GP 15-03-01 Pressure Instruments Version 2.0.

0 August 2015

Pressure Instruments
GP 15-03-01

Scope
[I] This Global Practice (GP) covers the design and selection of pressure instruments. Small pressure
gauges (less than 4 in. [100 mm]) used in ancillary systems such as analyzer systems or manual sampling
systems are not covered by this GP.

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Copyright Waiver:
ExxonMobil (EM) hereby licenses the use of ExxonMobil Engineering Practices System (EMEPS) Global Practices (GPs) for use by any EM division, subsidiary, or
more-than-50% owned and in-fact operationally controlled affiliate. The GPs may be downloaded and modified as necessary for project and affiliate use. Written
permission from EM is not required. However, any modified GPs must be renumbered to a project-specific or affiliate-specific number to differentiate them from the
GPs on the EMEPS website. EM-operated Joint Ventures (JVs) may utilize the GPs to create project-specific or location-specific specifications. It is the responsibility
of each affiliate or Joint Venture to ensure that the use of GPs and their derivatives is limited to affiliate or JV-related business and not disclosed or used outside the JV
without appropriate EM management approval.
Note to Third Parties:
Copyright 2015 ExxonMobil. All rights reserved. No portion of this work may be reproduced or distributed by any means or technology or otherwise used in any
manner without the express written consent of ExxonMobil.
 GP 15-03-01 Pressure Instruments V 2.0.0 AUG 2015

Table of Contents
1. Required References ............................................................................................ 3
1.1. Global Practices–ExxonMobil Engineering Practices ................................... 3
1.2. API–American Petroleum Institute................................................................ 3
1.3. ASME–American Society of Mechanical Engineers ..................................... 3
1.4. BSI–British Standards Institution .................................................................. 3
2. Definitions.............................................................................................................. 3

3. Design .................................................................................................................... 3

4. Indicating Pressure Gauges ................................................................................. 4

5. Pneumatic Air Receiver Indicating Gauges ........................................................ 5

6. Pressure Switches ................................................................................................ 5

7. Process Connections............................................................................................ 5

Record of Change ......................................................................................................... 6

Attachment: Purpose Code Definitions...................................................................... 8

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 GP 15-03-01 Pressure Instruments V 2.0.0 AUG 2015

1. Required References
This Section lists the Practices, codes, standards, specifications, and publications that shall be used with
this document. Unless otherwise specified herein, use the latest edition.

1.1. Global Practices–ExxonMobil Engineering Practices

GP 03-06-01 Piping for Instruments
GP 15-06-01 Electronic and Pneumatic Instruments

1.2. API–American Petroleum Institute

API RP 551 Recommended Practice for Process Measurement Instrumentation

1.3. ASME–American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME B1.20.1 Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch)
ASME B40.100 Pressure Gauges and Gauge Attachments

1.4. BSI–British Standards Institution

BSI BS EN 837-1 Pressure Gauges Part 1: Bourdon Tube Pressure Gauges - Dimensions,
Metrology, Requirements and Testing

2. Definitions
Term [I] Description
Snubber A device that is used to reduce the effect of pressure fluctuations and
surges, or to reduce flow from a pressure element that has failed in
service, or both (ASME B40.100).

3. Design
1) [O] The pressure range shall be such that normal pressure shall be in the middle third of the span.
2) [S] [R] Instruments shall have over-range protection to the maximum pressure to which they may be
exposed. Instruments exposed to vacuum shall have under-range protection to full vacuum.

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3) [S] Instruments in flammable or toxic service shall not have pressure-containing parts of low melting
point materials, such as aluminum or brass.
4) [A] [R] All wetted and pressure-containing parts shall meet the material requirements of the process
piping to which the instrument is connected. External diaphragm seals may be used with approval by
Owner's Engineer. In process streams containing hydrogen, the use of gold-plated diaphragms shall
be considered.
5) [O] Scales and displays (local or remote) shall read in engineering units.
6) Transmitter design and performance shall meet the requirements of GP 15-06-01.

