The appropriate lockout for each valve type is essential to avoid unintended operation and protect workers from harm. In particular, ball valve lockout utilizes a wedge or adjustable block. Meanwhile, gate valve lockout uses handwheel covers, and butterfly valve lockout calls for lever clamps.
This article discusses the mechanics behind various types of valve lockouts and how to choose the proper equipment for your facility.
What are the Three Types of Valve Lockouts?
Ball Valve Lockout
The ball valve consists of a lever handle that turns at a 90-degree angle. The ball valve locking clamp locks the lever in the shut position. This clamp is fastened around the handle as well as the pipe.
They either consist of universal sizes, like adjustable ball valve locks that suit all kinds of handles. For residential or small-scale plumbing, a water ball valve lock provides a compact solution for standard pipes. Whereas others can be custom-made for a particular handle size.
Butterfly Valve Lockout
Butterfly valves have a shorter handle or a tiny gear mechanism. Due to their smaller size, it is almost impossible to find a universal butterfly valve lockout. Special butterfly valve lockout clamps can be purchased; they are adjustable based on the handle or shaft diameter.
Gate Valve Lockout
A gate valve employs a huge handwheel that rotates a rising stem. In its closed position, the stem is exposed outside. The handwheel itself could be quite large with an outer diameter of several inches.
A gate valve safety guard goes around the complete handwheel, making it impossible to rotate. Clamshell or sliding gates provide good coverage of wheels with varying diameters (1-6 inches). Once locked, the cover blocks access to the wheel.
Plastic adjustable ball valve lockout device
Plastic adjustable ball valve locking device BD-F05 is a professional ball valve lockout device designed for industrial lockout-tagout safety.
More DetailsHow to Select the Right Valve Lockout?
Selecting the right valve with a locking device for your facility heavily depends on several factors. Consider the following when making a choice:
Type of Valve
- Ensure that your chosen lockout device corresponds to the type of valve – ball, gate, or butterfly valves.
Dimension and Size
- Measure your valves and ensure that the lockout devices fit properly without any space between the valves and the lockout device.
Material and Durable
- Consider material options depending on the environment you work in:
- Plastic or nylon is lighter and more resistant to corrosion, perfect for indoor use or in chemical plants.
- Metals are more durable and suitable for high temperatures or outdoors.
Installation
- Purchase easy-to-install lockout devices that do not need much time to install.
Standards
- Select products that comply with international standards such as ANSI, ISO, and OSHA.
Customization
- Consider purchasing customized lockout devices that come in different colors, with engraving capabilities, or with multi-lock points for added identification and accountability.
| Reminder: The butterfly, gate, and ball valve lockouts are only one part of a safety program. Installing a device without following the full LOTO procedure gives a false sense of security. Therefore, workers have to check if the valve is actually shut off. |
True Story Case Study
Shell Chemical LP / Shell Oil Refinery (Norco, Louisiana Context)
Butterfly valve works via a pivoting disc that makes contact with the valve seat; hence, any disturbance will cause it to leak. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, the butterfly valve should be mechanically immobilized rather than tagged or padlocked.
However, some employees tend to do a partial lockout using a simple tagout but fail to put the valve into a complete shut-off.
For instance, during an audit conducted in Norco, some employees accidentally knocked the handle while working on other parts of the equipment. With regard to the butterfly valve, a little bit of movement will be enough to break its seal. This allows pressurized hydrocarbons from the line or flanges to pass through it.
Why Choose BOZZYS?
BOZZYS’ range of products is extensive, catering to ball, butterfly, and gate safety valve lockouts. This allows customers to source all valve LOTO devices from one supplier, which helps streamline the process of procurement.
The company has a workforce of over 30 engineers dedicated to R&D. We modify more than 40 products annually based on actual problems encountered at work sites and worker input. This guarantees compatibility between the locking device and each type of valve.
The manufacturer’s priority is to design hardware that can handle industrial conditions. The company’s engineering department relies on 3D modeling to ensure compatibility before mass production. This leads to the development of hardware that is user-friendly but cannot be overridden.
Contact us to find the right solutions for your facility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between a gate valve and a butterfly valve?
- The difference between a gate valve and a butterfly valve mostly depends on their capabilities and applications. The former has higher sealing tightness and is ideal for zero-leakage applications. Meanwhile, the latter one is suitable for applications that need flow modulation or throttling.
What is the difference between a ball valve and a butterfly valve?
- The difference between a ball valve and a butterfly valve lies in the applications. The ball valve is used in fully open or closed positions to control flow. Butterfly valves are better for partially open or closed positions to regulate or restrict flow.
What are the 4 types of check valves?
- The 4 types of check valves are swing, ball, diaphragm, and dual-plate valves. They have a crucial role in backflow prevention.
What is the use of a gate valve lockout?
- A gate valve lockout device serves as an efficient method of preventing unauthorized access to the valve. Whether you have a multi-purpose gate valve lockout or a lockout device for a particular size, your valve will be safeguarded.
What are the 7 types of valves?
- The 7 types of valves are ball, butterfly, diaphragm, globe, needle, pinch, and plug valves.
