Applying ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3 to Pressure Piping Systems

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Determine whether ASME B31.1 or ASME B31.3 applies to a pressure piping system and interpret the relevant code requirements

• Establish design pressure and temperature and calculate required dimensions for piping components and connections

• Evaluate materials, components, supports, fabrication methods, and weld acceptance criteria for code compliance

• Assess overpressure protection, inspection, and leak testing requirements based on system conditions

• Apply ASME code requirements within the Canadian regulatory framework and clarify the responsibilities of involved parties

Description

Pressure piping decisions must account for operating conditions, external loads, material limitations, fabrication requirements, and regulatory obligations. Misapplying a code provision or overlooking a design constraint can affect system integrity, delay approval, and create significant safety and compliance risks. Effective application of ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3 requires more than locating requirements. It requires understanding which provisions govern a system and how they influence engineering decisions throughout its lifecycle.

This course provides a structured approach to interpreting and applying the general requirements of ASME B31.1 for power piping and ASME B31.3 for process piping. You will learn how to define code boundaries and fluid service categories, establish design conditions from operating data, and evaluate materials and components for their intended service. Practical calculations will help you determine required pipe thickness and assess bends, branch connections, flat covers, flanges, and other piping elements under applicable loading conditions.

You will also examine how code requirements affect supports, overpressure protection, welding, heat treatment, inspection, and leak testing. The course connects these technical requirements with Canadian pressure piping regulations, registration considerations, and stakeholder responsibilities. Through code-based examples and applied calculations, you will strengthen your ability to identify compliance issues, justify technical decisions, and support the safe design, fabrication, inspection, and testing of industrial pressure piping systems.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Mechanical, piping, process, and plant engineers

• Engineering technologists and technicians working with pressure piping systems

• Piping designers and professionals responsible for design calculations

• Inspectors and quality assurance or quality control personnel

• Welding, fabrication, maintenance, and reliability professionals

• Contractors, project managers, and technical leads responsible for piping compliance

• Professionals working in power generation, chemical processing, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, cryogenic service, and other industrial facilities

Required Resources

Participants are required to bring current copies of ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3 for reference and use during the course.

Day 1

• Definition of a pressure piping system (according to certain Canadian provinces)

• The boundary between a reservoir and a pressure piping

• Requirements (overview) regarding piping in Canada, CRN, etc. (CSA B51)

• The limits of codes (ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3)

• How to find information in the ASME Codes

• Definition of the different fluid categories of ASME B31.3 (Normal, D, M, High Pressure, Elevated Temperature, Severe Cyclic, and High Purity) and the difference between BEP (Boiler External Piping) and NBEP (Non-boiler External Piping) for ASME B31.1

• Description of the responsibilities of main parties and minimum qualification requirements for each of them

• Standard vs. non-standard components

• Material requirements (including lower temperature limit calculations to verify if impact tests are required)

Day 2

• External constraints to be included in the piping design

• Definition of pressure and temperature design

• How to determine the pressure and temperature design based on operation data

• Under what conditions can we authorize pressure/temperature upsets above design limits?

• Requirements for protection against overpressure

• Hoop stress formula to determine the minimum required thickness of a pipe having an internal pressure

• Type of pipe supports (MSS SP-58, MSS SP-69, and MSS SP-127)

• Trunnion

• The formula for piping bends (intrados and extrados)

• The formula for mitre bends

• Branch connection opening calculations and examples

Day 3

• Calculations of flat covers (blank and blind flanges)

• Expansion joints

• Overview of ASME B16.5 and ASME B16.47 requirements

• Calculations of equivalent pressure (external axial force and moment) on standard flange

• Manufacturing requirements (welding, preheating, heat treatment, hardness test, etc.)

• Weld defect tolerances

• Leak test requirements (hydrostatic, pneumatic, sensitive leak test, initial leak test, alternative leak test, etc.)

• Additional requirements on welds made without hydrostatic test (closure weld)

• Appendices (will be covered only if time permits): ASME B31.3 History Water hammer calculations Piping provided with internal refractory: equivalent elasticity modulus (E) calculations Pipes having an external pressure (vacuum) and examples.