MSS SP-125-2018

Check Valves:
Gray Iron and Ductile Iron,
In-Line, Spring-Loaded,
Center-Guided

Standard Practice
Developed and Approved by the
Manufacturers Standardization Society of the
Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
127 Park Street, NE
Vienna, Virginia 22180-4602
www.msshq.org
Phone: (703) 281-6613
Fax: (703) 281-6671
E-mail: standards@msshq.org
MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

This MSS Standard Practice was developed under the consensus of the MSS Technical Committee 106, Cast Iron
Valves, and the MSS Coordinating Committee. The content of this Standard Practice is the resulting efforts of
competent and experienced volunteers to provide an effective, clear, and non-exclusive standard that will benefit the
industry as a whole. This MSS Standard Practice describes minimal requirements and is intended as a basis for common
practice by the manufacturer, the user, and the general public. The existence of an MSS Standard Practice does not in
itself preclude the manufacture, sale, or use of products not conforming to the Standard Practice. Mandatory
conformance to this Standard Practice is established only by reference in other documents such as a code, specification,
sales contract, or public law, as applicable. MSS has no power, nor does it undertake, to enforce or certify compliance
with this document. Any certification or other statement of compliance with the requirements of this Standard Practice
shall not be attributable to MSS and is solely the responsibility of the certifier or maker of the statement.
“Unless indicated otherwise within this MSS Standard Practice, other standards documents referenced to herein
are identified by the date of issue that was applicable to this Standard Practice at the date of approval of this MSS
Standard Practice (see Annex B). This Standard Practice shall remain silent on the validity of those other standards
of prior or subsequent dates of issue even though applicable provisions may not have changed.”
By publication of this Standard Practice, no position is taken with respect to the validity of any potential claim(s) or of
any patent rights in connection therewith. MSS shall not be held responsible for identifying any patent rights. Users are
expressly advised that determination of patent rights and the risk of infringement of such rights are entirely their
responsibility.
For all MSS Standard Practices, the term “shall” means “must” and “shall not” means “must not”.
In this Standard Practice, all text, notes, annexes, tables, figures, and references are construed to be “normative” and
essential to understand the standard’s message. All appendices, footnotes, or other information denoted as
“supplemental”, that may be included within this Standard Practice, DO NOT include mandatory or normative
requirements.
The U.S. customary units and SI (metric) units in this Standard Practice are regarded separately and each should be
used independently of the other. Combining or converting values between the two systems may result in non-
conformance with this Standard Practice. U.S. customary units in this Standard Practice are the standard, in cases of
conflict or incongruity.
This document has been substantively revised from the previous 2011 edition. It is suggested that if the user is
interested in knowing what changes have been made, direct page by page comparison should be made of this
document and that of the previous edition.
Non-toleranced dimensions in this Standard Practice are nominal unless otherwise specified.

Excerpts of this Standard Practice may be quoted with permission. Credit lines should read ‘Extracted from
MSS SP-125-2018 with permission of the publisher, Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and
Fittings Industry'. Reproduction and/or electronic transmission or dissemination is prohibited under copyright
convention unless written permission is granted by the Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and
Fittings Industry Inc. All rights reserved.

Originally Approved: August 2000

Current Edition Approved: April 2018
Current Edition Published: October 2018

MSS is a registered trademark of Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.

Copyright ©, 2018 by
Manufacturers Standardization Society
of the
Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
Printed in U.S.A.

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION
1 SCOPE ......................................................................................................................................... 1
2 CHECK VALVE STYLES AND SIZE RANGE ........................................................................ 1
3 PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE RATINGS ........................................................................ 2
4 MATERIALS ............................................................................................................................... 2
5 DESIGN ....................................................................................................................................... 2
6 WORKMANSHIP ....................................................................................................................... 3
7 TESTING ..................................................................................................................................... 3
8 MARKING .................................................................................................................................. 3
9 PAINTING ................................................................................................................................... 3

TABLE
1 CWP Ratings at 150 ºF (65 ºC), Non-Shock ................................................................................ 4
2 Disc and Seat Materials ............................................................................................................... 4
3 Face-to-Face Dimensions of Wafer-Style Check Valves ............................................................. 5
4 Face-to-Face Dimensions of Compact Wafer-Style Check Valves ............................................. 5
5 Face-to-Face Dimensions of Globe-Style Check Valves ............................................................. 6
6 Minimum Duration of Tests ......................................................................................................... 6

