The History of Standardization for the Oil and Gas Valve Repair Industry

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Main Valve ShopThe modern oil and gas valve repair and replacement industry owes a great deal to the implementation of standardization in the manufacturing field. Before standard sizes and dimensions were instituted, each manufacturer was responsible for setting their own sizes and configurations for valves and other components of their equipment. Here are some of the most important milestones in standardization of industrial valves in the manufacturing industry. 

Building Better Boilers 

The impetus for creating standards for valves and other components came from negative public response to boiler explosions that claimed lives and interrupted work for days or weeks during the late 1800s. Steam-fired boilers were earning a bad reputation among workers. It was clear that something had to be done to correct these problems and to restore trust in the industry. 

The Founding of ASME 

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, better known as ASME, was founded in 1880 to create workable industry standards for boiler and pressure vessels. ASME engineers released the first version of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) in 1914. Since that time, the BPVC has continually been updated and enhanced with added codes and standards that provide uniform consistency for tools, valves, connectors, industrial valve repair and other components used throughout the manufacturing world. 

Other Standards Organizations Take Up the Challenge 

For the oil and gas industry, the founding of the American Petroleum Institute (API) in 1911 marks an important milestone in the standardization of equipment for extracting crude oil and conveying it to refineries. During World War I, the need for petroleum products was critical. By establishing standards for pipe sizes, valves, connectors and other key components, the API was able to alleviate some of the issues associated with lack of consistency in the oil and gas industry. 

The Benefits of Standardization 

By creating standards for quality, materials and configurations, ASME and other organizations have made it much easier to perform valve repair field services, to acquire the right parts for existing machinery and to maintain tools that can be used to maintain oil and gas drilling equipment from a wide range of manufacturers. Standardization makes it easier and cheaper to perform industrial valve repair or to obtain replacement parts when necessary. This can ensure the fastest and most effective oil and gas valve repair services for your company’s needs. 

At Valsource, our highly trained technicians can provide you with fast turnaround times and comprehensive oil and gas valve repair and replacement solutions to keep your operations on track. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that you receive the best support for your operations. Call us today at 
281-474-1163 to request service or to discuss your situation with our technical support team. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.