British Standard

Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

A single copy of this British Standard is licensed to

lbocvzr lbocvzr
25 June 2003

This is an uncontrolled copy. Ensure use of the most

current version of this document by searching British
Standards Online at bsonline.techindex.co.uk
 BRITISH STANDARD BS 5159:1974
Incorporating
Amendment Nos. 1
and 2

Specification for

Cast iron and carbon

steel ball valves for
general purposes
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

UDC 621.646.5:[669.13 + 669.14]

 BS 5159:1974

Co-operating organizations

The Mechanical Engineering Industry Standards Committee, under whose

supervision this British Standard was prepared, consists of representatives
from the following Governments departments and professional and industrial
organizations:

Associated Offices Technical Committee* Department of Trade

Association of Consulting Engineers Electricity Supply Industry in England and
Association of Hydraulic Equipment Wales*
Manufactures Ltd. Engineering Equipment Users’ Association*
Association of Mining Electrical and Federation of Manufactures of Construction
Mechanical Engineers Equipment and Cranes
British Compressed Air Society* Institution of Gas Engineers*
British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers’ Institution of Heating and Ventilating
Association Engineers*
British Gas Corporation* Institution of Mechanical Engineers*
British Gear Manufactures’ Association Institution of Plant Engineers
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

British Internal Combustion Engine Institution of Production Engineers*

Manufactures’ Association* London Transport Executive
British Mechanical Engineering Confederation Machine Tool Trades Association
British Pump Manufacturers’ Association Ministry of Defence*
British Steel Corporation National Coal Board
British Steel Industry* Process Plant Association
Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Railway Industry Association of Great Britain
Administrations Royal Institute of British Architects
Department of Employment (HM Factory Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders
Inspectorate)* Ltd.
Department of the Environment* Telecommunication Engineering and
Department of Industry — Mechanical Manufacturing Association
Engineering
Department of Industry — National
Engineering Laboratory

The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the committee entrusted with the
preparation of this British Standard:

Association of Bronze and Brass Founders Institution of Chemical Engineers

British Chemical Engineering Contractors Institution of Civil Engineers
Association Institution of Marine Engineers
British Industrial Measuring and Control Institution of Municipal Engineers
Apparatus Manufacturing Association Institution of Water Engineers
British Non-Ferrous Metals Technology Centre National Brassfoundry Association
British Ship Research Association National Smokeless Fuels
British Valve Manufactures Association National Water Council
CBMPE Oil Companies’ Materials Association
Chemical Industries Association Society of British Gas Industries
Copper Development Association Thames Water Authority — Metropolitan
Copper Tube Fittings Manufactures’ Water Division
This British Standard, having Association Water Companies’ Association
been approved by the Greater London Council Individual experts from manufacturing
Mechanical Engineering
Institute of British Foundrymen companies
Industry Standards Committee,
was published under the Institute of quality Assurance
authority of the Executive
Board on
31 December 1974 Amendments issued since publication
© BSI 10-1999
Amd. No. Date of issue Comments

The following BSI references 2324 August 1977

relate to the work on this
standard: 3932 June 1982 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
Committee reference MEE/81,
ME/81/3
Draft for comment 72/34134 DC

ISBN 0 580 08841 3

 BS 5159:1974

Contents

Page
Co-operating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword ii
Section 1. General
1 Scope 1
2 References 1
3 Terminology and definitions 1
4 Patterns 1
5 Nominal sizes 1
6 Nominal pressure 2
7 Pressure/temperature ratings 2
Section 2. Body ends
8 Flanged body ends 3
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

9 Screwed body ends 4

Section 3. Design and manufacture
10 Bodies 4
11 Body tappings 5
12 Operation 7
13 Bolting 7
14 End flanges 7
15 Joints 8
Section 4. Materials
16 Choice of materials 8
17 Trim 8
Section 5. Testing and inspection
18 Testing 8
19 Test certificate 9
20 Inspection 9
21 Witnessing of tests 9
22 Certificate of conformity 9
Section 6. Preparation for despatch
23 After testing 10
24 Ball position 10
25 Body ends 10
26 Jointing surfaces 10
Section 7. Marking
27 General 10
28 Body markings 10
29 Body or identification plate markings 10
30 Material symbols 10
31 Additional markings 11
32 Omission of markings 11
Section 8. Valves for use in ANSI flanged piping systems
33 Requirements 11
Section 9. Enquiry or order information
34 Information to be supplied 11
Appendix A Cast iron and carbon steel ball valves for general purposes with
ANSI Class 125, Class 150, Class 300, Class 400 and Class 600 flanges 12

