Valve Opening and Closing Directions: Why It Matters and How to Identify
Knowing the proper valve opening and closing direction is critical for safe operation and maintenance of pipeline systems.
Most valves follow a standard convention: clockwise (CW) to close, counterclockwise (CCW) to open. However, some specialty valves may differ.
Standard Convention
- Gate valves: CW close, CCW open
- Globe valves: CW close, CCW open
- Ball valves: CW close, CCW open
- Butterfly valves: CW close, CCW open (most common)