API 6A - 2. Normative References


The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
  • ISO 31-0, Quantities and units — Part 0: General principles
  • ISO 148 (all parts), Metallic materials — Charpy pendulum impact test
  • ISO 2859-1:1999, Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes — Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection
  • ISO 6506 (all parts), Metallic materials — Brinell hardness test
  • ISO 6507 (all parts), Metallic materials — Vickers hardness test
  • ISO 6508 (all parts), Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test
  • ISO 6892-1, Metallic materials — Tensile testing — Part 1: Method of test at room temperature
  • ISO 9712, Non-destructive testing — Qualification and certification of personnel
  • ISO 10414-1, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Field testing of drilling fluids — Part 1: Water-based fluids
  • ISO 10424-1:2004, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Rotary drilling equipment — Part 1: Rotary drill stem elements
  • ISO 11960, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Steel pipes for use as casing or tubing for wells
  • ISO 13533, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Drilling and production equipment — Drill-through equipment
  • ISO 13628-4, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Design and operation of subsea production systems — Part 4: Subsea wellhead and tree equipment
  • ISO 13678, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Evaluation and testing of thread compounds for use with casing, tubing, line pipe and drill stem elements
  • ISO 15156 (all parts), Petroleum and natural gas industries — Materials for use in H2S-containing environments in oil and gas production. NOTE In this International Standard, ISO 15156 (all parts) and NACE MR0175 provide the same technical result for a particular provision. In the running text the provision is written in the form “ISO 15156 (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2)”.
  • ISO 18265, Metallic materials — Conversion of hardness values
  • API [1] Spec 5B, Specification for Threading, Gauging and Thread Inspection of Casing, Tubing, and Line Pipe Threads
  • API Spec 6AV1, Specification for Verification Test of Wellhead Surface Safety Valves and Underwater Safety Valves for Offshore Service
  • API Spec 7:2001, Specification for Rotary Drill Stem Elements
  • API RP 14F, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 Locations
  • ASME [2] B1.1, Unified Inch Screw Threads (UN and UNR Thread Form)
  • ASME B1.2, Gages and Gaging for Unified Inch Screw Threads
  • ASME B1.3, Screw Thread Gaging Systems for Acceptability: Inch and Metric Screw Threads (UN, UNR, UNJ, M, and MJ)
  • ASME B1.5, ACME Screw Threads
  • ASME B1.20.1, Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch)
  • ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code:2004 with 2005 and 2006 addenda, Section V, Nondestructive Examination
  • ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code:2004 with 2005 and 2006 addenda, Section VIII, Division 1, Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
  • ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code:2004 with 2005 and 2006 addenda, Section VIII, Division 2, Alternative Rules
  • ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code:2004 with 2005 and 2006 addenda, Section IX, Welding and Brazing Qualifications
  • ASNT [3] SNT-TC-1A, Non-Destructive Testing
  • ASTM [4] A193/A193M, Standard Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting Materials for High Temperature or High Pressure Service and Other Special Purpose Applications
  • ASTM A194/A194M, Standard Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts for Bolts for High Pressure or High Temperature Service, or Both
  • ASTM A320/A320M, Standard Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting Materials for Low-Temperature Service
  • ASTM A370, Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
  • ASTM A388/A388M, Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Examination of Heavy Steel Forgings
  • ASTM A453/A453M, Standard Specification for High-Temperature Bolting Materials, with Expansion Coefficients Comparable to Austenitic Stainless Steels
  • ASTM A703/A703M-08a, Standard Specification for Steel Castings, General Requirements, for Pressure-Containing Parts
  • ASTM D395, Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property — Compression Set
  • ASTM D412, Standard Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers — Tension
  • ASTM D471, Standard Test Method for Rubber Property — Effect of Liquids
  • ASTM D1414, Standard Test Methods for Rubber O-Rings
  • ASTM D1415, Standard Test Method for Rubber Property — International Hardness
  • ASTM D1418, Standard Practice for Rubber and Rubber Latices — Nomenclature
  • ASTM D2240, Standard Test Method for Rubber Property — Durometer Hardness
  • ASTM E10, Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
  • ASTM E18, Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
  • ASTM E92, Standard Test Method for Vickers Hardness of Metallic Materials
  • ASTM E94, Standard Guide for Radiographic Examination
  • ASTM E140, Standard Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals — Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness and Scleroscope Hardness
  • ASTM E165, Standard Practice for Liquid Penetrant Examination for General Industry
  • ASTM E428, Standard Practice for Fabrication and Control of Metal, Other than Aluminum, Reference Blocks Used in Ultrasonic Testing
  • ASTM E709, Standard Guide for Magnetic Particle Testing
  • ASTM E747, Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture and Material Grouping Classification of Wire Image Quality Indicators (IQI) Used for Radiology
  • EN [5] 473, Non-destructive testing — Qualification and certification of NDT personnel — General principles
  • MSS [6] SP-55, Quality Standard for Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges and Fittings and Other Piping Components — Visual Method for Evaluation of Surface Irregularities
  • SAE [7] AMS-H-6875, Heat treatment of steel raw materials
  • SAE AS 568A:1974, Aerospace size standard for O-rings
  1. American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street North West, Washington, DC 20005, USA.
  2. ASME International, 345 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017-2392, USA.
  3. American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 4153 Arlingate Plaza, Columbus, OH 43228-0518, USA.
  4. American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohoken, PA 19428-2959, USA.
  5. European Committee for Standardization, rue de Stassart 36, Brussels B-1050, Belgium.
  6. Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve & Fittings Industry, 127 Park Street, N.E., Vienna, VA 22180, USA.
  7. SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, USA.

