# Valve Test Record Template (Shell, Backseat and Seat Tests)

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/valve-test-record-template-api-598-shell-and-seat
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

Document valve shell, backseat and seat leakage tests with test pressures, hold times, medium and results, ready to print or attach to a data book.

## Category

quality

## Industry

Oil and Gas Equipment

## Audience

- Test technician
- Quality inspector
- Valve shop supervisor
- Customer inspector

## Tool

**Kind:** template

**Output:** document

**Fields:**

#### Valve manufacturer or shop

**Key:** company

**Type:** text

**Default:** Permian Valve Services Inc

#### Customer

**Key:** customer

**Type:** text

**Default:** Example Midstream LLC

#### PO number

**Key:** po

**Type:** text

**Default:** PO-77412-03

#### Valve tag

**Key:** tag

**Type:** text

**Default:** XV-2201

#### Serial number

**Key:** serial

**Type:** text

**Default:** VLV-26-1184

#### Valve type

**Key:** vtype

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Gate
- Globe
- Check
- Ball
- Plug
- Butterfly

**Default:** Gate

#### Size and class

**Key:** size

**Type:** text

**Default:** NPS 6, Class 600

#### Body and trim material

**Key:** body

**Type:** text

**Default:** A216 WCB body, 13Cr trim

#### Test standard

**Key:** spec

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- API 598
- API 6D
- API 6A
- ISO 5208
- Customer specification

**Default:** API 598

#### Test medium

**Key:** medium

**Type:** text

**Default:** Water for shell, water for seat

#### Shell test pressure

**Key:** shell_p

**Type:** text

**Default:** 2220 psig

#### Shell hold time

**Key:** shell_t

**Type:** text

**Default:** 15 minutes

#### Seat test pressure

**Key:** seat_p

**Type:** text

**Default:** 1628 psig (1.1 x rating)

#### Seat hold time

**Key:** seat_t

**Type:** text

**Default:** 5 minutes

#### Allowed seat leakage

**Key:** leak

**Type:** text

**Default:** No visible leakage for soft seat; per standard rate for metal seat

#### Overall result

**Key:** result

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Accepted
- Rejected, retest after repair

**Default:** Accepted

#### Test date

**Key:** date

**Type:** date

**Default:** 2026-10-20

**Blocks:**

#### Valve Pressure Test Record

**Body:** Manufacturer or shop: {{company}}
Customer: {{customer}}
PO number: {{po}}
Tag: {{tag}}
Serial number: {{serial}}
Test date: {{date}}

#### Valve Identification

**Table:**

**Columns:**

- Item
- Value

**Rows:**

**0:** Type

**1:** {{vtype}}

**0:** Size and class

**1:** {{size}}

**0:** Body and trim

**1:** {{body}}

**0:** Test standard

**1:** {{spec}}

#### Test Results

**Table:**

**Columns:**

- Test
- Pressure
- Hold time
- Medium
- Result

**Rows:**

**0:** Shell

**1:** {{shell_p}}

**2:** {{shell_t}}

**3:** {{medium}}

**0:** Backseat

**0:** Seat, upstream

**1:** {{seat_p}}

**2:** {{seat_t}}

**3:** {{medium}}

**0:** Seat, downstream

**1:** {{seat_p}}

**2:** {{seat_t}}

**3:** {{medium}}

**0:** Low pressure air seat

**3:** Air

#### Acceptance Criteria

**Body:** Shell: no visible leakage through the body, body joints or packing for the stated duration.
Seat: {{leak}}.

Overall result: {{result}}

#### Instruments

**Body:** Gauge ID: ______  Calibration due: ______
Test bench ID: ______

#### Signatures

**Signatures:**

- Test technician
- Quality inspector
- Customer witness

**Notes:** Starting point only. Test pressures, durations and allowable leakage differ by valve type, standard and edition, so copy the values from the governing standard and your customer's inspection and test plan. In API 598 the shell test is typically 1.5 times the 38 C rating and the high pressure seat test 1.1 times. Not legal or engineering advice.

## Content

**Intro:** Every pressure rated valve leaving a shop needs a record that shell and seats were tested. This template gives you a structured test record with shell, backseat and seat test lines and signature blocks.

**Sections:**

#### How to use the template

**Body:** Fill in the valve data and the standard, then set pressures and hold times from the standard for the valve type and class. Print or export the document and write down the observed results line by line during testing. Keep one record per serial number and file it with the material certificates and the final data book.

**Bullets:**

- Verify the seat direction for unidirectional valves
- Record water quality for stainless valves
- Test with the valve in the half-open position for shell tests where required
- Use a calibrated gauge and record the ID

#### What the tests mean

**Body:** The shell test pressurizes the body and bonnet to check the pressure boundary. The backseat test confirms stem sealing when the valve is fully open on valves designed with a backseat. The seat test checks leakage past the closure element, with allowable rates set by the standard and seat type. API 598 covers many general-purpose valves, API 6D covers pipeline valves, and API 6A covers wellhead equipment.

#### Reading the results

**Body:** A soft seated valve is normally expected to show no visible leakage during the test period. Metal seated valves have allowable leakage rates by size under the standard. If the valve fails, record the failure mode, repair it and retest from the start, keeping the first failed record on file so trends can be seen.

#### ERP and quality records

**Body:** In ERP, link the test record to the production or repair order for the serial number, with shell and seat pressure as inspection characteristics. That makes it possible to prove every shipped valve passed, and to find all valves of a given heat or batch if a material issue arises.

**Cta:** If you want test results captured straight into your ERP rather than paper, Netray can discuss how. The template stands on its own.

**Faq:**

#### What tests does API 598 require?

**Answer:** API 598 covers shell, backseat where applicable, and seat tests, with a high pressure test and low pressure air test for some valves. Pressures and durations depend on valve type, size and class, so use the standard tables.

#### What is the usual shell test pressure?

**Answer:** For many valves the shell test is 1.5 times the 38 degrees C pressure rating, held for a period that depends on valve size. Confirm the exact multiple and time in your governing standard.

#### Can I test with air instead of water?

**Answer:** Water or a suitable liquid is the standard medium for the high pressure tests. Air or gas tests are used for the low pressure seat test and in specific cases, and have extra safety requirements.

#### Does this meet API 6D paperwork?

**Answer:** It gives you the base record. API 6D and customer specifications may add fields such as test sequences and acceptance rates, so add those to match the contract.

## Search terms

valve test record template, api 598 test report, valve pressure test report format, valve seat leakage test report, api 6d valve test certificate, valve shell test record, valve testing certificate pdf, gate valve test report

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