ASTM F1271-90(2023)

Standard Specification for Spill Valves for Use in Marine Tank Liquid Overpressure Protections Applications

ABSTRACT
This specification provides the minimum requirements for design, construction, performance, and testing of devices to prevent marine tank liquid overpressurization (hereafter called spill valves). Materials of construction shall be suitable for the service intended and resistant to the attack by the liquid carried in the tank being protected. Corrosion test, hydrostatic test, performance test, freeze test, vapor tightness test, seaworthiness test, and production test shall be performed to conform with the specified requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification provides the minimum requirements for design, construction, performance, and testing of devices to prevent marine tank liquid overpressurization (hereafter called spill valves).  
1.2 The spill valves provided in accordance with this specification will satisfy Regulation 1I-2/59.1.6 of the 1981 and 1983 Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), which states: “Provision shall be made to guard against liquid rising in the venting system to a height which would exceed the design head of the cargo tank. This shall be accomplished by high level alarms or overflow control systems or other equivalent means, together with gaging devices and cargo tank filling procedures.''  
1.3 The spill valves are not intended for the venting of vapors or the relief of vapor overpressurization or underpressurization of marine tanks.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 8, of this specification:  This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2023
• ICS: 47.020.30 - Piping systems
• Technical Committee: F25 - Ships and Marine Technology
• Drafting Committee: F25.11 - Machinery and Piping Systems

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F722-82(2014) - Standard Specification for Welded Joints for Shipboard Piping Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM B117-11 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Refers: ASTM B117-09 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Refers: ASTM F722-82(2008) - Standard Specification for Welded Joints for Shipboard Piping Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM B117-07a - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2007
• Refers: ASTM B117-07 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2007
• Refers: ASTM F722-82(2004) - Standard Specification for Welded Joints for Shipboard Piping Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004
• Refers: ASTM B117-03 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2003
• Refers: ASTM B117-02 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2002
• Refers: ASTM B117-97 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Refers: ASTM F722-82(1998) - Standard Specification for Welded Joints for Shipboard Piping Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1993

Overview

ASTM F1271-90(2023) provides the standard specification for spill valves used in marine tank liquid overpressure protection applications. Developed by ASTM International, this standard establishes minimum requirements for the design, construction, performance, and testing of spill valves to prevent overpressurization of marine cargo tanks. The purpose is to guard against excessive liquid rise in venting systems, helping ships and marine facilities comply with international safety regulations, including those set forth in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Spill valves specified under ASTM F1271-90(2023) are essential safety devices but are not intended for vapor venting or relief from vapor overpressure. They ensure tank safety by automatic liquid release upon reaching a set pressure, using materials compatible with the cargo and conditions of marine service. The standard incorporates various test and inspection requirements to ensure performance, reliability, and durability, even under challenging marine environments.

Key Topics

• Scope and Compliance: Defines the application of spill valves and ensures alignment with SOLAS regulations to prevent liquid from exceeding cargo tank design specifications.
• Materials Requirements: All materials used must resist corrosion and chemical attack by the cargo. Critical pressure-retaining parts must meet specific melting point criteria and material codes such as ANSI B31.1 and ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.
• Design and Construction:
  • Pipe connections and welded joints must adhere to recognized ANSI and ASTM standards.
  • Valve designs allow easy inspection and maintenance.
  • The structure must withstand hydrostatic pressure tests and facilitate proper drainage.
• Testing Protocols:
  • Includes corrosion, hydrostatic, performance, freeze, vapor tightness, and seaworthiness tests.
  • Prototype and production units are subjected to rigorous functional and structural assessments.
• Product Marking and Certification:
  • Each valve must have permanent identification marks, including manufacturer, flow direction, rated pressures, and relevant ASTM designation.
  • A detailed instruction manual with installation, operation, and maintenance directions is required.
• Quality Assurance and Inspection: Manufacturers need to maintain documentation and quality controls to ensure ongoing compliance, with provisions for purchaser inspection.

