ASME B31.3 Process Piping - Metallic Pipe & Fitting Selection

Piping Development Process

1. Establish applicable system standard(s)
2. Establish design conditions
3. Make overall piping material decisions

• 􀂃 Pressure Class
• 􀂃 Reliability
• 􀂃 Materials of construction

4. Fine tune piping material decisions

• 􀂃 Materials
• 􀂃 Determine wall thicknesses
• 􀂃 Valves

5. Establish preliminary piping system layout & support configuration
6. Perform flexibility analysis
7. Finalize layout and bill of materials
8. Fabricate and install
9. Examine and test

Metallic Pipe & Fitting Selection

• Piping System Failure
• Bases for Selection
• Listed versus Unlisted Piping Components
• Fluid Service Requirements
• Pipe
• Fittings
• Branch Connections
• Flanges
• Gaskets
• Bolting
• Flanged Joints

Piping System Failure

How can you recognize a failure in a piping system?

Bases for Selection

Pressure Class
Reliability

• 􀂃 Robustness
• 􀂃 Fire Resistance
• 􀂃 Blow-out Resistance
• 􀂃 Tendencies to leak

Material of Construction

• 􀂃 Corrosion Resistance
• 􀂃 Material Toughness

Cost

Pressure Class

Ratings for above ground metallic systems are generally governed by their joints. Frequently these are flanged joints manufactured in accordance with ASME B16.1 (iron flanges) and ASME B16.5 (other metallic flanges).

Ratings for flanges (and some other piping components) are designated by pressure class.

FOR MORE INFO, SEE THE EMBEDDED PDF. GIVE IT A MINUTE TO LOAD.