© BSI 10-1999 i
 BS 5159:1974

Page
Figure 1 — Valve patterns 1
Figure 2 — Typical ball valve construction variants with
body tapping locations 6
Table 1 — Pressure/temperature ratings 2
Table 2 — Face-to-face dimensions 3
Table 3 — Minimum outside diameters of sealing faces for
parallel threaded valves 4
Table 4 — Dimensions of body end ports 5
Table 5 — Basic materials 8
Table 6 — Test durations 9
Table 7 — Value X for steel ring-joint flanges 12
Table 8 — Dimensions of ANSI Class 125 flanges 13
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Table 9 — Pressure/temperature ratings for Class 125 valves 14

Table 10 — Test pressure (gauge) for Class 125, Class 150,
Class 300, Class 400 and Class 600 valves 14
Publications referred to Inside back cover

ii © BSI 10-1999
 BS 5159:1974

Foreword

This standard is one of a series of new and revised standards in metric units for
general purpose valves prepared under the authority of the Mechanical
Engineering Industry Standards Committee.
There are no International or European standards in this field but account has
been taken of all relevant proposals under consideration in the ISO Technical
Committee and CEN1) Working Group concerned with general purpose valves.
For flanged valves the standard is based on the use of flanges complying with the
requirements of BS 4504 “Flanges and bolting for pipes, valves and fittings.
Metric series”, but, by the use of Appendix A, the appropriate modifications can
be made when using ANSI Class 125 cast iron or ANSI Class 150, Class 300,
Class 400 and Class 600 carbon steel flanges.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity

from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
pages 1 to 14, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

1)
European Committee for Standardization.

© BSI 10-1999 iii

Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

iv
blank
 BS 5159:1974

Section 1. General
1 Scope
This British Standard specifies requirements for cast iron and carbon steel straightway ball valves for
general purposes.
It covers valves of nominal pressure (PN) designations of 10 bar2) to 100 bar, with ends flanged in
accordance with the appropriate tables of BS 4504 for nominal sizes (DN) 10 to 600, or with internal screw
threads in accordance with BS 21 (ISO/R 7) for nominal sizes ¼ to 4. However, when valves are required for
use in ANSI (BS 1560) flanged systems, reference should be made to clause 33 and Appendix A.
Where there is an appropriate application standard or code of practice, it is the responsibility of the
purchaser to ensure that its requirements are complied with; for example, attention is drawn to BS 806 and
BS 759.
No provision is made in this standard for requirements for “fire-safe” valves or for protection against
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

electrostatic build-up. Any requirements of the purchaser should be stated in the enquiry and agreed with
the manufacturer.

2 References
The titles of the British Standards and international publications referred to in this standard are listed on
the inside back cover.

3 Terminology and definitions

For the purposes of this British Standard, the terminology and definitions given in BS 2591-5 are generally
applicable. The following definition applies to flanged valves:
face-to-face dimension
the distance between the two planes perpendicular to the body axis located at the extremities of the body
end ports

4 Patterns
Valves may be “full bore” or “reduced bore” (see Figure 1) or short or long pattern. (It should be noted that
in certain large PN 10 and PN 16 short pattern flanged valves, the ball in the closed position may protrude
beyond the end of the flanged faces.)

Figure 1 — Valve patterns

5 Nominal sizes
5.1 For flanged ends the nominal sizes (DN) shall be as follows:
10, 15, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 65, 80, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600.
5.2 For screwed ends the nominal sizes shall be as follows:
¼, b, ½, 1, 1¼, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 4.

2)
1 bar = 105 N/m2 = 102 kPa.

© BSI 10-1999 1
 BS 5159:1974

6 Nominal pressure
Valves shall be designated by nominal pressure (PN), defined as the maximum permissible gauge working
pressure (bar3)) at 20 °C, as follows:
PN 10, PN 16, PN 25, PN 40, PN 64 and PN 100.

7 Pressure/temperature ratings
7.1 The valves specified in this standard shall have maximum ratings for liquid, gas and steam as detailed
in Table 1.
Table 1 — Pressure/temperature ratings
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Nominal Material For flanged Maximum permissible gauge working pressures at temperatures (°C) of:
pressure ends valves
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

PN only: BS 4504
table number – 10 to 120 150 180 200 220 250 260 300 350 400

bara bara bara bara bara bara bara bara bara bara
10 Cast 10/11 10 9.2 8.5 8 8 7 6.8 6 — —
iron
Cast 16/11 16 14.8 13.9 13 13 11 10.8 10 — —
iron
16
Carbon 16/1 16 — — 16 — 15 — 13 11 9
steel
25 Cast 25/11 25 23 21.2 20 19 18 17.5 16 — —
iron
Carbon 25/1 25 — — 25 — 24 — 21 17 14
steel
40 Carbon 40/1 40 — — 40 — 38 — 35 28 23
steel
64 Carbon 64/1 64 — — 64 — 61 — 53 44 36
steel
100 Carbon 100/1 100 — — 100 — 95 — 82 70 57
steel
NOTE Intermediate values can be obtained by linear interpolation.
a
1 bar = 105 N/m2 = 102 kPa.

7.2 Maximum permissible working pressures in bar gauge and operating temperatures shall comply with
the requirements of BS 4504 as given in Table 1, except that these ratings may be limited by the materials
of the body seat rings, and/or seals. Due to the variety of lining and lubricant materials, it will be necessary
to refer to manufacturers’ recommendations for pressure/temperature ratings. Seals, however, shall be
capable of withstanding the body test pressures.
Regardless of any limitation imposed by the above paragraph, the body shall have a pressure/temperature
capability which complies with the requirements of BS 4504.

3)
1 bar = 105 N/m2 = 102 kPa.

2 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 5159:1974

Section 2. Body ends

8 Flanged body ends
8.1 Flange dimensions shall comply with the relevant requirements of BS 4504.
8.2 Flanges shall be at right angles to the axis of the bore and concentric with the bore. Flanges shall be
drilled unless otherwise specified and bolt holes shall be “off centres”.
8.3 The face-to-face dimensions of flanged valves shall be as detailed in Table 2.
Table 2 — Face-to-face dimensions
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Nominal Cast iron or carbon steel face-to-face Face-to-face dimensions for cast iron Carbon steel
size dimensions for nominal pressure of PN 10/16 PN 25 and carbon steel PN 25/40 face-to-face
DN dimensions for
reduced bore full bore reduced full bore nominal
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

bore pressure of
PN 64/100,
reduced bore
short long short long short long and full bore

mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
10 102 — 102 120 — — — —
15 108 — 108 130 140 140 — 165
20 117 — 117 150 152 152 — 190
25 127 — 127 160 165 165 — 216
32 140 — 140 180 178 178 — 229
40 165 — 165 200 190 190 200 241
50 178 203 203 230 216 216 230 292
65 190 222 222 290 241 241 290 330
80 203 241 241 310 283 283 310 356
100 229 305 305 350 305 305 350 432
125 254 356 356 400 381 381 400 508
150 267 394 394 480 403 403 480 559
200 292 457 457 600 419 502 600 660
250 330 533 533 730 457 568 730 787
300 356 610 610 850 502 648 850 838
350 381 686 686 980 762 762 980 889
400 406 762 762 1 100 838 838 1 100 991
450 432 864 864 — 914 914 — 1 092
500 457 914 914 1 250 991 991 1 250 1 194
600 508 1 067 1 067 1 450 1 143 1 143 1 450 1 397

8.4 The tolerances on the face-to-face dimensions detailed in Table 2 shall be as follows:
Face-to-face dimensions Tolerance

mm mm

Above 0 up to and including 200 ±1

Above 200 up to and including 400 ±2
Above 400 up to and including 600 ±3
Above 600 up to and including 800 ±4
Above 800 up to and including 1 000 ±5
Above 1 000 up to and including 1 450 ±6

© BSI 10-1999 3
 BS 5159:1974

9 Screwed body ends

Screwed body ends shall have female threads complying with the requirements of BS 21 (ISO/R 7) either
taper or parallel at the manufacturer’s option unless the particular form is specified in the order.
9.1 End faces of parallel threaded, valves shall have a smooth finish at right angles to the thread axis. The
minimum outside diameters of sealing faces shall be in accordance with Table 3.
Table 3 — Minimum outside diameters of
sealing faces for parallel threaded valves
1 2
Thread nominal size Outside diameter of
sealing face (min.)
mm
¼ 18
b 22
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

½ 26
¾ 32
1 39
1¼ 49
1½ 55
2 68
NOTE The dimensions given in Table 3 comply with the
requirements of ISO 1179.

9.2 Other forms of thread may be provided as specified by the purchaser.

9.3 Body ends shall be of appropriate shape to facilitate tightening.

Section 3. Design and manufacture

10 Bodies
10.1 Body construction. Bodies may be of either the one piece or split construction (see also Figure 2).
10.2 Body end ports. The body end ports shall be circular. Table 4 gives approximate values, for guidance
only, for the bore dimensions at the body end ports of flanged valves. These dimensions are not necessarily
applicable to lined valves.