API 6A - 4 Design and Performance — General requirements


4.1 Performance requirements — General
All products shall be designed to perform according to the requirements of 4.2 to 4.7 and the relevant requirements specified in Clause 10 while in the pressure and temperature ranges and used with the test fluids consistent with the material class in Table 3 for which they are rated. Other requirements specified by the purchaser may include load capability, cycles, lubrication and operating force or torque.

There are two performance requirement levels: PR1 and PR2.
SSVs and USVs (see 10.20) shall be of the PR2 performance level and meet the requirements of Annex I.

4.2 Service conditions
4.2.1 PRESSURE RATINGS
4.2.1.1 General
Equipment shall be designed to operate at only the following maximum rated working pressures:
a) 13,8 MPa (2000 psi)
d) 69,0 MPa (10000 psi)
b) 20,7 MPa (3000 psi)
e) 103,5 MPa (15000 psi)
c) 34,5 MPa (5000 psi)
f) 138,0 MPa (20000 psi)

4.2.1.2 Threaded equipment limitations
Equipment designed with internally threaded end and outlet connections shall be limited to the thread sizes and rated working pressures in Table 1. Ratings do not include tubing and casing hangers.

4.2.1.3 Design considerations
The design shall take into account the effects of pressure containment and other pressure-induced loads. Special conditions, such as pressure rating changes in cross-over connectors and pressurizing with temporary test plugs, shall also be considered. The effects of external loads (i.e. bending moments, tensions, etc.) on the assembly of components are not explicitly addressed by this International Standard; see A.2.

Table 1 — Pressure ratings for internal threaded end or outlet connections
Type of thread Nominal Pipe Size (inch) Size OD (mm) Rated Working Pressure 
Mpa Psi
Line-pipe/NPT
(nominal sizes)
1/2 21.3 69 10000
3/4 to 2 26.7 to 60.3 34.5 5000
2-1/2 to 6 73.0 to 168.3 20.7 3000
Tubing, non-upset,
and external upset
round thread
1.050 to 4-1/2 26.7 to 114.3 34.5 5000
Casing
(8 round, buttress,
and extreme line)
4-1/2 to 10-3/4 114.3 to 273.1 34.5 5000
11-3/4 to 13-3/8 298.5 to 339.7 20.7 3000
16 to 20 406.4 to 508.0 13.8 2000



4.2.2 TEMPERATURE RATINGS
4.2.2.1 General
Equipment shall be designed to operate in one or more of the specified temperature ratings with minimum and maximum temperatures as shown in Table 2, or to minimum and maximum operating temperatures as agreed between the purchaser and manufacturer

Minimum temperature is the lowest ambient temperature to which the equipment may be subjected. Maximum temperature is the highest temperature of the fluid that may directly contact the equipment.

