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ASME B31.3
INTERPRETATIONS NO. 13
1
Replies to Technical Inquiries
April 1, 1994, Through March 31, 1995
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 Aqdenda 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 Subsequent revisions to the Code may have superseded the reply.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 for a 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 P o l i ~ in the Code documents, ASME does not "approve," "certify,"
"rate," or "endorse" any item, construction, proprietary device, or activity.
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.
147
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831.3
Subject
Alteration of Existing Piping and Hot Tapping ' .
Certification of a Listed Material to Another Listed Material Specification .
Paras. 301.2.1 and 302.2.5, Design Pressure .
Para. 304.1.1(a), Pressure Design of Straight Pipe .
Para 304.7.2, Pressure Design of Unlisted Components and Elements .
Paras. 304,7.2 and 304.7.2(d), Pressure Design
of Unlisted Components and Elements .
Paras. 304.7.2 and 319.3.6, Pressure Design and Flexibility Factors .
Para 319.4.1, Flexibility Analysis .
Para. 328.4, Preparation for Welding .
Para 328.5.4, Welded Branch Connections .
Chapter VI Inspection, Examination, and Testing .
Para. 341.3.4(e), Progressive Examination .
Para. 345.4.2(a), Hydrostatic Test Requirements .
Para. 345.5, Pneumatic Testing .
Para. A328.5.4, Heat Fusion Joints in Thermoplastic Piping .
Appendix X, Para. X3.2.2, Metallic Bellows Expansion Joints .
Intery,retation
13-04
13-10
13-15
13-07
13'()2
13'()3
'13-05
,13-14
13'()1
1311
:13.16
1312
13-13
13-06
,13.Q8
13-09
File No.
831-94-017
831-94.Q34
B31-94-042
831-94028
831-94015
B3194'()16
83194.()18
83194-041
83193-059
83194.()37
B3194.()59
831-94-039
83194-040
83194.Q20
831-94-029
83194-031
149
B31.3 Interpretations No. 13
Interpretation: 1301
Subject: ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, Para. 328.4, Preparation for Welding
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-93-059
13-01, 13-62, 13-03
Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, Addenda a, does the Code require
that all transitional tapers be filled with weld metal to obtain a consistent outside diameter when
welding together two weld end components that are manufactured to include all of the following:
(1) a weld bevel to nominal wall thickness;
(2) an actual outside diameter greater than the nominal outside diameter;
(3) a taper transition from the actual outside diameter to the nominal outside diameter weld
bevel per ASME BI6.25, Fig. 1. .
Reply: No, the weld must have at least the same nominal wall thickness as the thinner of the
two components.
Interpretation: 1302
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. 304.7.2, Pressure Design of Unlisted Cqmponents
and Elements
Date Issued: 21, 1994
File: B31-94-015
Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, para. 304.7.2, may the maximum
allowable pressure of an unlisted component be greater than the manufacturer's rating?
Reply: Yes, see para. 300(c)(2).
Interpretation: 13-03
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Paras. 304.7.2 and 304.7.2(d), Pressure Design of Un-
listed Components and Elements
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-016
Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, is a proof pressure test, in accordance
with para. 304.7.2(c), required to qualify a flange design not in with a listed standard if
the design meets the requirements of para. 304.7.2(d) as well as the introductory requirements of
para.304.7.2?
Reply: No.
151
1304, 13.05, 13-06
Interpretation: 1304
B31.3 Interpretations No. 13
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Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Alterations of Existing Piping and Hot Tapping
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-017
Question: Does ASME B31.3-1993 Edition and Addenda a apply to alterations of existing
piping, including tie-in branch connections, e.g., hot taps? '
Reply: No.
Interpretation: 1305
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. 304.7.2, Pressure Design qfUnlisted Components
and Elements, and Para. 319.3.6 Flexibility and Stress Intensification Factors
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-018
Question (1): In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, maya pressure containing piping
component, not manufactured in accordance with a listed standard, and for which the rules in para.
304 do not apply, be qualified in accordance with para. 304.7.2?
Reply'(1): Yes.
Question (2): In accordance with para. 319.3.6, may stress intensification factors for pressure
containing piping not manufactured in accordance with a listed standard listed in
Appendix D, be established by fatigue testing?
Reply (2): Yes.
Interpretation: 1306
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. 345.5, Pneumatic Testing
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-020
Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition and Addenda a, is it allowable to
pneumatically test above 110% of design pressure?
