valves, which keep a stable characteristic curve.
Applications & Use Cases
Oil & Gas
Pipeline isolation, tank farm and loading arms with fire-safe soft seats.
Water & Utilities
Municipal water, HVAC and irrigation with flanged or wafer ends.
Chemical
Corrosive media handled in SS316 or PTFE-seated bodies.
Food & Pharma
Tri-clamp and polished SS316 ball valves for hygienic lines.
