The Danco brand was built for US Navy shipbuilding operations. Since 1983, Dante Valve has built pressure relief valves tailored to meet the most stringent standards of the US military and maritime allies—durable valves, designed for high performance in demanding environments and a high degree of interoperability in mission-critical shipboard systems.
In this article, we will explore where Danco valves fit into military shipbuilding operations in shipyards across the US and how to use them to bring out the best in your projects.
Exploring the Role of Danco Valves in Naval Shipbuilding
Ships need reliable, heavy-duty valves of all types to remain seaworthy. One of the most critical types of valve you’ll find in shipboard systems is the pressure relief valve—a valve designed to automatically detect when the fluid pressure running through a system reaches too high a level. When the pressure starts to rise higher than downstream equipment or piping infrastructure can safely withstand, the valve relieves the overpressurization in the system and either diverts the pressurized media into a dedicated collection vessel or expels it from the system.
As a result, the system’s pressure never rises higher than its maximum safe tolerances, preventing overpressure situations that can damage critical equipment or even cause injuries among the crew.
Pressure Relief Valves: The US Navy’s Safety Workhorses
In US Navy shipbuilding operations, you’ll find pressure relief valves in critical systems such as:
- Propulsion systems, including fuel and oil systems for turbine engines and lubrication systems for reduction gears
- Hydraulic systems in steering gear systems and weapons elevation systems, such as gun mounts and missile launchers
- Fuel oil transfer and service systems
- Firefighting and damage control systems, such as AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) systems and seawater firemain systems
- HVAC and cooling systems
- Hydraulic actuation and cooling support subsystems for vertical launching systems
- Ballast control systems
- Waste and potable water vessels
- Primary and secondary loops, radiological shielding, and cooling systems in nuclear propulsion systems
As you can see, pressure relief valves protect some of the most essential functions aboard modern military vessels. However, not just any old valve will do—they must comply with stringent military specifications (MIL-SPEC) to ensure peak performance even in the most demanding environments and circumstances.
MIL-SPEC Standards in Military Shipbuilding
In addition to meeting international standards for valve construction, design, and performance—for example, those defined by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization)—Danco valves must meet the US military’s standards by:
- Using ASTM-rated materials in their construction to provide durability in harsh maritime environments
- Being designed for interoperability—the ability to connect seamlessly to a wide range of flow control components for easier installation, maintenance, and repair across a wide range of system configurations
- Rigorous shock testing and vibration testing, in accordance with US military standards, for valves designed to be used in specific maritime environments that involve repeated or continuous exposure to physical shock and vibration
- Wire sealing to protect valves from unauthorized tampering
- Comprehensive warranties on materials and workmanship against defects for two years to ensure complete manufacturer support in the event of unexpected performance issues or failures
MIL-SPEC valves meet the stringent design and construction standards set by the US military to ensure reliability and efficiency in environments where failure is not an option. They must be manufactured precisely, with the closest attention paid to the tiniest details and the support of extensive technical expertise and understanding of military shipbuilding and engineering requirements.
These high standards are what make Danco valves the best choice of durable, military-grade pressure relief valves for military shipbuilding projects.
Best Practices for Integrating Danco Valves Into US Navy Shipbuilding Projects
As demanded by military specifications, Danco valves are built to high standards to provide reliable overpressure prevention in new and existing shipboard systems. To make the most of their pressure relief capabilities, follow these eight best practices in your military shipbuilding projects to ensure seamless installation and peak performance:
1. Early Specification and Design Integration
The first step in a shipbuilding project is always the most important. As you collaborate with naval architects and marine engineers in the early design phase, pay special attention to how Danco valves will fit into systems where overpressure protection is mission-critical. Thoroughly reference the applicable MIL-SPEC for the valve service to make sure your design and use of Danco valves are in line with the customer requirements.
2. Use Navy-Approved Materials and Certifications
The Danco valves used in your shipbuilding projects must meet or exceed relevant MIL-SPEC, ABS, and NAVSEA requirements for each application. Ensure your choice of materials is resistant to corrosion in seawater and high-salinity environments, especially for submarine or below-deck installations.
3. Document Quality Assurance (QA) and Traceability
Dante Valve’s robust QA documentation provides the highest degree of traceability for our products. Shipbuilders should maintain lot control and serialized tracking for all installed valves. As needed, work with our customer service team to acquire documentation packages with information such as pressure test results, heat treat certifications, or material certs.
4. Integration with Maintenance Planning
Include proactive plans for long-term lifecycle maintenance in your military shipbuilding products by choosing valves that align with the Navy’s scheduled maintenance windows. Dante Valve’s repair and rework services provide cost-effective refurbishment options and can be integrated into your ILS (Integrated Logistics Support) documentation.
5. Standardize Across Platforms Where Possible
When balancing multiple US Navy shipbuilding projects, you can both streamline procurement and ensure consistent performance by using common Danco valve models across different vessel classes (e.g., LHDs, DDGs, CVNs). Standardization will also streamline your spare parts inventory management procedures and reduce training burdens for maintenance crews.
6. Engage in Pre-Award Engineering Reviews
Ensure your choice of Danco products is fully vetted for compatibility and mission readiness by participating in Pre-Award or Pre-Production Review Boards (PPRs) with NAVSEA and prime contractors.
7. Ensure Alignment with Shock and Vibration Standards
Many Navy ships require systems to be MIL-S-901D shock-qualified. Not all Danco pressure relief valves, however, are intended for systems requiring mil-spec shock and vibration testing. Make certain that your choice of Danco valves meets the appropriate shock and vibration resistance criteria for their installation location.
8. Take Advantage of Dante Valve Customer Support
For over four decades, across multiple generations of Dante family leadership, Dante Valve has set an exceptionally high benchmark for not only high product quality and swift order fulfillment—within 24 hours for most orders—but also extensive after-sales technical and customer support for our US Navy customers.
Our team is standing by to assist you in training your shipyard personnel and Navy maintenance teams on valve installation, testing, and servicing procedures by providing extensive documentation upon request.
Transform Your Next Military Shipbuilding Operation
Set a new standard for your shipbuilding projects. Dante Valve’s Danco product line and responsive services combine the MIL-SPEC quality the US Navy demands with comprehensive support to ensure you can build and install reliable shipboard systems on time, on budget, and with full confidence in their performance throughout their operational lifespan.
For more information about Danco valve products, contact us today, or request a quote if you are ready to make a purchase.