The huge expansion of the plumbing industry where it exists today mainly because of the codes, standards and recommended practices. The main concern for the design of any process plant is the safety of the personnel involved. The design of piping systems in accordance with these codes, standards or recommended practices ensures safety along with the required standardization. Every plumbing engineer should have a basic knowledge of commonly used codes and standards. The following article attempts to provide a summary of common codes and standards that are widely used in the process piping industry.
Differences between codes and standards
The codes prescribe requirements for the design, materials, construction, installation, inspection, assembly, testing and inspection of piping systems, while the standards include design and construction rules and requirements for individual piping components such as elbows, tees, flanges, flanges. , Valves and other inline items
Compliance with the code is generally required by regulations laid down by regulatory and enforcement agencies. Sometimes, a facility insurance carrier hardly leaves the owner with any choice but to comply with the requirements of a code or codes to ensure the safety of workers and the general public. According to the standards, the relevant code rules or buyer specifications are usually required.
Recommended exercise
Recommended actions, prepared by professional organizations or professional institutions, are an optional set of documents that can be used for good engineering performance.
Although each country has its own codes and standards, American codes and standards are still the most widely used. The main codes and standards used in daily plumbing programs are listed below:
a. ASME codes for the plumbing industry
1.0 ASME B31 : Code for pressure piping
ASME B31.3 – Process piping code
This code typically sets rules for pipes in oil refineries, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, semiconductor and refrigeration plants, and related processing plants and terminals, including piping for fluids such as crude, intermediate and final chemicals, petroleum products. , Provides gas, steam. Air and water, fluid solids, refrigerants, refrigerants, etc. This code is of great importance to process piping professionals.
This code does not provide information about the following:
(A) Piping systems designed for internal gauge pressures of zero or more but less than 105 kPa (15 psi), provided that the fluid used is non-flammable, non-toxic and harmless to human tissues and has a design temperature of -29 ° C; Be. -20 degrees Fahrenheit) to 186 degrees Celsius (366 degrees Fahrenheit).
(B) Boiler external power and piping boilers required to comply with B31.1.
(C) Pipes, pipe headers, crossovers and manifolds of incendiary heaters, which are inside the heater chamber.
(D) Pressure vessels, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, and other fluid handling or processing equipment, including internal piping and fittings for external piping.
(E) Piping covered by ASME B31.4, B31.8, or B31.11, although owned by the Company.
(F) Plumbing, sanitary sewage, and storm sewage.
(G) Piping for fire protection systems
(H) Plumbing covered by applicable government regulations
ASME B31.1 – Electrical Piping Code
This code provides the plumbing requirements commonly found in power stations, industrial and enterprise plants, geothermal heating systems, and central and regional heating and cooling systems. This code is especially important for power piping professionals. Does not apply to piping systems covered by other sections of the Pressure Piping Regulations, and to other pipelines that are specifically excluded from the scope of this Code.
ASME B31.4 – Pipeline transport systems for liquids and slurries
This code provides for piping requirements for the transfer of liquids between production facilities, reservoir farms, natural gas processing plants, plants and terminals, and inside terminals, pumping, tuning, metering stations and other delivery and receiving points.
ASME B31.5 – Refrigeration piping and heat transfer components
This code prescribes the piping requirements for refrigerants, heat transfer components, and secondary coolers for temperatures as low as -320 ° F (-196 ° C).
ASME B31.8 – Gas transmission and distribution piping systems
This code covers product pipelines, which are mainly gas (liquefied petroleum gas) between sources and terminals. This code also covers the safety aspects of operating and maintaining that facility.
ASME B31.9 – Building Services Plumbing
AMSE B31.11 – Slurry transport piping systems.
ASME B31.12 – Plumbing and hydrogen pipes.
Code 2.0 ASME boiler and tank under pressure
It consists of 11 sections that are listed below:
- The first part of electric boilers
- The second part of the material specifications
- Part III Rules for the construction of nuclear power plant components
- Section IV heating boilers
- Part Five Non-Destructive Examination
- Section 6 Recommended rules for the care and operation of heating boilers
- Section VII Recommended rules for the care of power boilers
- Section VIII Pressurized Tanks
- Section 9 Welding and soldering skills
- Section X pressure-reinforced plastic tanks
- Section 11 of the In-Service Inspection Rules for Nuclear Power Plant Components
Of these 11 sections, the eighth section is very important for process pipe engineers.
B. Standards of plumbing components
The main standards for the most commonly used pipe components are listed below:
ASME B36.10M : Welded and seamless wrought steel pipe
ASME B36.19M : Stainless steel pipe
ASME B16.9 : Factory Welded Steel Welding Fittings
ASME B16.5 : Pipe flanges and flange fittings
ASME B16.11 : Forging fittings, welding socket and thread
ASME B1.1 : Integrated screw threads
ASME B16.20 : Metal washer for pipe flanges.
ASME B16.25 : Buttwelding Ends
ASME B16.10 : Dimensions facing and end to end valves
MSS SP-58 : Pendant and Pipe Support – Materials, Design and Construction.
BS 6501, Part 1: Flexible metal hose
NFPA 1963 : Standard for fire hose fittings
Refer to ASME B 31.3 for more information on parts standards
J. ASTM standards
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is a scientific and technical organization that develops and publishes voluntary standards on the properties and performance of materials, products, systems, and services. Standards published by ASTM include experimental methods for determining or validating properties, such as chemical composition and performance measurements, such as tensile strength and flexural properties. These standards cover refined materials such as steel and basic products such as machinery and equipment. Standards are created by committees drawn from a wide range of professional, industrial and commercial interests. Many standards have been made mandatory by reference to applicable piping codes.
The main ASTM standards are listed below:
A36: Structural carbon steel
A105: Carbon steel forging, for piping applications
A106: Seamless carbon steel pipe for high temperature service
A312: Seamless austenitic stainless steel pipe, welded and very cold worked
A335: Seamless ferrite steel pipe for high temperature service
A358: Electrically Welded Chrome Nickel Electrified Aluminum Stainless Steel Pipe for High Temperature Services and General Applications
A516: Pressure tank plates, carbon steel, for medium service and lower temperature
A671: Welded steel pipe with electric fusion for atmospheric temperature and lower temperatures
A672: Steel pipe welded with electric fusion for high pressure service at medium temperature
Recommended reading For more information on ASTM standards: See ASME B 31.3 Specification Profile for Appendix A.
- D. API standards
The American Petroleum Institute (API) publishes specifications, bulletins, recommended practices, standards, and other publications to help provide standard equipment and materials.
The main ASTM standards are listed below:
A36: Structural carbon steel
A105: Carbon steel forging, for piping applications
A106: Seamless carbon steel pipe for high temperature service
A312: Seamless austenitic stainless steel pipe, welded and very cold worked
A335: Seamless ferrite steel pipe for high temperature service
A35: Electrically welded nickel austenitic stainless steel pipe for high temperature service and general applications
A516: Pressure tank plates, carbon steel, for medium and lower service
A671: Welded steel pipe with electric fusion for atmospheric temperature and lower temperatures
A672: Steel pipe welded with electric fusion for high pressure service at medium temperature