FIGURE
A1 Wafer-Style (external) ................................................................................................................. 8
A2 Compact Wafer-Style (external) .................................................................................................. 8
A3 Globe-Style with Companion Flange (external) .......................................................................... 8
A4 Wafer-Style (internal) .................................................................................................................. 9
A5 Compact Wafer-Style (internal) ................................................................................................... 9
A6 Globe-Style (internal) .................................................................................................................. 9

ANNEX
A Check Valve Styles – Figures A1 through A6 ............................................................................. 8
B Referenced Standards and Applicable Dates ............................................................................. 10

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

CHECK VALVES: GRAY IRON AND DUCTILE IRON, IN-LINE,

SPRING-LOADED, CENTER-GUIDED

1. SCOPE

1.1 This Standard Practice covers in-line, internally spring-loaded (a), center-guided check valves made
of gray iron or ductile iron. These valves, having the feature of limiting fluid flow to one direction only,
are intended for use with clean fluids (i.e., fluids that do not contain solids), including potable water (b),
waterworks, and other industrial applications, in horizontal and vertical installations.

2. CHECK VALVE STYLES AND SIZE RANGE

2.1 Valve Styles The valve styles included in this Standard Practice are determined by the
configuration of the body.

2.1.1 Wafer Wafer-style check valves have a single flange body with an outside diameter equal to that
of the mating pipe flanges. The valve body may be designed with holes passing through the body or with
threaded lugs. See Figures A1 and A4 for illustrative examples. The size range for wafer-style check
valves is NPS 2 through NPS 10 (DN 50 through DN 250).

2.1.2 Compact Wafer Compact wafer-style valves have a reduced outside body diameter, or slots, to
provide bolt clearance for long bolts or studs. See Figures A2 and A5 for illustrative examples. The size
range for compact wafer-style check valves is NPS 2 through NPS 10 (DN 50 through DN 250).

2.1.3 Globe Globe-style check valves have two integrally cast flanges and a rounded-center body section
to provide increased flow area around the valve disc. See Figures A3 and A6 for illustrative examples. The
size range of globe-style check valves is NPS 2 through NPS 42 (DN 50 through DN 1050).

2.2 Flange Classes Valve end connections shall conform to the following requirements.

2.2.1 Wafer-style valves shall have bolt holes or threaded holes in accordance with ASME B16.1 for
gray iron, Class 125 or 250 and in accordance with ASME B16.42 for ductile iron, Class 150 or 300.

2.2.2 Compact wafer-style valves shall have a reduced body diameter to accommodate flange bolts
in accordance with ASME B16.1 for gray iron, Class 125 or 250 or ASME B16.42 for ductile iron,
Class 150 or 300.

2.2.3 Globe-style flange dimensions shall be in accordance with ASME B16.1 for gray iron, Class 125
or 250 and in accordance with ASME B16.42 for ductile iron, Class 150 or 300. For sizes above NPS 24
(DN 600), ductile iron flange dimensions shall be in accordance with ASME B16.1.

2.2.4 Gaskets Full face or ring gaskets are required between the valve ends and the mating pipeline
flanges to obtain a pressure tight joint.

NOTES: (a) A spring-loaded, also known as spring-assisted, check valve incorporates a spring to assist in closing
the check valve.
(b) Potable water is defined as safe and satisfactory for drinking and cooking.

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

3. PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE RATINGS

3.1 The CWP ratings for various valve flange classes are specified in Table 1.

3.2 The check valves in this Standard Practice are intended for use in clean fluids with a temperature
between 33 ºF and 150 ºF (1 ºC and 65 ºC). For elevated temperature installations, the manufacturer should
be consulted.

4. MATERIALS

WARNING: All valves (including all components identified in Figures A4, A5, and A6) that are
produced in compliance with this Standard Practice and anticipated for potable water service must
comply with the U.S. Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as Amended, and other federal,
state and provincial, and local regulations as applicable.
Note: There are different protocols to show compliance with the SDWA (as Amended), including NSF 372.

4.1 General This Standard Practice is intended to cover the minimum mechanical and chemical
requirements for the items depicted in Figures A4, A5, and A6.

4.1.1 Body The body shall be gray iron in accordance with ASTM A126, Class B or ductile iron in
accordance with ASTM A395/A395M or ASTM A536, Grades 70-50-05, 65-45-12, or 60-40-18.

