ASME B31.3
INTERPRETATIONS NO.9,
Replies to Technical Inquiries
June 1, 1990, Through March 31, 1991
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General Information
It has been agreed to publish interpretations issued by the B31 Committee concerning B31.3
as part of the update service .to the Code. The interpretations have been assigned numbers in
chronological order. Each interpretation applies to the Edition or Addenda stated in the interpretation,
or if none is stated, to the Edition or Addenda in effect on the date of issuance of the interpretation.
Subsequent revisions to the Code may have superseded the reply. These interpretations are not
part of the Code or its Addenda.
These replies are taken verbatim from the original letters, except fora few typographical and
editorial corrections made for the purpose of improved clarity. In some instances, a review of the
interpretation revealed a need for corrections of a technical nature. In these cases, a revised reply
bearing the original interpretation number with the suffix R is presented.
ASME procedures provide for reconsideration of these interpretations when or if additional
information is available which the inquirer believes might affect the interpretation. Further, persons
aggrieved by an interpretation may appeal to the cognizant ASME committee or subcommittee. As
stated in the Statement of Policy in the Code documents, ASME does not "approve," "certify,"
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For detailed instructions on preparaion of technical inquiries to the B31 Committee, refer to
Appendix z.
Code Reference and Subject Indexes
Code Reference and Subject Indexes have been prepared to assist the user in locating .
interpretations by location or by subject matter in the Code. They cover interpretations issued from
Volume 1 up to and including the present volume, and will be updated with each volume. .
99
831.3
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Subject
Fig. 328.4.4; Branch Pipe Projection into Run Pipe ••••..••.•••• , •••••••• '" ••••••••••••
Paras. 300.1 and 300.2; Applicability to the Transportation of an Emptied System ••••••••••
Para. 300.1.1, 300.2, MA306.5, and MA323.4; Applicability to a Textile Plant, and
Category M Fluid Service •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Para. 304.5; Pressure Design of Flanges and Blanks
and Para. 312; Flange Joint System ••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Para. 304.S.1(b); F1ange-General•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Para. 331.1.1 and Table 330.1.1; Heat Treatment Requirements for Attachment of
Bellows ExpansIon Joints to Piping •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Para. 331.1.3 and Table 331.1.1; Heat Treabnent Requirements
of S" Cr'Sodcet Weld •••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Para. 345.4.2; Test Pressure, Metallic Piping •• " ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Table 319.3.6 and Appendix 0; Flexibility Analysis for Branch Connections•••••••.••••....
Table 341.3.2A; Relnfolcenit!l1t and IntI!maI Protrusion Umits •••••••••••••••••••••••••••
~
FileNo.
B31·90-008B31·9().()30
9-02
B31·9().()26
, 9-07
9-09
B31·9().()34
B31·9().()33
,9-0S
B31-90-029
, 9-03
, 9-08
9-01
9-04
B31-90-027
B31-90-031
B31·90-2SA
B31-90-028
hrterpretation
8-28R
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101
831.3 Interpretations No.9
8-28R. I-en
Interpretation: 8-28R
Subject:
ASME/ANSI B31.3-1987 Edition With Addenda Through B31.3c-1989, Fig. 328.4.4;
Branch Pipe Projection Into Run Pipe
Date Issued:
December 7, 1990
File:
B31-90-008·
Question: In accOrdance with ASME/ANSI B31.3, Fig. 328.4.4 sket~ (c), is there a maximum
distance that the branch pipe can project into.the run pipe?
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,. :
Reply: No. The Code does not specify any requirements other than those given in Fig. 328.4.4
sketch (c). Further requirements are the responsibility of the owner.
Interpretation: 9-01
Subject:
ASMEIANSI B31.3-1987 Edition, With Addenda Through B31.3c-1989, Table
319.3.6 and Appendix D; Flexibility Analysis for Branch Connections
Date Issued:
November 28, 1990
File:
B31-9Q-2SA
Question: In accordance with ASMEIANSI B31.3, para. 319.3.6 and Appendix 0, is it permissible
to use the k- and j- factors for 90 deg. branch connections from Table 0-1 for branch connections
that intersect the run at angles other than 90 deg. (with or without added reinforcement)?
Reply: ASME/ANSI B31.3does not provide specific k and j factors for branch connections at
other than 90 deg.
