Section: E1900

Title: Overpressure Protection, Pressure

ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUAL Relieving Devices and Flow Control
ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES Revised: March 13, 2017

Table of Contents
1. Scope ........................................................................................................................................................ 1
2. Codes and Standards ............................................................................................................................... 1
3. General...................................................................................................................................................... 1
4. Operator Regulator and Monitor Regulator Systems ................................................................................ 2
5. High-Pressure Shut-In Valves ................................................................................................................... 3
6. Pressure Relieving Devices ...................................................................................................................... 3
1. Scope
This standard defines the Company requirements for design and installation of overpressure
protection and pressure relieving devices.

2. Codes and Standards

Overpressure protection and pressure relieving devices and systems shall be designed and installed
in conformance with all related and applicable industry codes and standards, the Company
Engineering Standards and all other applicable federal, state and local regulations including but not
limited to:
• 49 CFR 192 – Transportation of Natural and other Gas by Pipeline
• 49 CFR 195 – Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline
• ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII – Pressure Vessels
• NFPA - National Fire Codes
• API 520 – Sizing, Selection and Installation of Pressure Relieving Devices in Refineries
• API 521 – Guide for Pressure Relieving and De-pressuring Systems
• API 526 – Flanged Steel Pressure Relief Valves
• ANSI B31.1 - Code for Power Piping
• ANSI B31.3 - Code for Chemical Plant and Petroleum Refinery Piping
• ANSI B31.4 - Code for Liquid Petroleum Transportation Piping System
• ANSI B31.8 - Code for Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
• OM 702_G – Rupture Disc Assembly
• OM 703_G - Pressure Limiting and Relief Devices and Inspections

3. General
Regulators and monitor regulator systems or pressure relieving devices shall be designed to protect
facilities from exceeding the maximum allowable emergency pressures (MAEP). Ref – OM 703_G –
Pressure Limiting and Relief Devices and Inspections
3.1. Pipelines and piping systems will have a MAEP of either 110% maximum allowable operating
pressure (MAOP) or 110% of maximum operating pressure (MOP) or 75% of the pipe specified
minimum yield stress (SMYS) whichever is less. (Reference 49 CFR 192.739 (a)(3)). The set
pressure of a relief device or monitor regulator or shut in valve must be set low enough to protect
the MAEP. The capacity of the relief device must be adequate to protect the MAEP. All pressure
set points shall meet the requirements of OM 703_G – Pressure Limiting and Relief Devices
and Inspections.
3.2. ASME vessels will have a MAEP of 110% of the vessel’s maximum allowable working pressure
(MAWP). The relief device on an ASME vessel must be set at 100% of the MAWP or less. The
capacity of the relief device must be adequate to protect the MAEP.
3.3. The Project Manager is responsible for documenting the overpressure protection systems and
will include the following:
• maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP)
• maximum operating pressure (MOP)
• maximum allowable emergency pressure (MAEP)

Page 1 of 5
 Section: E1900
Title: Overpressure Protection, Pressure
ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUAL Relieving Devices and Flow Control
ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES Revised: March 13, 2017

• set pressure
• required capacity calculations
• actual capacity calculations
• vent line back pressure calculations
This documentation will be provided in the job completion data book on the OM Form 700-02 –
Overpressure Protection Evaluation.

4. Operator Regulator and Monitor Regulator Systems

4.1. General
4.1.1. All valves and piping shall be designed to withstand mainline delivery pressure in
conformance with the applicable ANSI B31 code.
4.1.2. Monitoring regulators shall be installed upstream and in series with operating regulators (to
achieve OPP). Independent control and supply systems shall be provided for monitor and
operating regulators. Refer to Drawing STD-M-0440-B240.1 - Becker Flow Control
Monitor Regulator and Drawing STD-M-0440-A240.2 - Becker Flow Control (Option
Remote Set Point) Operating Regulator.
4.1.3. Regulator runs shall be designed so that operating regulators fail open. Unless additional
overpressure protection (OPP) is installed downstream, monitor regulators shall fail
closed. The regulator(s) shall be located downstream of measurement.
4.1.4. Standby regulator run capacity shall be installed at uninterruptible/’critical need’ locations.
In a dual-run design, each run shall be capable of carrying the entire station load. If more
than two regulator runs are required, the entire load shall be carried by all runs minus one.
An independent control and supply system shall be provided for each monitor and each
operating regulator.
4.1.5. Regulators shall have isolation valves installed upstream and downstream of the regulator
per run unless authorized by the Project Manager. The regulator setting design shall
ensure that any single incident, such as an explosion or damage from a vehicle, shall not
affect operation of both the OPP device and the operating regulator.
4.2. Design Features for Regulators and Monitors
Primary Regulator Approved Applications Applicable for
Types (Examples) Operators Monitor Use
Ball Valve (Becker) Piston (Single Large Q, Low ΔP (Mainline to Yes
and Double Mainline)
Acting)
Globe Body Valve Diaphragm Control of ΔP or Flow (TBS or Yes
(Fisher Type) Industrial Customers)
(Interruptible or Cont. Flow)
Boot-Style Regulators Pilot Operator High ΔP, Low Noise (TBS No
(Grove Flex Flow, Continuous Flow)
Mooneys Fisher EZR)
Simple Single Spring- Spring-Loaded Small Q (Small TBS – Yes
Type (Big Joe) Self-Operated Process Heater, Company-
use fuel)

Table E1900 /4.2 - Regulator Types

All regulators designed into the system as monitor regulators shall be analyzed for de-rating
factors to allow for designed capacity.

Page 2 of 5
 Section: E1900
Title: Overpressure Protection, Pressure
ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUAL Relieving Devices and Flow Control
ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES Revised: March 13, 2017

4.2.1. When required by the Scope of Work, regulators shall be provided with temperature
controls capable of preventing hydrocarbon condensation in instrument gas while enabling
maintenance and repair of equipment.
4.2.2. Controllers shall be mounted off the pipe (to eliminate pulsation and vibration).

5. High-Pressure Shut-In Valves

5.1. High-pressure shut-in valves may be used in conjunction with a primary OPP device. Project
Manager shall determine the set points and selection of equipment. Refer to drawing STD-M-
0440-B250.1 - High-Pressure Shut-In Control Schematic (w/Bettis Operator) and STD-M-
0440-B250.2 - High-Pressure Shut-In Control Schematic w/ Bettis Operator)

6. Pressure Relieving Devices

6.1. Pressure Safety/Relief Valves
6.1.1. The Project Manager is responsible for documenting relief valve set pressures, required
capacities and actual capacities on OM Form 700-02 – Overpressure Protection
Evaluation. Ref – OM 703_G Pressure Limiting and Relief Devices and Inspections
6.1.2. All new relief valves with a set pressure of 15 psig and above shall be ASME certified and
only ASME certified capacities will be used. Relief valves with set pressures below 15
psig shall use the manufacturer’s capacity estimates.
6.1.3. Natural gas and hydrocarbon liquid relief valves shall be constructed of carbon steel or
stainless steel. Brass or aluminum relief valves are not permitted in hydrocarbon service.
The necessity of NACE trim for relief valves shall be determined in conformance with
NACE Standard MR)175, most recent edition.
6.1.4. No natural gas or hydrocarbon relief valves shall be installed in basements or pits. If a
relief valve is required in a pit or basement a full sized branch pipe shall be installed to
bring the relief valve above the floor.
6.1.5. The inlet piping of any relief valve shall not be smaller than the relief valve inlet
connection. “Relief valve inlet piping” shall be interpreted as including all piping, fittings
and valves between the relief valve inlet and the equipment or pipeline being protected.
All piping shall be designed in conformance with the applicable ANSI B31 code.
6.1.6. When a valve is installed below the relief device for maintenance purposes, a full-bore
lockable valve shall be used.
6.1.7. At the minimum thermal relief valves shall be installed to protect all ASME pressure
vessels and set at the MAWP of the vessel. Other considerations that must be considered
for relief valve sizing for an ASME vessel are listed in API Recommended Practice 521,
Table 2.
6.1.8. ASME pressure vessels containing flammable liquids shall be sized for fire relief per API
Recommended Practice 521. Storage tanks or storage pressure vessels shall be provided
with fire relief per NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, most recent
edition.
6.1.9. Relief devices shall be placed either on top of the ASME vessel or on the main line
connecting piping such that they are readily accessible from a platform or grade.
6.1.10. Field test connections shall be provided on pilot operated relief valves (to permit periodic
in-service relief valve checks).
6.1.11. Pilot operated relief valves shall be equipped with a pilot line filter and a no flow pilot.
Where pilot operated relief valves are used in wet gas service, a dehydrator shall also be
installed in the pilot line or other freeze protection shall be installed.

Page 3 of 5
 Section: E1900
Title: Overpressure Protection, Pressure
ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUAL Relieving Devices and Flow Control
ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES Revised: March 13, 2017

6.1.12. All hot water (140°f +), steam and air service relief valves shall be equipped with a lift
handle or field test connection.
6.2. Rupture Disks
6.2.1. Rupture disks may be installed on flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks to
meet fire relief capacity requirements.
6.2.2. Rupture disks below relief valves shall be used only when required in corrosive service to
protect the internals of relief valves.
6.2.3. Rupture disks in any other service will only be permitted if they are approved by the
Project Manager.
6.2.4. When a valve is installed below a rupture disk, it shall have an internal bore the same size
as the rupture disk and be lockable.
6.2.5. Where specified, rupture disks shall be designed with margin between normal maximum
operating pressure and rupture pressure to allow for manufacturing tolerance and pressure
surges. Ref – OM 702_G – Rupture Disc Assembly
6.3. Relief Valve Vent Piping
6.3.1. All relief valve vent piping shall be designed in conformance with the applicable ANSI B31
code.
6.3.2. The relief valves and vents shall be structurally braced with non-combustible materials in
conformance with Engineering Discipline E1200 – Civil and Structural (Subsection 15
– Pipe Support Design).
6.3.3. Vent piping shall not limit the capacity of the relief device below the required capacity. Vent
piping shall be the same size or larger than the outlet of the relief device. Back pressure
calculations due to the vent piping or documentation illustrating relief vent do not affect
required relief valve capacity shall be provided by the project manager for all new relief
valves. The maximum backpressure shall be limited to lowest of the following:
• 10% of the relief valve set pressure for spring loaded unbalanced relief valves,
• 10% of the relief valve set pressure for regulator type relief valves (Fisher 289s)
• 30% of the relief valve set pressure for spring loaded balanced relief valves
• 50% of the relief valve set pressure for pilot operated relief valves.
• Or the MAOP of vent piping system (ANSI 150 flanges or other limits)
The above back pressure limits for types of relief valves may be exceeded if the relief
valve manufacturer provides documentation that states what the back pressure limit is for
their particular relief valve. This option is only acceptable if the relief valve manufacturer’s
documentation is included in the Job Data Book.
6.3.4. Common vent systems on natural gas and hydrocarbon liquid relief valves are not allowed.
If a waiver to this requirement is received and a common vent system is to be installed,
back pressure calculations due to the common vent piping shall be provided by the project
manager showing that the back pressure developed with all the relief valves relieving does
not limit the flow of any relief valve.
6.3.5. Vent piping located above grade shall have ¼” diameter drain holes at low points to
prevent water accumulation.
6.3.6. No relief valve vents may go to a silencer or muffler, unless the back pressure caused by
the silencer or muffler will not exceed the limits as specified in paragraph 6.3.3 (above) of
this standard. The Project Manager shall document the back pressure calculations.
6.3.7. Restrictions such as check valves, flame arrestors, etc. are not permitted in relief valve
outlet piping.

Page 4 of 5
 Section: E1900
Title: Overpressure Protection, Pressure
ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUAL Relieving Devices and Flow Control
ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES Revised: March 13, 2017

6.3.8. Relief valve vent piping shall be terminated in a safe location. The vent shall be a
minimum of 7-feet above ground level or any elevated area (platforms, walkways)
occupied by personnel that is within 50-feet of the relief valve. If it is attached to the
outside of a building, it shall be terminated above the roof line.

Page 5 of 5