The minimum viable specification
Every valve RFQ should include at minimum: valve type, nominal size (DN or NPS), pressure class (PN or ANSI Class), body material, seat/trim material, end connection type and quantity. Without all six of these fields, the supplier cannot provide a specific product price — only a range, which is not useful for project cost control.
If any of these fields is genuinely open (for example, you have not yet decided on body material), say so explicitly rather than leaving the field blank. "Body material to supplier recommendation for potable water service" is a valid specification — it tells the supplier what to assume without leaving them to guess.
Specification checklist
- Valve type
- Gate, globe, butterfly, ball, check, knife gate, etc.
- Quantity
- Number of valves required. Note if the quantity affects price (e.g. "pricing required for 1 and for 10").
- Size (DN or NPS)
- Nominal size in the applicable standard. Specify both if the project mixes EN and ASME.
- Pressure class
- PN rating for EN projects; ANSI Class for ASME projects. Include operating pressure and temperature if near the rating limit.
- Body material
- Ductile iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, bronze, etc. Reference the EN or ASTM material grade where possible.
- Seat / trim material
- EPDM, NBR, PTFE, metal-to-metal, Stellite-faced, etc.
- End connection
- Flanged (specify EN 1092-1 or ASME B16.5), threaded (BSP or NPT), wafer, lug, butt-weld.
- Actuation
- Manual (lever or handwheel), gear operator, electric (specify voltage and control signal), pneumatic (specify supply pressure and action).
- Standards / approvals
- Any certification required: WRAS, API 6D, fire-safe API 607, DNV, ABS, ATEX, material certificates (EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2), etc.
- Operating medium
- Fluid, gas or slurry. Include temperature, any hazardous properties (H2S, chlorine, etc.), and cleanliness.
- Delivery requirement
- Required delivery date or lead time. Note whether partial deliveries are acceptable.
- Project reference
- Purchase order number, project name or line-item reference so quotes can be tracked and compared.
Multi-line RFQs
Most projects involve more than one valve. Submitting a multi-line RFQ — all items in a single document or submission — is more efficient for both parties than sending individual enquiries for each valve. It allows the supplier to optimise sourcing across the full list, and makes it easier to compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.
Use a consistent format across all lines: a spreadsheet or structured table with one row per valve line is the standard approach. Euro Flow Control's RFQ form accepts multi-line submissions in a single step — add each valve to your basket with its specification, then submit the full list at once.
For items where you have an exact catalogue product in mind, reference the product ID or datasheet. For items that require custom sourcing, include as much specification detail as possible and flag them as custom enquiries so they are handled separately from stock items.
What to expect in return
A well-specified RFQ should generate a response that includes the exact product being quoted (manufacturer, model, applicable datasheet reference), the unit price, lead time, and any technical clarifications or deviations from your specification. If the supplier cannot meet a particular requirement, they should say so clearly rather than quoting an item that does not comply.
Euro Flow Control acknowledges all enquiries within one working day. Complex multi-line or custom RFQs may take two to three working days for a full technical and commercial response.