BVAA Technical Activity - July 2022

Each month, the BVAA Principal Technical Consultant, Peter Dix, writes a Technical Consultant Report, summarising the previous month’s activity of BSi/EN/ISO. Here are the highlights from the July report:

1. Introduction

Following the announcement by the UK Government in June that some transition deadlines for UKCA marking were again being amended as reported last month, dialogue with BEIS to better clarify the detail of these changes continues, please refer to section 6 for more detail.

It was a refreshing diversion from Brexit matters to attend a meeting at TWI in Cambridge during July. The purpose of the visit was to follow up from the BVAA spring conference and learn more about their testing programs researching the effects of hydrogen on metals and polymers, we also touched on their work on additive manufacturing. The well-funded facilities at Cambridge are impressive and we hope to arrange a future BVAA working group meeting at TWI next year to allow members to see them for themselves.

2. Standardisation Activity Summary

The traditional summer holiday season saw a slowdown in standardisation activity during July with only 10 new documents being published to BSI PSE 18 and 18/1. Several of these documents related to the process to appoint a new convenor for CEN TC69/WG19 Hydrogen Valves who is likely to be in place in September. Hopefully this appointment will re-energise CEN’s work and accelerate the development of a new standard covering this important applications area.

           2.1. Approved or Confirmed Standards

           No standards were approved or confirmed in July.

           2.2. Draft International Standard Ballots

           No draft standard ballots were completed in July.

           2.3. New Work Items

ISO TC153/ WG1 raised a new work item to start working on amendments to ISO 5211 and ISO 5210 actuator attachments following comments received during the 5 year review process. 

Work in BSI PSE 18/02 continued on the proposal to revise BS 7350:1990 Double regulating globe valves and flow measurement devices for heating and child water systems. The scope of the proposed revision was agreed by the working group in July and posted for public comments by BSI. A BVAA Hot Spot will be issued highlighting this further opportunity to comment. 

3. Hot Spots Issued

The Hot Spot issued in July informs members of the publication of EN558:2022 Face-to-face and Centre-to-face Dimensions of Metal Valves for use in Flanged Pipe Systems - PN and Class Designated Valves. Final vote approval for this standard took place in November last year. 

4. TEG Update

The BVAA Fire Test TEG led by Ron Strang met in July to discuss the ISO FDIS 10497 Testing of valves- Fire type-testing requirements that had been published for final ballot. There was some concern regarding the inclusion of a further low pressure seat leakage test to maintain alignment with the recently approved API 607, but the consensus of the group was that it was preferable to be able to qualify to both ISO and API standards via a single test. The recommendation made to BSI was to approve the standard with editorial comments.

5. Brexit PED / PE(S)R Update

Following the UK Government June announcement of measures aimed at easing the cost and delays of recertification of products to meet of UKCA requirements, BVAA has participated in several online meetings and correspondence with BEIS. The purpose of this was to gain a clearer understanding of exactly how the changes affect the pressure equipment industry. Unfortunately, the BVAA are still awaiting replies to our requests for clarification, however once received the BVAA guideline documents will be revised as necessary. 

The BVAA, along with other pressure equipment industry stakeholders, has been invited to a consultation meeting in Westminster by BEIS in September. The purpose of this meeting is to allow the industry to express their views to government on the current PE(S)R legislation and its effects on UK competitiveness regarding NDE and material approvals. It seems that the government is at least listening to industry concerns, but we are far too close to the end of year UKCA deadline to gain any short term benefit from a potential change of direction. Compliance with the current regulations by the end of this year remains the only practical option for members.

Would you like to join the BVAA?

Membership of the Association is open to companies registered in the UK who manufacture, distribute and/or repair industrial valves and/or actuators and/or related products. If you are interested in membership, please contact rob@bvaa.or.uk.

Published: 26th August 2022