Understanding ISA S20, API 554, API 555, ISO 5167-1/2

Muhammad Agha Hutama Syukron(1), John Muzibur Simamora(2)

email: aghahutama@gmail.com, john.simamora@pertamina.com
54/BPS/1/MPP/2018 - October 2018

Abstract
Standards promote safety, reliability, productivity, and efficiency in almost every industry that relies on
engineering components or equipment. The international standards have been prepared by the international
society for measurement and control toward a goal of uniformity in the field of instrumentation. They increase
safety and can be used to rationalize operations. Standardization ensures that products, services and methods are
appropriate for their intended use. It ensures that products and systems are compatible and interoperable.
To carry out the instrumentation work in the field, instrument engineer must be very understanding of the
standards, specifications and environmental conditions of the project we are doing to ensure the safety factor.
The purpose of this standard is to promote uniformity in instrument specifications, both in content and form.
Because of the complexity of present day instruments and controls, it is desirable to have some type of
specification form to list pertinent details for use by all interested parties.
This article provides an overview of industrial standard and codes in terms of refinery industry.

Keywords : Guide Specification,Codes & Standards, Gas & Fire Protection.

1. Introduction to explain the terms used and the intended

Codes and standards are living documents that
are constantly revised to reflect new developments
and technical advances (new materials, new designs
and new applications). A standard can be defined as a
set of technical definitions and guidelines, either for
designers, manufacturers, or users. Standards promote
safety, reliability, productivity, and efficiency in almost
every industry that relies on engineering components
or equipment.
procedure. The instructions are keyed to the form
by reference to the line numbers. The ISA20
Committee has minimized dependence on the
instruction sheet since the forms are frequently
reprinted and used without the instructions. The
explanation is omitted where the meaning is felt to
be obvious.

2. Theory
2.1 ISA S 20
ISA S20 tells about specification forms for
process measurement and control instruments,
primary elements, and control valves. Some forms
consist of a primary sheet and a secondary
(tabulation) sheet.
The primary sheet may be used by itself to
specify a single instrument or to specify general
requirements for a series of similar instrument which
are then tabulated on the secondary sheet.
The specification forms included in this standard
are intended to cover the most commonly used Picture 1. Example of primary sheet
instruments. The list is not a complete catalog of
instruments and control valves available. It is Instrument specifications may be prepared by
intended that new forms shall be added with each the use of Automatic Data Processing (ADP)
general revision of this standard. techniques. The format of such specifications may
An instruction sheet is provided for each form be modified in order to be compatible with ADP

