Steam Systems Best Practices

Document No. 35

Swagelok Energy Advisors, Inc.

Steam Piping Codes

Codes and standards evolve from the response to

historical events or failures and the desire to provide
a safe and reliable manufacturing environment. The
code for pressure piping is defined and maintained
by ASME (American Society of Mechanical
Engineers) and is collectively identified as B31.
All codes can be purchased from ASME.

portions of other piping components. It also includes

hangers and supports and other equipment
necessary to prevent overstressing the piping
system. B31.1 applies to steam systems generated
at a pressure greater than 15 psig and high
temperature water systems exceeding 160 psig
and/or temperatures exceeding 250F.

The ASME B31 code consists of a number of

individually published sections:
B31.1 - Power Piping
B31.3 - Process Piping
B31.9 - Building Services Piping

B31.1 Power Piping Code

The B31.1 Power Piping Code covers piping typically
found in electric power generating stations, industrial
and institutional plants, geothermal heating systems,
and central and district heating and cooling systems.
This Code prescribes minimum requirements for the
materials, design, fabrication, construction, testing,
inspection, operation, and maintenance of piping
systems. The term piping systems, as defined in
B31.1, applies to all piping and its component parts,
including steam, water, oil, gas, and air services.
Scope of ASME B31.1 in Steam Piping
The Code covers piping and piping components,
including flanges, bolting, gaskets, valves, relief
devices, fittings, and the pressure-containing

Figure 1: Steam Piping

Boiler External Piping

The manufacture of boiler components such as boiler
drums, superheaters, tubes, reheaters, economizers,
and water drums must adhere to the ASME Boiler
and Pressure Vessel Code. The ASME B31.1 Code
applies to connections from the boiler components
to the first stop valve. This piping is identified as
boiler external piping. The technical requirements of
this section of piping are defined by B31.1, but the
administrative requirements (such as data reports,
inspection, quality control, and code stamping)

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Steam Systems Best Practices

Document No. 35

Swagelok Energy Advisors, Inc.

are performed in accordance with Section 1 of

the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. All
welding and brazing on boiler external piping
must be done by only authorized manufacturers
or contractors holding a code symbol stamp.
The boiler external piping can be assembled
mechanically by any organization; however, the
documentation and hydrostatic testing must be
performed by a valid code stamp holder.

and special fittings are subject to these design

considerations.
The design of the steam piping has three
components: pressure design, flexibility design,
and sustained load design. The pressure design
accounts for the steam pressure and temperature,
normal operating conditions, and any abnormal
operating or environmental conditions (earthquake,
high wind, etc.). A flexibility design performs a
fatigue analysis, which considers the thermal
expansion during startup-shutdown cycles.
The sustained load design determines the pipe
hangers and supports to hold the piping secure
during normal operation and short-term loads,
such as the line filling entirely with condensate or
forces caused by earthquakes or high wind.
Notes applicable to steam piping:
1. V
 alves fall under the same standards and
specifications.

Figure 2: Steam Header Piping

Steam Piping Design/Selection

The function of the design is to provide guidance
for materials, fabrication, installation, and testing.
The B31.1 Code states that all components in
a steam piping system are subject to design
conditions and criteria. These design conditions
define the pressures, temperatures, and various
forces applicable to the piping system. Power
piping systems must be designed for the most
severe conditions of coincident pressure,
temperature, and loading. The most severe
condition is that which results in the greatest
required pipe wall thickness and highest flange
rating.
When piping is selected for a particular steam
service, numerous factors must be considered.
All piping components such as pipe material, pipe
sizes and schedules, elbows, tees and branch
connections, reducers, and other standard

2. F
 langes also are subject to the same
standards and specifications.
3. S
 pecific requirements also define the
methods to join flanges of different materials.
4. B
 olts, studs, nuts, and washers are required
to comply with the applicable standard.
5. A
 ll welded joints on B31.1 piping are required
to follow specific rules for fabrication and
examination.
6. T
 hreaded joints are prohibited for
temperatures greater than 925F and where
severe erosion, crevice corrosion, shock, or
vibration can occur.
7. Threaded connections are also prohibited on
3 inch line greater than 400 psig or 2 inch line
greater than 600 psig.
8. P
 ipe with a wall thickness less than that of
standard weight cannot be threaded.

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Steam Systems Best Practices

Document No. 35

Swagelok Energy Advisors, Inc.

9. Steam trap discharge piping must be

designed to the same pressure as the inlet
piping unless the discharge is vented to the
atmosphere.
10. When two or more steam traps discharge
into the same header, a stop valve is
required in the discharge line of each steam
trap.
11. Where the pressure in the discharge piping
can exceed the pressure in the inlet piping,
a check valve is required in the discharge
piping.
12. T
 he outlet piping of a let-down valve must
be rated for the same pressure as the inlet
unless a safety relief valve is installed on the
outlet.

Figure 3: Piping Connections

13. No valves are permitted between the piping

or vessel protected and the safety relief
valve.
14. No valves are permitted in the discharge of
the safety relief valve.
15. The discharge of safety relief valves must not
impinge on other piping or equipment and
must be directed away from areas occupied
by personnel.
16. Sectional areas of the discharge piping
cannot be less than the safety relief outlet.
17. Discharge lines from safety relief valves must
be designed to facilitate drainage.

Figure 4: Piping Not to Code

18. The discharge piping cannot restrict the

thermal growth of the unit the safety relief
valve protects.
19. D
 rainage must be provided to remove water
collected above the safety valve seat.

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 or more information on the codes or

F
purchasing the codes - visit: www.asme.org
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