4.1.2 Disc and Seat The disc and seat shall be copper alloy or stainless steel materials, as specified in
Table 2. Other bronze alloy materials that are not listed in Table 2 may be used provided that they are
factored into determining current SDWA (as Amended) criteria for the entire wetted surface area of the
valve, as applicable, and the zinc content must be below 16 percent.

4.1.3 Spring The spring shall be per ASTM A313/A313M, Type 302, 304, 316, or 17-7PH.

4.1.4 Resilient Seat When provided, the resilient seating material shall be selected based on service
conditions specified by the purchaser.

4.1.5 Guide Bushing Guide bushings shall be provided in the center trunnion of the valve body and
made from a copper alloy or stainless steel material suitable for use with the mating stem material. Bronze
alloy materials may be used provided that they are factored into determining current SDWA (as
Amended) criteria for the entire wetted surface area of the valve, as applicable, and the zinc content must
be below 16 percent.

5. DESIGN

5.1 General Valves shall be designed to prevent permanent distortion to the body, disc, or seat when
subjected to the test pressures specified in Table 1. Valves shall be designed to operate continuously at
flow velocities of 10 ft/sec (3.05 m/sec).

5.2 Body Flanges Gray iron flanges shall be drilled in accordance with ASME B16.1 for Classes 125
and 250. Gray iron flanges shall be flat faced unless otherwise specified. Ductile iron flanges shall be
drilled in accordance with ASME B16.42 for Classes 150 and 300. The flange- and wafer-end finishes
shall be in accordance with MSS SP-6.

5.3 Discs Discs shall have integral or threaded stems, adequately guided for self-centering in the valve
body. In the full-open position, the seat port shall have a minimum area, not less than the area of a circle
having a diameter equal to the nominal valve size. The valve disc or stem shall not extend past the valve
ends when in the closed position. The valve shall include a stop feature to limit disc travel in the full
open position.

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

5.4 Seals Valve seats may incorporate an elastomeric seal. Elastomeric seals shall be bonded,
vulcanized, or mechanically secured to the valve disc or seat.

5.5 Springs A valve spring shall be provided to provide positive closure of the valve in horizontal and
vertical flow-up applications. Vertical flow-down applications must be specified by the purchaser, in the
event that a special spring is required. Springs shall be either helical or conical compression type with
closed and ground ends, designed so that when the valve is fully open, the individual coils will not be over
stressed or near the solid height.

5.6 Face-to-Face Dimensions Face-to-face dimensions for valves are specified in Tables 3, 4, and 5. A
plus or minus tolerance of 1/16 in. (1.5 mm) shall be allowed on NPS 10 (DN 250) and smaller and 1/8 in.
(3.0 mm) on NPS 12 (DN 300) and larger.

6. WORKMANSHIP

6.1 Valve Parts Valve parts shall be designed, and manufacturing tolerances maintained, to provide
interchangeability of parts between manufacturer’s valves of the same size, class, type, and design.

6.2 Castings All castings shall be clean and sound without defects which will impair their service. No
plugging, impregnation, welding, or repairing of such defects will be allowed.

7. TESTING

7.1 General Pressure tests shall be made on all completed valves prior to shipment by the manufacturer.

7.2 Shell Test Valves shall be subjected to the shell test pressure specified in Table 1. No visible leakage
is permitted through the pressure boundary wall. Test pressure shall be held for the minimum durations
listed in Table 6.

7.3 Hydrostatic Seat Test Valves shall be subjected to a hydrostatic seat test, at not less than the seat
test pressure specified in Table 1. The pressure shall be applied on the downstream side of the valve and
the opposite side checked for leakage. The maximum permissible leakage rate shall be 1 fluid ounce (30
ml) per hour per inch of nominal valve diameter. Resilient seated valves shall show no leakage. Test
pressures shall be held for the minimum durations specified in Table 6.

8. MARKING

Marking shall conform to MSS SP-25. Markings may be cast or stamped in the valve body or included
on a corrosion resistant nameplate.

9. PAINTING

The painting of finished valves shall be optional with the manufacturer, unless otherwise specified.

