ASME B31.4-1998 Edition 434.

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TABLE 434.6(a) (98)

MINIMUM COVER FOR BURIED PIPELINES
For Normal For Rock
Excavation
Requiring
Excavation,
in. (m) Blasting
Removal
or by
Location [Note (I)] Equivalent
Means,
in. (m)
~~ ~~

Industrial, commercial,
and
residential
areas 36 ( 0 . 9 )
streamand River crossings (1.2) 48
Drainage
ditches at roadways and railroads 36 ( 0 . 9 )
other Any area 30 (0.75)

NOTE:
(1) Minimun cover for pipelines transporting carbon dioxide, LPG, or liquid anhydrous ammonia shall be:
48 in. (1.2 m) for normal excavation in industrial, commercial, and residential areas, river and stream
crossings,anddrainageditches at roadwaysandrailroads;and 36 in. (0.9 m) for normal excavation
in any other area.

434.7.3FactoryMadeBendsand Elbows gas mixture or flammableliquid.Cuttingandwelding

(u) Factorymadewroughtsteelweldingbendsand shallbeginonlywhensafeconditions are indicated.
factory made elbows may be used subject to limitations
in para. 406.2.3,and transverse segments cut therefrom 434.8.2 Welding Processes and Filler Metal. Weld-
may be used for changes in direction provided the arc ingshall be done by shieldedmetal arc welding,
distancemeasuredalongthecrotch is at least 2 in. submerged arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas
(50 mm)on pipesize NPS 4 andlarger. metalarcwelding, or oxyacetyleneweldingprocess
(b) If theinternaldiameterofsuchfittingsdiffers using a manual,semiautomatic, or automaticwelding
by morethanin. (5 mm)fromthatofthepipe, technique or combinationofthesetechniques.Filler
the fitting shallbe treated as indicated in Fig. 434.8.qa)- metal shall comply with the requirements of API 1104.
(2) or use a transitionnipplenotless than one-half
434.8.3WeldingQualifications
pipediameter in length with acceptable joint designs
as illustrated in Fig.434.8.6(a)-(2). (u) Prior to anyweldingcovered by thisCode, a
weldingprocedureshall be establishedandqualified
434.8Welding by testingtodemonstratethatweldshavingsuitable
mechanicalpropertiesandsoundnesscan be continu-
434.8.1General ouslyproduced.Weldingproceduresandeachwelder
(u) Scope. Weldinghereinapplies to thearcand or welding operator shallbe qualified under API 1104,or
gasweldingofpipeinbothwroughtand cast steel SectionIXoftheASMEBoilerandPressureVessel
materials as applied in pipelinesandconnections to Code, whichever is appropriate for the type of welding
apparatus or equipment.Thisincludesbutt joints in to be performed. The qualified welding procedure shall
the installationof pipe, valves, flanges, fittings, and other specifythepreheatingandinterpasstemperature,and
equipment, and fillet weldedjoints in pipe branches,slip- postweld heat treatment followed when materials, weld-
on flanges,etc. It does notapply to thewelding of ing consumables, mechanical restraints, or weather con-
longitudinal or spiral joints in the manufacture of pipe, ditions make any or all of them necessary. The welding
fittings, and valves, or to pressure vessels or assemblies procedure shall be adhered to during welding performed
manufactured in accordance with the ASME Boiler and underthisCode.
PressureVesselCode,SectionVIII,Division 1 or 2. (6) API1104andSection IX of the ASME Boiler
(6) Welding Terms. Definitions pertaining to welding andPressureVesselCodecontainsectionsentitled
as used in this Code conform to the standard definitions “Essential Variables” applicable to welding procedures
established by the American Welding Society and con- and also to welders.Theseshall be followedexcept
tainedinANSVAWSA3.0andAPI1104. that for thepurposes of thisCode,allcarbon steels
(c) Safe Practices in Cutting und Welding. Prior to which have a carbon content not exceeding 0.32% (heat
cuttingandwelding in areas in which thepossible analysis)and a carbonequivalent (C + v4
Mn)not
leakage or presence of vapor or flammable liquid consti- exceeding 0.65% (heat analysis) are considered to come
tutes a hazard of fire or explosion, a thoroughcheck withinthelimitsofmaterialslisted as Pl, in Section
shall be made to determine the presenceaof combustible VIII,Division 1 or 2, or Section JX. Alloy steels

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