API 6A Inspection & Test Plan (ITP)
A typical stage-wise ITP / quality plan for valves supplied to API 6A — inspection activities, tests, acceptance references and verifying documents, with recommended hold, witness and review points for QC and third-party inspection.
What is the ITP for API 6A valves?
An Inspection & Test Plan (ITP) sequences every check between raw material and dispatch, and assigns each an inspection level — Review (document check), Witness (inspector may attend), or Hold (work stops until released). The plan below is a typical ITP for valves built to API 6A (Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment); the tests and documents are drawn directly from the standard's requirements. Use it to structure your QAP or coordinate third-party inspection.
1. Documentation & design review
Review- Approval of drawings, datasheets and QAP against API 6A
- Product Specification Level (PSL): 1, 2, 3, 3G, or 4 - each with escalating quality, testing, and documentation requirements
- Working pressure classes: 2000, 3000, 5000, 10000, 15000, and 20000 psi
2. Raw material verification
Review- Material Test Reports (MTRs) review per EN 10204 3.1/3.2
- Positive Material Identification (PMI) of pressure-containing parts
3. Dimensional inspection
Witness- Dimensional check per API 6A / ASME B16.34 / applicable face-to-face
- Wall thickness verification
4. NDE (as applicable)
Witness- Visual, and RT/UT/MPI/DPT of castings/welds per specification
5. Pressure & performance testing
Hold- Hydrostatic body (shell) test at 1.5× rated working pressure
- Seat (gate/seat interface) test at rated working pressure, both upstream and downstream seats
- Low-pressure gas seat test at 100–200 psi for PSL 3G/4
- Functional test: full open-to-close-to-open cycle under rated pressure
- Extended cyclic pressure test for PSL 3G and 4 qualification
Primary hold point — witnessed shell, seat and backseat tests.
6. Marking, painting & preservation
Review- Nameplate & body marking verification
- Painting/coating DFT check, end protection and preservation
7. Final documentation
Hold- API 6A monogram license (API monogram on equipment)
- Material Mill Test Reports (MTR) per EN 10204 3.1
- Full hydrostatic test report with witnessed pressure charts
- Third-party inspection certificate (PSL 3/3G/4)
- NACE MR0175 compliance report when CC/DD/EE/FF/HH material class is specified
Final documentation review before release/dispatch.
This is a typical ITP framework populated from API 6A requirements, for reference. The actual hold/witness/review split is agreed per project between purchaser, manufacturer and the third-party inspection agency in the approved QAP. Confirm project-specific requirements before use.
Connected Engineering
Need API 6A valves with a full ITP?
We supply API 6A-compliant valves with a project-specific ITP, in-house QC and third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV, DNV) coordination — hold and witness points accommodated. Get a 24-hour quote.