ASME B31.3-2020 PDF

Full title and description

ASME B31.3-2020 — Process Piping. Code of practice that establishes requirements for the design, materials, fabrication, assembly, erection, examination, inspection and testing of process piping systems typically found in petroleum refineries, chemical and pharmaceutical plants, semiconductor and cryogenic facilities, food and beverage processing, and related industrial installations.

Abstract

ASME B31.3-2020 (Process Piping) provides mandatory and advisory rules for the safe design and construction of piping that contains or conveys fluids used in processing plants. The 2020 edition updates allowable stresses, adds and clarifies material listings and requirements, revises rules on flexibility and stress intensification factors, addresses unlisted valves and flange-weld attachments, and includes updated requirements for welding, heat treatment, impact testing, examination and pressure testing. The Code is intended to be used alongside related ASME and industry standards to achieve regulatory and good-practice compliance.

General information

• Status: Superseded (replaced by a later ASME B31.3 edition).
• Publication date: Approved by ANSI on September 29, 2020; Date of Issuance (ASME): June 18, 2021; became effective six months after issuance.
• Publisher: ASME International (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers).
• ICS / categories: 23.100.40 (Piping and couplings); related ICS entries for pipelines and pipeline components (23.040 series).
• Edition / version: 2020 Edition (ASME B31.3-2020).
• Number of pages: Approximately 554 pages (varies by printed/digital format).

Scope

Applies to process piping systems and components that convey fluids in industrial processing facilities. The Code covers materials, component selection, design calculations (including pressure-temperature ratings and allowable stresses), flexibility and stress analysis, fabrication and assembly practices (including welding and joining), post-weld heat treatment, non-destructive examination, impact testing, inspection, and pressure testing. It applies to metallic and selected nonmetallic piping where indicated and to piping that interconnects packaged equipment. The Code does not replace jurisdictional legal requirements; users must verify acceptability with the authority having jurisdiction.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification of fluid services (including Category M) and selection of appropriate criteria for design and materials.
• Material specification and listed materials, allowable stresses, and material property requirements (including impact testing where required).
• Design rules for pressure-temperature ratings, wall thickness calculations, and corrosion/erosion allowances.
• Flexibility analysis and stress intensification factors for branches, fittings and piping supports.
• Requirements for valves, flanges and other components (including treatment of unlisted valves and flange attachment welds).
• Fabrication, welding procedures, welder qualifications, post-weld heat treatment and heat treatment exemptions.
• Non-destructive examination, acceptance criteria and inspection planning.
• Hydrostatic and pneumatic testing procedures, leakage acceptance and documentation.
• Fatigue and high-pressure fluid service provisions where applicable.
• Guidance on documentation, code cases, interpretations and the relationship to other ASME and industry standards.

Typical use and users

Used by design and piping engineers, fabrication shops, welding specialists, quality and inspection personnel, plant owners/operators, construction contractors, and regulatory/inspection authorities. Commonly applied during design reviews, material procurement, construction and commissioning of process piping systems in refineries, chemical plants, petrochemical facilities, pharmaceutical and food processing plants, cryogenic installations and similar industrial sites.

Related standards

Other relevant codes and standards often used alongside B31.3 include: other ASME B31 series Codes (B31.1 Power Piping, B31.4 Liquid Transportation, B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution, B31.9 Building Services), ASME B16 series (flanges, valves and fittings such as B16.34), ASME BPVC material and welding standards (Sections II and IX), applicable ASTM material standards, and industry-specific API/ISO standards. Users should reference the normative bibliography and referenced standards listed in the Code for full applicability.

Keywords

ASME B31.3, Process piping, pressure piping, piping design, fabrication, welding, inspection, allowable stress, materials, flexibility analysis, stress intensification, flange, valve, pressure test.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASME B31.3-2020 is the ASME Code section titled "Process Piping" that sets rules and requirements for design, materials, fabrication, examination and testing of piping systems used in processing industries.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers piping for a broad range of fluids (chemicals, petroleum products, gas, steam, refrigerants, cryogenic fluids, fluidized solids, etc.), including component selection, pressure-temperature ratings, allowable stresses, welding, heat treatment, non-destructive examination, and pressure testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Piping and mechanical engineers, fabricators, welders and welding inspectors, quality/inspection teams, plant owners/operators, construction contractors, and authorities having jurisdiction use the Code to design and verify compliance of process piping systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2020 edition has been superseded by a later ASME B31.3 edition. Users should confirm and apply the edition required by contract, project specification or the authority having jurisdiction and consult the ASME committee pages for current errata, interpretations and the latest edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. B31.3 is one Section of the ASME B31 Code for Pressure Piping series; other Sections address power piping, gas transmission, building services and related piping topics.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Process piping, pressure piping, ASME B31.3, design, materials, welding, inspection, allowable stress, flexibility, stress intensification, pressure test.