Understanding ISA S20, API 554, API 555, ISO 5167-1/2

Muhammad Agha Hutama Syukron(1), John Muzibur Simamora(2)

email: [email protected], [email protected]
54/BPS/1/MPP/2018 - October 2018

Abstract
Standards promote safety, reliability, productivity, and efficiency in almost every industry that relies on
engineering components or equipment. The international standards have been prepared by the international
society for measurement and control toward a goal of uniformity in the field of instrumentation. They increase
safety and can be used to rationalize operations. Standardization ensures that products, services and methods are
appropriate for their intended use. It ensures that products and systems are compatible and interoperable.
To carry out the instrumentation work in the field, instrument engineer must be very understanding of the
standards, specifications and environmental conditions of the project we are doing to ensure the safety factor.
The purpose of this standard is to promote uniformity in instrument specifications, both in content and form.
Because of the complexity of present day instruments and controls, it is desirable to have some type of
specification form to list pertinent details for use by all interested parties.
This article provides an overview of industrial standard and codes in terms of refinery industry.

Keywords : Guide Specification,Codes & Standards, Gas & Fire Protection.

1. Introduction to explain the terms used and the intended

Codes and standards are living documents that procedure. The instructions are keyed to the form
are constantly revised to reflect new developments by reference to the line numbers. The ISA20
and technical advances (new materials, new designs Committee has minimized dependence on the
and new applications). A standard can be defined as a instruction sheet since the forms are frequently
set of technical definitions and guidelines, either for reprinted and used without the instructions. The
designers, manufacturers, or users. Standards promote explanation is omitted where the meaning is felt to
safety, reliability, productivity, and efficiency in almost be obvious.
every industry that relies on engineering components
or equipment.

2. Theory
2.1 ISA S 20
ISA S20 tells about specification forms for
process measurement and control instruments,
primary elements, and control valves. Some forms
consist of a primary sheet and a secondary
(tabulation) sheet.
The primary sheet may be used by itself to
specify a single instrument or to specify general
requirements for a series of similar instrument which
are then tabulated on the secondary sheet.
The specification forms included in this standard
are intended to cover the most commonly used Picture 1. Example of primary sheet
instruments. The list is not a complete catalog of
instruments and control valves available. It is Instrument specifications may be prepared by
intended that new forms shall be added with each the use of Automatic Data Processing (ADP)
general revision of this standard. techniques. The format of such specifications may
An instruction sheet is provided for each form be modified in order to be compatible with ADP

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machine capabilities. However, general consistency that can be used as control variables instead of
with this Standard shall be retained. relying on indirect physical parameters, such as
pressure, temperature, and inferred data from
2.2 API 554 computer models. Process analyzer systems can
Divided by 3 main parts, API 554 tells about provide a significant economic return when
process control systems. incorporated into process optimization and
API 554 Part 1 tells about process control advanced control loops or when used for product
system functions and functional specifications quality control.
contain an extensive discussion of critical need to A process monitoring system usually requires a
properly assess business requirements for a process sample conditioning system, a process analyzer, and
control system and to develop a complete definition one or more data output devices. Properly designed
of functional requirements for the systems. systems also require overall considerations as to
API 554 Part 2 about process control system design calibration, utilities, sample disposal, safety, and
describes implementation of the functional systems packaging.
requirements, but only contains minimal guidance
on how these activities are executed or managed. 2.4 API 5167 – 1/2
API 554 Part 3 about process control system ISO 5167 tell about measurement of fluid flow
project execution and ownership is intended to by means of pressure differential devices inserted in
identify and discuss key issues of organization, circular cross-section conduits running full. ISO
management, skill levels and resources associated 5167 part 1 provide the general principles and
with process control systems. These issues must be requirements, terms and symbols and establishes the
addressed as part of the design and ownership of general principles for methods of measurement and
these systems and the processing unit which they computation of the flowrate of fluid flowing in a
operate. Failure to assure that adequate skills and conduit by means of pressure differential devices
resources are applied to execution and ownership (orifice plates, nozzles and Venturi tubes) when they
can have serious impacts upon business success. are inserted into a circular cross-section conduit
Among these issues are the following: running full. This part of ISO 5167 also specifies the
1. The extremely close correlation between well general requirements for methods of measurement,
planned, executed, operated and maintained installation and determination of the uncertainty of
process control systems designs and high the measurement of flowrate. It also defines the
reliability operations. general specified limits of pipe size and Reynolds
2. The need to fully consider life cycle issues when number for which these pressure differential devices
making process control system related are to be used.
decisions. ISO 5167 Part 2 specifies orifice plates, which
3. Major issues presented to projects relative to can be used with corner pressure tappings, D and
staffing and qualifications of personnel involved D/2 pressure tappings, and flange pressure tappings.
with design, testing and commissioning. This part of ISO 5167 specifies the geometry and
4. The extremely important concept that method of use (installation and operating
procurement and physical design is only a conditions) of orifice plates when they are inserted
portion of the tasks associated with process in a conduit running full to determine the flow rate
control systems. Functional design, of the fluid flowing in the conduit. This part of ISO
maintainability, testing and training are 5167 also provides background information for
extremely important requirements. calculating the flow rate and is applicable in
5. Skills and qualifications of operations, conjunction with the requirements given in ISO
maintenance and site technical personnel. 5167-1.
6. Management obligations and responsibilities.
3. Application
2.3 API 555 3.1 ISA S 20
API 555 tells about process analyzers that This standard is to assist the engineers to
monitors, measures and transmits information about present the basic information in term of related
chemical composition, physical properties, or instrumentation equipments. For example in
chemical properties. temperature process measurement, it covers the
Process analyzers measure chemical installation and selection of devices for measuring
concentrations or physical or chemical properties

