Leakage Classification

Technical Bulletin No. 1024

Date: November 2008 Page 1 of 2

So as to define standard seat leakage rated for valves, ANSI standard B16.104 was written as shown in the following table. This
standard classifies seat leakage into six classes. While this standard clarified seat leakage rates, it did not address or define a bubbletight resilient seated valve class which has no seat leakage. For Bray resilient seated valves, we have defined a bubble-tight shut off
class as shown in the Bubble-tight Shut Off Table.

ANSI B16.104 SEAT LEAKAGE CLASSIFICATIONS

ANSI B16.104
LEAKAGE
CLASS

MAXIMUM
LEAKAGE
ALLOWED

TEST
MEDIUM

TEST
PRESSURES

TESTING PROCEDURES
REQUIRED FOR
ESTABLISHING RATING
No test required provided
user and supplier agree.

0.5% of rated
capacity
II

Air or water at 50o

125 F
o

(10-52 )

45-60psig or max.
operating differential,
whichever is lower.

Pressure applied to valve

inlet, with outlet open to
atmosphere or connected to a
low head loss measuring
device, full normal closing
thrust provided by actuator.

III

0.1% rate of
capacity

As above

As above

As above

IV

0.01% of
rated capacity

As above

As above

As above

VI

0.0005 ml per
minute of
water per inch
of port
diameter per
psi
differential

Water at 50o
o
125 F (10-52 C)

Max. service pressure

drop across valve plug,
not to exceed ANSI body
rating. (10 psi pressure
drop minimum)

Pressure applied to valve

inlet after filling entire body
cavity and connected piping
with water and stroking valve
plug closed. Use net specified
max. actuator thrust, but no
more, even if available during
test. Allow time for leakage
to flow to stabilize.

Not to exceed
amounts
shown in
following
table based on
port diameter.

Air or nitrogen at
o
50-125 F

50 psig or maximum rated

differential pressure across
valve plug, whichever is
lower.

Actuator should be adjusted

to operating conditions
specified with full normal
closing thrust applied to
valve plug seat. Allow time
for leakage flow to stabilize
and use suitable measuring
device.

(10-52 F)

All information herein is proprietary and confidential and may not be copied or reproduced without the expressed
written consent of BRAY INTERNATIONAL, Inc.
The technical data herein is for general information only. Product suitability should be based solely upon customers
detailed knowledge and experience with their application.

Leakage Classification
Technical Bulletin No. 1024
Date: November 2008 Page 2 of 2

ANSI B16.104 CLASS VI SEAT LEAKAGE ALLOWABLE

Nominal Port Diameter

Leak Rate

Inches

Millimeters

ml Per Minute

Bubbles per minute*

1
1.5
2
2.5
3
4
6
8
10
12

25
38
51
64
76
102
152
203
254
305

0.15
0.30
0.45
0.60
0.90
1.70
4.00
6.75
9
11.5

1
2
3
4
6
11
27
45
63
81

Bubbles per minute are easily measured alternative based on a suitable calibrated measuring
device such as
inch O.D. x 0.32- inch wall tube submerged in water to a depth of 1/8 inch
to
inch. The tube end shall be cut square and smooth with no chamfers or burrs and the
tube axis shall be perpendicular to the surface of the shown water. Other apparatus may be
constructed and the number of bubbles per minute may vary from these ways shown, as long
as they correctly indicate the flow in ml per minute.

RESILIENT SEATED BUTTERFLY VALVE

BUBBLE-TIGHT SHUT OFF CLASS

MAXIMUM
LEAKAGE
ALLOWABLE

None

TEST MEDIUM

Air over water on

underside of disc and
water on disc topside
or water on underside
of disc; room
temperature.

TESTING
PROCEDURES
REQUIRED

TEST
PRESSURES
110% of valve rated
shut-off pressure.

Valve disc to be closed

shut. Pressure applied to
valve inlet after filling
cavity of underside of disc
with water or air over
water. Hold pressure at
test parameter for one
minute and observe any
leakage or air bubbles of
air or water test.

All information herein is proprietary and confidential and may not be copied or reproduced without the expressed
written consent of BRAY INTERNATIONAL, Inc.
The technical data herein is for general information only. Product suitability should be based solely upon customers
detailed knowledge and experience with their application.