4.2.2.2 Design considerations
The design shall consider the effects of differential thermal expansion from temperature changes and temperature gradients which the equipment can experience in service. Design for high-temperature rating, e.g. classifications X and Y (see Table G.1), shall take into consideration the effects of temperature on strength levels; see Annex G for guidelines

4.2.2.3 Temperature rating considerations
Choosing the temperature rating is ultimately the responsibility of the user. In making these selections, the user should consider the temperature the equipment can experience in drilling and/or production services.

Table 2 — Temperature ratings

Temperature Classification  Operating Range
MIN C-deg MAX C-deg MIN F-deg MAX F-deg
K -60 82 -75 180
L -46 82 -50 180
N -46 60 -50 140
P -29 82 -20 180
S -18 60 0 140
T -18 82 0 180 
U -18 121 0 250 
V 2 121 35 250 


4.2.3 MATERIAL CLASS RATINGS
4.2.3.1 General
Equipment shall be designed with materials, including metallics, that meet the requirements set forth in Table 3. Table 3 does not define either the present or the future wellhead environment, but provides material classes for various levels of severity of service conditions and relative corrosivity.

Provided the mechanical properties requirements can be met, stainless steels and/or CRA materials may be used for material classes AA and BB in place of carbon and low-alloy steels. Similarly, for all material classes, corrosion-resistant alloys may be used in place of stainless steels.

4.2.3.2 Material classes
For material classes DD, EE, FF and HH, the manufacturer shall meet the requirements of ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2) for material processing and material properties (e.g. hardness). Choosing material class and specific materials for specific conditions is ultimately the responsibility of the purchaser.

Material classes DD, EE, FF and HH shall include as part of the designation and marking the maximum allowable partial pressure of H2S in units consistent with the rated working pressure markings and prefixes consistent with ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2).

The maximum allowable partial pressure shall be in accordance with ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2) at the designated temperature class (see Table 2) for the limiting component(s) in the equipment assembly. For example, “FF-10” on equipment with the rated working pressure marked in megapascals indicates material class FF rated at 10 kPa H2S maximum allowable partial pressure. Where no H2S limit is defined by ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2) for the partial pressure, “NL” shall be used for marking (i.e. “DD-NL”).

NOTE It is necessary that users of this International Standard recognize that resistance to cracking caused by H2S is influenced by a number of other factors, some of the limits for which are given in ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2). These include, but are not limited to
⎯ pH;
⎯ temperature;
⎯ chloride concentration;
⎯ elemental sulfur.

In making the material selections, it is the responsibility of the purchaser to also consider the various environmental factors and production variables listed in Annex A.

4.2.3.3 Material class ZZ
ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2) includes provisions by means of testing or documented field history for the qualification of materials for a specific sour-service application that is outside the parameters defined in ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2). This can include the use of materials in fluid conditions exceeding the limits defined in ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2), or the use of materials not addressed in ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2). For such sour-service applications, equipment may be described and marked as material class ZZ.

It is the responsibility of the purchaser to evaluate and determine the applicability of the documented data for the intended application. For material class ZZ, the manufacturer shall meet material specifications supplied or approved by the purchaser, and shall maintain traceable records to document the materials of construction, regardless of PSL.

