---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 56.20-15"
title: "46"
number: "56.20-15"
heading: "Valves employing resilient material."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/56.20-15"
---

# §56.20-15. Valves employing resilient material.

- (a) A valve in which the closure is accomplished by resilient nonmetallic material instead of a metal-to-metal seat must comply with the design, material, construction, and testing for valves specified in this section.
- (b) **Valves employing resilient material are divided into three categories—** Positive shutoff, Category A, and Category B, and must be tested and used as follows:
  - (1) **Positive shutoff valves.** The closed valve must pass less than 10 ml/hr (0.34 fluid oz/hr) of liquid, or less than 3 l/hr (0.11 cubic ft/hr) of gas per inch nominal pipe size through the line at full rated pressure after being subjected to the fire test requirements of API 607 (incorporated by reference; see [§ 56.01-2](/cfr/46/56.01-2.md)). Packing material must be fire resistant. Piping subject to internal head pressure from a tank containing oil must be fitted with positive shutoff valves located at the tank in accordance with [§ 56.50-60(d)](/cfr/46/56.50-60.md?p=d). Positive shutoff valves may be used in any location in lieu of a Category A or Category B valve.
  - (2) **Category A valves.** Category A valves may be used in any location except where positive shutoff valves are required by [§ 56.50-60(d)](/cfr/46/56.50-60.md?p=d). To be qualified as a Category A valve, the valve must meet the fire test and leakage requirements of API 607.
    - (i) Category A valves are required at vital piping system manifolds;
    - (ii) Category A valves must be used in isolation valves in cross-connects between two piping systems, at least one of which is a vital system, where failure of the valve in a fire would prevent the vital system(s) from functioning as designed; and
    - (iii) Category A valves must be used for valves providing closure for any opening in the shell of the vessel.
  - (3) **Category B valves.** The closed valve will not provide effective closure of the line or will permit appreciable leakage from the valve after the resilient material is damaged or destroyed. Category B valves are not required to be tested and may be used in any location except where a Category A or positive shutoff valve is required.
- (c) Resiliently seated valves previously accepted by the Commandant or the Marine Safety Center may continue to be used within the service restrictions of their acceptance.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 95-028, 62 FR 51200, Sept. 30, 1997, as amended by USCG-2003-16630, 73 FR 65176, Oct. 31, 2008]

### Source

Source: CGFR 68-82, 33 FR 18843, Dec. 18, 1968, as amended by USCG-2020-0634, 89 FR 50131, June 12, 2024, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j), 1509; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: CGFR 68-82, 33 FR 18843, Dec. 18, 1968, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 95-028, 62 FR 51200, Sept. 30, 1997, as amended by USCG-2003-16630, 73 FR 65176, Oct. 31, 2008]