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) is the internationally recognized standard specification for spill valves used to prevent liquid overpressurization in marine tank applications. Developed by ASTM International, this standard sets forth the minimum requirements for the design, construction, performance, and testing of spill valves designed to automatically relieve excess liquid in marine tanks, safeguarding vessels, personnel, and cargo from the risks of overpressure incidents. Compliance with this standard helps ship operators and equipment manufacturers achieve elevated safety and regulatory adherence, particularly with SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) regulations.

Key Topics

This ASTM standard covers several critical areas related to the performance and reliability of marine spill valves:

• Scope of Application: Addresses the requirements for spill valves in marine environments to protect against overpressurization, excluding vapor venting and vapor overpressure relief.
• Design and Construction:
  • Clearly defined requirements for material suitability and corrosion resistance.
  • Construction standards to ensure robustness, vapor tightness, and seaworthiness.
  • Compatibility with marine piping and fitting standards, ensuring seamless integration.
• Performance Testing:
  • Mandatory corrosion, hydrostatic, performance, freeze, vapor tightness, and seaworthiness tests.
  • Strict requirements for proper function under various environmental conditions, including freezing and exposure to seawater.
• Quality Assurance:
  • Ongoing inspection, marking, and certification directives.
  • Manufacturer’s responsibilities for providing installation, operation, and maintenance instructions.

Applications

Spill valves conforming to ASTM F1271-90(2023) are critical for ensuring operational safety and compliance on ships carrying bulk liquid cargoes, such as oil tankers, chemical tankers, and other marine vessels. Their practical value includes:

• Overpressure Protection: Automatically relieve excess liquid when tank pressure exceeds safe thresholds, preventing structural damage and hazardous spills.
• Regulatory Compliance: Satisfies SOLAS requirements (Regulation II-2/59.1.6) for overflow control systems, supporting international shipping standards.
• Robustness in Harsh Conditions: Tested to operate reliably under marine exposure, including salt spray, freezing weather, and dynamic ship movements.
• Ease of Inspection & Maintenance: Designed for straightforward internal inspection, cleaning, and component replacement, minimizing vessel downtime.

By using ASTM F1271-compliant spill valves, marine operators reduce risks associated with overfilling, improve safety practices, and demonstrate due diligence during regulatory inspections.

Related Standards

ASTM F1271-90(2023) references and aligns with several other key international and national standards for marine safety and equipment, including:

• ASTM B117 - Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus (corrosion testing)
• ASTM F722 - Specification for Welded Joints for Shipboard Piping Systems
• ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Sections VIII and IX)
• ANSI B16 Series - Standards for pipe flanges, fittings, and thread types
• 46 CFR 153 - US Code for ships carrying bulk hazardous liquid, liquefied, or compressed gas materials
• SOLAS, Regulation II-2/59.1.6 - International marine safety requirement for tank overflow prevention

Practical Value

Utilizing spill valves that meet ASTM F1271-90(2023) helps marine operators, shipbuilders, and maintenance professionals achieve:

• Enhanced safety for vessel operations involving hazardous liquids
• Compliance with international and national maritime regulations
• Reliable protection against liquid overpressure events and associated hazards
• Reduced costs associated with spill-related incidents and regulatory penalties

Keywords: marine tank overpressure, spill valves, ASTM F1271-90, overpressure protection, marine safety, SOLAS compliance, overflow control, marine tanker safety.

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
...