Applications

Spill valves conforming to ASTM F1271-90(2023) play a vital role in:

• Cargo Safety: They prevent marine cargo tanks from becoming overpressurized by liquid during loading or in fault conditions, reducing the risk of structural failure or environmental hazards.
• Regulatory Compliance: Vessels carrying hazardous liquids or chemicals in bulk meet regulations such as SOLAS and 46 CFR 153.
• Shipboard Piping Systems: Integration with ship piping allows for controlled liquid relief while maintaining vapor containment and preventing contamination.
• Expansion to Offshore Platforms: Similar spill valve requirements may apply to offshore storage systems and floating production units, ensuring safe liquid cargo management.

Related Standards

• ASTM B117 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus (for corrosion testing)
• ASTM F722 - Standard Specification for Welded Joints for Shipboard Piping Systems
• ANSI B31.1 - Power Piping
• ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Sections VIII and IX)
• ANSI B16 Series - Pipe fittings and flanges
• 46 CFR 153 - Regulations for Ships Carrying Bulk Liquid Hazardous Materials
• SOLAS Chapter II-2/59.1.6 - International requirements for tank venting and overflow control

By following ASTM F1271-90(2023), ship operators, manufacturers, and marine engineers ensure marine tank safety, regulatory conformity, and enhanced protection against hazardous cargo incidents, supporting safe maritime operations worldwide.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1271 − 90 (Reapproved 2023) An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Spill Valves for Use in Marine Tank Liquid Overpressure
Protections Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1271; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This specification provides the minimum requirements
2.1 ASTM Standards:
for design, construction, performance, and testing of devices to
B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
prevent marine tank liquid overpressurization (hereafter called
F722 Specification for Welded Joints for Shipboard Piping
spill valves).
Systems
1.2 The spill valves provided in accordance with this 2.2 ANSI Standards:
specification will satisfy Regulation 1I-2/59.1.6 of the 1981
B 2.1 Pipe Threads
and 1983 Amendments to the International Convention for the B 16.1 Cast Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), which states: “Provision
B 16.3 Malleable Iron Threaded Fittings
shall be made to guard against liquid rising in the venting
B 16.4 Cast Iron Threaded Fittings
system to a height which would exceed the design head of the
B 16.5 Steel Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
cargo tank. This shall be accomplished by high level alarms or
B 16.11 Forged Steel Fittings, Socket-Welding and Threaded
overflow control systems or other equivalent means, together
B 16.15 Cast Bronze Threaded Fittings
with gaging devices and cargo tank filling procedures.’’
B 16.24 Bronze Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
B 31.1 Power Piping
1.3 The spill valves are not intended for the venting of
vapors or the relief of vapor overpressurization or underpres-
2.3 Other Documents:
surization of marine tanks.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII,
Division 1, Pressure Vessels; Section IX, Welding and
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Brazing Qualifications
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Safety for Life at Sea Convention, Regulation II-2/
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
59.1.6, Amendments 1981 and 1983
and are not considered standard.
46 CFR 153 Ships Carrying Bulk Liquid, Liquified Gas, or
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
Compressed Gas Hazardous Materials
test methods portion, Section 8, of this specification: This
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
3. Terminology
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
3.1 Definitions:
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
3.1.1 spill valve—an independent device that automatically
regulatory limitations prior to use.
prevents liquid overpressurization of a tank by relieving liquid
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
at a predetermined pressure set higher than the pressure
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
reached in the tank when the tank vapor relieving device
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F25 on Ships 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
and Marine Technology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F25.11 on Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
Machinery and Piping Systems. International Headquarters, Two Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally www.asme.org.
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F1271 – 90 (2018). Available from DLA Document Services, Building 4/D, 700 Robbins Ave.,
DOI: 10.1520/F1271-90R23. Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, http://quicksearch.dla.mil.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1271 − 90 (2023)