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temperature, it shows the items that must be filled at The main purpose of this standard is to
the data sheet column. promote uniformity in instrument specifications,
both in content and form. Because of the
complexity of present day instruments and controls,
it is desirable to have some type of specification
form to list pertinent details for use by all interested
parties. General use of these forms by users and
manufacturers offers many advantages, as listed
below:

• Assists in preparation of complete

specification by listing and providing
space for all principal descriptive options.
• Promotes uniform terminology.
Picture 2. Process Measurement-Temperature • Facilitates quoting, purchasing, receiving,
accounting and ordering procedures by
Critical Column to be filled for Temperature uniform display of information.
measurement : • Provides a useful permanent record and
1. Tag Number and Service to be filled to means for checking the installation.
specify one or typical items of • Improves efficiency from the initial
temperature measurement concept to the final installation.
2. Power supply used to define the external
power such as the voltage, ampere, DC
or AC power 3.2 API 554
3. Enclosure class refers to protection type API 554 has been divided into three parts,
for the electrical components. Use each focusing on a major aspect of Process Control
NEMA or ISA identification
4. Output signal is filled if the system Systems. The three parts and the areas that they
control requires whether electrical or cover are:
pneumatic type. Part 1 provide Process Control System
5. Control mode & Action needed if there is
actuator to control the service Functions and Functional Specifications, covers the
(gas/liquid), and also specify the MV to basic functions that a Process Control System may
increase or decrease the value. need to perform, and describes recommended
6. Process Data is very important to specify
the measurement range, the stem length methodologies for determining the functional and
defines the insertion length according to integration requirements for a particular application.
pipe size. Part 2 tells Process Control System Design,
7. Liquid fill to choose gas, liquid, vapour,
or mercury filled. Also to specify the covers the hardware and software applied to Process
linear measurement Control Systems and provides recommendations for
8. Capillary accessories, alarm function can implementation. Design considerations and
be used in case it is needed
references to design practices for control centers
and other control system buildings and enclosures
are also provided.
Part 3 Process Control System Project
Execution and Ownership, covers project
organization, skills and work processes required to
execute a process control project and then to own
and operate a Process Control Systems.
Picture 3. List of Thermocouple sensor type

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 This document addresses recommended the analyzer must match the requirements of the
practices for identifying scope, planning, executing analysis required.
automation and owning and operating the results of 3. On-stream factor: A goal of 95% or greater on-
projects associated with instrument and control stream factor of on-line availability is generally
systems. This document does not address desired. Analyzers exhibiting less than 95% are
implementation of advanced control system generally not considered reliable by operations and
applications that may accompany an instrument and closed-loop control applications.
control system project. API 557 is recommendations
for advanced control systems. 3.4 ISO 5167
ISO 5167 (all parts) is applicable only to
3.3 API 555 pressure differential devices in which the flow that
The analyzer system will be used (for example, remains subsonic throughout the measuring section
quality control, process control, and safety/ and where the fluid can be considered as single-
environmental regulations) and what the analysis phase. It is not applicable to the measurement of
results are to be used for must be asked initially pulsating flow. Furthermore, each of these devices
before selecting an analyzer. Primary factors to be can only be used within specified limits of pipe size
considered are as follows: (less than 50 mm or more than 1000 mm) and
1. Application method: First a determination must Reynolds number (below 5000).
be made regarding whether a physical or chemical
property or a composition analyzer is required. Then 4 Conclusion
a determination must be made on the specific Those standards and codes provide people
and organizations with a basis for mutual
application method. A method is typically selected understanding, and are used as tools to facilitate
for a particular measurement or analysis according communication, measurement, commerce and
to laboratory and/or process experience. manufacturing. Standards are everywhere and play
an important role in the economy. They increase
2. Repeatability and accuracy: The design of all safety and can be used to rationalize operations.
analyzer applications should take requirements for Standardization ensures that products, services and
accuracy and precision into consideration. Emphasis methods are appropriate for their intended use. It
ensures that products and systems are compatible
is usually placed on analyzer stability and and interoperable.
repeatability of the measurement. The capability of

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