4. Indicating Pressure Gauges

1) [A] [R] Indicating pressure gauges shall be liquid filled and in accordance with ASME B40.100 and
this GP. Where other standards are recognized by local jurisdictions, alternate standards may be used
(e.g., BSI BS EN 837-1 or Company-approved equivalent). Vendor and/or Contractor shall submit a
list of specific deviations from ASME B40.100 to Owner's Engineer for approval.
2) [A] [O] Accuracy shall be Grade 1A (±1% over the entire range of the gauge). Need for higher
accuracy gauges shall be determined and approved by Owner's Engineer. Liquid-filled gauges shall
have a small vapor space for thermal expansion of the liquid fill. Vapor space shall be adequate to
allow the gauge to satisfactorily operate without leakage under the full range of ambient and process
conditions specified.
3) [S] [E] [R] Gauges shall be capable of passing the vibration test (I-2.6) and the fatigue test (I-2.4)
specified in ASME B40.100, Mandatory Appendix I "Test Procedures Used to Measure New Gauge
Performance." A statistically meaningful percentage of all gauges sold shall be sampled to give a
confidence factor of at least 90%. Gauges used in vibration services shall be provided with snubbers.
a) Gauge savers of suitable rating shall be provided for gauges/transmitters installed at pressure
relief valve or rupture disk outlets that are specified for operating pressures that are very low
(flare header / atmospheric).
4) [O] The minimum dial size shall be 4 in. (100 mm).
5) Process connections shall be 1/2 in. National Pipe Thread (NPT) (13 mm).
6) [A] Pressure gauge measuring elements shall be the C-type seamless Bourdon tube-type or "as-
welded" Bourdon tubes. Proposals to use an alternate type shall be reviewed and approved by
Owner's Engineer.
7) [*] [R] The measuring element shall be hardened Type 316 stainless steel, unless process fluid
requires the use of other materials. A Monel element is typically required in sea water service.
8) [R] [O] The measuring element shall withstand over-ranging to a pressure 1.3 times the maximum
scale reading without a permanent set that affects gauge calibration.
9) [O] The pressure range of the Bourdon tube and the tube material shall be stamped on the socket.
10) [S] [A] The case shall be solid front, weatherproof, and furnished with a blowout back or blowout
disk. All cases shall be made of low-copper aluminum (0.6% copper maximum), stainless steel, or
phenolic. Other case materials require approval by Owner's Engineer.

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11) [S] [O] To restrict the upper limit of the pointer travel, a visible stop pin shall be used.
12) [S] The gauge window shall be double-strength shatter-resistant safety glass. The window shall be
gasketed on the bezel side by means of a resilient gasket and shall be held in place from the case side
by means of a threaded retaining ring.
13) [S] [A] [O] Fill fluids used in liquid-filled gauges shall be selected carefully, and shall account for
both process and ambient temperature limits (including harsh weather conditions). Glycerin or
silicone fill fluids shall not be used in applications involving strong oxidizing agents, such as
chlorine, nitric acid, or hydrogen peroxide, because of spontaneous chemical reaction, ignition, or
explosion. Instead, Halocarbon or Fluorolube shall be specified in these cases. Fill fluid shall be
reviewed and approved by Owner's Engineer.
14) [O] Direct-connected draft measurements shall be slack diaphragm type. Where instruments are
remotely mounted, draft measurements shall be made using a pressure transmitter and local receiver
gauge.

5. Pneumatic Air Receiver Indicating Gauges

1) [S] [O] A stop pin shall be provided on all pneumatic receiver gauges at the zero pressure indication.
2) [S] Receiver gauges are designed to measure pneumatic signals (e.g., from 3 to 15 psi [from 20.7 kPa
to 103.4 kPa]) and present the pressure in engineering units. This creates a unique hazard if receiver
gauges are directly connected to the process. Receiver gauges shall be uniquely and distinctly
identified (e.g., unique color, tubing size and thread, tagged or placarded, or similar method).

6. Pressure Switches
1) [R] Electrical switches shall have a contact rating of 115 Volts Alternating Current (VAC), 2 amperes
minimum (or equivalent rating based on location). Any switch that initiates an inductive device, such as
a trip coil of a motor starter, shall have a minimum inductance contact rating suitable for that service.
2) [S] [R] Switch contacts shall be hermetically sealed.
3) [O] Pressure switches shall have an adjustable set point or differential gap with a reference or
calibrated scale. Where explosionproof, flameproof, or weatherproof housings are used, an internal
scale is acceptable; however, an external scale with protective covering is preferred for general-
purpose housings.
4) [R] For direct process-connected switches, electrical entry and electrical connections shall be
completely isolated from process connections and components in contact with the process.
5) [R] Where tamperproof switches are required, they shall have internally adjustable set points or
locking devices on the external set point adjustment.

7. Process Connections
Instruments shall be mounted and connected to the process in accordance with GP 03-06-01.

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Record of Change
Version 1.0.0 Date: 01/02

Location Action Description

Initial Publish.

Version 1.0.0 Date: 07/03

Global Practice version number and format updated to comply with new
process; however, original publish date remains, and no content was
modified.

