ASME CODES FOR PIPING

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The ASME-ANSI B 31 Codes

ASME B31 was earlier known as ANSI B31. The B31 Code for Pressure Piping, covers Power Piping, Fuel Gas Piping, Process Piping, Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquid Hydrocarbons and Other Liquids, Refrigeration Piping and Heat Transfer Components and Building Services Piping.

Piping consists of pipe, flanges, bolting, gaskets, valves, relief devices, fittings and the pressure containing parts of other piping components. It also includes hangers and supports, and other equipment items necessary to prevent over stressing the pressure containing parts. It does not include support structures such as frames of buildings, buildings stanchions or foundations.

B 31.1 – 2001 – Power Piping:

This Code Describe Power Piping.This Code Required to piping for industrial plants and marine applications. This code prescribes requirements for the design, materials, fabrication, erection, test, and inspection of power and auxiliary service piping systems for electric generation stations, industrial institutional plants, central and district heating plants.

The code covers boiler external piping for power boilers and high temperature, high pressure water boilers in which steam or vapor is generated at a pressure of more than 15 PSIG; and high temperature water is generated at pressures exceeding 160 PSIG and/or temperatures exceeding 250 degrees F.

B 31.2 – 1968 – Fuel Gas Piping:

This Code Describe Fuel Gas Piping. This has been withdrawn as a National Standard and replaced by ANSI/NFPA Z 223.1, but B 31.2 is still available from ASME and is a good reference for the design of gas piping systems (from the meter to the appliance).

B 31.3 – 2002 – Process Piping:

This Code Describe Process Piping. Code rules for design of chemical, petroleum plants, refineries, hydrocarbons, water and steam. This Code contains rules for piping typically found in petroleum refineries; chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, semiconductor, and cryogenic plants; and related processing plants and terminals. It prescribes requirements for materials and components, design, fabrication, assembly, erection, examination, inspection, and testing of piping. Also included is piping which interconnects pieces or stages within a packaged equipment assembly.

B 31.4 – 2002 – Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquid Hydrocarbons and Other Liquids:

This Code Describe Pipeline Transportation System for Liquid Hydrocarbons and other Liquids. This Code prescribes requirements for the design, materials, construction, assembly, inspection, and testing of piping transporting liquids such as crude oil, condensate, natural gasoline, natural gas liquids, liquefied petroleum gas, carbon dioxide, liquid alcohol, liquid anhydrous ammonia and liquid petroleum products between producers’ lease facilities, tank farms, natural gas processing plants, refineries, stations, ammonia plants, terminals (marine, rail and truck) and other delivery and receiving points.The requirements for offshore pipelines are found in Chapter IX. Also included within the scope of this Code are: Primary and associated auxiliary liquid petroleum and liquid anhydrous ammonia piping at pipeline terminals (marine, rail and truck), tank farms, pump stations, pressure reducing stations and metering stations, including scraper traps, strainers, and proper loops; Storage and working tanks including pipe-type storage fabricated from pipe and fittings, and piping interconnecting these facilities;
Liquid petroleum and liquid anhydrous ammonia piping located on property which has been set aside for such piping within petroleum refinery, natural gasoline, gas processing, ammonia, and bulk plants; Those aspects of operation and maintenance of liquid pipeline systems relating to the safety and protection of the general public, operating company personnel, environment, property and the piping systems.

B 31.5 – 2001 – Refrigeration Piping and Heat Transfer Components:

This Code prescribes requirements for the materials, design, fabrication, assembly, erection, test, and inspection of refrigerant, heat transfer components, and secondary coolant piping for temperatures as low as -320 °F (-196 °C), whether erected on the premises or factory assembled, except as specifically excluded in the following paragraphs.
Users are advised that other piping Code Sections may provide requirements for refrigeration piping in their respective jurisdictions.

This Code shall not apply to:Any self-contained or unit systems subject to the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories or other nationally recognized testing laboratory: Water piping and piping designed for external or internal gauge pressure not exceeding 15 psi (105 kPa) regardless of size; or Pressure vessels, compressors, or pumps, but does include all connecting refrigerant and secondary coolant piping starting at the first joint adjacent to such apparatus.

B 31.8 – 2003 – Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems:

This Code covers the design, fabrication, installation, inspection, and testing of pipeline facilities used for the transportation of gas. This Code also covers safety aspects of the operation and maintenance of those facilities.

B 31.8 S-2001 – 2002 – Managing System Integrity of Gas Pipelines:

This Standard applies to on-shore pipeline systems constructed with ferrous materials and that transport gas. Pipeline system means all parts of physical facilities through which gas is transported, including pipe, valves, appurtenances attached to pipe, compressor units, metering stations, regulator stations, delivery stations, holders and fabricated assemblies.

The principles and processes are applicable to all pipeline systems. This Standard is specifically designed to provide the operator (as defined in section 13) with the information necessary to develop and implement an effective integrity management program utilizing proven industry practices and processes. The processes and approaches within this Standard are applicable to the entire pipeline system.

B 31.9 – 1996 – Building Services Piping:

This Section has rules for the piping in industrial, institutional, commercial and public buildings, and multi unit
residences, which does not require range of sizes, pressures, and temperatures covered in B31.1. This Code prescribes requirements for the design, materials, fabrication, installation, inspection, examination and testing of piping systems for building services. It includes piping systems in the building or within the property limits.

B 31.11 – 2002 – Slurry Transportation Piping Systems:

Rule for design, construction, inspection and security requirements of slurry piping systems. This code
covers piping systems that transport aqueous slurries of no hazardous materials, such as coal, mineral
ores and other solids between a slurry processing plant and the receiving plant.

B 31 G – 1991 – Manual for Determining Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipelines:

The scope of this Manual includes all pipelines within the scope of the pipeline codes that are part of ASME B 31 Code for Pressure Piping, ASME B 31.4, Liquid Transportation Systems for Hydrocarbons,Liquid Petroleum Gas, Anhydrous Ammonia, and Alcohols; ASME B 31.8, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems; and ASME      B 31.11, Slurry Transportation Piping Systems. Parts 2, 3, and 4 are based on material included in ASME Guide for Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems, 1983 Edition.

This all about is ASME codes for Pipings.

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Imran Pinjara

Author of Book " Master in Fabrication Layout Development " Published worldwide. Founder and CEO of Let'sFab Educational Services. More than 8 Years of Professional Experience in Field of Pressure Vessel, Heat Ex changer, Storage Tanks, Piping and other Process Equipment Fabrication Industry. He had worked in many Fabrication Industry from small workshop to MNC Company. He had Completed PGDM in Process Piping Design and Engineering as per ASME B31.3 and Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering.