-
-
-
Girgaon, Mumbai - 400004
What Is an ASME Code?
What Is an ASME Code? A Complete Guide to ASME Codes
ASME Codes provide engineering requirements for the design, materials, fabrication, examination, testing, inspection, and operation of specific mechanical and pressure equipment systems. They are developed and published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and are used across industries such as power generation, oil and gas, chemical processing, petrochemical, manufacturing and pressure equipment.
For piping and tube applications, ASME codes such as ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, ASME B31.4, and ASME B31.8 are commonly referenced depending on the type of piping system. For boilers and pressure vessels, the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) provides applicable construction and inspection requirements.
What Is ASME?
ASME stands for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ASME develops codes and standards for a wide range of mechanical engineering applications, including piping systems, boilers, pressure vessels, materials, welding, inspection, and related engineering practices.
ASME codes and standards provide recognized technical requirements that help engineers, manufacturers, fabricators, inspectors, and other industry professionals design, manufacture, inspect, and maintain equipment and systems according to applicable safety and engineering requirements.
What Is an ASME Code?
An ASME Code is a set of technical requirements developed for a specific type of engineering system, equipment, or application. Depending on the applicable code, requirements may address design, materials, fabrication, welding, examination, inspection, testing, installation, and other quality or safety requirements.
Common ASME Code Requirements
- Design and engineering requirements
- Material requirements
- Fabrication requirements
- Welding requirements
- Examination and inspection
Testing & Quality Requirements
- Testing requirements
- Quality control requirements
- Installation requirements
- Inspection requirements
- In-service requirements, where applicable
Is ASME a Code or Standard?
ASME is the organization that develops and publishes both codes and standards. Therefore, ASME itself is not simply a code or a standard.
An ASME Code generally provides technical requirements for a particular engineering system or equipment category, while an ASME Standard typically establishes technical requirements for products, components, dimensions, or other engineering details.
For example:
| ASME Document | Type / Coverage |
|---|---|
| ASME B31.3 | Process Piping Code |
| ASME B31.1 | Power Piping Code |
| ASME B16.5 | Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings Standard |
| ASME B36.19M | Stainless Steel Pipe Dimensions Standard |
| ASME SA312 | Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipe Material Specification |
A project may require several ASME documents to be used together, depending on the equipment, piping system, material, dimensions, and applicable project requirements.
What Is the ASME Code for Piping?
There is not one single ASME code for every piping application. The applicable code depends on the type of piping system, service, operating conditions, and project requirements.
The ASME B31 Code for Pressure Piping contains several codes covering different piping applications.
ASME Code List
The ASME Code List covers codes used for different types of piping, boilers, pressure vessels, nuclear components, examination, and welding qualification. The applicable Code depends on the type of system or equipment and its specific engineering requirements.
| ASME Code | Code Title / Coverage | Common Application |
|---|---|---|
| ASME B31.1 | Power Piping | Power generation and related piping systems |
| ASME B31.3 | Process Piping | Chemical, petrochemical, refining, and processing plants |
| ASME B31.4 | Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquids and Slurries | Liquid and slurry pipeline transportation |
| ASME B31.8 | Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems | Gas transmission and distribution systems |
| ASME B31.9 | Building Services Piping | Building service piping systems |
| ASME B31.12 | Hydrogen Piping and Pipelines | Hydrogen piping and pipeline systems |
| ASME BPVC Section I | Rules for Construction of Power Boilers | Power boiler construction |
| ASME BPVC Section II | Materials | Materials used under applicable ASME Code requirements |
| ASME BPVC Section III | Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components | Nuclear facility components |
| ASME BPVC Section V | Nondestructive Examination | Nondestructive examination and inspection |
| ASME BPVC Section VIII | Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels | Pressure vessel construction |
| ASME BPVC Section IX | Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications | Procedure and personnel qualification |
These Codes have different scopes and are not interchangeable. For example, ASME B31.3 applies to process piping, whereas ASME BPVC Section VIII addresses pressure vessel construction. The appropriate Code should be confirmed according to the equipment, service conditions, design requirements, and project specification.
What Is the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC)?
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is a major ASME code covering requirements for boilers, pressure vessels, and other applicable pressure equipment.
The BPVC is divided into multiple sections, with each section addressing a specific area such as power boilers, materials, nondestructive examination, pressure vessels, or welding qualifications.
