Valve Standard Reference
ASME B31.12
AmericanHydrogen Piping and Pipelines
ASME B31.
Overview — ASME B31.12
ASME B31.12 is the dedicated piping and pipeline code for hydrogen service — covering both industrial piping (IP) within facility boundaries and pipelines (PL) for long-distance hydrogen transmission. As the global hydrogen economy expands (green hydrogen, fuel cell supply, blue hydrogen CCS), B31.12 is becoming a critical reference for valve specification in hydrogen plants, electrolysis facilities, hydrogen refuelling stations, and gas network hydrogen blending projects.
Scope
Applies to piping and pipelines transporting hydrogen at all pressures, from ambient to high pressure (700 bar for hydrogen vehicle dispensing). Covers industrial piping (analogous to B31.3 for hydrogen) and pipeline transmission (analogous to B31.8 for hydrogen). Addresses hydrogen embrittlement of carbon steels, material selection limits, testing requirements, and design factors.
Applicable Valve Types
Ball Valves — full-bore, fugitive emission tested, fire-safe
Gate Valves — OS&Y, rising stem, Class 300–2500 for high pressure
Globe Valves — for flow control, bellows-seal for zero fugitive emissions
Check Valves — dual plate or lift type, hydrogen-rated trim
Needle Valves — for instrumentation and sampling lines
Applicable Pressure Classes
Key Requirements — ASME B31.12
Material restrictions: carbon steels are limited by hydrogen embrittlement — specific grades and yield strength limits apply (e.g., max 70 ksi minimum yield for pipelines)
Preferred materials: austenitic stainless steel (SS 316L), nickel alloys — immune to hydrogen embrittlement at ambient temperature
Hardness limits on all pressure-containing components: max 22 HRC equivalent for sour-service valves per NACE MR0175
Fugitive emissions: ISO 15848-1 Class A (≤50 ppm) required for hydrogen valves due to low molecular weight and ignition risk
Fire-safe design: API 607 or API 6FA required — ignition risk in hydrogen is significantly higher than hydrocarbons
Valve packing: PTFE is susceptible to hydrogen permeation; graphite + metallic seal preferred
Anti-static device: mandatory to prevent static discharge ignition
Electrochemical isolation: dielectric unions required where hydrogen piping connects to cathodically protected steel structures
Testing Requirements — ASME B31.12
Hydrostatic shell test: 1.5× design pressure, per ASME B16.34
Seat leakage test: per API 598 (Class A bubble-tight preferred for hydrogen)
Fugitive emission test: ISO 15848-1 Type Testing Class A (≤50 ppm methane equivalent)
Fire-safe type test: API 607 or API 6FA qualification
Low-temperature testing if cryogenic hydrogen (LH2) service
Documentation Required for ASME B31.12 Compliance
Material test reports (EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2) with confirmation of hydrogen service suitability
Hardness test results for all pressure-containing parts (≤22 HRC per NACE if specified)
API 607 fire-safe type test certificate
ISO 15848-1 fugitive emission type test certificate
Dimensional inspection report to applicable dimensional standard (ASME B16.34, API 6D)
Related Standards
Browse ASME B31.12 Compliant Valves
All Standards
Need ASME B31.12 Compliant Valves?
We supply Ball Valves and other valve types to ASME B31.12 with full certification documentation. Share your requirements and get a quote within 24 hours.