Asme Interpretations

/.

' ... ._,'

ASME B31.3

INTERPRETATIONS NO. 13 1

Replies to Technical InquiriesApril 1, 1994, Through March 31, 1995

General Information

It has been agreed to publish interpretations issued by the B31 Committee concerning B31.3as part of the update service to the Code. The interpretations have been assigned numbers inchronological order. Each interpretation applies to the Edition or Aqdenda stated in theinterpretation, or if none is stated, to the Edition or Addenda in effect on the date of issuance ofthe interpretation. Subsequent revisions to the Code may have superseded the reply. Theseinterpretations are not part of the Code or its Addenda.

These replies are taken verbatim from the original letters, except for a few typographical andeditorial corrections made for the purpose of improved clarity. In some instances, a review of theinterpretation revealed a need for corrections of a technical nature. In these cases, a revised replybearing the original interpretation number with the suffIx R is presented.

ASME .procedures provide for reconsideration of these interpretations when or if additionalinformation 'is available which· the inquirer believes might affect the interpretation. Further, personsaggrieved by an interpretation may appeal to the cognizant ASME committee or subcommittee. Asstated in the Statement of Poli~ in the Code documents, ASME does not "approve," "certify,""rate," or "endorse" any item, construction, proprietary device, or activity.

For detailed instructions on preparaion of technical inquiries to the B31 Committee, refer toAppendix Z.

Code Reference and Subject Indexes

Code Reference and Subject Indexes have been prepared to assist. the user in locatinginterpretations by location or by subject matter in the Code. They cover interpretations issued fromVolume 1 up to and including the present volume, and will be updated with each volume.

147

~ ,"i;

:~.. '. -:

"/" ,-

.. :; ~

t: '. "-:... - ..,.l.:.~ ~~. '

831.3

SubjectAlteration of Existing Piping and Hot Tapping ' .Certification of a Listed Material to Another Listed Material Specification .Paras. 301.2.1 and 302.2.5, Design Pressure .Para. 304.1.1(a), Pressure Design of Straight Pipe .Para 304.7.2, Pressure Design of Unlisted Components and Elements .Paras. 304,7.2 and 304.7.2(d), Pressure Design

of Unlisted Components and Elements .Paras. 304.7.2 and 319.3.6, Pressure Design and Flexibility Factors .Para 319.4.1, Flexibility Analysis .Para. 328.4, Preparation for Welding .Para 328.5.4, Welded Branch Connections .Chapter VI Inspection, Examination, and Testing .Para. 341.3.4(e), Progressive Examination .Para. 345.4.2(a), Hydrostatic Test Requirements .Para. 345.5, Pneumatic Testing .Para. A328.5.4, Heat Fusion Joints in Thermoplastic Piping .Appendix X, Para. X3.2.2, Metallic Bellows Expansion Joints .

Intery,retation13-0413-1013-1513-0713'()2

13'()3'13-05,13-1413'()113·11:13.1613·1213-1313-06,13.Q813-09

File No.831-94-017831-94.Q34B31-94-042831-94·028831-94·015

B31·94'()16831·94.()18831·94-041831·93-059831·94.()37B31·94.()59831-94-039831·94-040831·94.Q20831-94-029831·94-031

149

B31.3 Interpretations No. 13

Interpretation: 13·01

Subject: ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, Para. 328.4, Preparation for Welding

Date Issued: November 21, 1994

File: B31-93-059

13-01, 13-62, 13-03

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, Addenda a, does the Code requirethat all transitional tapers be filled with weld metal to obtain a consistent outside diameter whenwelding together two weld end components that are manufactured to include all of the following:

(1) a weld bevel to nominal wall thickness;(2) an actual outside diameter greater than the nominal outside diameter;(3) a taper transition from the actual outside diameter to the nominal outside diameter weld

bevel per ASME BI6.25, Fig. 1. .

Reply: No, the weld must have at least the same nominal wall thickness as the thinner of thetwo components.


Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. 304.7.2, Pressure Design of Unlisted Cqmponentsand Elements

Date Issued: Nov~mber 21, 1994

File: B31-94-015

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, para. 304.7.2, may the maximumallowable pressure of an unlisted component be greater than the manufacturer's rating?

Reply: Yes, see para. 300(c)(2).

Interpretation: 13-03

Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Paras. 304.7.2 and 304.7.2(d), Pressure Design of Unlisted Components and Elements


File: B31-94-016

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, is a proof pressure test, in accordancewith para. 304.7.2(c), required to qualify a flange design not in accordan~ with a listed standard ifthe design meets the requirements of para. 304.7.2(d) as well as the introductory requirements ofpara.304.7.2?

Reply: No.

151

13·04, 13.05, 13-06



r... ·...\; .'.... ',~:"

,',"

"

Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Alterations of Existing Piping and Hot Tapping


File: B31-94-017

Question: Does ASME B31.3-1993 Edition and Addenda a apply to alterations of existingpiping, including tie-in branch connections, e.g., hot taps? '

Reply: No.


Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. 304.7.2, Pressure Design qfUnlisted Componentsand Elements, and Para. 319.3.6 Flexibility and Stress Intensification Factors


File: B31-94-018

Question (1): In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, maya pressure containing pipingcomponent, not manufactured in accordance with a listed standard, and for which the rules in para.304 do not apply, be qualified in accordance with para. 304.7.2?

Reply'(1): Yes.

Question (2): In accordance with para. 319.3.6, may stress intensification factors for pressurecontaining piping components~ not manufactured in accordance with a listed standard listed inAppendix D, be established by fatigue testing?

Reply (2): Yes.


Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. 345.5, Pneumatic Testing


File: B31-94-020

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition and Addenda a, is it allowable topneumatically test above 110% of design pressure?

Reply: No, unless otherwise specified in the engineering design.

152



13-07, 13-08

Subject: ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, Para. 304.1.1(a), Pressure Design of Straight Pipe


File: B31-94-028

Question: In accor.dance with ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, may the minimum pipe wall thicknessdetermined by measurement be used to satisfy the requirements of para,. 304.1.1(a)?

Reply: Yes.


Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. A328.5.4, Heat Fusion Joints in ThermoplasticPiping


File: B31-94-029

Question: Does ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, para. A328.5.4, apply to electrofusion bonding ofpolyolefin pipe and fittings?

Reply: No. Eleetrofusion joints are not listed; see para. A304.7.2.

153

13·09, 13·10



Subject: ASME B31.3-1987 Edition, Appendix X, Para. X3.2.2, Metallic Bellows ExpansionJoints


File: B31-94-031

Question (1): In accordance with ASME B31.3-1987 Edition, para. X3.2.2, is it required toexamine inaccessible surfaces of the bellows longitudinal seam weld after forming using liquid penetrant?

Reply (1): No.

Question (2): Is a dye penetrant leak test (putting dye penetrant on :the inside surface anddeveloper on the weld outside surface) an acceptable alternative to liquid p~netrant examination ofthe inside surface of bellows longitudinal seam welds?

Reply (2): No.

Question (3): Are the rules in ASME Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix 26, applicable tobellows in ASME B31.3 piping systems?

Reply (3): No.


Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Certification of a Listed Material to Another ListedMaterial Specification.


File: B31-94·034

Question: Is it permissible under the requirements of ASME B31.3-1993 Edition for an organization to recertify a listed material to another listed material specification?

Reply: B31.3 does not establish rules for materials certification other than the requirements ofthe materials specifications.

154



Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para 328.5.4, Welded Branch Connections


File: B31-94-037

13-11, 13.12, 13-13

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Addenda a, what is the effective weldthroat thickness required for a proprietary integrally reinforced branch 'connection fitting?

Reply: The thickness is as required by the manufacturer's design qualified in accordance withpara. 304.7.2 or MSS SP-94, and para. 328.5.4(d).


Subject: ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, Para. 341.3.4(e), Progressiv~ Examination


File: B31-94-039

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, para. 341.3.4(e), what is the meaningof the phrase "all items represented by the progressive examinations."?

Reply: All items withia- the same designated lot. See para. 344.1.3 Definitions, random exami·nations.


Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. 345.4.2(a), Hydrostatic Test Requirements


File: B31-94-040

Question: Does ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Addenda a, permit a hydrostatic test pressure lessthan 1.5 times design pressure?

Reply: No, unless para. 345.4.2(c) or 345.4.3(b) applies.

155

13·14, 13·15, 13·16


Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. 319.4.1, Flexibility Analysis


File: B31-94-041


~...• ,"\:1 ...."'., ~

Question: In accordance with para. 319.4.1, how many years of operatio~ or number of operatingcycles are required to quil1ify a piping system as having a succ~ssful servic~ record?

Reply: Such determination is the responsibility of the designer. See para. 300(b)(2).


Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Paras. 301.2.1 and 302.2.5, Design Pressure


File: B31-94-042

Question: When a valve isolates two process streams so that one condition on one side of thevalve occurs at the same time as another condition occurs on the other side of the valve, are therequirements of paras. 301.2.1 and 302.2.5 met if the pressure design is based on the most severeconditions of coincident pressure and component temperature?

Reply: Yes.


Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Chapter VI Inspection, Examination, and Testing


File: B31-94-o59

Question (1): In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Addenda a, if a weld has notpenetrated to the inside comer of the root face on one side of the joint and the remainder of theweld is sound, does ASME B31.3 classify this defect as lack of fusion?

Reply (1): No, refer to Fig. 341.3.2 sketch (c).

Question (2): Can lack of fusion occur at the root of a groove weld joint?

Reply (2): Yes.

Question (3): Is 1.5 in. of incomplete penetration in any 6 in. weld length for girth and mitergroove welds acceptable for normal fluid service?

Reply (3): Yes, per acceptance criteria listed in Table 341.3.2A.

156

Asme Interpretations

Documents

Transcript of Asme Interpretations