Table 3 — Material requirements
Material Class  Minimum material requirements
Body, bonnet, end and outlet
connections
Pressure-controlling parts, stems and
mandrel hangers
AA General Service Carbon or Low-alloy steel Carbon or Low-alloy steel
BB General Service Carbon or Low-alloy steel Stainless steel
CC General Service Stainless steel Stainless steel
DD Sour Service [a] Carbon or Low-alloy steel [b] Carbon or Low-alloy steel [b]
EE Sour Service [a] Carbon or Low-alloy steel [b] Stainless steel [b]
FF Sour Service [a] Stainless steel [b] Stainless steel [b]
HH Sour Service [a] CRAs [b,c,d] CRAs [b,c,d]
Note:
[a] As defined by ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2).
[b] In accordance with ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2).
[c] CRA required on retained fluid-wetted surfaces only; CRA cladding of low-alloy or stainless steel is permitted [see 6.5.1.2.2 a)].
[d] CRA as defined in Clause 3; ISO 15156 (all parts) (NACE MR0175; see Clause 2) definition of CRA does not apply.



4.3 Design methods
4.3.1 Connections
4.3.1.1 Flanges
Flanges specified in this International Standard have been designed in accordance with design criteria and methods originally developed by API.

4.3.1.2 Clamp hub and outlet end connections
Design of end and outlet clamp hub connections (16B and 16BX) used on equipment specified in this International Standard shall conform to the material and dimensional requirements of ISO 13533.


4.3.1.3 Clamps
Clamps meeting the requirements of ISO 13533 are acceptable for installation on equipment specified in this International Standard with integral clamp hubs meeting the requirements of ISO 13533.

4.3.2 Casing hangers, tubing hangers, back-pressure valves, lock screws and stems
Casing hangers, tubing hangers, back-pressure valves, lock screws and stems shall be designed to satisfy the manufacturer's documented performance characteristics and service conditions in accordance with 4.2. The manufacturer shall specify methods that are consistent with accepted engineering practices for use in design.

4.3.3 Other end connectors, bodies and bonnets
4.3.3.1 General
Other end connectors, bodies and bonnets that utilize standard materials (in designs other than those specified in this International Standard) shall be designed in accordance with one or more of the methods given in 4.3.3.2 to 4.3.3.5. Standard materials are those materials whose properties meet or exceed the requirements of Table 6.

Other end connectors, bodies and bonnets that utilize non-standard materials shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of 4.3.3.6. Non-standard materials are materials with properties that do not meet all the requirements of Table 6 for a standard material.

In the event that stress levels calculated by the methods in 4.3.3.2 to 4.3.3.6 exceed the allowable stresses, other methods identified by the manufacturer, such as ASME BPVC:2004, with 2005 and 2006 addenda, Section VIII, Division 3, shall be used to justify these stresses. Fatigue analysis and localized bearing stress values are beyond the scope of this International Standard.

4.3.3.2 ASME method
The design methodology described in ASME BPVC:2004, with 2005 and 2006 addenda, Section VIII, Division 2, Appendix 4, may be used for design calculations for pressure-containing equipment. Design-allowable stresses, ST, the maximum allowable general primary membrane stress intensity at hydrostatic test pressure, and Sm, the design stress intensity at rated working pressure, shall be limited by the criteria in Equations (1) and (2), respectively:

ST = 5 SY / 6   where SY is the material-specified minimum yield strength
Sm = 2 SY / 3 


4.3.3.3 Distortion energy theory
The distortion energy theory, also known as the Von Mises law, may be used for design calculations for pressurecontaining equipment. Rules for the consideration of discontinuities and stress concentrations are beyond the scope of this method. However, the basic pressure-vessel wall thickness may be sized by combining triaxial stresses based on hydrostatic test pressure and limited by the following criterion (3):

SE = SY       
where SE is the maximum allowable equivalent stress at the most highly stressed distance into the pressure vessel wall, computed by the distortion energy theory method

SY is the material-specified minimum yield strength

4.3.3.4 Experimental stress analysis
Experimental stress analysis as described in ASME BPVC:2004 with 2005 and 2006 addenda, Section VIII, Division 2, Appendix 6, may be used as an alternative method to those described in 4.3.3.2 and 4.3.3.3.

