Hot Spot Fugitive Emissions Testing for Low Temperature Marine Valves-New ISO Work Item

What is it?

ISO has launched a new work item ballot for the development of a standard covering fugitive emissions testing of valves in low temperature applications on ships. The attached initial draft standard specifies test methods for evaluating external leakage from marine cryogenic valves using liquid nitrogen, liquid hydrogen or liquid helium as the refrigerant for low temperature fugitive emissions testing.

BVAA members interested in this area of application who would like to be involved in the development of this standard or have comments on the attached should contact the secretariat by 31/10/25. The BVAA will arrange to review and, as appropriate, forward any comments to the responsible ISO committee ISO/TC 8/SC 3 via BSI.

Why is it Important?

If successful, this new work item ballot will begin the development of a standard specifying fugitive emissions test methods for marine cryogenic valves. This work is intended to support the goals of the International Maritime Organisation by enabling the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships through the use of alternative fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen that may be stored at extremely low temperatures.

The scope of the standard will specify fugitive emissions test methods over a range of temperature classes from room temperature down to -269°C using similar principles to those adopted in ISO 15848-1.

It is important that valve manufacturers contribute to the development of this important new test standard to ensure that it specifies practical and effective fugitive emissions test methods. These test methods need to be consistent with current industry best practice as well as being suitable to validate the performance of products operating in safety critical low temperature marine applications.

Continuous Improvement - Did we miss anything?

Hot Spots are intended to alert members and provide a brief overview of new standards, activities or procedures that are being introduced in the industry. If there is key information missing that would be helpful, please let us know so that we can improve our future service.

Please Note: This Hotspot is for information purposes, and we invite comments from BVAA members only. Please also note that at time of publication ballots may be closed. For more information, please contact the Secretariat.

BVAA Members: Did you know we have a hotspot tab on the BVAA website? Head over to www.bvaa.org.uk/login-here.asp and log into the member only area. You then need to select ‘Hotspots’ for the latest. For information on how to access the member only area of the website please contact jane@bvaa.org.uk. 

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