4 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 5159:1974

Table 4 — Dimensions of body end ports

1 2 3 4 5 6

Nominal Bore dimensions for PN ratings of:

size

DN PN 10 PN 16 PN 25/40 PN 64 PN 100

mm mm mm mm mm
10 10 10 10 10 10
15 15 15 15 15 15
20 20 20 20 20 20
25 25 25 25 25 25
32 32 32 32 32 32
40 40 40 40 40 40
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

50 50 50 50 50 50
65 65 65 65 65 65
80 80 80 80 80 80
100 100 100 100 100 100
125 125 125 125 125 125
150 150 150 150 150 150
200 200 200 200 200 200
250 250 250 250 250 250
300 300 300 300 300 300
350 350 335 335 335 325
400 400 385 385 385 375
450 450 440 430 430 420
500 500 490 485 480 465
600 600 590 585 575 560

11 Body tappings
Provision shall be made whenever practicable on valves of DN 80 or nominal size 3 and above for body
tappings at the bottom of each body. Body tappings, when required, shall be of the following sizes and shall
comply with the requirements of BS 21 (ISO/R 7).

Flanged valve (DN) 80 to 125 150 to 200 250 to 600

Screwed valve (nominal size) 3 and 4 — —
Body tapping sizes ½ ¾ 1

The location of such tappings is shown in Figure 2 for different types of ball and body construction.

© BSI 10-1999 5
 BS 5159:1974
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Figure 2 — Typical ball valve construction variants with body tapping locations

6 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 5159:1974

12 Operation
12.1 Means. Unless otherwise specified, valves shall be designed to be operated by a handwheel or wrench.
12.2 Direction. Unless otherwise specified, manually operated valves shall be closed by turning the
handwheel or wrench in a clockwise direction when facing the handwheel or wrench.
12.3 Handwheels. Handwheels shall be marked CLOSE or SHUT with an arrow to indicate the direction of
closure. In addition handwheels may be marked OPEN with an arrow to indicate the anti-clockwise
direction of opening. Alternatively, these markings may be shown on a plate secured below the handwheel
nut.
12.4 Wrenches. Valves supplied with wrenches shall, unless otherwise specified, have the wrench
mounted parallel to the flow passage through the ball.
12.5 Handwheels and wrenches. Handwheels and wrenches shall be fitted in such a way that, whilst
held securely, they may be removed and replaced when necessary.
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

12.6 Indicators. All valves shall be provided with some form of indicator for the position of the ball port.
12.7 Stops. Suitable stops shall be provided for both the fully open and fully closed positions of the valve.
12.8 Chainwheel operation. If chainwheel operation is required, the type of chainwheel shall be specified
in the order which shall also specify any chain to be supplied.
12.9 Gear operation. If gear operation is required, the type of gearing and its arrangement shall be
specified in the enquiry and order.
12.10 Actuator operation. If actuator operation is required, the details of the actuator and its power
supply together with the design maximum pressure differential across the valve shall be specified in the
enquiry and order.
The dimensions of the actuator attachment flange shall comply with the requirements of BS . . . . “Flange
attachment dimensions of actuators to general purpose valves” (in course of preparation).

13 Bolting
Bolting threads shall be in accordance with ISO metric or Unified inch standards. The dimensions and
finish of bolting shall comply with the requirements of the following British Standards as may be
appropriate:
Metric Inch
BS 3692 BS 1768 (below ½ in)
BS 4168 (cap head) BS 1769
BS 4190 BS 2470 (cap head UNC)
BS 4439 BS 2693-1
BS 4882 BS 2708
BS 4882
IMPORTANT NOTE
For the period up to and including 31 December 1976, the following sentence A applies.
From 1 January 1977, the following sentence B applies.
A. Bolting with Whitworth form threads complying with BS 916, BS 1083 or BS 2693-1 or bolting
with other head forms otherwise complying with the requirements of the specified standards
is not precluded.
B. Bolting with other head forms otherwise complying with the requirements of the specified
standards is not precluded.

14 End flanges
End flanges of steel valves may be integral with or welded to the body unless a particular form of
attachment is specified in the order. Where flanges are welded they shall comply with the requirements of
BS 806 or BS 3351. Other welding techniques shall be the subject of agreement between the manufacturer
and the purchaser.

© BSI 10-1999 7
 BS 5159:1974

15 Joints
Joints between the bodies and body connectors or inserts shall not, in the case of screwed valves, be
adversely affected by normal unscrewing or screwing in of connecting pipework nor, in the case of flanged
valves, by normal bolting or unbolting of the connecting pipework.

Section 4. Materials
16 Choice of materials
This standard is based on materials specified in Table 5. Unless otherwise agreed, the manufacturer has
the option of selecting materials listed in Table 5 or using other materials, providing they are at least as
suitable in all relevant respects.