103
831.3 Interpretations No.9
Interpretation: 9-02
Subject:
ASME 831.3-1990 Edition, Paras. 300.1.1, 300.2, MAJ06.S, and MAJ23.4; Applicability to a Textile Plant, and Category M Fluid Service
Date Issued:
November 28, 1990
File:
831-90-026
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Question (1): Is a ~Ie plant which regularly handles caustic chemicals in its manufacturing
process covered by ASME 831.3, para. 300.1.1 (c)?
Reply (1): Yes. See also the ninth paragraph of the Introduction which begins "It is the owner's
responsibility..•"
Question (2): Is it a requirement of ASME 831.3-1990 that piping for:30% sodium hydroxide
be classified as Category M Fluid Service as defined in para. 300.3?
Reply (2): It is the owner's responsibility to determine which fluid services are to be identified
as Category M. See para. 300(b)(1). Appendix M may be used as a guide in making such detenninations.
Question (3): Does ASME 831.3, para. MAJ23.4.2 prohibit the use of a polypropylene flow
measuring device in Category M fluid services?
Reply (3): Yes, if the polypropylene is used as a pressure containing component, not as a liner
or gasket. .
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(->= •..
Question (4): Does ASME 831.3, para. MAJ06.S prohibit the use of a polypropylene insertion
flow measuring device in Cat~ory M fluid service?
Reply (4): If a flow measuring device is not a fabricated branch connection, para. MAJ06.S does
not apply.
Interpretation: 9-03
Subject:
ASME/ANSI 831.3-1987 Edition, With Addenda Through 831.3c-1989, Para. 331.1.3
and Table 331.1.1; Heat Treatment Requirements of 5% Cr Socket Weld
Date Issued:
November 28, 1990
File:
831-90-027
Question: Are the exceptions in ASME/ANSI 831.3, para. 331.1.3(b)(2) applicable to the requirements of Table 331.1.11
Reply: Yes.
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104
831.3 Interpretations No.9
Interpretation: 9-04
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Subject:
ASME/ANSI B31.3-1987 Edition, Table 341.3.2A; Reinforcement and Internal Protrusion Umits
Date Issued:
November 28, 1990
File:
B31-90-028
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,
Question: In accordance with ASME/ANSI B31.3, Table 341.3.2A, may heights of reinforcement
and internal protrusion be added together in determining penetrameter requirements for radiographing girth welds?
i .
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: 9-05
Subject:
ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, Para. 331.1.1 and Table 330.1.1; Heat Treatment Requirements for Attachment of Bellows Expansion Joints to Piping
Date Issued:
November 28, 1990
File:
B31-90-029
Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3, para. 331.1.1, is it required to postweld heat treat
attachment welds joining austentic bellows to P-No. 1, 3, 4, and 5 piping (in thickness requiring
PWHT) when the bellows material thickness is less than or equal to V. in. and the attachment weld
is made with austentic weld material?
Reply: Yes, except as permitted by para. 331.2.2.
Interpretation: 9-06
Subject:
ASME/ANSI B31.3-1987 Edition, Paras. 300.1 and 300.2; Applicability to the Transportation of an Emptied System
Date Issued:
November 28, 1990
File:
B31-90-030
Question: Does ASME/ANSI B31.3-1987, para. 300.1.2 address the transportation of a piece of
packaged equipment which includes piping?
Reply: Yes.
lOS
831.3 Interpretations No. 9
Interpretation: 9-07
Subject:
ASME 831.3-1990 Edition, Para. 304.5; Pressure Design of Flanges and 81anks and
Para. 312; Flange Joint System
Date Issued:
November 28, 1990
File:
831-90-034
Question: Does ASME 831.3 prohibit the use of raised and -flat face metallic flanges in combi.
nation 1
Reply: No, provided the design of both flanges meets the requirements of paras. 304.5 and
312. _
Interpretation: 9-08
Subject:
ASME 831.3-1987 Edition, Para. 345.4.2; Test Pressure, Metallic Piping
Date Issued:
December 7, 1990
File:
831-90-031
Question: Does a component built to a manufacturer's own standard require shop pressure
testing per !'SME 831.31
Reply: ASME 831.3 does not address the pressure testing of individual unlisted components by
the manufacturer.
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Interpretation: 9-09
Subject:
ASME 831.3-1990 Edition, Para. 304.5.1(b); Flange-General
Date Issued:
December 7, 1990
File:
831-90-033
Question: When designing aluminum flange, in accordance with ASME 831.3, para. 304.5.1 (b),
is it permissible to design them in accordance with ASME Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix 2, not
considering the large difference in modulus of elasticity between steel and aluminum1
Reply: Yes, however; see also para. 300(c)(2).
106