{"data":{"id":"us/46-cfr-56.20-15","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"46 CFR 56.20-15","heading":"-15 Valves employing resilient material.","body":"(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.\n(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:\n(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). 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). Positive shutoff valves may be used in any location in lieu of a Category A or Category B valve.\n(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). To be qualified as a Category A valve, the valve must meet the fire test and leakage requirements of API 607.\n(i) Category A valves are required at vital piping system manifolds;\n(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\n(iii) Category A valves must be used for valves providing closure for any opening in the shell of the vessel.\n(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.\n(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.","path":["Title 46—Shipping","CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY","SUBCHAPTER F—MARINE ENGINEERING","PART 56—PIPING SYSTEMS AND APPURTENANCES","Subpart 56.20—Valves"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-46.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:26:22Z","sha256":"70e957d260ebf8ec5f0c75a53056e660d4e5cb947295effb682eca554122601b","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/46-cfr-56.20-9","next":"us/46-cfr-56.20-20"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}