ASME Piping and Vessel Codes

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Sections

I. Power Boilers
II. Material Specifications

• Part A – Ferrous Materials
• Part B – Nonferrous Materials
• Part C – Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals.

Best Industry Practice: All pressure retaining materials must comply with specifications found in

section 2 part A.

III. Subsection NCA – General Requirements for Division 1 and Division 2

• Division 1
• Subsection NB – Class 1 Components
• Subsection NC – Class 2 Components
• Subsection ND – Class 3 Components
• Subsection NE – Class MC Components
• Subsection NF – Component Supports
• Subsection NG – Core Support Structures Appendices

III. Division 2 – Code for Concrete Reactor Vessels and Containments

IV. Heating Boilers

V. Nondestructive Examination

Best Industry Practice: ASME B31.3 specifies 5% Radiographic Testing (RT) + 5% testing by other means (often this overall requirement is met by providing 10% RT).

IX. Welding and Brazing Qualifications

Best Industry Practice: All pressure welding performed on equipment or installation must be in

accordance with a “Welding Procedure Specification” (WPS) that complies with Section IX.

Welding procedures must be verified through a National Board Certified third party and a

“Procedure Qualification Record” (PQR) must be kept on file.

The Author recommends that each welder stamp each weld with their unique ID number.

Although not required by code, the Author recommends that all personnel involved in assembling

tube fittings be required to submit proof of recent training by the fitting manufacturer.

X. Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels

XI. Rules for In service Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components

ASME B31.1 POWER PIPING

This Code prescribes minimum requirements for the design, materials, fabrication, erection, test and inspection of power and auxiliary service piping systems for electronic generation stations, industrial and institutional plants, central and district heating plants, and district heating systems, except as limited by Para. 100.1.3. These systems are not limited by plant or other property lines unless they are specifically limited in Para. 100.1.

Best Industry Practice: This code has traditionally been used in Canada for CNG station piping

design.

ASME B31.2 FUEL GAS PIPING

This Code covers the design, fabrication, installation, and testing of piping systems for fuel gases such as natural gas, manufactured gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) – air mixtures above the upper combustible limit, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the gaseous phase, or mixture of these gases.

ASME B31.3 CHEMICAL PLANT AND PETROLEUM PIPING

a) This Code prescribes requirements for the materials, design, fabrication, assembly, erection, examination, inspection, and testing of piping systems subject to pressure or vacuum.

b) This Code applies to piping systems handling all fluids, including fluidized solids, and to all types of service, including raw, intermediate, and finished chemicals, oil and other petroleum products, gas, steam, air, water, and refrigerants, except as provided in 300.1.2 or 300.1.3. Only Category D and M fluid services as defined in 300.2 are segregated for special consideration.

Best Industry Practice: This code is referenced in NFPA 52 section 4.8.3 for the design of piping

and tubing on CNG stations.

This presentation includes a description of the formula to calculate required wall thicknesses

including allowances for corrosion etc. Also included is a Pressure Rating and Pipe/Tubing Wall

Thickness calculators. Follow links below. You must have macros enabled to use the calculators.

Best Industry Practice: ASME B31.3 specifies 5% Radiographic Testing

ASME B31.4 LIQUID PETROLEUM TRANSPORTATION PIPING SYSTEMS

This Code prescribes minimum requirements for the design, materials, construction, assembly, inspection, and testing of piping transporting liquid petroleum such as crude oil, condensate, natural gasoline, natural gas liquids, liquefied petroleum gas, and liquid petroleum products between producers lease facilities, tank farms, natural gas processing plants, refineries, stations, terminals, and other delivery and receiving points.

ASME B31.5 REFRIGERATION PIPING

This Code prescribes minimum requirements for the materials, design, fabrication, assembly, erection, test and inspection of refrigerant and brine piping for temperatures as low as –320 F (whether erection 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:

a) Any self-contained or unit systems subject to the requirements of Underwriters’ Laboratories or other nationally recognized testing laboratory:

b) Water piping;

c) Piping designed for external or internal gauge pressure not exceeding 15 psi (103 kPa) regardless of size.

ASME B31.8 GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION PIPING SYSTEMS

This Code covers the design, fabrication, installation, inspection, testing, and the safety aspects of operation and maintenance of gas transmission and distribution systems, including gas pipelines, gas compressor stations, gas metering and regulating stations, gas mains, and service lines up to the outlet of the customers meter set assembly. Also include within the scope of this section are gas storage equipment of the closed pipe type, fabricated or forged from pipe or fabricated from pipe and fittings, and gas storage lines.