ASME B31.4-2022 PDF

Full title and description

ASME B31.4 — Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquids and Slurries. Code prescribing requirements for the design, materials, construction, assembly, inspection, testing, operation and maintenance of pipeline systems that transport liquid hydrocarbons, petroleum products, liquid anhydrous ammonia, liquid CO2, liquid alcohols and aqueous slurries between production, storage, terminal and receiving facilities.

Abstract

ASME B31.4 (2022 edition) provides mandatory and recommended technical requirements for safe, reliable liquid pipeline systems. The Code covers pressure-containing piping, components, supports, tanks and associated terminal equipment required for transporting liquids and slurries, and includes specific chapters addressing offshore pipelines, CO2 service, slurry service and terminal piping. The primary objective is protection of the public, operating personnel and the environment through prescriptive design, construction, testing and integrity-management provisions.

General information

• Status: Active / Most current (stabilized maintenance).
• Publication date: December 8, 2022.
• Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
• ICS / categories: 23.040.01 (Pipeline components and pipelines in general).
• Edition / version: 2022 edition (ASME B31.4-2022).
• Number of pages: Approximately 134 pages (publisher format may report 132–135 pages depending on print/PDF form).

Scope

The Code applies to pipeline systems and associated terminal equipment that transport liquids and aqueous slurries between production fields, processing plants, tank farms, refineries, pump stations, terminals (marine, rail and truck), and other delivery/receiving points. It covers piping (pipe, flanges, fittings, valves, relief devices), joints and connections, hangers and supports, tanks and pipe-type storage, and safety-related operation and maintenance aspects. It also contains chapters addressing offshore pipelines, dense-phase CO2 service, slurry pipelines and requirements for special products such as anhydrous ammonia.

Key topics and requirements

• Design criteria (stress limits, wall thickness, Barlow formula, allowable stresses, longitudinal and hoop stress calculations).
• Material selection and specifications (line pipe, fittings, valves, flanges, weld consumables and toughness requirements).
• Welding, fabrication and assembly requirements (WPS/PQR, welder qualifications, fit-up, joint design).
• Inspection and testing (NDE, hydrostatic and leak testing, test pressures and acceptance criteria).
• Construction, installation and commissioning (excavation, supports, crossings, tie‑ins, pigging equipment).
• Operation, maintenance and integrity management (corrosion control, cathodic protection, monitoring, in‑line inspection and repair limits).
• Special-service provisions (offshore pipeline requirements, dense-phase CO2, slurry transport, liquid ammonia specifics).
• Limits, repairs and fitness‑for‑service guidance (allowable repair procedures, temporary and permanent repair methods).
• Referenced practices and normative documents that support calculations, inspection and materials requirements.

Typical use and users

ASME B31.4 is used by pipeline design engineers, constructors, fabricators, welding and NDE contractors, pipeline operators and owners, terminal engineers, integrity management teams, regulators and inspectors. It is applied during design, procurement, construction, commissioning and in-service inspection, as well as for setting internal company standards and demonstrating compliance with jurisdictional regulations where referenced.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside other ASME B31 series documents (B31.1, B31.3, B31.8, B31.11, B31.12, B31G) and industry references such as API standards (e.g., API 1104 welding, API inspection documents), ISO standards covering pipeline systems and repair methods (e.g., ISO 13623 / ISO 24817 topics), NACE corrosion standards, and national regulations (for example, U.S. DOT 49 CFR Part 195 where incorporated by reference).

Keywords

pipeline, liquid hydrocarbons, slurries, liquids, terminals, design, welding, materials, inspection, hydrostatic test, operation, maintenance, integrity management, corrosion control, CO2, ammonia, ASME B31

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASME B31.4-2022 is the ASME Code section that sets requirements for pipeline transportation systems used to move liquids and aqueous slurries, covering design, materials, construction, inspection, testing, operation and maintenance.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers pressure-containing piping and associated terminal equipment used in liquid pipeline systems (pipe, fittings, valves, flanges, supports, storage and terminal piping), special-service provisions (offshore, CO2, slurry, ammonia), and requirements for testing, inspection and integrity management.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Pipeline designers, operators, contractors, inspectors, fabricators, welding/NDE personnel, integrity management teams and regulators use B31.4 when designing, building, inspecting or operating liquid pipeline systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2022 edition (published December 8, 2022) is the current ASME B31.4 edition and is listed as active; the Code is on stabilized maintenance (requests for change are processed per ASME procedures).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ASME B31.4 is one section of the ASME B31 family of piping codes (which includes B31.1 Power Piping, B31.3 Process Piping, B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution, B31.11 Slurry Transportation, etc.).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: pipeline, liquids, slurries, hydrocarbons, terminals, design, welding, inspection, hydrostatic testing, corrosion control, integrity management.