17 Trim
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Where valves are required with a particular trim, this shall be specified by the purchaser and in this case
the materials used shall be subject to agreement between the manufacturer and the purchaser.
Table 5 — Basic materials
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Components Cast iron valves Carbon steel valves

Material BS Grade or Material BS Grade or

designation designation

Body Cast iron 1 452 220 Carbon steel 1504-161 B

180c 1503-161 28
Body
connector 1501-151 26
cover ball 970-1 070M20a
insert
Bolting Carbon steel; Carbon steel;
minimum tensile minimum tensile
strength 390 N/mm2 strength 390 N/mm2
(= MPa)b (= MPa)b
Seals Manufacturer’s manufacturer’s
gaskets standard; suitable standard; suitable
for duty for duty
a
In the normalized or cold drawn from hot-rolled conditions only.
b
Free cutting steel shall not be used. If different bolting is fitted because of design or performance requirements it shall be readily
identifiable.
c
Grade 180 cast iron for this application is permitted as an alternative to grade 220 only where the section thickness at any point
does not exceed 15 mm.

Section 5. Testing and inspection

18 Testing
18.1 General. All valves shall be tested hydrostatically by the manufacturer before despatch. Tests shall
be carried out with water unless the use of another liquid is agreed between the purchaser and the
manufacturer.
The test pressures shall be determined from the following relationships:
a) body tests 1.5 PN;
b) seat tests 1.0 PN or the, manufacturer’s recommended service pressure, whichever is the lesser.
These pressures shall be obtained without any significant hydraulic shock. The valves shall be tested before
the application of paint or other similar treatment unless otherwise agreed between the purchaser and the
manufacturer.

8 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 5159:1974

There shall be no air trapped within the parts of the valve subjected to the test pressure.
There shall be no visible evidence of leakage during the tests.
The test durations shall be as given in Table 6 unless otherwise agreed between the purchaser and the
manufacturer.
Table 6 — Test durations
1 2 3 4

Flanged: nominal size Screwed: nominal size Minimum test duration (min)

DN body seat

Up to and including Up to and including

50 2 0.25 0.25
65 to 150 2½ to 4 1 1
200 to 300 — 2 2
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

350 and above — 5 5

18.2 Body tests. All completely assembled valves shall be tested as follows.
a) The body ends shall be blanked so that the valve is subjected to the full pressure stresses in all
directions induced by the test pressure.
b) The valve shall be tested in the partly open position.
18.3 Seat tests. All completely assembled valves shall be tested as follows.
a) The seating surfaces of the valve shall be cleaned unless a surface treatment forms an integral part
of the design or the use of a temporary surface treatment has been agreed between the manufacturer
and the purchaser to avoid the possibility of damage under the conditions of the test.
b) The valve shall be tested after closing in the normal manner.
c) The seat shall be tested by successively subjecting each end of the closed valve to pressure, the other
end being open to the atmosphere.

19 Test certificate
When specified by the purchaser, the manufacturer shall issue a test certificate confirming that the valves
have been tested in accordance with this standard, and stating the actual pressures and medium used in
the test.

20 Inspection
If inspection is required, this shall be stated in the enquiry and order. The purchaser or his authorized
representative shall have access to the manufacturer’s works at all reasonable times to inspect the
assembled valves to his order.

21 Witnessing of tests
When the purchaser desires to witness the tests the manufacturer shall notify him to enable his inspector
to be present.

22 Certificate of conformity
The manufacturer shall, when so stated in the order, supply a certificate stating that the valves and valve
parts comply in all respects with the requirements of this standard and the order.

© BSI 10-1999 9
 BS 5159:1974

Section 6. Preparation for despatch

23 After testing
Each valve shall be drained, cleaned, prepared and suitably protected (painting of the finished valves shall
be at the option of the manufacturer unless specified by the purchaser) for despatch in such a way as to
minimize the possibility of damage and deterioration during transit and storage.

24 Ball position
All valve balls shall be in the open position when despatched.

25 Body ends
When specified, body ends shall be suitably sealed to exclude foreign matter during transit and storage.
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

26 Jointing surfaces
When specified, valves shall have their jointing surfaces protected.

Section 7. Marking
27 General
Each valve shall be marked clearly with the body and identification plate markings specified in clauses 28
and 29 (except as provided for in clause 32).

28 Body markings
Body markings shall be integral with the body or on a plate securely fixed to the body. If on a plate, this
shall be separate and distinct from the identification plate referred to in clause 29. Body markings shall be
as follows.
a) Nominal size DN (see 5.1) or nominal size (see 5.2).
b) Nominal pressure rating (PN . .).
c) Body material designation (e.g. “CI”) (see clause 30).
d) Manufacturer’s name or trade mark.
e) Arrow to indicate direction of flow (uni-directional flow valves only).

