PRESSURE RATING CLASSES

Industry Standards

In designing a piping system, pipe flanges, fittings, and valves must be able to withstand the
stresses imposed by internal pressure. ANSI B 16.5 and API 6A specifications are the most commonly
used.

Goal of Industry Standards:

 Provide interchangeability between manufacturers

 Set dimensional standard
 Specify allowable service ratings for pressure and temperature ranges
 Specify material properties
 Specify methods of production and quality control

ANSI B 16.5

Classes of piping:

 150
 300
 400
 600
 900
 1500
 2500

Each class has different maximum non-shock working pressure rating; higher class has higher
pressure rating, this means that the higher class can withstand high stresses imposed by internal
pressure compared to lower class of piping. At higher temperature, pressure rating decreases.

API 6A

Classes of piping:

 2000
 3000
 5000
 10000
 15000
 20000
 25000

The API class designation is the maximum non-shock working pressure rating at 100°F. For
example, 2000 API class has pressure rating of 2000 psi at 100°F. Only 2000, 3000, and 5000 API series
flanges have the same dimension and interchangeable with 600, 900, and 1500 ANSI series flanges, but
API flanges have a higher pressure rating.

Pipe, Valve, and Fitting Specifications

The purpose of pipe, valve, and fittings specifications is to determine:

 The governing industry codes

 Material requirements for pipe, flanges, fittings, bolts, nuts and gaskets
 Material and construction for each valve used in the piping
 Welding certification and inspection requirements
 Design details

A pipe, valve, and fitting specification differs from industry standard pressure rating standards in
that it addresses the quality of the piping components and construction details. Greater wall thickness is
needed for small diameter pipes where mechanical integrity is more important than the ability to
withstand internal pressure.