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Valve Face to Face Dimensions: A Comprehensive Guide (ASME B16.10)

Reading Time: 5 minutes

What is the face-to-face dimension of a flanged ball, globe, or gate valve? The ASME B16.10 chart answers this question, as it standardizes the distance between the inlet and the outlet of the most common flanged valves. The purpose of this ASME specification is to ensure the interchangeability of valves produced by different manufacturers.

WHAT IS VALVE FACE-TO-FACE DIMENSION?

The valve face-to-face dimension refers to the distance between the two end faces of a valve, which are the points where the valve connects to the piping system.

This measurement is crucial for ensuring that the valve fits properly within a given piping layout and for facilitating valve replacement or system upgrades. Manufacturers and industry standards, such as those provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), American Petroleum Institute (API), and the Manufacturers Standardization Society (MSS), specify face-to-face dimensions for different types of valves (e.g., gate, globe, check, ball, and butterfly valves) and service conditions. Standardizing these dimensions helps in maintaining uniformity across valves produced by different manufacturers, allowing for easier interchangeability and system maintenance.

THE ASME B16.10 SPECIFICATION

ASME B16.10 is a widely recognized standard issued by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) that specifies the face-to-face and end-to-end dimensions of flanged and butt-welded end steel valves. This standard is critical for ensuring the compatibility and interchangeability of valves within piping systems, facilitating easier installation, maintenance, and replacement.

The standard covers a variety of valve types, including gate, globe, plug, ball, check, and butterfly valves, and applies to a broad range of sizes and pressure classes.

By defining precise dimensions for each valve type, ASME B16.10 helps to standardize valve design across the industry, making it simpler for engineers and designers to select and specify valves for new installations or to find suitable replacements for existing systems.

Adherence to ASME B16.10 ensures that valves manufactured by different companies can be used interchangeably in a piping system without the need for modifications, provided they conform to the same type, size, and pressure class as specified in the standard.

This interoperability is crucial for maintaining the efficiency, safety, and reliability of fluid handling systems across various applications, including oil and gas, chemical processing, power generation, and water treatment.

ASME B16.10 SIGNIFICANCE FOR VALVES MANUFACTURERS

The ASME B16.10 standard plays a crucial role for valve manufacturers by providing a comprehensive guideline for the face-to-face and end-to-end dimensions of various types of valves, including gate, globe, check, ball, and butterfly valves. Adhering to this standard offers several significant benefits to manufacturers:

  • Ensures Interoperability: By defining standardized dimensions for valves, ASME B16.10 ensures that valves produced by different manufacturers can be used interchangeably within piping systems without the need for system modification. This interoperability is crucial for end-users looking to replace or upgrade valves without altering existing piping layouts.
  • Facilitates Design and Manufacturing Processes: ASME B16.10 provides a clear set of guidelines that manufacturers can follow during the design and manufacturing processes. This standardization helps streamline production, reduce design costs, and minimize the risk of errors that could lead to incompatibility with existing systems.
  • Enhances Market Competitiveness: Compliance with internationally recognized standards like ASME B16.10 demonstrates a manufacturer’s commitment to quality and reliability. This compliance can enhance a manufacturer’s reputation in the market, making their products more attractive to customers who prioritize standardization for ease of maintenance and system integrity.
  • Promotes Safety and Reliability: Following ASME B16.10 helps ensure that valves are designed to fit properly within a variety of systems, thereby reducing the likelihood of leaks or failures due to improper fit or installation. This contributes to the overall safety and reliability of fluid handling systems in critical applications across industries.
  • Simplifies Inventory and Distribution: For distributors and stockists, the standardization of valve dimensions means that a smaller inventory can serve a wider range of applications, reducing storage costs and simplifying logistics. This efficiency benefits manufacturers, distributors, and end-users alike.
  • Supports Regulatory Compliance: In many industries and regions, compliance with ASME standards is either a regulatory requirement or a key factor in project specifications. By adhering to ASME B16.10, valve manufacturers ensure that their products meet the necessary criteria for use in a wide range of projects, from industrial applications to infrastructure and beyond.

In summary, ASME B16.10 is essential for valve manufacturers as it promotes interoperability, streamlines production processes, enhances competitiveness, ensures safety and reliability, simplifies inventory management, and supports regulatory compliance. These benefits underscore the importance of this standard in the global valve manufacturing industry.

HOW TO SELECT VALVE FACE-TO-FACE

Selecting the appropriate valve face-to-face dimension according to ASME B16.10 involves a systematic approach, taking into consideration the type of valve, its application, and the specific requirements of the piping system. Here’s how you can go about it:

  1. Identify the Valve Type
    Start by identifying the type of valve you need for your application (e.g., gate, globe, ball, butterfly, check). Each valve type has different design characteristics and applications, influencing the required face-to-face dimension.
  2. Determine the Valve Size and Class
    Determine the size (diameter) of the valve required based on the flow rate and the size of the piping system. Also, identify the pressure class of the valve, which is based on the maximum pressure and temperature the valve needs to withstand. The size and class will impact the face-to-face dimensions.
  3. Consult ASME B16.10
    With the valve type, size, and class in mind, consult the ASME B16.10 standard. The standard provides tables with face-to-face and end-to-end dimensions for various types of valves across different sizes and pressure classes. Locate the appropriate table for your valve type and find the dimension that matches your valve’s size and class.
  4. Consider System Requirements
    Consider any specific requirements of your piping system that may influence the selection. For instance, if the valve is to replace an existing valve, ensure the selected dimension matches the available space and existing piping layout. For new installations, consider ease of maintenance, future replacements, and system expansion possibilities.
  5. Check for Exceptions or Special Cases
    Note that certain applications or systems may have exceptions or require special considerations that could affect the choice of valve face-to-face dimension. For example, specialized processes or extreme operating conditions may necessitate custom or non-standard dimensions. In such cases, consultation with valve manufacturers or engineering experts is advised.
  6. Confirm Compatibility
    Ensure that the selected valve and its face-to-face dimension are compatible with the flanges or end connections of the piping system. Compatibility is crucial for a leak-proof system and efficient operation.
  7. Seek Manufacturer’s Data
    Manufacturers often provide detailed catalogs or datasheets with their valves’ dimensions, including face-to-face lengths, which are compliant with ASME B16.10. Refer to these documents to confirm the selection and availability of the required valve.

Selecting the correct valve face-to-face dimension according to ASME B16.10 enhances the efficiency, safety, and reliability of your piping system. This process ensures that the valve will fit properly within the system, facilitating maintenance and future replacements while adhering to industry standards.

ASME B16.10 VALVE FACE-TO-FACE SIZE CHARTS (CLASS 150 TO 2500)

 

Valve face to face dimension ASME B16.10
Valve face to face dimension ASME B16.10

VALVES CLASS 150

Note: dimensions in mm for flanged valves with RF face (ASME B16.10)

150#Ball Long PatternBall Short PatternGate Solid Wedge and Double DiscGate ConduitPlug Short PatternPlug Regular PatternPlug Venturi PatternPlug Round Port Full BoreGlobe Lift and Swing CheckY-Globe and Y-Swing Check
1/2108108108108140
3/4117117117117152
1127127127140176127165
1 1/4140140140140184
1 1/2165165165165222165203
178178178178178178267203229
190190190190190298216279
3203203203203203203343241318
4229229229229229305229432292368
5254254381356
6394267267267267394394406470
8457292292292292457457495597
10533330330330330533533622673
12610356356356356610610698775
14686381381381686686787
16762406406406762762914
18864432432864864978
20914457457914914978
225081067
241067508508106710671295
265595591295
286106101448
306106601524
32711
347621016
367118131956

 

VALVES CLASS 300

Note: dimensions in mm for flanged valves with RF face (ASME B16.10)

300#Ball Long PatternBall Short PatternGate Solid Wedge and Double Disc and ConduitPlug Short and Venturi PatternPlug Regular PatternPlug Round Port Full BoreGlobe and Lift CheckSwing Check
1/2140140140152
3/4152152152178
1165165165159190203216
1 1/4178178178216229
1 1/2190190190190241229241
216216216216282267267
241241241241330292292
3282282282282387318318
4305305305305457356356
5381400400
6403403403403403559444444
8502419419419502686559533
10568457457457568826622622
12648502502502711965711711
14762572762762762838
16838610838838838864
18914660914914914978
209917119919919911016
2210921092109210921118
2411438131143114311431346
2612451245124512451346
2813461346134613461499
3013971397139713971594
321524152415241524
341626162616261626
3617271727172717272083

 

VALVES CLASS 600

Note: dimensions in mm for flanged valves with RF face (ASME B16.10)

600#Ball Long PatternGate Solid Wedge and Double Disc and Conduit Long PatternPlug Regular and Venturi PatternPlug Round Port Full BoreGlobe Lift Check and Swing Check Long Pattern
1/2165165165
3/4190190190
1216216216254216
1 1/4229229229229
1 1/2241241241318241
292292292330292
330330330381330
3356356356444356
4432432432508432
5508508
6559559559660559
8660660660794660
10787787787940787
128388388381067838
14889889889889
16991991991991
181092109210921092
201194119411941194
221295129512951295
241397139713971397
261448144814481448
28154915491600
301651165116511651
32177817781778
34193019301930
362083208320832083

 

VALVES CLASS 900

Note: dimensions in mm for flanged valves with RF face (ASME B16.10)

900 #Gate Solid Wedge and Double Disc and Conduit Long PatternPlug Regular and Venturi PatternPlug Round Port Full BoreGlobe Lift Check and Swing Check Long PatternBall Long Pattern
3/4229
1254254254254
279279279279
305305356305305
2368368381368368
419419432419419
3381381470381381
4457457559457457
5559559
6610610737610610
8737737813737737
10838838965838838
129659651118965965
14102910291029
161130113011301130
18121912191219
201321132113211321
22
24154915491549

 

VALVES CLASS 1500

Note: dimensions in mm for flanged valves with RF face (ASME B16.10)

1500#Gate Solid Wedge Double Disc and Conduit Long PatternPlug Regular and Venturi PatternPlug Round Port Full BoreGlobe Lift Check and Swing Check Short PatternBall Long Pattern
1/2216
3/4229
1254254254
279279279
305305305
2368368391368368
419419454419419
3470470524470470
4546546625546546
5673673
6705705787705705
8832832889832832
109919911067991991
1211301130121911301130
14125712571257
161384138413841384
1815371537
2016641664
22
2419431943

VALVES CLASS 2500

Note: dimensions in mm for flanged valves with RF face (ASME B16.10)

2500#Gate Solid Wedge Double Disc and Conduit Long PatternPlug Regular PatternGlobe Lift Check and Swing Check Long PatternBall Long Pattern
1/2264264
3/4273273
1308308308
349349
384384384
2451451451451
508508508508
3578578578578
4673673673673
5794794794
6914914914914
81022102210221022
101270127012701270
121422142214221422

The ASME B16.10 specification can be purchased here.

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About the Author

Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is a distinguished expert in the field of valve technology for the ASME and API oil & gas sectors, with an impressive career spanning over 35 years. Holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Michael's profound knowledge encompasses a wide range of valve types, including gate valves, globe valves, check valves, butterfly valves, and pressure relief valves. His expertise is not just theoretical but deeply rooted in practical, hands-on experience gained across the globe (working for refineries, pipeline, process industries projects).Michael's career began in Europe, where he honed his skills as a lead design engineer in the design department of a premier manufacturer of cast valves for pipelines. This role provided him with invaluable insight into the nuances of valve design and manufacturing, setting a solid foundation for his subsequent achievements.Transitioning from manufacturing to the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) sector, Michael has led numerous valve projects for major EPC contractors in Canada, the USA, Europe, and Australia. His work has been instrumental in the successful execution of complex projects, ensuring the selection, design, and implementation of valve systems meet the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and reliability.Beyond his project work, Michael is passionate about sharing his knowledge. He has mentored countless engineers, contributing significantly to the professional growth of the next generation in the industry. His writings on valve technology serve as essential resources for professionals and students alike, blending practical insights with technical depth.As a Senior Valve Engineering Specialist, Michael continues to influence the industry through his consulting work, helping clients navigate the challenges of valve selection and application in critical oil & gas operations. His dedication to excellence and his ability to bridge theory with practice make him a respected figure and an invaluable asset to the field.

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5 Responses

    1. RF 150CL FB WR CbS refers to specific valve face to face dimensions according to ASME B16.10 standards. Here’s the breakdown of each abbreviation:

      – RF: Raised Face, which indicates that the valve has a raised sealing surface.
      – 150CL: 150 Class, indicating the pressure rating of the valve. It means the valve is designed to handle a maximum pressure of 150 pounds per square inch (psi).
      – FB: Full Bore, suggesting that the valve has a full-size opening for unrestricted flow.
      – WR: Wrench Operation, indicating that the valve can be operated using a wrench.
      – CbS: Center-to-Shoulder dimension, which specifies the distance between the centerline of the valve and the shoulder or end of the valve.

      These abbreviations are commonly used in the industry to describe specific characteristics and dimensions of valves, providing important information for valve selection and installation.

  1. 3/4″ DIAPHRAGM VALVE

    Diaphragm Valve, type A,flanged F.F./RF to ANSI Cl. 125/150 face to face to BS 5156.
    Body and trim in Cast iron/SG Iron,hard rubber lined.
    Handwheel operated. Diaphragm Grade Q.
    With material test certificate or Pressure Test Certificate & Certificate of Conformity with details of Material Grades.
    Qty: 4 Each

  2. Hello I request to purchase materials according to the technical specifications in the attached photos, provided that I am provided with a technical and commercial offer of European origin within two days

  3. Good morning
    I need Gate Valve 2″ #1500, BW API 600, ASTM A216 WCB ASME B16.10
    Seat ring A105 STL Wedge STM A216 WCB STL
    If you have it, I want to Know the price complete transport and other cost
    thanks

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