29 Body or identification plate markings

Body or identification plate markings shall be as follows.
a) Any limiting temperature (°C) when the valve is not suitable for the range of temperatures specified
in BS 4504 (see clause 7).
b) The number of this British Standard, i.e. BS 5159.
c) Seat material designation, if different from that of the body.
d) Ball material designation, if different from that of the body.

30 Material symbols
Where appropriate the following symbols shall be used for body material designation [see clause 28 c)] and
seat and ball material designation [see clause 29 c) and d)], and identification of the type of seat.
Cast iron, grey CI Carbon steel CS or STEEL
malleable MI Stainless steel SS
spheroidal graphite SG Nickel alloy NA
Gunmetal GM
Brass BR Integral seats INT
Aluminium bronze AB Resilient seats RES

10 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 5159:1974

The symbol for the identification of the type of seat shall be marked immediately after the appropriate body
material designation [see clause 28 c)] or seat or ball material designation [see clause 29 c) and d)].

31 Additional markings
Additional markings may be used at the option of the manufacturer providing they do not conflict with any
of the specified markings.

32 Omission of markings
On valves smaller than DN 50 or nominal size 2 the following body marking may be omitted provided they
are shown on the identification plate.
a) Nominal size.
b) Nominal pressure rating (PN).
c) Material designation.
d) Manufacturer’s name or trade mark.
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Section 8. Valves for use in ANSI flanged piping systems

33 Requirements
The requirements for valves to be used in ANSI flanged piping systems are specified in Appendix A.

Section 9. Enquiry or order information

34 Information to be supplied
The following information should be supplied by the purchaser in an enquiry or order.
a) If valves are to be “fire-safe” or are to be protected against electrostatic build-up (see clause 1).
b) Pattern of valve (see clause 4).
c) Nominal size DN (see 5.1) or nominal size (see 5.2 and A.1).
d) Nominal pressure (PN) designation (see clause 6) or ANSI pressure classification (see A.2).
e) Maximum and minimum service temperature (see 7.2 and A.6).
f) The body ends required
1) If flanged, state whether in accordance with BS 4504 or in accordance with ANSI Class 125,
Class 150, Class 300, Class 400 or Class 600 (see clause 8 or A.3) and if flanges are to be undrilled
(see 8.2); also whether for PN 10/16, PN 25 (cast iron) and PN 25/40 (carbon steel) valves the short or
long series of face-to-face dimensions is required (see 8.3).
2) If screwed state whether a specific thread form (parallel or taper) is required (see clause 9) and if
other than in accordance with BS 21 (ISO/R 7), the type required (see 9.2).
g) If chainwheel operation is required, details of chainwheel and chain (see 12.8).
h) If gear operation is required, details of the gearing and its arrangement (see 12.9).
i) If actuator operation is required, details of the actuator and its power supply and the design maximum
pressure differential across the valve (see 12.10).
j) If a particular form of attachment of the end flanges is required (see clause 14).
k) If possible, the specific purpose for which the valve is required and any preference for materials
(see clauses 16 and 17).
l) State if any of the following is required:
1) a body tapping and, if a plug is required, its material (see clause 11);
2) a wrench (see 12.4);
3) test certificate (see clause 19);
4) inspection or witnessing of tests or certificate of conformity (see clauses 20 to 22);
5) painting (see clause 23);
6) body ends sealed for despatch (see clause 25);
7) jointing surfaces protected (see clause 26).

© BSI 10-1999 11
 BS 5159:1974

Appendix A Cast iron and carbon steel ball valves for general purposes with
ANSI Class 125, Class 150, Class 300, Class 400 and Class 600 flanges
When valves in accordance with this standard are required for use in ANSI (BS 1560) flanged piping
systems, all the requirements of this standard apply, with the following qualifications.
A.1 Nominal sizes. For cast iron valves with Class 125 flanges the range of nominal sizes is listed in
Table 7.
For carbon steel valves the ranges of nominal sizes shall be as follows (inch equivalents in parentheses):
Class 150, Class 300 and Class 600: 15 (½), 20 (<), 25 (1), 32 (1¼)4), 40 (1½), 50 (2), 65 (2½)4), 80 (3),
100 (4), 150 (6), 200 (8), 250 (10), 300 (12), 350 (14), 400 (16), 450 (18), 500 (20), 600 (24).
Class 400: 100 (4), 150 (6), 200 (8), 250 (10), 300 (12), 350 (14), 400 (16), 450 (18), 500 (20), 600 (24).
A.2 Pressure classification. Valves complying with the requirements of this appendix shall be
designated Class 125, Class 150, Class 300, Class 400 or Class 600 valves as appropriate. The numerals in
the class designation represent the primary service pressure rating of the valve in pounds-force per square
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

inch.
A.3 Face-to-face dimensions. The face-to-face dimensions of Class 125, Class 150, Class 300, Class 400
and Class 600 valves shall correspond to those listed in Table 2 according to the following relations, except
that for steel ring-joint flanges the valves of X in Table 7 shall be added to the face-to-face dimensions given
in Table 2.
Class PN
125 10/16 

