scope:

This ISA technical report:

a) is informative and does not contain any mandatory requirements;

b) is limited to on/off automated valves normally operated to a fully open or fully closed position (excludes control valves);

c) introduces the concept of in-situ proof testing and analysis of automated valves; and

d) relates loss of functional margin with failure causes and failure modes and discusses the effectiveness of different in-situ proof testing approaches.

The automated valve assembly includes the following:

a) valve, actuator, control and ancillary components, and monitoring devices;

b) actuation media regulation and filtration system;

c) actuated valves whose safe position is specified; and

d) automated valves that employ only pneumatic or hydraulic actuators.

Guidance is provided for the following:

a) various criteria to consider when selecting the in-situ proof testing method -- for example, automated versus manual test execution, spurious trip potential, actuator force or torque output, and on-line maintainability;

b) the capability and limitations of the various measurement, analysis, and acceptance criteria approaches used to assess in-situ proof testing results;

c) assessing the accuracy of measurement and analysis methods employed by the various proof testing systems, sensors, and analysis techniques; and

d) guidance related to testing electric valve actuators is provided in ANSI/ISA-96.02.01 and is excluded from the scope of this technical report.