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machine capabilities. However, general consistency
with this Standard shall be retained.
2.2 API 554
Divided by 3 main parts, API 554 tells about
process control systems.
API 554 Part 1 tells about process control
system functions and functional specifications
contain an extensive discussion of critical need to
properly assess business requirements for a process
control system and to develop a complete definition
of functional requirements for the systems.
API 554 Part 2 about process control system design
describes implementation of the functional
requirements, but only contains minimal guidance
on how these activities are executed or managed.
API 554 Part 3 about process control system
project execution and ownership is intended to
identify and discuss key issues of organization,
management, skill levels and resources associated
with process control systems. These issues must be
addressed as part of the design and ownership of
these systems and the processing unit which they
operate. Failure to assure that adequate skills and
resources are applied to execution and ownership
can have serious impacts upon business success.
Among these issues are the following:
1. The extremely close correlation between well
planned, executed, operated and maintained
process control systems designs and high
reliability operations.
2. The need to fully consider life cycle issues when
making process control system related
decisions.
3. Major issues presented to projects relative to
staffing and qualifications of personnel involved
with design, testing and commissioning.
4. The extremely important concept that
procurement and physical design is only a
portion of the tasks associated with process
control systems. Functional design,
maintainability, testing and training are
extremely important requirements.
5. Skills and qualifications of operations,
maintenance and site technical personnel.
6. Management obligations and responsibilities.
2.3 API 555
API 555 tells about process analyzers that
monitors, measures and transmits information about
chemical composition, physical properties, or
chemical properties.
Process analyzers measure chemical
concentrations or physical or chemical properties
that can be used as control variables instead of
relying on indirect physical parameters, such as
pressure, temperature, and inferred data from
computer models. Process analyzer systems can
provide a significant economic return when
incorporated into process optimization and
advanced control loops or when used for product
quality control.
A process monitoring system usually requires a
sample conditioning system, a process analyzer, and
one or more data output devices. Properly designed
systems also require overall considerations as to
calibration, utilities, sample disposal, safety, and
systems packaging.
2.4 API 5167 – 1/2
ISO 5167 tell about measurement of fluid flow
by means of pressure differential devices inserted in
circular cross-section conduits running full. ISO
5167 part 1 provide the general principles and
requirements, terms and symbols and establishes the
general principles for methods of measurement and
computation of the flowrate of fluid flowing in a
conduit by means of pressure differential devices
(orifice plates, nozzles and Venturi tubes) when they
are inserted into a circular cross-section conduit
running full. This part of ISO 5167 also specifies the
general requirements for methods of measurement,
installation and determination of the uncertainty of
the measurement of flowrate. It also defines the
general specified limits of pipe size and Reynolds
number for which these pressure differential devices
are to be used.
ISO 5167 Part 2 specifies orifice plates, which
can be used with corner pressure tappings, D and
D/2 pressure tappings, and flange pressure tappings.
This part of ISO 5167 specifies the geometry and
method of use (installation and operating
conditions) of orifice plates when they are inserted
in a conduit running full to determine the flow rate
of the fluid flowing in the conduit. This part of ISO
5167 also provides background information for
calculating the flow rate and is applicable in
conjunction with the requirements given in ISO
5167-1.
3. Application
3.1 ISA S 20
This standard is to assist the engineers to
present the basic information in term of related
instrumentation equipments. For example in
temperature process measurement, it covers the
installation and selection of devices for measuring
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temperature, it shows the items that must be filled at
the data sheet column.
Picture 2. Process Measurement-Temperature
Critical Column to be filled for Temperature
measurement :
1. Tag Number and Service to be filled to
specify one or typical items of
temperature measurement
2. Power supply used to define the external
power such as the voltage, ampere, DC
or AC power
3. Enclosure class refers to protection type
for the electrical components. Use
NEMA or ISA identification
4. Output signal is filled if the system
control requires whether electrical or
pneumatic type.
5. Control mode & Action needed if there is
actuator to control the service
(gas/liquid), and also specify the MV to
increase or decrease the value.
6. Process Data is very important to specify
the measurement range, the stem length
defines the insertion length according to
pipe size.
7. Liquid fill to choose gas, liquid, vapour,
or mercury filled. Also to specify the
linear measurement
8. Capillary accessories, alarm function can
be used in case it is needed
Picture 3. List of Thermocouple sensor type
The main purpose of this standard is to
promote uniformity in instrument specifications,
both in content and form. Because of the
complexity of present day instruments and controls,
it is desirable to have some type of specification
form to list pertinent details for use by all interested
parties. General use of these forms by users and
manufacturers offers many advantages, as listed
below:
• Assists in preparation of complete
specification by listing and providing
space for all principal descriptive options.
• Promotes uniform terminology.
• Facilitates quoting, purchasing, receiving,
accounting and ordering procedures by
uniform display of information.
• Provides a useful permanent record and
means for checking the installation.
• Improves efficiency from the initial
concept to the final installation.
3.2 API 554
API 554 has been divided into three parts,
each focusing on a major aspect of Process Control
Systems. The three parts and the areas that they
cover are:
Part 1 provide Process Control System
Functions and Functional Specifications, covers the
basic functions that a Process Control System may
need to perform, and describes recommended
methodologies for determining the functional and
integration requirements for a particular application.
Part 2 tells Process Control System Design,
covers the hardware and software applied to Process
Control Systems and provides recommendations for
implementation. Design considerations and
references to design practices for control centers
and other control system buildings and enclosures
are also provided.
Part 3 Process Control System Project
Execution and Ownership, covers project
organization, skills and work processes required to
execute a process control project and then to own
and operate a Process Control Systems.
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 This document addresses recommended
practices for identifying scope, planning, executing
automation and owning and operating the results of
projects associated with instrument and control
systems. This document does not address
implementation of advanced control system
applications that may accompany an instrument and
control system project. API 557 is recommendations
for advanced control systems.
3.3 API 555
The analyzer system will be used (for example,
quality control, process control, and safety/
environmental regulations) and what the analysis
results are to be used for must be asked initially
before selecting an analyzer. Primary factors to be
considered are as follows:
1. Application method: First a determination must
be made regarding whether a physical or chemical
property or a composition analyzer is required. Then
a determination must be made on the specific
application method. A method is typically selected
for a particular measurement or analysis according
to laboratory and/or process experience.
2. Repeatability and accuracy: The design of all
analyzer applications should take requirements for
accuracy and precision into consideration. Emphasis
is usually placed on analyzer stability and
repeatability of the measurement. The capability of
the analyzer must match the requirements of the
analysis required.
3. On-stream factor: A goal of 95% or greater on-
stream factor of on-line availability is generally
desired. Analyzers exhibiting less than 95% are
generally not considered reliable by operations and
closed-loop control applications.
3.4 ISO 5167
ISO 5167 (all parts) is applicable only to
pressure differential devices in which the flow that
remains subsonic throughout the measuring section
and where the fluid can be considered as single-
phase. It is not applicable to the measurement of
pulsating flow. Furthermore, each of these devices
can only be used within specified limits of pipe size
(less than 50 mm or more than 1000 mm) and
Reynolds number (below 5000).
4 Conclusion
Those standards and codes provide people
and organizations with a basis for mutual
understanding, and are used as tools to facilitate
communication, measurement, commerce and
manufacturing. Standards are everywhere and play
an important role in the economy. They increase
safety and can be used to rationalize operations.
Standardization ensures that products, services and
methods are appropriate for their intended use. It
ensures that products and systems are compatible
and interoperable.
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