150 10/16  all patterns and series
300 25 and 25/40 

400 64/100
600 64/100
Table 7 — Value X for steel ring-joint flanges
1 2 3 4
Nominal size of valve X
Class 150 Class 300 Class 400 and Class 600
DN in mm mm mm
25 1 13 13 0
(32)a (1¼)a (12) (12) (0)
40 1½ 13 13 0
50 2 12 16 3
(65)a (2½)a (13) 16 3
80 3 13 15 3
100 4 12 16 3
150 6 13 16 3
200 8 13 16 4
250 10 13 16 4
300 12 12 16 3
350 14 13 16 3
400 16 13 16 3
450 18 12 16 3
500 20 13 20 6
600 24 13 22 10
a Thesesizes have been retained only for the purpose of replacing existing valves. Their use for
new construction in piping systems using BS 1560-2 flanges should be avoided.

4)
These sizes have been retained only for the purpose of replacing existing valves. Their use for new construction in piping
systems using BS 1560-2 flanges should be avoided.

12 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 5159:1974

A.4 Flange dimensions. The dimensions of ANSI Class 125 cast iron flanges shall be in accordance with
Table 8.
Table 8 — Dimensions of ANSI Class 125 flangesa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Nominal size of valve Diameter of Minimum Diameter of Number of Diameter of bolt holes
flange thickness of bolt circle bolts
flange

DN in mm mm mm mm in
25 1 108 11.1 79.4 4 15.9 c
(32)b (1¼)b 117 12.7 88.9 4 15.9 c
40 1½ 127 14.3 98.4 4 15.9 c
50 2 152 15.9 120.6 4 19.0 ¾
(65)b (2½)b 178 17.5 139.7 4 19.0 ¾
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

80 3 190 19.0 152.4 4 19.0 ¾

100 4 229 23.8 190.5 8 19.0 ¾
150 6 279 25.4 241.3 8 22.2 d
200 8 343 28.6 298.4 8 22.2 d
250 10 406 30.2 362.0 12 25.4 1
300 12 483 31.8 431.8 12 25.4 1
350 14 533 34.9 476.2 12 28.6 1a
400 16 597 36.5 539.8 16 28.6 1a
450 18 635 39.7 577.8 16 31.8 1¼
500 20 698 42.9 635.0 20 31.8 1¼
600 24 813 47.6 749.3 20 34.9 1b
a
Source of data: ANSI B 16.1.
b Thesesizes have been retained only for the purpose of replacing existing valves. Their use for new construction in piping systems
using BS 1560-2 flanges should be avoided.

A.5 Flange thickness tolerance. The tolerance on flange thickness in Table 8 shall be:
a) up to and including 32 mm thick +3.0
–0
mm;
b) over 32 mm thick +4.5 mm.
–0
The dimensions of ANSI (BS 1560) Class 150, Class 300, Class 400 and Class 600 carbon steel flanges shall
be in accordance with the requirements of the appropriate tables of BS 1560-2.
A.6 Pressure/temperature ratings. Pressure/temperature ratings shall be as in A.6 a) and A.6 b) except
that restrictions on operating temperature may be imposed by the manufacturer, from whom details should
then be sought, (see also 7.2).
a) For Class 125 cast iron valves the pressure/temperature ratings shall be as given in Table 9.

© BSI 10-1999 13
 BS 5159:1974

Table 9 — Pressure/temperature ratingsa for Class 125 valves

1 2 3

Temperature Maximum permissible gauge working pressure for nominal size

up to and including DN 350 or 14 in and above

DN 300 or 12 in

°C barb barb
– 10 to 66 13.8 10.3
93 13.1 9.3
107 12.4 9.0
121 12.1 8.6
135 11.7 8.3
149 11.4 7.6
163
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

10.7 7.2
177 10.3 6.9
191 10.0 —
204 9.7 —
a Source of data: BS 5150.
b 1 bar = 105 N/m2 = 102 kPa.

