Commonly used Codes
Commonly used Codes for Piping Design and Stress analysis
There is a complete series of ASME B31 codes for pressure piping. Most commonly codes used are ASME B31.1 and B31.3
for non-nuclear applications.
For Nuclear applications, ASME’s Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) sec III Div 1 is followed which has subsections NB,NC,ND and NF.
Subsection NB for class 1 piping and components.
Subsection NC for class 2 piping and components.
Subsection ND for class 3 piping and components.
Subsection NF for supports
ASME B31.1 prescribes minimum requirements for the design, materials, fabrication, erection, test, inspection, operation, and maintenance of piping systems typically found in electric power generating stations, industrial and institutional plants, geothermal heating systems, and central and district heating and cooling systems. It also covers boiler-external piping for power boilers and high-temperature, high pressure water boilers in which steam or vapor is generated at a pressure of more than 15 psig; and high temperature water is generated at pressures exceeding 160 psig and/or temperatures exceeding 250 degrees F.
ASME B31.3
contains requirements for piping typically found in petroleum refineries; chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, semiconductor, and cryogenic plants; and related processing plants and terminals. It covers materials and components, design, fabrication, assembly, erection, examination, inspection, and testing of piping.
ASME’s Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) sec III Division 1
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) sec III Div 1 subsections NB, NC, and ND:
These Subsections contains requirements for the material, design, fabrication, examination, testing and overpressure protection of items which are intended to conform to the requirements for Class 1, 2 and 3 construction respectively. The rules of Subsections cover the requirements for assuring the structural integrity of items.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) sec III Div 1 subsection NF for supports:
This Subsection contains requirements for the material, design, fabrication, and examination of supports which are intended to conform to the requirements for Classes 1, 2, 3, and MC construction. Nuclear power plant supports for whic h rules are specified in this Subsection are those metal supports which are designed to transmit loads from the pressure retaining barrier of the component or piping to the load carrying building structure.