4.3.3.5 Design qualification by proof test
4.3.3.5.1 General
As an alternative to the analytical methods above, the pressure rating of equipment may be determined by the use of a hydrostatic test at elevated pressure. A test vessel, or vessel part, is made from the equipment for which the maximum allowable working pressure is to be established. It shall not previously have been subjected to a pressure greater than 1,5 times the desired or anticipated maximum allowable working pressure.

4.3.3.5.2 Determination of yield strength
4.3.3.5.2.1 Method
The yield strength of the material in the part tested shall be determined in accordance with the method prescribed in the applicable material specification.

4.3.3.5.2.2 Specimen preparation
Yield strength so determined shall be the average from three or four specimens cut from the part tested after the test is completed. The specimens shall be cut from a location where the stress during the test has not exceeded the yield strength. The specimens shall not be flame-cut because this might affect the strength of the material.

4.3.3.5.2.3 Alternative specimens
If excess stock from the same piece of material is available and has been given the same heat treatment as the pressure part, the test specimens may be cut from this excess stock. The specimen shall not be removed by flame cutting or any other method involving sufficient heat to affect the properties of the specimen.

4.3.3.5.2.4 Exemption
If yield strength is not determined by test specimens, an alternative method is given in 4.3.3.5.3 for evaluation of proof test results to establish the maximum allowable working pressure.

4.3.3.5.3 Test procedure
4.3.3.5.3.1 Instrumentation
Measure strains in the direction of the maximum stress as close as practical to the most highly stressed locations by means of strain gauges of any type capable of indicating strains to 0,005 % (50 microstrain; 0,000 05 in/in).

The manufacturer shall document the procedure used to determine the location or locations at which strain is to be measured, and the means to compensate for temperature and hydrostatic pressure imposed on the gauges.

4.3.3.5.3.2 Application of pressure
Gradually increase the hydrostatic pressure in the vessel or vessel part, until approximately one-half the anticipated working pressure is reached. Thereafter, increase the test pressure in steps of approximately one tenth or less of the rated working pressure until the pressure required by the test procedure is reached.

4.3.3.5.3.3 Observations
After each increment of pressure has been applied, take and record readings of the strain gauges and the hydrostatic pressure. Then, release the pressure and determine any permanent strain at each gauge after any pressure increment that indicates an increase in strain for this increment over the previous equal pressure increment. Only one application of each increment of pressure is required.

4.3.3.5.3.4 Records
Plot two curves of strain against test pressure for each gauge line as the test progresses, one showing the strain under pressure and one showing the permanent strain when the pressure is removed. The test may be discontinued when the test pressure reaches a value, W, of the hydrostatic test pressure that, calculated from Equations (4) or (5), justifies the desired working pressure, but shall not exceed the pressure at which the plotted points for the most highly strained gauge line reach 0,2 % strain.

4.3.3.5.3.5 Resulting rating
Compute the maximum allowable working pressure, p, for parts tested under 4.3.3.5 using Equation (4) if the average yield strength is determined in accordance with 4.3.3.5.2 or Equation (5) if the actual average yield strength is not determined by test specimens:

p = 0,5W(SY/SR)
p = 0,4W
where
W is the hydrostatic test pressure at which this test was stopped, in accordance with 4.3.3.5.3.2;
SY is the material-specified minimum yield strength;
SR is the actual average yield strength from test specimens.


4.3.3.6 Non-standard materials design requirements
The design methodology described in ASME BPVC:2004 with 2005 and 2006 addenda, Section VIII, Division 2, Appendix 4, shall be used for designs and calculations for pressure-containing equipment utilizing non-standard materials. Design-allowable stresses, ST, the maximum allowable general primary membrane stress intensity at hydrostatic test pressure; Sm, the design stress intensity at rated working pressure; and SS, the maximum combined primary and secondary stress intensity, shall be limited by the criteria in Equations (6), (7) and (8), respectively:

ST = min (5/6 SY, 2/3 Rm, min.)
Sm = min (2/3 SY , 1/2 Rm, min.)
SS = min (2 SY , Rm, min.)


where
SY is as defined as for Equations (4) and (5)
Rm, min. is the material-specified minimum ultimate tensile strength.

