Revised: 04.28.

2015

ASME B16 SC F WEBSITE PUBLISHED INTERPRETATIONS

ASME B16.11 Forged- Made Wrought Buttwelding Fittings

Interpretation B16-88-005

Subject: Paragraph 9.1.2, 1980, Coincidence of Axes

Date Issued: July 1, 1990
File: B16-88-005

Question: Can B16.11, paragraph 9.1.2, Coincidence of Axes, be related to a tolerance on the 90
degree angle between threaded connections of 90 degree elbows and 90 degree
run/branch connections of threaded tees?
Reply: The coincidence of axes (paragraph 9.1.2) allows a maximum variation in the
alignment of the fitting bore and threads to be .06 in. in 12 in. This may be projected as
a tolerance on the 90 degree angles of 90 degree elbows and 90 degree connection of
tees.
Interpretation B16-89-010

Subject: Paragraph 4.2(c), 1980, Marking

Date Issued: July 1, 1990
File: B16-89-010

Question: Does marking B16.11 fittings with the ASTM forging specification (A 105/A 182/A
350) denote product conformance required by paragraph 4.2(c)?
Reply: No. In addition to ASTM forging specification marking, the symbol B16 must also be
used to denote conformance to B16.11. Marking omission is permitted where shape
and size do not permit all the marking required. (See paragraph 4.3, B16.11).
Interpretation B16-90-001

Subject: Paragraph 6.2, Designated Manufacturing Tolerances

Date Issued: July 1, 1990
File: B16-90-001

Question: Do specific designated manufacturing tolerances required by paragraph 6.2 of

B16.11-1980 fitting nominal dimensions exist?
Reply: No.

Copyright ASME. These interpretations are for ASME Committee use only. They are not to be duplicated or used for other than
ASME Committee business.
 Revised: 04.28.2015

Interpretation B16-90-005

Subject: Table 6, Dimensional Standards

Date Issued: July 1, 1990
File: B16-90-005

Question: Does B16.11-1980 have dimensional standards for Class 2000 threaded couplings,
half-couplings, and caps?
Reply: No. See Note (2) Table 6, B16.11-1980.

Interpretation B16-92-001

Subject: B16.11-1991, Internal Thread Lengths

Date Issued: November 1, 1992
File: B16-92-001

Question (1): When using working gages (paragraph 6.3.2, B16.11-1991) to measure internal threads,
are “B” and “L2" lengths in Table 5 also measured?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): Is there an optical comparator and acceptable method of measuring internal thread
lengths “B” and “L2" of Table 5, B16.11-1991?
Reply (2): B16.11-1991 does not address detailed gaging practices.
Question (3): When measuring internal thread lengths “B” and “L2" of Table 5, B16.11-1991, what is
the reference point for gaging?
Reply (3): The end of the fitting. Paragraph 6.3.4 indicates the countersink or chamfer shall be
included in thread lengths specified in the tables.
Question (4): When measuring internal thread length “L2" of Table 5, B16.11-1991, where on the
last applicable thread is the measurement taken?
Reply (4): B16.11 does not address detailed gaging practices.
Question (5): Is PTFE tape an acceptable thread sealant under paragraph 1.3, ASME B1.20.1-1983?
Reply (5): The B16 Committee cannot address questions pertaining to B1.20.1.

Copyright ASME. These interpretations are for ASME Committee use only. They are not to be duplicated or used for other than
ASME Committee business.
 Revised: 04.28.2015

Interpretation B16-92-007

Subject: B16.11-1991, Tolerances

Date Issued: July 1, 1992
File: B16-92-007

Question: Does B16.11-1991 specify tolerances for the lengths and outside diameters of
couplings, half couplings, and caps illustrated in Table 4 and Table 6?
Reply: No.

Interpretation B16-92-016

Subject: B16.11-1991, Dimensions

Date Issued: September 1, 1992
File: B16-92-016

Question: What is the length of female NPT threads for B16.11 fittings?
Reply: Dimensions “B” and “L2" of Tables 5 and 6. The L2 requirement shall accommodate
the effective length of the mating male thread.

Interpretation B16-92-032

Subject: B16.11-1991, Tolerances

Date Issued: March 1, 1993
File: B16-92-032

Question: Does B16.11 specify a tolerance requirement for the across flats “F” dimension (Table
7) for hex plugs and bushings?
Reply: No.

Interpretation B16-93-003

Subject: B16.11-1991
Date Issued: June 1, 1993
File: B16-93-003

Question: What dimensional requirements does B16.11-1991 have for fillet welds used to socket
weld fittings to pipe?
Reply: None.

