Since the invention of the pressure safety valve by Erastus B. Kunkle in 1875, his self-named valves have remained the gold standard for performance, with high-quality construction and precision designs that adhere to some of the most rigorous industrial specifications. As a result, industrial fabricators and construction contractors trust Kunkle valves for the safety assurance they provide to their projects and customers.
With decades of experience working with Kunkle products as a factory-authorized assembler, the technicians at Dante Valve know these valves inside and out—and know that our customers can trust them to keep critical systems and personnel safe. Join us as we explore the industrial safety valve standards Kunkle valves adhere to and show how these products ensure your projects meet your most rigorous safety and regulatory compliance requirements.
Safety Compliance with Kunkle Valves—Pressure Safety Valve Standards Explained
Kunkle safety valve products fall into two categories: code-certified and non-code valves. Non-code valves are designed for less demanding industrial or commercial use cases—for example, low-pressure steam systems where there is little risk of catastrophic failures that can severely damage equipment or injure personnel. Code-certified products are built to meet higher safety standards and ensure compliance in more rigorous and demanding industrial environments.
While both code-certified and non-code valves have their uses and applications, it’s important to use them appropriately. Code-certified Kunkle valves comply with industrial safety valve standards such as:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
ASME codes are nationally recognized standards across a wide range of industrial use cases, first formulated in the late 19th Century to minimize the risks of safety incidents. As technology has marched on, so too have ASME’s standards, ensuring safe industrial environments. ASME’s codes and standards run the gamut from pressure technology to power plants to piping and beyond.
ASME safety compliance with Kunkle valves includes strict adherence to:
ASME Section I – Power Boilers
This section of the ASME codes covers the design, construction, and inspection of power boilers, such as those found in power plants, steam propulsion systems, or other industrial auxiliary power systems. By meeting these standards, Kunkle safety valves minimize the risk of overpressure in high-pressure systems.
ASME Section IV – Heating Boilers
This code focuses on heating boilers, which are usually lower-pressure systems used for hot water systems. Proper certification proves that Kunkle valves are capable of ensuring these systems operate safely at low pressures.
ASME Section VIII – Pressure Vessels
Pressure vessels used in compressed air systems, refrigeration systems, and fuel tanks rely on ASME Section VIII-certified Kunkle valves to prevent overpressure and ensure compliance with safety standards.
High standards of engineering and construction ensure Kunkle valves’ regulatory compliance concerning the ASME’s nationally recognized standards. However, these valves are also built to meet international standards as well, including:
- Pressure Equipment Directive (PED): Codes outlining EU safety requirements for pressure equipment such as steam boilers, piping, and safety valves
- Canadian Registration Number (CRN): Codes ensuring compliance with Canadian industrial safety standards
- Technischer Überwachungsverein (TÜV): Codes developed by Germany’s international regulatory bodies, which independently test, inspect, and certify technical systems
The benefits of compliance with these codes and standards speak for themselves. A lower risk of overpressure extends the lifetime of the systems you build and prevents damage and injury. Without code-compliant Kunkle valves, lack of regulatory compliance leads to a poor industry reputation as well as potential fines and legal liabilities.
Achieving regulatory compliance with Kunkle valves ensures that you maintain a positive reputation for quality among your customers—and ultimately, stay competitive and solvent your industry.
Dante Valve: Delivering Kunkle Valves for Safety Assurance
For three generations and counting, Dante Valve has lived its values of providing high-quality, long-lasting industrial valve solutions every day. Our extensive supply of Kunkle safety relief valves underscores our commitment to ensuring the systems you build remain in compliance with the highest regulatory standards for performance and safety.
As a factory-authorized loose assembler, we are capable of providing everything from off-the-shelf Kunkle valve models to custom valve configurations built to hit your specific safety and performance targets.
Find the right valve today. Contact us for a quote.