NOTE Intermediate values may be obtained by linear interpolation.

b) For Class 150, Class 300, Class 400 and Class 600 carbon steel valves the pressure/temperature
ratings shall be in accordance with th‘e relevant tables of BS 1560-2.
A.7 Testing and inspection. Valves with ANSI flanges shall be tested and inspected in accordance with
section 5 of this standard except that the test pressures given in Table 10 shall apply.
Table 10 — Test pressure (gauge) for Class 125, Class 150,
Class 300, Class 400 and Class 600 valves
1 2 3

Gauge test pressure for:

Class body seat

a
bar bara
125 (up to and including DN 300) 24.1 13.8
125 (DN 350 and above) 18.3 10.3
150 30.0 22.0
300 76.0 55.0
400 100.0 69.0
600 150.0 110.0
a1 bar = 105 N/m2 = 102 kPa.

NOTE The seat test pressure shall be equal to the manufacturer’s recommended service pressure if less than the above.
A.8 Marking. Valves complying with the requirements of this appendix shall be marked in accordance
with section 7 of this standard except that the valves shall be marked on the body with the appropriate
class designation, e.g. “Class 125”5) and with the nominal size in inches. These markings may be in place
of, or additional to, those required in clause 28, at the manufacturer’s option.

5)
Where, due to the small size of the valve, it is impracticable to incorporate the word “Class” this may be omitted.

14 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 5159:1974

Publications referred to

This standard makes reference to the following British Standards and international publications:
BS 21, Pipe threads for tubes and fittings where pressure-tight joints are made on the threads.
BS 759, Valves, gauges and other safety fittings for application to boilers and to piping installations for
and in connection with boilers.
BS 806, Ferrous pipes and piping installations for and in connection with land boilers.
BS 970, Wrought steels in the form of blooms, billets, bars and forgings.
BS 970-1, Carbon and carbon manganese steels including free cutting steels.
BS 1452, Grey iron castings.
BS 1501-6, Steels for use in the chemical, petroleum and allied industries.
BS 1501, Steels for fired and unfired pressure vessels: Plates.
BS 1501-1, Carbon and carbon manganese steels: Imperial units.
BS 1503, Steels for fired and unfired pressure vessels. Forgings.
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

BS 1560, Steel pipe flanges and flanged fittings (nominal sizes ½ in to 24 in) for the petroleum industry.
BS 1560-2, Metric dimensions.
BS 1768, Unified precision hexagon bolts, screws and nuts (UNC and UNF threads). Normal series.
BS 1769, Unified black hexagon bolts, screws and nuts (UNC and UNF threads). Heavy series.
BS 2470, Hexagon socket screws and wrench keys. Inch series.
BS 2591, Glossary for valves and valve parts (for fluids).
BS 2591-5, Ball valves.
BS 2693, Screwed studs.
BS 2693-1, General purpose studs.
BS 2708, Unified black square and hexagon bolts, screws and nuts (UNC and UNF threads). Normal series.
BS 3351, Piping systems for petroleum refineries and petrochemical plants.
BS 3692, ISO metric precision hexagon bolts, screws and nuts.
BS 4168, Hexagon socket screws and wrench keys — metric series.
BS 4190, ISO metric black hexagon bolts, screws and nuts.
BS 4439, Screwed studs for general purposes.
BS 4504, Flanges and bolting for pipes, valves and fittings. Metric series.
BS 4882, Bolting for flanges and pressure containing purposes.
BS . . . ., Flange attachment dimensions of actuators to general purpose valves6).
ISO/R 7, Pipe threads for gas list tubes and screwed fittings where pressure-tight joints are made on the
threads (a inch to 6 inches).
ISO 1179, Pipe connections for plain end steel and other metal tubes in industrial applications.

6) In course of preparation.

© BSI 10-1999
 BS 5159:1974

BSI — British Standards Institution

BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing
British Standards. It presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the
international level. It is incorporated by Royal Charter.

Revisions

British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of

British Standards should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or
editions.

It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services.
We would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using
this British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee
responsible, the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover.
Tel: 020 8996 9000. Fax: 020 8996 7400.

BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures
that subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 25 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Buying standards

Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the

BSI implementation of those that have been published as British Standards,
unless otherwise requested.

Information on standards

BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and

international standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters
Service. Various BSI electronic information services are also available which give
details on all its products and services. Contact the Information Centre.
Tel: 020 8996 7111. Fax: 020 8996 7048.

Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments

and receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details
of these and other benefits contact Membership Administration.
Tel: 020 8996 7002. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

Copyright

Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the
UK, of the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as
permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means – electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written
permission from BSI.

This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard,
of necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
written permission of BSI must be obtained.

If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing

agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
BSI Tel: 020 8996 7070.
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL