Piping Overview - Codes & Standards

Piping
Piping systems are used to transport fluids, gases, and other materials in a variety of applications and industries. In order to ensure that piping systems are safe, reliable, and efficient, a number of codes and standards have been developed to guide the design, construction, and operation of these systems.

Some of the key codes and standards for piping systems include:

  • ASME B31: This code provides guidelines for the design, construction, and testing of piping systems used in industrial and commercial applications.
  • API 570: This standard provides guidelines for the inspection, repair, alteration, and rerating activities for piping systems used in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and other process industries.
  • ASTM A106: This standard specifies the requirements for seamless carbon steel pipes used for high-temperature service.
  • ASTM A312: This standard specifies the requirements for seamless and welded austenitic stainless steel pipes used in high-temperature and general corrosive service.
  • ISO 15648: This international standard provides guidelines for the design, fabrication, and installation of pipelines used for the transportation of fluids.
  • OSHA 1910.119: This code outlines the process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals and sets requirements for the design, construction, and operation of piping systems used in these applications.

It is important for designers, engineers, and operators to be familiar with the relevant codes and standards for their specific application and to follow these guidelines in order to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the piping system.

Piping is governed by the following codes:

 

  • ASME B31.1 for power plant piping.
  • ASME B31.3 for chemical process plant piping.
  • ASME B31.4 for oil pipelines.
  • ASME B31.5 for refrigeration piping.
  • ASME B31.8 for gas pipelines.
  • ASME B31.9 for gas, steam and water piping.
  • ASME B31.11 for for slurry transportation piping.
  • AWWA for water works piping.
  • NFPA-13 and -24 for fire protection systems.
  • Each code has different set of rules & allowable limits.
  • Use of appropriate code for safe & economic design.
  • Wrong selection of the code can cost the project several extra million riyals.
  • Contain design and construction rules for piping components.
  • Compliance to standards is the owner's prerogative.
  • Set forth minimum mandatory requirements for design, material, fabrication, erection, test and inspection of the piping system.
  • The ASME develops codes for pressure piping.
  • The first edition of code for pressure piping was published in 1935 under the ANSI committee which later changed to ASME.

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