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Asme Interpretations Volume: Replies To Technical Inquiries April Through October
Asme Interpretations Volume: Replies To Technical Inquiries April Through October
3 INTERPRETATIONS
ASME B31.3
INTERPRETATIONS VOLUME 22
Replies to Technical Inquiries
April 29, 2008 through October 5, 2009
GENERAL INFORMATION
It has been agreed to publish interpretations issued by the B31 Committee concerning B31.3
as part of the update service to the Code. The interpretations have been assigned numbers in
chronological order. Each interpretation applies to the Edition stated in the interpretation, or if
none is stated, to the Edition in effect on the date of issuance of the interpretation. Subsequent
revisions to the Code may have superseded the reply.
These replies are taken verbatim from the original letters, except for a few typographical and
editorial corrections made for the purpose of improved clarity. In some instances, a review of
the interpretation revealed a need for corrections of a technical nature. In these cases, a revised
reply bearing the original interpretation number with the suffix R is presented. In the case where
an interpretation is corrected by errata, the original interpretation number with the suffix E is used.
ASME procedures provide for reconsideration of these interpretations when or if additional
information is available which the inquirer believes might affect the interpretation. Further,
persons aggrieved by an interpretation may appeal to the cognizant ASME committee or subcommittee. As stated in the Statement of Policy in the Code documents, ASME does not "approve,"
"certify," "rate," or "endorse" any item, construction, proprietary device, or activity.
For detailed instructions on preparation of technical inquiries to the B31 Committee, refer to
Appendix Z.
1-1
Copyright @ 201 1 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
No reproduction may be made of this material without written consent of ASME.
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Subject
File No.
Interpretation
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Interpretation: 22-01
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Para. 323.3, Impact Testing Methods and Acceptance Criteria
Date Issued: April 29, 2008
File: 08-472
Question (1): If a welding procedure has been qualified by impact testing for service at a
temperature of -46C in accordance with para. 323.3, but the base material and weld material
were impact tested at a warmer temperature in accordance with their respective material specifications, may the weld procedure be used for service at temperatures as low as -46"C?
Reply (1): Yes, provided the essential variables, and supplemental essential variables in
ASME Section IX, are met.
Question (2): Is it required that the same brand and batch number of material, as used in weld
procedure qualification impact testing, be used for production welds?
Reply (2): No.
Interpretation: 22-02
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Table 323.3.4, Charpy Impact Test Temperature Reduction
Date Issued: April 29, 2008
File: 08-476
Question: To qualify a material to -46"C, should a 5 mm Charpy impact specimen produced
from a 6.32 mm material thickness be tested at -50.1C?
Reply: Yes; see para. 323.3.4(b).
Interpretation: 22-03
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Table 323.2.2, A-4(a) and A-4(b); Paras. 323.2.2(f)(l) and (2); Use of
Austenitic Stainless Steel Materials at Low Temperatures
Date Issued: April 29, 2008
File: 08-477
Question: Does the Code permit austenitic stainless steel materials listed in Table A-1 to be
used to the minimum temperatures listed regardless if they are a seamless or welded product
form?
Reply: Yes, provided the requirements of Table 323.2.2, A-4(a) and applicable Notes in Table A-1
are followed.
1-3
Copyright @ 201 1 by the American Society of Mechanical Bngincers.
No reproduction rnay be made of this matcrial without written consent of ASMB.
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Interpretation: 22-04
Interpretation: 22-05
Subject: ASME B31.3-2004, Paras. 300.2 and 301.3, Category D Design Temperature
Date Issued: April 29, 2008
File: 08-594
Question: Can a fluid service that is nonflammable, nontoxic, and not damaging to human
tissues, with a design gage pressure not exceeding 1035 kPa and a design temperature less than
-2gC, be classified as a Category D fluid service?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: 22-07
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Paras. 302.3.5(d) and P302.3.5(d), Allowable Stress Range and
Allowable Operating Stress Limit
Date Issued: April 29, 2008
File: 08-603
Question: Where the value of the stress range factor,f, is permitted to be greater than 1, does
the Code permit the allowable stress range, SA, for displacement stresses and the allowable
operating stress limit, SoA,to be the greater of
(a) the value computed with f = 1 and without the f, limitations on S, and Sh
(b) the value computed with f > 1 with the f, limitations on S, and Sh?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: 22-08
Interpretation: 22-09
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Para. 345.3.1, Joints Exposed and Para. 326.3, Reference Documents
Date Issued: April 30, 2008
File: 08-471
Question: Do longitudinal weld joints in pipe meeting a standard listed in para. 326 have to
be exposed during leak testing in accordance with para. 345?
Reply: No; see para. 326.3.