ASME BPVC Sections
| ASME BPVC Section | General Coverage |
|---|---|
| Section I | Rules for Construction of Power Boilers |
| Section II | Materials |
| Section III | Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components |
| Section V | Nondestructive Examination |
| Section VIII | Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels |
| Section IX | Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications |
The applicable BPVC section depends on the equipment, material, construction method, and project requirements.
ASME Section VIII – Pressure Vessels
ASME BPVC Section VIII provides requirements for the construction of pressure vessels. Section VIII includes different divisions, with Division 1 and Division 2 commonly referenced for pressure vessel applications.
ASME Section VIII Division 1
ASME Section VIII, Division 1 provides rules for the construction of pressure vessels within its scope. It addresses requirements associated with pressure vessel design, materials, fabrication, examination, inspection, testing, and certification.
ASME Section VIII Division 2
ASME Section VIII, Division 2 provides alternative rules for the construction of pressure vessels. It uses a different design approach from Division 1 and is intended for applications where the Division 2 requirements are applicable.
How to Read an ASME Code
Reading an ASME Code starts with identifying the correct code or section that applies to the equipment, piping system, or engineering application. The following steps provide a simple approach to understanding the applicable requirements.
1. Identify the Application
Determine whether the project involves process piping, power piping, pressure vessels, boilers, or another engineering system.
2. Select the Applicable Code
Identify the ASME Code that applies to the application. For example, process piping may be covered by ASME B31.3.
3. Check the Scope
Review the scope of the selected code to understand which equipment, piping systems, services, and applications are covered.
4. Identify Material Requirements
Check the applicable material specifications, grades, product forms, material properties, and other requirements specified by the code.
5. Review Design Requirements
Review the applicable design requirements, including pressure, temperature, dimensions, loads, and other engineering conditions.
6. Check Fabrication and Welding
Review requirements for fabrication, welding, joining methods, procedures, and personnel qualifications where applicable.
7. Review Examination and Testing
Determine the applicable inspection, nondestructive examination, pressure testing, and other testing requirements.
8. Check Project Requirements
Compare the applicable ASME Code requirements with the project specification, purchase order, customer requirements, and applicable edition.
How to Select the Right ASME Code
The applicable ASME Code should be identified from the type of equipment or piping system, its service conditions, and the requirements of the project.
- Equipment or Piping Type
Identify whether the application involves process piping, power piping, pressure vessels, boilers, or another system. - Service Conditions
Consider operating pressure, temperature, fluid, and service environment.
- Materials
Confirm the required material grade, product form, and applicable material specification. - Design Requirements
Review the applicable design and engineering requirements for the system.
- Fabrication and Welding
Check applicable fabrication, joining, and qualification requirements. - Inspection and Testing
Confirm examination, inspection, testing, and certification requirements.
The final selection should be verified against the applicable Code edition, project specification, engineering requirements, and regulatory requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
ASME B31 is the main ASME Code family for pressure piping. Commonly referenced codes include ASME B31.1, B31.3, B31.4, B31.8, B31.9, and B31.12, depending on the piping application.
ASME welding requirements depend on the applicable Code. ASME BPVC Section IX covers qualification requirements for welding, brazing, and fusing procedures and personnel, while the governing equipment or piping Code may include additional requirements.
ASME is the organization that develops and publishes both Codes and Standards. An ASME Code generally provides requirements for a specific engineering system or equipment category, while an ASME Standard typically addresses specific components, dimensions, products, or technical requirements.
ASME BPVC stands for the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. It contains requirements covering areas such as boilers, pressure vessels, materials, nondestructive examination, and welding qualifications through its different sections.
ASME BPVC Section VIII covers rules for the construction of pressure vessels. It includes different divisions, including Division 1 and Division 2, with different applicable design and construction requirements.
ASME B31.3 is the Process Piping Code. It provides requirements for applicable process piping systems used in industries such as chemical processing, petrochemical, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical, and other processing facilities.
ASME B31.1 is the Power Piping Code. It covers applicable power piping systems used in power-generation facilities and related applications, including requirements for design, materials, fabrication, examination, and testing.
An ASME Code generally establishes requirements for the design, construction, examination, and testing of specific systems or equipment. An ASME Standard generally provides technical requirements for specific products, components, dimensions, or engineering practices.
ASME B31.12 addresses hydrogen piping and pipeline systems. It provides requirements applicable to the design, materials, fabrication, installation, examination, and testing of hydrogen piping and pipeline systems within its scope.
The applicable ASME Code should be selected based on the type of piping or equipment, operating pressure and temperature, service conditions, materials, design requirements, fabrication, inspection, testing, and project specifications.