ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3 Pressure Piping Codes General Requirements Overview

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Apply the key requirements of ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3 with relevant interpretations for industrial pressure piping systems.
• Calculate the minimum wall thickness of piping components based on external loads, such as pressure and hydrostatic tests.
• Ensure compliance with the design, manufacturing, and inspection criteria established by ASME codes for safe piping systems.
• Evaluate the suitability of materials, welding, and testing procedures to meet industrial standards.
• Conduct and verify tightness tests for piping system integrity, including hydrostatic, pneumatic, and alternative leak tests.

Description
Piping systems are essential for transporting fluids in industries ranging from oil refineries to pharmaceuticals. ASME B31.1 (Power Piping) and ASME B31.3 (Process Piping) are recognized globally and provide detailed requirements to ensure safe and efficient piping designs. These codes cover various sectors such as chemicals, textiles, cryogenics, and high-pressure steam systems, making them fundamental to maintaining safety and operational efficiency.

The course explores ASME B31.1 and B31.3, covering material selection, impact testing, and pressure piping requirements. Participants will gain insight into key aspects such as external design constraints, welding standards, preheating, and heat treatment processes. Additionally, you'll learn about visual inspections of welds and requirements for conducting hydrostatic and pneumatic tightness tests.

Attending will give you a strong understanding of the Canadian regulations governing pressure piping and stakeholder responsibilities. You'll be equipped to handle the practical challenges faced by engineers, inspectors, and technicians in this field, applying ASME code knowledge effectively in real-world scenarios. This course will also help you build confidence in performing critical calculations and inspections necessary to ensure the safety and compliance of piping systems.

Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for engineers, inspectors, technicians, and contractors who work in industrial pressure piping.

It is particularly beneficial for professionals involved in industries such as oil refineries, chemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, pulp and paper, and cryogenics, where the safe transport of fluids through complex piping systems is critical. Individuals responsible for designing, maintaining, or inspecting pressure piping systems will find the content valuable for ensuring compliance with ASME B31.1 and B31.3 standards.

Additionally, this course will benefit managers, project leads, and quality assurance personnel who are tasked with overseeing pressure piping systems and ensuring their reliability and safety.

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.