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Various Piping Codes: Committee’s were formed to look into various piping application
areas and come out with codes for safety of operation. Accordingly this was initiated in
the year 1926 and published thru 1942 thru 1955. Presently the following codes are in
force designated as ASME B 31 piping. Previously it was under ANSI.
ASME B 31.1 : this code was written with power piping in mind included to cover fuel
gas and oil systems in the plant, central and district heating system, in addition to water
and steam systems in power plants. At present B 31.9 covers service piping into
buildings. In case the limit of B 31.9 is exceeded it will fall under B 31.1.
Scope and exemptions are covered under para 100.1.2 and 100.1.3.
Organization of B 31.1 :
Boiler external piping is considered to start at the first weld for welded pipe, flanged face
for flanged piping, or threaded joint for threaded piping outside of the boiler. It extends to
the valve or valves required by Section I.( See para 122 of B 31.1)
Both the joint with the boiler proper piping and the valves at the end of the piping fall
within the scope of boiler external piping.
1) boiler external piping including steam, feedwater, blowoff, and drain piping;
2) instrument, control, and sampling piping;
3) spray-type desuperheater piping for use on steam generators and reheat piping;
4) piping downstream of pressure reducing valves;
5) pressure-relief piping;
6) piping for flammable and combustible liquids;
7) piping for flammable gased, toxic gases or liquids, or non flammable non toxic
gases;
8) piping for corrosive liquids and gases;
9) temporary piping systems;
10) steam trap piping;
11) pump-discharge piping; and
12) district heating and steam distribution systems.
Code consists of six chapters and 13 appendices. Appendices with a letter designation are
mandatory; those with a Roman numeral designation are non mandatory.
All paragraphs in the code are in the 100 range. The 100 series para are the B 31.1 code
section of B31 code for pressure piping.
Design conditions are specifically intended for pressure design. Design pressure and
temperature are the most severe coincident conditions that result in the greatest pipe wall
thickness or highest required pressure class or other component rating.
In determining the design pressure, all conditions of internal pressure must be considered.
This includes thermal expansion of trapped fluids, surge and failure of control devices.
Determination of design pressure can be significantly affected by means used to protect
pipe from overpressure.( See para 122)
For example boiler external piping the design pressure is required to exceed 25% or 225
psi whichever is less. Refer to para 102.2.4 for short term conditions.
Design Temperature :
Overpressure protection for safety should be taken into account for design.
Design equations for some components such as straight pipe and branch connections are
provided in Para 104 of B31.1.
Specifically designed components that are not covered by standards listed in table 126.1
and for which design formulas and procedures are not given in B31.1 may be designed
for pressure in accordance with para 104.7.2
Allowances such as for corrosion/ erosion, material removal in threads and groovings are
to be added to minimum required thickness.
For straight pipe under external pressure there is a membrane stress check in accordance
with equation used for internal desing pressure as well as a buckling check in accordance
with external pressure design rules of B&PV code Sec VIII div 1 ( para UG 28, UG 29,
UG 30)
Flanges, heads and stiffeners that comply with section VIII div 1, para UG 29 are
considered stiffeners. Length between stiffeners is the length between such components.
For determination of factor A and B refer to chart of relevant section.
Reinforcement principle is applied for welded branch connection. Angle alpha between
run pipe and branch pipe is atleast 45deg . when the above limitation are not satisfied the
designer is directed to para 104.7. Alternative in that a para include proof testing and
finite element analysis.
Para 104.3.1(G) provides area replacement rules for such connections. They are
applicable for 90 deg branch connection.
Additional considerations for branch connection under external pressure is covered under
para 104.3.1.
Branch connection that are presumed to be acceptable are fittings listed in Table
126.1(eg. B16.9 tees, MSS SP-97 branch outlet fittings. Para 104.3.1.(C)
Limitation on components and joints refer to chapter II of B31.1 part3 & 4 which
includes valves, Flanges, fittings, bends, miters and branch connection, bolting, welded
joints, threaded joint, tubing joints, miscellaneous joints.
Design for sustained and occasional loads refer to chapter II part 2 para 104.8 of B 31.1
Design criteria for thermal expansion refer to para 104.8.2 chapter II part 2 of B31.1
Flexibility analysis as per appendix D of B31.1. Exemptions are provided in para 119.7.1
Supports and Restraints are covered under chapter II para 120, 121, 130, MSS SP-58
Materials Requirement:
Chapter V of B31.1 covers rules for fabrication , assembly and erection. Includes
requirement for welding, details for specific type of welded joint, preheat, heat treatment,
bending and forming, brazing and soldering, assembly and erection.
Welding process generally used are arc welding processes such as SMAW, GTAW,
GMAW, FCAW, SAW.
Essential, non essential and supplementary variables are to be considered for welding
qualifications.
Heat treatment as para 132 of B31.1. Furnace heat treatment is preferred, local heat
treatment is also permitted. Band three times maximum thickness of part being joined
needs to be followed.
Bolted joints :
Refer para 135.3 of B31.1 and appendix S of section VIII div 1
Welded joints:
Refer para 127.4.2, 127.4.4( B), ( C )
Examination:
Table 136.4.1 gives type of non destructive examination t be carried out. All joints are to
be visually inspected to visual standard given in 136.4.2
Pressure Testing :
1) Hydrostatic Testing
2) Pneumatic testing
3) Mass spectrometer and halide testing
4) Initial service testing
As per PG 99 the hydrostatic pressure will be 1.5 times design pressure. Maximum stress
during test is limited by para 102.3.3 ( B )
Leak test after PWHT , NDE, other fabrication, assembly and erection activities required
by system.
Pneumatic test to 25 psig permitted to locate major leaks.
Certain cases pneumatic test can be substituted in place of hydro test in which case
pressure need to be 1.25 times design pressure