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

TABLE 1
CWP Ratings at 150 oF (65 oC), Non-Shock
CWP Rating and Shell Test
Flange Body Sizes
Seat Test Pressure Pressure
Class Material
NPS DN psi kPa psi kPa
2 – 12 50 – 300 200 1379 300 2068
125 Gray Iron
14 – 42 350 – 1050 150 1034 225 1551
2 – 12 50 – 300 300 2068 450 3102
150 Ductile Iron
14 – 42 350 – 1050 250 1724 375 2586
2 – 12 50 – 300 400 2758 600 4136
250 Gray Iron
14 – 42 350 – 1050 300 2068 450 3102
2 – 12 50 – 300 500 3447 750 5171
300 Ductile Iron
14 – 42 350 – 1050 400 2758 600 4136

TABLE 2
Disc and Seat Materials
Material ASTM No. Grade
B62, B584 C83600
Bronze/ C84400,
B584
Bronze Alloy C87600
B427 C90700

Aluminum Bronze B148 C95500

S30400,
A240
S31600
S30400,
A276
S31600
Stainless Steel
A351, A743 CF8

A351, A743 CF8M

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

TABLE 3
Face-to-Face Dimensions of Wafer-Style Check Valves
Flange Class Flange Class
Size
125 & 150 250 & 300
NPS DN in. mm in. mm
2 50 3 76.2 3 76.2
1
2 ∕2 65 3 76.2 3 76.2
3 80 3 76.2 3 76.2
1 1
4 100 4 ∕4 108.0 4 ∕4 108.0
1 1
5 125 4 ∕4 108.0 4 ∕4 108.0
6 150 5 127.0 5 127.0
8 200 61∕2 165.0 7 178.0
1
10 250 7 ∕2 191.0 8 203.0

TABLE 4
Face-to-Face Dimensions of Compact Wafer-Style Check Valves
Flange Class Flange Class
Size
125 & 150 250 & 300
NPS DN in. mm in. mm
2 50 25∕8 66.7 25∕8 66.7
1 7 7
2 ∕2 65 2 ∕8 73.0 2 ∕8 73.0
3 80 31∕8 79.4 31∕8 79.4
4 100 4 102.0 4 102.0
3 3
5 125 4 ∕4 121.0 4 ∕4 121.0
1 1
6 150 5 ∕2 140.0 5 ∕2 140.0
8 200 61∕2 165.0 61∕2 165.0
1 1
10 250 8 ∕4 210.0 8 ∕4 210.0

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

TABLE 5
Face-to-Face Dimensions of Globe-Style Check Valves
Size Short Body Long Body
Flange Class Flange Class
NPS DN 125 & 250 125 & 250
in. mm in. mm
21∕2 65 51∕2 140.0 7 178.0
1
3 80 6 152.0 7 ∕2 191.0
1 1
4 100 7 ∕4 184.0 8 ∕2 216.0
5 125 81∕2 216.0 91∕2 241.0
3 1
6 150 9 ∕4 248.0 10 ∕2 267.0
1 1
8 200 12 ∕2 318.0 13 ∕2 343.0
1 1
10 250 15 ∕2 394.0 16 ∕4 413.0
12 300 141∕4 362.0 201∕4 514.0
3
14 350 15 ∕4 400.0 – –
5
16 400 17 ∕8 448.0 – –
18 450 183∕4 476.0 – –
5
20 500 20 ∕8 524.0 – –
24 600 24 610.0 – –
1
30 750 29 ∕4 743.0 – –
36 900 45 1143.0 – –
42 1050 50 1270.0 – –

TABLE 6
Minimum Duration of Tests
Valve Size Shell Test Seat Test
(seconds) (seconds)
NPS DN
2–8 50 – 200 30 15
10 – 18 250 – 450 60 30
20 – 42 500 – 1050 120 60

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

ANNEX A
Check Valve Styles – Figures A1 through A6

FIGURE A1 FIGURE A2
Wafer-Style (external) Compact Wafer-Style (external)

FIGURE A3
Globe-Style with Companion Flange (external)

NOTE (Figure A1 – A3): The companion flanges, mounting hardware and flange gaskets are for illustration
purposes only and are not furnished with the check valve.

(continued on next page)

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

ANNEX A
Check Valve Styles – Figures A1 through A6
(continued)

FIGURE A4 FIGURE A5
Wafer-Style (internal) Compact Wafer-Style (internal)

FIGURE A6
Globe-Style (internal)

ALL FIGURE DRAWINGS ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

ANNEX B
Referenced Standards and Applicable Dates

This Annex is an integral part of this Standard Practice and is placed after the main text for convenience.

Standard Name Description

ASME; ASME/ANSI
B16.1-2015 Gray Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings: Classes 25, 125, and 250
B16.42-2016 Ductile Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings: Classes 150 and 300

ASTM Standard Specification for:

A126-04(2014) Gray Iron Castings for Valves, Flanges, and Pipe Fittings
A240/A240M-17 Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for
Pressure Vessels and for General Applications
A276/A276M-17 Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes
A313/A313M-17 Stainless Steel Spring Wire
A351/A351M-18 Castings, Austenitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts
A395/A395M-99(2014) Ferritic Ductile Iron Pressure-Retaining Castings for Use at Elevated
Temperatures
A536-84(2014) Ductile Iron Castings
A743/A743M-17 Castings, Iron-Chromium, Iron-Chromium-Nickel, Corrosion Resistant, for
General Application
B62-17 Composition Bronze or Ounce Metal Castings
B148-14 Aluminum-Bronze Sand Castings
B427-09(2015) Gear Bronze Alloy Castings
B584-14 Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications

MSS; ANSI/MSS
SP-6-2017 Standard Finishes for Contact Faces of Pipe Flanges and Connecting-End
Flanges of Valves and Fittings
SP-25-2018 Standard Marking System for Valves, Fittings, Flanges, and Unions

NSF; NSF/ANSI
372-2016 Drinking Water System Components – Lead Content

U.S. Fed Law/GPO

SDWA (as Amended) The Safe Drinking Water Act, as Amended (U.S. Public Law “Title XIV of
the Public Health Service Act”, as Amended). Generally codified under Title
42 U.S.C. §300 et seq.

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MSS STANDARD PRACTICE SP-125

ANNEX B
Referenced Standards and Applicable Dates
(continued)

This Annex is an integral part of this Standard Practice and is placed after the main text for convenience.

Publications of the following organizations appear on the previous page in this Annex:

ANSI American National Standards Institute, Inc.

25 West 43rd Street, Fourth Floor
New York, NY 10036-7406

ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Two Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016-5990

ASTM ASTM International

100 Bar Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959

MSS Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
127 Park Street, NE
Vienna, VA 22180-4602

NSF NSF International

789 N Dixboro Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-9723

U.S. GPO U.S. Government Publishing Office

732 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20401-0001
https://www.gpo.gov/ and https://www.govinfo.gov/

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 Purchase or View a Full Listing of MSS Standards at:
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MSS Standard Practices (SPs) related to or referenced in this publication:

MSS SP-6 Standard Finishes for Contact Faces of Pipe Flanges and Connecting-End Flanges of Valves and Fittings
ANSI/MSS SP-25 Standard Marking System for Valves, Fittings, Flanges, and Unions
–––––––––––

American National Standards Published by MSS, an ANSI-accredited Standards Developer:

ANSI/MSS SP-25 Standard Marking System for Valves, Fittings, Flanges, and Unions
ANSI/MSS SP-44 Steel Pipeline Flanges
ANSI/MSS SP-55 Quality Standard for Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Other Piping Components
– Visual Method for Evaluation of Surface Irregularities
ANSI/MSS SP-58 Pipe Hangers and Supports – Materials, Design, Manufacture, Selection, Application, and
Installation
ANSI/MSS SP-96 Terminology for Valves, Fittings, and Their Related Components
ANSI/MSS SP-114 Corrosion Resistant Pipe Fittings Threaded and Socket Welding Class 150 and 1000
ANSI/MSS SP-122 Plastic Industrial Ball Valves
ANSI/MSS SP-134 Valves for Cryogenic Service, including Requirements for Body/Bonnet Extensions
ANSI/MSS SP-135 High Pressure Knife Gate Valves
ANSI/MSS SP-138 Quality Standard Practice for Oxygen Cleaning of Valves and Fittings
ANSI/MSS SP-144 Pressure Seal Bonnet Valves
–––––––––––
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About MSS
The Manufacturers Standardization Society (MSS) of the Valve and Fittings Industry is a non-profit technical association organized
for development and improvement of industry, national and international codes and standards for Valves, Valve Actuators, Valve
Modifications, Pipe Fittings, Flanges, Pipe Hangers and Supports, and Associated Seals. Since its establishment in 1924, MSS has
been dedicated to developing standards for national and global applications, in cooperation with other standardizing bodies and
regulatory authorities. MSS is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited standards developer.

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TECH-MSS SP-125-2018