ASME B31.3 Process Piping and B31.1 Power Piping 2018 Edition: Key Changes
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a non-profit organization that develops international standards, codes, and documents for various engineering disciplines. ASME has been defining piping safety factors since 1992. It revises codes and standards periodically to reflect new developments in piping design that helps users to comply with relevant ordinances within their jurisdictions.
ASME B31.3 Code specifies requirements for piping found in petroleum refineries, chemical, textile, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and other processing plants & terminals. It defines requirements for different aspects such as components, design, fabrication, assembly, erection, examination, inspection, and testing of piping.
ASME B31.1 Code specifies requirements for piping systems typically found in electric power generating stations, industrial and institutional plants, geothermal heating systems, and central/district heating and cooling systems. It defines requirements for the design, materials, fabrication, erection, test, inspection, operation, and maintenance of piping.
ASME B31.3 Applications:
B31.3 Code applies to fluids piping including:
- Raw, intermediate, and finished chemicals
- Petroleum products
- Gas, steam, air, and water
- Fluidized solids
- Refrigerants
- Cryogenic fluids
ASME released its B31.3 – 2018 edition in August 2019.
Let’s have a look at some substantive changes to the latest version of this standard:
- Scope of ASME B31.3: In the revised version of ASME B31.3, the piping scope specifically includes onshore/offshore petroleum & natural gas production facilities, ore processing, food & beverage processing facilities, and more.
- Specific Permission: They have added explicit permission for the owner to appoint a representative to carry out selected responsibilities required by the ASME B31.3-2018 code. But, the owner retains ultimate responsibility for the actions of the representatives.
- Flange Design: The acceptable way to design flanges for B31.3 applications is following ASME BPVC, Section VIII, Division 2, para. 4.16 (Design Rules for Flanged Joints). And, the Division 2 procedure considers pressure, gasket seating, and externally applied axial forces and net-section bending moments.
- Stress Intensification and Flexibility Factors: As an alternative to Appendix D, the addition of specific references to ASME B31J-2017 as a resource for stress intensification and flexibility factors.
- Heat Treatment for Attachment Welds: It includes explicit language requirement for heat treatment across structural attachments welded directly to pressure-containing materials when the piping is expected to be heat treated.
ASME issued its B31.1 – 2018 edition in July 2018. Let’s have a look at some substantive changes to the latest version of this standard:
- New figures on Code Jurisdictional Limits on Piping
- New Mandatory Appendix P on Metallic Bellows Expansion Joints
- New Mandatory Appendix O on Use of Alternative Ultrasonic Acceptance Criteria
- Reference to ASME CA-1, Conformity Assessment Requirements
Conclusion
ASME B31.3 and B31.1 are the most applicable codes. B31.3 serves as a companion to ASME B31.1 Code on Power Piping as well as to numerous other codes in B31’s series. B31.3 and B31.1 together remain essential references for anyone engaged with piping.
If you’re looking for a reliable partner for power piping design services, consider hiring the engineering team adhering to industry codes and standards.