Interpretation: 22-10
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Tables 302.3.4 and A-lB, Longitudinal Weld Joints in Pipes, Tubes,
and Fittings
Date Issued: April 30, 2008
File: 08-480
Question (1):Does the Code permit an EFW pipe produced without filler metal to be upgraded
to a weld joint quality factor of 1.00 through radiography?
Reply (1): Yes; see Table 302.3.4.
Question (2): Do weld joint quality factors apply to circumferential welds?
Reply (2): No.
Interpretation: 22-11
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Paras. 345.4 and 345.5, Leak Testing With Negative Pressure
Date Issued: April 30, 2008
File: 08-481
Question: Does the Code permit externally pressurized piping to be pneumatically tested using
an internal vacuum?
Reply: No; see para. 345.2.4.
1-5
Copyright @ 201 1 by the Amcrican Society of Mechanical Bnginccrs.
No rcproduction may be madc of this matcrial without writtcn consent of ASMB.
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Interpretation: 22-12
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Table A-1, Prohibition of API 5LX Grade Materials at Temperatures
Exceeding 400F
Date Issued: April 30, 2008
File: 08-595
Question (1):Are API 5L Grades X52 and X56 listed materials?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): Can API 5L Grades X52 and X56 be used above 400F?
Reply (2):No; see double bars (11) as defined in Note (7) and Note (55) of Table A-1.
Interpretation: 22-13
Interpretation: 22-14
Subject:ASME B31.3-2006, Paras. 345.1,345.3.4, and 345.5.1, Leak Testing/Limits of Tested Piping
Date Issued: May 1, 2008
File: 08-475
Question: Is it acceptable for a pneumatic leak test to be conducted with test medium continuously added to compensate for known leaks so that the test pressure is maintained?
Reply: Yes, recognizing the additional hazards associated with pneumatic testing. See para.
345.5.1.
Interpretation: 22-15
Interpretation: 22-16
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Interpretation: 22-17
Interpretation: 22-18
Interpretation: 22-19
Interpretation: 22-20
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Paras. 304.3.5(e) and 319.3.6, Reinforcement Pad Thickness
Date Issued: October 13, 2008
File: 08-1244
Question (1):Does the Code provide a maximum reinforcing pad thickness for pressure design?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): Does the Code prohibit the use of more than one reinforcing pad, such as the
use of two 3-mm pads to provide 6-mm pad thickness?
Reply (2): No.
Question (3): Does the Code reference complete encirclement reinforcement?
Reply (3): Yes. See para. 304.3.5(e).
Question (4): Does the Code provide a specific SIF for complete encirclement reinforcement
on tees?
Reply (4): No.
Question (5): Does the Code permit the use of more applicable data to establish an SIF for
reinforced intersections?
Reply (5): Yes. See para. 319.3.6.
Interpretation: 22-21
Interpretation: 22-22
Interpretation: 22-23
Interpretation: 22-24
1-10
Copyright @ 201 1 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
No reproduction rnay be made of this material without written consent of ASME.
Interpretation: 22-25
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Para. 328.5.1(b), Weld Map and Welder Sign
Date Issued: October 13, 2008
File: 08-1440
Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2006 Edition, para. 328.5.1@), is it required that a
weld map be created to identify the work of each welder or welding operator if each weld or
adjacent area has been marked to identify the welder or welding operator?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: 22-26
Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Para. 323.2.2(d),Use of Carbon Steel Materials Without Impact Testing
Date Issued: April 6, 2009
File: 09-529
Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2006 Edition, if a material is exempted from impact
testing because the requirements of para. 323.2.2(d) are satisfied, are welds and heat affected
zones (including those of production welds) required to be impact tested per Table 323.2.2,
Column B (8-3)?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: 22-27
Interpretation: 22-28
Subject: ASME 831.3-2008, Table A-1, Basic Allowable Stresses for Metals
Date Issued: April 10, 2009
File: 08-1608
Question: In accordance with ASME 831.3-2008 Edition, may the Table A-1 basic allowable
stresses in tension above 1000F for ASTM A 182, Grade F316L forging be applied for ASTM
A 182, Grade F316 forging having a carbon content less than 0.04%?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: 22-29
Subject: ASME 831.3-2006, Code Case 181, Use of Alternative Ultrasonic Examination Acceptance
Criteria
Date Issued: April 10, 2009
File: 08-1611
Question: Does Code Case 181 have a limitation for the minimum thickness of material for
its use?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: 22-30
Subject: ASME B31.3-2008, Para. 322.6.3, System Pneumatic Leak Test Pressure
Date Issued: April 10, 2009
File: 09-247
Question (1):In accordance with ASME B31.3-2008 Edition, during relieving events with system
relief devices per para. 322.6.3, may the pressure in the piping system during the event exceed
the system pneumatic leak test pressure?
Reply (1): No. See para. 302.2.4(e).
Question (2):When establishing the maximum allowable relieving pressure permitted in accordance with para. 322.6.3(c), may the test pressure used in accordance with para. 345 be exceeded?
