API 6FA

Covers — the fire test procedure and acceptance criteria for valves (of the API 6A/6D lineage), measuring leakage and operability during and after a defined fire exposure.

Does NOT cover (exclusions) — the following are governed elsewhere:

• Quarter-turn/soft-seated valve fire testing → API 607 (parallel standard).
• Non-fire routine testing → API 598 / MSS SP-61.
• Valve design/ratings → the applicable API valve standard to ASME B16.34.

API 6FA and API 607 are parallel fire tests; the specification names which certification the valve must carry.

API 6FA sets minimum requirements for the fire test:

• Test Setup — a pressurized valve is subjected to a calibrated fire for a specified duration.
• Acceptance — through-seat and external leakage limits during and after the burn, plus post-fire operability.
• Certification — qualifies the valve family as fire-tested to API 6FA.

API 6FA specifies the fire test for valves in the API 6A/6D lineage, typically pipeline and heavier process valves. A pressurized valve is exposed to a calibrated fire, and both leakage and post-fire operability are checked against acceptance limits.

It is the sibling of API 607 (quarter-turn/soft-seated focus). Where a project requires fire-safe pipeline valves, API 6FA certification is usually the one named.

Engineering Note: Match the fire-test standard to the valve standard — API 6D pipeline valves are typically fire-tested to API 6FA, while process ball/butterfly valves are commonly to API 607.