PUNCH POINTS

ASME B 31.3 PROCESS PIPING

(DAY 1)
1. ASME B 31.3 piping is used for construction of new piping installation and
is applicable to all piping within the battery limits of process plants (except
power plants) and petroleum refinery.
2. Revised edition and addenda of ASME B 31.3 Code may be used from
beginning with date of issue. But they become mandatory from 6 months
after issue date.
3. Code statements with shall mean it is a mandatory requirement. Code
statements with should means it is a recommendation and Code
statements with may means it is a optional matter.
4. Code B31.3 classifies fluids as Category D (15 150 psi design Pr.)
Category M (toxic), and category K (high pressure).
5. The fluids which are not category D, M or K are called Normal fluids.
6. Safe stress values shall be taken from Table A 1A (stress table).
7. The material can be normally used up to the lower temperature given in
Min. Temp. Column of Table A 1A (stress table).
8. It can not be used for lower temperature (if double line is to the left) or
higher temperature (if double line is to the right).

9. Table A-1B of B 31.3 Code gives weld joint quality factor for manufactured
pipes. The factor can be increased for Electric Fusion welded pipes by
conducting additional radiography (spot or full) as per Table 302.3.4.
10. Minimum Required Thickness

(tm) for a pipe of outside diameter (D)

,weld point factor (E) and made from material having safe stress (S),
Material co-efficient (Y) and subjected to internal pressure (P) is given by:
PD
Min.Req.Thickness tm = ------------- + C
2(SE + PY)
where C = corrosion allowance.
11. The thickness calculated shall be corrected for 12.5% negative
tolerance.
12. Thickness of a permanent blank for the pipe is given by:

t m dg

3P
C
16 SE

Where, dg = gasket inside diameter

13. Materials can be used up to given minimum temperature in table A1
(stress table) without impact testing.
14. For lower temperatures, go to Fig. 323.2.2. If temperature & thickness
combination point falls on or above the material curve (Fig. 323.22),
impact testing is NOT required. (If below the curve impact testing is
required.)

mill

15. To know which material is represented by which curve (Fig. 323.2.2,

curves A, B, C, D), go to table A-1 (stress table).
16. Typically, Curve A materials are Most Brittle.
17. For impact testing, 3 specimens are required. If the average of 3
specimens > = Required Average and value of only one specimen is
less than average but more than minimum for one specimen Accept.
18. If two specimens are below required average, or one specimen is less
than average but also less than minimum for one specimen Retest.
19. After retest all three must equal or exceed the average.
20. For joining unequal schedule pipe, tapering or step-slot shall be made inside
thicker pipe for weld fit-up.
21. For fillet weld, the throat of fillet weld is calculated as throat = 0.707 size of weld.
22. All welding shall be done by qualifying procedures and welders according to
ASME Sec. IX.
23. Table 330.1.1 gives required and recommended pre-heat temperature.
Recommendation becomes requirement if ambient temp is <0C.
24. In dissimilar pipe joints higher temperature of the two is to be used for preheating. The pre-heat zone shall extend at least one inch beyond the edge
of the weld.