Version 1.1.0 Date: 10/08

Section 1.3 Revised Updated Referenced ASME B40.1 to current version.
Section 2 Modified Item (3): Added to Rationale, "…fail during fire that could lead to loss
of containment."
Section 3 Modified Item (1): Modified wording to allow consideration of local jurisdiction
standards.
Item (3): Added Rationale.
Item (5): Added preferred connection size.
Section 4 Add Item (2): Added special precaution regarding 'receiver gauges.'
Section 6 Add Referenced GP 03-06-01 as requirement for process connections.
All Global Modifications To standardize the format of the Global Practices and to meet other
Practices requirements, the following changes have been implemented:
"For ExxonMobil Use Only" has been replaced with "For Company Use
Only."
A copyright waiver has been added in the first page Footer.
The definition of asterisks in the Scope has been deleted. The asterisk is
now defined in the Purpose Code attachment and is used within brackets
as other Purpose Codes.
Multiple paragraphs within a Section have been numbered.
The standard text for Required References has been modified.
The standard text for Additional Requirements has been modified.
The [S] Purpose Code has been modified.
The following Purpose Codes have been added:
[*] for additional information or decision required of Owner's
Engineer.
[A] for approval requirements before beginning work or finalizing
design.

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Version 2.0.0 Date: 08/15

General Modification Updated Purpose Codes, Rationales, references, and unit conversions
throughout GP.
Scope Addition Added what this GP does not cover, such as gauges 4 in. (100 mm) and
smaller.
Section 1.4 Addition Added new Section for BSI standards.
Section 2 Addition Added new Section for definitions, adding the word "snubber."
Section 3 Deletion Item (6): Deleted the phrase, "unless otherwise specified by the Owner's
Engineer."
Section 4 Modification Item (1): Added BSI BS EN 837-1 as another standard that can be used.
Item (3): Added clarifying text regarding accuracy as Grade 1A with
Owner's Engineer specification for higher levels of accuracy. Updated
ASME appendix reference. Added that gauges used in vibration should
use snubbers.
Item (3a): Added new item regarding gauge savers requirements.
Item (4): Deleted the phrase, "unless otherwise approved by the Owner's
Engineer."
Item (6): Added option for "as-welded" Bourbon tubes.
Item (11): Updated the requirements for location of pin.
Item (13): Added reference to harsh weather conditions, and added
option for halocarbon for applications involving strong oxidizing agents.
Section 5 Modification Item (1): Changed "is required" to "shall be provided."
Item (2): Changed last part of text to be clearer. Added "tubing size and
thread."
Section 6 Modification Item (1): Added reference to local equivalent electrical ratings.

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Attachment: Purpose Code Definitions

Code Description
* Assigned to paragraphs that require the Owner's Engineer to provide additional information or
make a decision.
A Assigned to paragraphs that require approval from the Owner's Engineer before the work may
proceed or the design is finalized.
C Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is reduced costs. Reduced cost in this context
refers to initial investment cost and does not include life cycle cost considerations. Life cycle
cost considerations are captured under reliability, maintainability, or operability purpose
codes.
E Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is driven by environmental considerations.
Environmental considerations typically include specifications intended to protect against
emissions/leakage to the air, water, and/or soil. Deviations from the specifications contained
in such paragraphs require formal review and approval according to local environmental
policy.
I Assigned to paragraphs that provide only clarifying information, such as Scope statements,
definitions of terms, etc.
M Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is to provide for maintainability of equipment
or systems. Maintainability provisions are those that facilitate the performance of
maintenance on equipment/systems either during downtimes or during onstream operations.
O Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is to assure operability of equipment or
systems. Operability is the ability of the equipment/system to perform satisfactorily even
though conditions are off-design, such as during start-ups, process swings, subcomponent
malfunction, etc.
R Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is to improve or assure the reliability of
equipment or systems. Reliability is a measure of the ability of equipment/systems to operate
without malfunction or failure between planned maintenance interventions.
S Assigned to paragraphs containing specifications/guidance where the primary purpose is the
avoidance of incidents impacting personnel safety, process safety, and the public in general
and/or involving responses to emergency situations. Any deviation from the specifications
contained in such designated paragraphs requires formal review and approval according to
local safety policy.
Personnel Safety: Refers to the prevention of incident-related personnel injuries or illness,
e.g., burns, cuts, abrasions, inhalation of or exposure to dangerous
substances, etc., that could result in medical treatment, restricted work,
lost-time incidents, or fatalities.
Process Safety: Refers to the prevention and control of process releases, fires, and/or
explosions that could result in damage to equipment, process disruption,
or personnel injury or illness.

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