Reply: No, unless otherwise specified in the engineering design.
152
B31.3 Interpretations No. 13
Interpretation: 13-07
13-07, 13-08
Subject: ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, Para. 304.1.1(a), Pressure Design of Straight Pipe
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-028
Question: In accor.dance with ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, may the minimum pipe wall thickness
determined by measurement be used to satisfy the requirements of para,. 304.1.1(a)?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: 13-08
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. A328.5.4, Heat Fusion Joints in Thermoplastic
Piping
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-029
Question: Does ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, para. A328.5.4, apply to electrofusion bonding of
polyolefin pipe and fittings?
Reply: No. Eleetrofusion joints are not listed; see para. A304.7.2.
153
1309, 1310
Interpretation: 1309
B31.3 Interpretations No. 13
Subject: ASME B31.3-1987 Edition, Appendix X, Para. X3.2.2, Metallic Bellows Expansion
Joints
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-031
Question (1): In accordance with ASME B31.3-1987 Edition, para. X3.2.2, is it required to
examine inaccessible surfaces of the bellows longitudinal seam weld after forming using liquid pen-
etrant?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): Is a dye penetrant leak test (putting dye penetrant on :the inside surface and
developer on the weld outside surface) an acceptable alternative to liquid p ~ n e t r a n t examination of
the inside surface of bellows longitudinal seam welds?
Reply (2): No.
Question (3): Are the rules in ASME Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix 26, applicable to
bellows in ASME B31.3 piping systems?
Reply (3): No.
Interpretation: 1310
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Certification of a Listed Material to Another Listed
Material Specification.
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94034
Question: Is it permissible under the requirements of ASME B31.3-1993 Edition for an orga-
nization to recertify a listed material to another listed material specification?
Reply: B31.3 does not establish rules for materials certification other than the requirements of
the materials specifications.
154
B31.3 Interpretations No. 13
Interpretation: 1311
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para 328.5.4, Welded Branch Connections
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-037
13-11, 13.12, 13-13
Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Addenda a, what is the effective weld
throat thickness required for a proprietary integrally reinforced branch 'connection fitting?
Reply: The thickness is as required by the manufacturer's design qualified in accordance with
para. 304.7.2 or MSS SP-94, and para. 328.5.4(d).
Interpretation: 1312
Subject: ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, Para. 341.3.4(e), Examination
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-039
Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-1990 Edition, para. 341.3.4(e), what is the meaning
of the phrase "all items represented by the progressive examinations."?
Reply: All items withia- the same designated lot. See para. 344.1.3 Definitions, random exami
nations.
Interpretation: 1313
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. 345.4.2(a), Hydrostatic Test Requirements
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-040
Question: Does ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Addenda a, permit a hydrostatic test pressure less
than 1.5 times design pressure?
Reply: No, unless para. 345.4.2(c) or 345.4.3(b) applies.
155
1314, 1315, 1316
Interpretation: 1314
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Para. 319.4.1, Flexibility Analysis
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-041
B31.3 Interpretations No. 13
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Question: In accordance with para. 319.4.1, how many years of or number of operating
cycles are required to quil1ify a piping system as having a record?
Reply: Such determination is the responsibility of the designer. See para. 300(b)(2).
Interpretation: 1315
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Paras. 301.2.1 and 302.2.5, Design Pressure
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-042
Question: When a valve isolates two process streams so that one condition on one side of the
valve occurs at the same time as another condition occurs on the other side of the valve, are the
requirements of paras. 301.2.1 and 302.2.5 met if the pressure design is based on the most severe
conditions of coincident pressure and component temperature?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: 1316
Subject: ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Chapter VI Inspection, Examination, and Testing
Date Issued: November 21, 1994
File: B31-94-o59
Question (1): In accordance with ASME B31.3-1993 Edition, Addenda a, if a weld has not
penetrated to the inside comer of the root face on one side of the joint and the remainder of the
weld is sound, does ASME B31.3 classify this defect as lack of fusion?
Reply (1): No, refer to Fig. 341.3.2 sketch (c).
Question (2): Can lack of fusion occur at the root of a groove weld joint?
Reply (2): Yes.
Question (3): Is 1.5 in. of incomplete penetration in any 6 in. weld length for girth and miter
groove welds acceptable for normal fluid service?
Reply (3): Yes, per acceptance criteria listed in Table 341.3.2A.
156