operates at its maximum design venting rate (based on a 6.2.1 Threaded or flanged pipe end connections shall com-
volumetric vapor volume 1.25 times the maximum design ply with the applicable B16 ANSI standards listed in 2.2 or as
loading rate). agreed upon by the manufacturer and the purchaser (see
4.1.12). Welded joints shall comply with Specification F722.
4. Ordering Information
6.3 The design of spill valves shall allow for ease of
4.1 Orders for spill valves in accordance with this specifi-
inspection and removal of internal elements for replacement,
cation shall include the following information, as applicable:
cleaning, or repair without removal of the spill valve.
4.1.1 Nominal pipe size and end connections,
6.4 All flat joints of the housing shall be machined true and
4.1.2 Product(s) in tank being protected by the spill valve,
shall provide for a joint having adequate metal-to-metal
4.1.3 Inspection and tests other than specified by this
contact.
specification,
4.1.4 Required relieving pressure at maximum tank loading
6.5 Where welded construction is used, welded joint design
flow rate,
details, welding, and nondestructive testing shall be in accor-
4.1.5 Set (opening) pressure,
dance with Section VIII, Division 1 of the ASME Code and
4.1.6 Maximum tank design loading flow rate,
Specification F722. Welders and weld procedures shall be
4.1.7 Inlet pressure drop resulting from the maximum tank
qualified in accordance with Section IX of the ASME Code.
design loading flow rate,
6.6 The spill valve shall be fully operable at static inclina-
4.1.8 Back pressure of the spill valve discharge lines result-
tions up to 2 ⁄2 ° unless otherwise specified by the ordering
ing from maximum tank design loading flow rate,
information in Section 4.
4.1.9 Purchaser’s inspection requirements (see 9.1),
4.1.10 Installation inclinations in excess of 2 ⁄2 ° (see 6.6),
6.7 Spill valves shall allow for efficient drainage of moisture
4.1.11 Purchaser’s specifications for preventing the valve
without impairing their proper operation.
from leaking due to cargo sloshing, and
6.7.1 Where the design does not permit complete drainage
4.1.12 Additional requirements or testing as contracted by
of condensate through its connection to the tank, the housing
the manufacturer and the purchaser.
shall be fitted with a plugged drain opening on the side of the
atmospheric outlet of not less than nominal pipe size ⁄2 in.
5. Materials
(12 mm).
5.1 Materials of construction shall be suitable for the service
6.8 Housing, elements, and seal gasket materials shall be
intended and resistant to the attack by the liquid carried in the
capable of withstanding the highest pressure and temperature
tank being protected (see 4.1.2). Table I of 46 CFR 153
to which the spill valve may be exposed under normal
specifies materials that may not be used in components that
conditions.
contact liquid or vapor of each hazardous liquid cargo.
5.2 Housings of spill valves, and all other parts or bolting, 6.9 Spill valves shall be vapor tight at pressures below the
or both, used for pressure retention, shall be constructed of rated liquid relieving pressure.
materials having a solidus melting point of greater than
6.10 Fastenings essential to the operation of the spill valve
1700 °F (927 °C) and be listed in ANSI B 31.1 or Section VIII,
shall be protected against loosening.
Division 1 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,
6.11 Spill valves shall be designed and constructed to
except as noted in 5.5.
minimize the effect of fouling under normal conditions.
5.3 Corrosion-resistant materials shall be used for the fol-
lowing: 6.12 The spill valve shall not be provided with a means of
5.3.1 Housings, disks, spindles, and seats of valves.
positive closure. In installations where cargo sloshing is
5.3.2 Springs that actuate disks of valves. Springs plated expected, the spill valve installation must be designed to
with corrosion-resistant material are not acceptable.
preclude premature opening of the valve due to cargo sloshing.
Also, the installation shall be designed so that it complies with
5.4 Nonmetallic materials shall not be permitted except for
applicable loadline and subdivision requirements.
gaskets, seals, bushings in way of moving parts, and valve
diaphragms.
6.13 Spill valves shall be capable of operating in freezing
conditions.
5.5 Bolting materials shall be at least equal to those listed in
Table 1 of ANSI B 16.5. Bolts, screws, and fasteners in contact
6.14 Each of the free areas through the valve seat and
with interior liquid shall be compatible with the liquid (see
through the valve discharge at maximum lift shall not be less
4.1.2).
than the cross-sectional area of the valve inlet connection.
6. Other Requirements
6.15 Means shall be provided to check that any valve opens
freely and does not remain lodged in the open position.
6.1 Pressure-retaining housings shall be designed to with-
2 2
stand a hydrostatic pressure of at least 125 l
...