Copyright ASME. These interpretations are for ASME Committee use only. They are not to be duplicated or used for other than
ASME Committee business.
 Revised: 04.28.2015

Interpretation B16-93-006

Subject: B16.11-1991
Date Issued: August 1, 1993
File: B16-93-006

Question: Is the pressure-temperature rating basis for B16.11-1991 Class 2000 threaded and Class
3000 socket welding fittings based on threaded Schedule 80 and unthreaded Schedule
80 pipe of equivalent material, respectively?
Reply: Yes. See paragraph 2.1.1 and Table 2.

Interpretation B16-96-001

Subject: B16.11-1991
Date Issued: May 1, 1996
File: B16-96-001

Question (1): Does B16.11-1991 have requirements or restrictions for chamfers on socket weld and
fitting bores?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): Does B16.11-1991 have provisions for the misalignment of the socket weld and fitting
bore axis?
Reply (2): Yes. See paragraph 7.1.2.

Interpretation B16-97-013

Subject: B16.11-1996
Date Issued: September 1, 1997
File: B16-97-013

Question: Are B16.11-1996 threaded and socket-welding Class-designated fittings covered by

Pressure-Temperature Tables?
Reply: No. See paragraph 2.1.1 for basis of rating.

Copyright ASME. These interpretations are for ASME Committee use only. They are not to be duplicated or used for other than
ASME Committee business.
 Revised: 04.28.2015

Interpretation B16-01-005

Subject: Request for Clarification of B16.11-1996; Paragraph 2.2.1, Basis of Rating

Date Issued: September 19, 2001
File: B16-01-005

Question (1): Is the pressure rating as calculated for straight seamless pipe under an applicable
piping code (e.g., B31.1, Power Piping) method acceptable for ASME B16.11-
1996 fittings of equivalent material?

Reply (1): Yes. See Para. 2.1.1 and Table 2.

Question (2): Shall the starting wall thickness for the straight seamless pipe used for pressure
rating calculation be based on the size of the B16.11-1196 fitting (i.e., use NPS 1
pipe for NPS 1 fitting)?

Reply (2): Yes. See Para. 2.1.1. For fitting with combination ends, see Para. 2.1.3.

Interpretation 12-593
Subject: ASME B16.11-2011, Paragraph 6.2.6 and Figure 2
Reference: Your letter dated February 11, 2012
File Number: 12-593

Question (1): Does a fitting not meeting the requirements of ASME B16.11 para 6.2.6 meet the
requirements of that standard?

Reply (1): No.

Question (2): Would the B16.11 committee consider modifying the minimum socket wall thickness
for 3000# SW fittings 3/8” through 4”, 6000# SW fittings 1” through 2” and 2”
9000# SW fittings to provide a socket weld area equivalent to the corresponding pipe
wall schedule?

Reply (2): No. Minimum socket wall thicknesses of ASME B16.11 already meet or exceed the
corresponding pipe wall thicknesses. However, the Committee will review 6.2.7 and
Figure 2 for the width of the flat welding surface.

Copyright ASME. These interpretations are for ASME Committee use only. They are not to be duplicated or used for other than
ASME Committee business.
 Revised: 04.28.2015

Interpretation 14-1976
Subject: ASME B16.11-2009, Section 5.1
Reference: Your letter dated January 20, 2015
File Number: 14-1976

Question: Does ASME B16.11-2009, Section 5.1 permit bar as a starting material, provided
it conforms to the requirements for starting materials for WP seamless
construction of ASTM Fitting Specifications A234, A403, A420, A815, or B366
or starting materials for ASTM Forging Specifications A105, A182, A350, B462
or B564?
Reply: Yes, given that all the requirements within Section 5.1 are met with regards to the
material specifications listed as well as the exception of tees, elbows and crosses.

Interpretation 15-129
Subject: ASME B16.11-2011; Perpendicularity of Socket Bottom
Reference: Your letter dated April 28, 2015
File Number: 15-129

Question: Does paragraph 6.2.6 of ASME B16.11-2011 require that the flat at the bottom of
the socket be perpendicular to the centerline of the socket?
Reply: No.

Copyright ASME. These interpretations are for ASME Committee use only. They are not to be duplicated or used for other than
ASME Committee business.
 Revised: 04.28.2015

Interpretation 15-427
Subject: ASME B16.11-2011; Mandatory Appendix II References
Reference: Your letter dated April 28, 2015
File Number: 15-427

Question (1): Do fittings which conform to the requirements of ASTM A105/A105M-05

conform to the material requirements of ASME B16.11-2011?
Reply (1): Yes.

Question (2): Do fittings which conform to the requirements of ASTM A234/A234M-07 and
ASTM A960/A960M-07 conform to the material requirements of ASME B16.11-
2011?
Reply (2): Yes.

Question (3): Do fittings which conform to the requirements of ASTM A234/A234M-11a and
ASTM A960/A960M-10 conform to the material requirements of ASME B16.9-
2012?
Reply (3): Yes.

Copyright ASME. These interpretations are for ASME Committee use only. They are not to be duplicated or used for other than
ASME Committee business.