BREATHER VALVE SERVICES

At Assentech, our goal is to help you keep your breather valves performing at their very best. The right service frequency depends on several factors, and each asset should always be considered individually. We can also support you with developing your Written Scheme of Examination, ensuring every requirement is captured and aligned to best practice. the Breather valve service that we offer are:

• Breather Valve Sizing, Suitability, and Selection
• Breather Valve Calibration, Testing and Resetting
• Individual Breather Valve Leak Testing/Quantification for Both Pressure and Vacuum Ports
• Breather Valve Inspections, Overhaul, and Service Programs – either Onsite or Offsite
• Breather Valve Pre-Commissioning: Verifies settings according to spec/set point, ensures functionality as designed, confirms compliance with API2000 Section 5.4, evidences best practice and duty of care
• Verification of weights package against settings to identify tampering and/or inaccuracy.
• Mitigate downtime with Swap in/out servicing packages.

Key Evaluation Factors

We assess:

Key points to evaluate

• Age of the valve – older valves may need closer monitoring.
• Quality – whether the valve was supplied new with API 2000 certification and valid leak rate data.
• Media type, which can have a direct impact on performance:

• • Viscous media can cause build up and restrict movement
  • Toxic or hazardous media require close monitoring to prevent emissions
  • Corrosive media can attack internal components and shorten service intervals
  • Flammable media increase the risk from even small leaks
  • Digesters or aggressive byproducts may create unpredictable conditions that justify shorter cycles

• Location of the valve – ease of access for inspection or removal, or whether the valve is in a hard to reach position.
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions – hot, cold, or corrosive atmospheres can deteriorate performance over time.
• Historical performance data – past test records, inspection findings, and service history.

Finding the right service frequency

Some sites are comfortable with yearly inspections and a full service every three years. Others, after reviewing these factors, prefer a full service every 18 months. This approach involves:

1. Removing the valve and safely decontaminating it
2. Carrying out API 2000 pre service testing on a Vent-Less test bench
3. Completing a full overhaul, including fitting new soft goods kits
4. Finishing with API 2000 post service testing on a Vent-Less test bench.

Continuity planning is an essential element in assessing and mitigating risks such as downtime, threats to safe operations and reduced productivity. For safety-critical devices that underpin operational continuity, productivity and reliability, always stock replacement seals, soft-goods kits and consumables—and keep a spare complete unit on hand. Replacing the entire unit is often the quickest way to get up and running and minimise costly downtime. Can you put a price on your downtime? A single device failure can damage your reputation, impact safe operations, jeopardise deadlines and even incur regulatory fines. Including a replacement unit in your continuity plan delivers immediate recovery, peace of mind and minimal operational disruption.

Planning your maintenance

Do you already have a maintenance schedule in place, and when would you like us to carry out your first maintenance? For example, would you prefer us to begin with a straightforward inspection or go straight to a full service, and what timing would work best for you?

If you let us know, we can set a reminder in our calendars and get in touch nearer the time to support you. And if you would like guidance on formalising your approach, we can work with you to develop a Written Scheme of Examination that sets out inspection areas, service intervals, API 2000 testing, leak rate measurement, and traceability requirements  tailored to your site and assets. 

Caveat Emptor – Buyer Beware

Some low-cost breather valve manufacturers can be surprisingly inventive when it comes to justifying the absence of competent leak test certification for new valves. One particularly creative excuse we recently encountered was the claim that biogas digesters are “process vessels” rather than storage tanks, and therefore not subject to the requirements of API 2000 or ISO 28300.

This is unequivocally incorrect.

Breather valves are critical safety devices. Their design, manufacture, testing, and performance must adhere to internationally recognised standards—API 2000 and ISO 28300—which provide the only comprehensive guidance available for operators, manufacturers, service providers, and specifiers.

Deviating from these standards undermines the integrity of the entire system, increases environmental and safety risks, and leaves operators exposed to legal and regulatory consequences. Buyers should remain vigilant and demand full compliance documentation, including verified leak test certification, with every valve—regardless of its intended application.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

• Regulatory and Compliance Advice
• Breather Valve API2000 / ISO28300 Test Reports
• Supporting Compliance with EEMUA 231.Click here for more details
• LDAR Audits and Services- Onsite Leak Source Surveillance, Reporting, and Breather Valve Repair
• Tank Venting Risk Assessment and Corrective Measures Support
• Consultancy Support for HAZOP Reviews
• Regulation 61 emission source detection surveys with OGI technology (compliant with Method 21)

SPECIALIST MAINTENANCE

• Onsite/Offsite Technical Advice and Support of Complex and Challenging Tank Storage, Fluid Transfer or Process Safety Applications (Industry Expert)
• Technical Support and Evaluation Specialists
• Internal Floating Roof (IFR) Supply, Supervisor Support, and Installation Packages (Factory Authorised)
• Loading Arm Supply and Maintenance
• Epsilon Coupler Supply , we also provide inspections, pressure testing, full overhauls, seal replacement,condition reporting, and Certification (Factory Authorised)
• Site Asset Registering with Tank Venting Tables

TRAINING COURSES

• Learn how to operate and understand the functionality, features, and measurement controls of the OPGAL OGI Camera, compliant with Method 21. (Industry Expert)
• Learn from Industry Leaders: Hands-On Training in Breather Valve Servicing and Testing in accordance with API2000 Section 5.4 / ISO28300 Section 6.4 to reduce emissions, improve safety and evidence compliance. (Industry Expert)

Authorised Service Centre

Assentech is an authorised service centre with specialist-trained technicians for servicing, testing, and certifying equipment from OPW Fluid Transfer, Protego, 3B, Groth, and Matrix Applied Technologies. We also have access to OEM spares, technical support, and official dealer service procedures.

 Project and Installation Experts

We design, supply, install, and service Geodesic Domes, Internal Floating Roofs, and Loading Arms.