QUALITY CONTROL & PERFORMANCE TESTING
Every valve record should lead back to its material and test status.
HHSV controls incoming materials, heat-number identity, machining and assembly status, final pressure performance and the document package released with each applicable safety-valve order.
PERFORMANCE TEST
Pressure behavior verified before release
01
Incoming control
Verify documentation, identity, dimensions and specified material checks before production release.
02
Process control
Record inspection status through machining, component preparation and assembly.
03
Performance testing
Verify pressure containment, set pressure, reseating behavior and seat tightness as applicable.
04
Document release
Connect test reports, material records, serial numbers and final shipping documents.
TRACEABILITY CHAIN
Five records must describe the same supplied valve.
A certificate is useful only when its material identity can be matched to the pressure-containing parts and the final valve identification.
01
Supplier record
MTC and purchase specification
02
Heat identity
Heat number retained or transferred
03
Verification
PMI and NDT when specified
04
Valve identity
Serial or tag number assigned
05
Delivery record
Test reports and MDR mapping
INCOMING MATERIAL
Release begins with identity and condition
INCOMING CONTROL
MTC review does not replace physical verification.
The required checks depend on the material, pressure boundary, project specification and inspection plan. Results are recorded before the material is released into the applicable production route.
- MTC review against purchase and material specification
- Visual condition, marking and dimensional verification
- Heat-number identification and transfer control
- PMI for alloy verification when specified
- NDT and mechanical-property records where required
- Nonconformance identification and disposition
MATERIAL VERIFICATION
Inspection method, scope and evidence must remain separate.
Not every method applies to every component. The approved QAP or ITP defines required points and acceptance references.
CONTROL
WHAT IS CHECKED
EVIDENCE
MTC review
Grade, heat, chemistry, mechanical properties and heat-treatment status
Certificate linked to purchase item and heat number
Visual / dimensional
Surface condition, marking, dimensions and wall thickness where required
Incoming inspection record
PMI
Alloy identity for specified pressure parts or trim
PMI report with item or heat reference
PT / MT
Surface discontinuity examination when applicable
Procedure, operator and result record
UT / RT
Volumetric examination when specified by scope
Procedure, coverage and result record
Heat identity transfer
Identity maintained after cutting or machining
Traceability log or transferred marking
NDT CAPABILITY
Select the method by material, defect type and approved scope.
The images illustrate available inspection activities; actual examination coverage and acceptance criteria are specified per order.
PT
Liquid penetrant examination
MT
Magnetic particle examination
UT
Ultrasonic examination
RT
Radiographic examination
IN-PROCESS INSPECTION
Six status checks before shipment release.
Desktop uses a six-column Grid; tablet uses three columns and mobile one column.
01
Drawing / BOM
Approved configuration and revision available
02
Machining
Dimensions and critical surfaces checked
03
Trim / spring
Component identity and assembly basis confirmed
04
Assembly
Cleanliness, configuration and serial number controlled
05
Test release
Required hold points and instruments confirmed
06
Final review
Product, marking and documents audited together
PERFORMANCE TESTING
Four results answer four different questions.
Passing one test does not imply that every pressure, functional or leakage requirement has been verified.
01
Shell test
Checks pressure-boundary integrity using the applicable pressure, medium, duration and acceptance basis.
02
Set-pressure test
Confirms the valve begins to operate at the specified set-pressure condition and tolerance.
03
Reseating behavior
Records closing or reseating behavior and any required blowdown-related observation.
04
Seat-leakage test
Evaluates seat tightness using API 527 or the approved alternative test requirement where applicable.
SEAT TIGHTNESS
Test status is recorded before final release
API 527 SEAT-LEAKAGE TESTING
State the test basis instead of saying only “leak tested.”
API 527 provides methods for determining the seat tightness of metal- and soft-seated pressure relief valves. Application to the supplied valve is confirmed against valve design, set pressure, test medium, project requirement and certificate scope.
- Valve and serial or tag identification
- Test medium and reference standard
- Test pressure and stabilization basis
- Observation or measurement method
- Test duration and acceptance criterion
- Result, date, instrument and responsible inspector
QUALITY DOCUMENTS
Test evidence is delivered as a controlled package.
The final file list is agreed during quotation and document-submittal review.
01
MTC package
Material certificates matched to relevant pressure parts
02
PMI / NDT reports
Specified verification records and examination results
03
Traceability list
Heat number, valve serial number and customer tag mapping
04
Performance reports
Shell, set-pressure, reseating and seat-leakage results
05
Inspection records
ITP points, third-party witness and release notes
06
MDR index
Controlled list of approved and final manufacturing documents
THIRD-PARTY INSPECTION
Witnessing must be planned before the test date.
Inspection scope, notice period, travel, fees and repeat-test responsibility should be commercially defined.
01
Before production
Agree QAP/ITP, hold points, witness points, procedures and document list.
02
During inspection
Record attendance, test conditions, instrument status, comments and dispositions.
03
Before shipment
Close open points and confirm product release and MDR status independently.
DEFINE THE INSPECTION SCOPE
Send the valve specification, required tests and document list with the RFQ.
HHSV will identify applicable inspection points, test requirements, witness timing and the quality-document delivery boundary.