4.3.4 Closure bolting
The maximum allowable tensile stress, SA, for closure bolting shall be determined considering initial bolt-up, rated working pressure and hydrostatic test pressure conditions. Bolting stresses, based on the root area of the thread, shall not exceed the limit given in Equation (9):

SA  = 0,83 SY
where SY  is the bolting material-specified minimum yield strength.

Bolting stresses shall be determined considering all loading on the closure, including pressure acting over the seal area, gasket loads and any additional mechanical and thermal loads.

4.3.5 Other parts
All other pressure-containing parts and all pressure-controlling parts shall be designed to satisfy the
manufacturer's documented performance characteristics and the service conditions in 4.2. The manufacturer shall specify methods for use in designs that are consistent with accepted engineering practices.

4.3.6 Specific equipment
Equipment-specific requirements are specified in Clause 10.

4.4 Miscellaneous design information
4.4.1 General
End and outlet connections shall be an integral part of the body or attached by welding which meets the requirements of Clause 6. PSL 4 equipment design shall not utilize fabrication welding.

4.4.2 Tolerances
Unless otherwise specified in the appropriate table or figure, the tolerances in Table 4 shall apply:

Table 4 — Tolerances, unless otherwise stated
SI USC
Dimension Tolerance (mm) Dimension Tolerance (in)
x.x +/- 0.5 x.x +/- 0.02
x.xx +/- 0.13 x.xx +/- 0.005


4.4.3 Bolting
4.4.3.1 End and outlet bolting
4.4.3.1.1 Hole alignment
End and outlet bolt holes for flanges shall be equally spaced and shall straddle common centrelines.

4.4.3.1.2 Stud thread engagement
Stud thread-engagement length into the body for studded flanges shall be a minimum of one times the outside diameter of the stud.

4.4.3.2 Other bolting
The stud thread-anchoring means shall be designed to sustain a tensile load equivalent to the load that can be transferred to the stud through a fully engaged nut.

4.4.4 Test, vent, injection and gauge connections
4.4.4.1 Sealing
All test, vent, injection and gauge connections shall provide a leak-tight seal at the hydrostatic test pressure of the equipment in which they are installed.

4.4.4.2 Test and gauge connection ports
4.4.4.2.1 69,0 MPa (10 000 psi) and below
Test and gauge connection ports for 69,0 MPa (10 000 psi) working pressure and below shall be internally threaded in conformance with the methods specified in 10.2 and shall not be less than 12 mm (1/2 in) nominal size. High-pressure connections as described in 4.4.4.2.2 may also be used.

4.4.4.2.2 103,5 MPa and 138,0 MPa (15 000 psi and 20 000 psi)
Test and gauge connections for 103,5 MPa and 138,0 MPa (15 000 psi and 20 000 psi) working pressure shall be in accordance with 10.11.

4.4.4.3 Vent and injection ports
Vent and injection ports shall meet the requirements of the manufacturer's specifications.

4.5 Design documentation
Documentation of designs shall include methods, assumptions, calculations and design requirements. Design requirements shall include, but not be limited to, those criteria for size, test and operating pressures, material, environmental and other pertinent requirements on which the design is based. Design documentation media shall be clear, legible, reproducible and retrievable. Design documentation shall be retained for five years after the last unit of that model, size and rated working pressure is manufactured.

4.6 Design review
Design documentation shall be reviewed and verified by any qualified individual other than the individual who created the original design.

4.7 Design validation
Manufacturers shall document their design validation procedures and the results of design validation of designs. The design validation procedures, including acceptance criteria for SSVs and USVs, are given in Annex I. Additional validation procedures, including acceptance criteria, are given in Annex F for use if specified by the manufacturer or purchaser.