Reply (2): The Code does not explicitly address this situation.
Interpretation: 22-31
Subject: Code Case 181, Table 1, Use of Alternative Ultrasonic Examination Acceptance Criteria
Date Issued: April 10, 2009
File: 09-424
Question: In Code Case 181, Table 1, must both the a/t and e criteria be satisfied for acceptance?
Reply: Yes. See revised Code Case 181, new para. (i)(4)(d)for alternate acceptance criteria.
Interpretation: 22-32
Interpretation: 22-33
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Interpretation: 22-36
Subject: ASME B31.3-2008, Table 302.3.5, General Note (b), Critical Temperatures
Date Issued: October 5, 2009
File: 09-1066
Question (1):In accordance with ASME B31.3-2008 Edition, when determining critical temperature of welded pipe, and when ASME BPV Code Section 11, Part D, Table 1A does not have a
time-dependent Note associated with the material, shall the designer use the time-dependent
Note associated with the base material of which the pipe is constructed?
Reply (1): Yes; see General Note (b) in Table 302.3.5.
Question (2): In accordance with ASME B31.3-2008 Edition, when determining critical temperature and when ASME BPV Code Section 11, Part D, Table 1A does not have a time-dependent
Note associated with the material, shall the designer treat the material as a material not listed
in Section 11, Part D for the purpose of determining critical temperatures?
Reply (2): Yes; see General Note (b) in Table 302.3.5.
Question (3): In accordance with ASME 831.3-2008 Edition, when a material has multiple
listings in ASME BPV Code Section 11, Part D that have different time-dependent Notes associated
with them, and the designer does not have sufficient information to determine the original product
form from which a component has been manufactured, is the designer required to use the
minimum calculated critical temperature based upon all listings for the product form in ASME
BPV Code Section 11, Part D?
Reply (3):We cannot respond to your request, since ASME does not provide consulting assistance. We regret that we cannot serve you in this instance, and suggest that you contact a reputable
consulting organization experienced in B31 piping applications.
Question (4): In accordance with ASME B31.3-2008 Edition, when a designer has specified a
dual certified material, may the designer use the time-dependent Notes associated with any of
the product forms to which the material complies when determining the critical temperature?
Reply (4):We cannot respond to your request, since ASME does not provide consulting assistance. We regret that we cannot serve you in this instance, and suggest that you contact a reputable
consulting organization experienced in B31 piping applications.
Question (5): In accordance with ASME B31.3-2008 Edition, when a material does not appear
in ASME BPV Code Section 11, Part D, Table 1A but does appear in Table lB, shall the designer
use the same methodology for determining critical temperature as for materials listed in Table lA?
Reply (5): This matter is not addressed by the Code.
Question (6):In accordance with ASME 831.3-2008Edition, may a designer treat a listed material
as an unlisted material, establish allowable stresses in accordance with para. 302.3.2, and then
calculate the critical temperature in accordance with Table 302.3.5, General Note (b)?
Reply (6): No.
Interpretation: 22-37
Subject: ASME B31.3-2008, Para. 302.2.4, Weld Joint Strength Reduction Factors
Date Issued: October 5, 2009
File: 09-1067
Question (1): Where carbon steel is used at design temperatures below 800F, does ASME
B31.3-2008 require that a weld joint strength reduction factor, W, of 1.0 be used?
Reply (1): The Code does not provide a weld joint strength reduction factor for carbon steel.
Question (2): Where carbon steel requires a design temperature above 800F to allow for a
short-term upset condition that falls outside the scope of para. 302.2.4, does ASME B31.3-2008
require the use of a weld joint strength reduction factor, W, other than 1.0?
Reply (2): The Code does not provide a weld joint strength reduction factor for carbon steel.
Interpretation: 22-38
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Interpretation: 22-39
Interpretation: 22-40
Interpretation: 22-41
Interpretation: 22-42
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Interpretation: 22-43
Subject: ASME B31.3-2008, Para. 305.1, General Pipe
Date Issued: October 5, 2009
File: 09-1489
Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3, may API 5L Grades A and B spiral seam welded
pipe be used for Normal Fluid Service and Category M Fluid Service piping?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: 22-44
Subject: ASME 831.3-2006, Para. 323.2.2(d),Carbon Steel Materials Without Impact Testing
Date Issued: October 5, 2009
File: 09-1605
Question (1): Does ASME B31.3 permit the application of para. 345.2.3(c) for a piping system
that is exempt from impact testing in accordance with para. 323.2.2(d) except for the closure
weld, which is qualified according to Table 323.2.2, Column A?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): Does ASME B31.3 permit the application of para. 345.2.3(c) for a piping system
that is exempt from impact testing in accordance with para. 323.2.2(d) except for the closure
weld, which is qualified according to Table 323.2.2, Column B?
Reply (2): Yes.
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