what are Asme standards used in Piping

ASME standard

A asme standard that has been adopted by one or more governmental bodies and has the force of law.  A standard can be defined as a set of technical definitions and guidelines, how to instructions for designers, fabricators, and operators. Standards promote safety, reliability, productivity, and efficiency in almost every industry that relies on engineering components or equipment.  Standards can run from a few paragraphs to hundreds of pages and are written by experts with knowledge and expertise in a particular field who sit on many committees.

Asme Standard are considered voluntary because they serve as guidelines, but do not of themselves have the force of law. ASME cannot force any manufacturer, inspector, or fabricator to follow ASME standard.  Their use is voluntary. Standards become mandatory when they have been incorporated into a contractual document (client specification requirement) or incorporated into regulations.

Standards are a vehicle of communication for producers and users. They serve as a common language, defining quality and establishing safety criteria. By following the same standard, interchangeability is assured.

ASME codes that commonly used in piping for offshore platform are given below

ASME B31.3 – 2006 Process Piping

This ASME B31.3 code contains requirements for piping typically found in petroleum refineries; chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, semiconductor, & cryogenic plants, & related processing plants terminals.

ASME B31.8 – 2007 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems

This ASME B31.8 code covers the design, fabrication, installation, inspection, testing, and safety aspects of operation and maintenance of pipeline facilities used for the transportation of gas.

ASME B31.4 – 2006 Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquid Hydrocarbons and Other Liquids

This ASME B31.4 code contains requirements for piping transporting crude oil, natural gas liquids, liquefied petroleum products and other liquids between natural gas plants, refineries, and other
facilities.

ASME B16.5 – 2003 Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings: NPS 1/2 through 24

This ASME B16.5 code covers pressure-temperature ratings, sizes, marking, materials, dimensions, and tolerances, for pipe flanges and flanged fittings of class designations 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, and 2500.

ASME B16.47 – 2006 Large Diameter Steel Flanges: NPS 26 Through NPS 60 Metric/Inch Standard

These ASME B16.47 standard covers pressure-temperature ratings, materials, dimensions, tolerances, marking, and testing for pipe flanges NPS 26 through NPS 60 and in Classes 75, 150, 300, 400, 600 and 900.

ASME B16.25 – 2003 Buttwelding Ends

These ASME B16.25 standard covers preparation of buttwelding ends of piping components joined into a piping system by welding, including welding bevels for heavy-wall components, and preparation of internal ends.

ASME B16.20 – 1998 Metallic Gaskets for Pipe Flanges: Ring Joint Spiral Wound and Jacketed

This ASME B16.20 standard covers materials, dimensions, tolerances, and markings for metal ring-joint gaskets, spiral-wound metal gaskets and metal jacketed gaskets used with raised face and flat face flanges.

ASME B16.21 – 2005 Nonmetallic Flat Gaskets for Pipe Flanges

This ASME B16.21 standard cover types, sizes, materials, dimensions, tolerances, and markings for nonmetallic flat gaskets used with various flange standards.

ASME B16.34 – 2004 Valves Flanged, Threaded and Welding End

This ASME B16.34 standard covers new construction including pressure-temperature ratings and dimensions for cast, forged, and fabricated flanged, threaded, and welding end, and wafer or flangeless valves.

ASME B16.10 – 2000 (R2003) Face to Face and End to End Dimensions of Valves

This ASME B16.10 standard covers face-to-face and end-to-end dimensions of straightway valves, and center-to-face and center-to-end dimensions of angle valves for assurance of installation interchangeability.