Pre-Order Checklist for Industrial Valves | Euro Flow Control

Pre-order checklist for industrial valves

Before placing a purchase order for industrial valves, a systematic review of the specification prevents the most common procurement errors: wrong pressure class, incompatible end connections, missing certifications, and lead-time surprises. This checklist covers the points that most often cause problems at the order stage or on delivery.

Technical specification check

Valve type confirmed: Gate, globe, butterfly, ball, check, knife gate, strainer — confirm the type matches the duty (isolation, throttling, backflow prevention, filtration).
Size (DN or NPS): Confirm the nominal size matches the pipe bore. Note whether DN (EN) or NPS (ASME) is the project standard.
Pressure class: Confirm PN or ANSI Class at the operating temperature, not just ambient. Check the P-T derating table if operating above 80°C.
Body material: Confirmed against the fluid service: temperature, chemical compatibility, corrosion environment. Reference EN or ASTM material grade.
Seat / trim material: Confirmed against fluid chemistry and temperature. EPDM for water, NBR for oil, FKM for aggressive chemicals, PTFE for near-universal compatibility, metal-to-metal for high temperature.
End connections: Flanged (EN 1092-1 or ASME B16.5, with face type), threaded (BSP or NPT), wafer, lug wafer, or butt-weld — and confirmed against mating pipe flanges.
Face-to-face: EN 558 series confirmed for flanged valves. Non-standard F-F will require custom spool pieces.
Actuation: Manual, gear, electric, pneumatic or hydraulic. Torque sizing confirmed. Fail mode specified. Control signal type confirmed.
Standards / approvals: Any certification listed and confirmed as current: WRAS, API 607, API 6D, DNV, FM, UL, ATEX. Certificate requested, not just datasheet notation.
Operating medium: Fluid fully described: name, concentration, temperature, flow rate, and any hazardous properties (H2S, oxygen service, flammable, toxic).

Documentation and certification check

Material certificates: EN 10204 2.2 (test report), 3.1 (mill certificate) or 3.2 (third-party witnessed) specified and included in purchase order.
Pressure test records: Factory hydrostatic test records required and stated in order. For API 6D valves, mandatory for each unit.
EU Declaration of Conformity: Required for valves subject to PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) placed on the EU market above the PED exclusions.
Datasheet revision: Confirm the datasheet revision reviewed is the current issue from the manufacturer.

Commercial and delivery check

Lead time confirmed: Standard stock versus ex-works lead time confirmed and compatible with project schedule. Custom or large-bore valves often 10–16 weeks ex-works.
Quantity and line items: All quantities and line items verified against the valve schedule. Duplicates and omissions caught before the order is placed.
Delivery address and incoterms: Delivery location, incoterms and packaging requirements confirmed.
Spare parts: Recommend ordereing one set of seat and seal spares with the initial order, particularly for non-standard sizes or materials with longer lead times.