Important Piping Codes & Standard
Important Piping Codes & Standards
Following certain norms and standards in the field of piping design and engineering is crucial for guaranteeing safety, dependability, and
efficiency across industries; it is not merely a legal necessity.
Whether used for power production, chemical processing, or oil and gas, piping systems need to be planned, built, and maintained in compliance with accepted standards.
The most significant plumbing codes and standards used worldwide, including ASME, ASTM, API, and ISO, are examined in this blog post. For engineers, project managers, and other industry experts looking to comply, improve performance, and reduce risks in intricate piping networks, it is imperative that they comprehend these rules.
Important Piping Codes & Standards
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Codes
Some of the most extensively used piping codes worldwide are created by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The standards for the design, construction, testing, and inspection of piping systems are established by the ASME B31 series, namely ASME B31.1 for Power Piping and ASME B31.3 for Process Piping.
These standards are crucial to international engineering practices because they guarantee the efficiency, safety, and integrity of pipes used in sectors including chemical processing, oil and gas, and power production.
Most Important Piping Codes & standards are given below
| Code | Description |
| B16.1 | Cast Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings |
| B16.3 | Malleable Iron Threaded Fittings, Class 150 and 300 |
| B16.4 | Cast Iron Threaded Fittings, Classes 125 and 250 |
| B16.5 | Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings |
| B16.9 | Factory Made Wrought Steel Butt welding Fittings |
| B16.10 | Face to Face and End to End Dimensions of Valves |
| B16.11 | Forged Fittings, Socket Welding and Threaded |
| B16.12 | Cast Iron Threaded Drainage Fittings |
| B16.14 | Ferrous Pipe Plugs, Bushings and Locknuts with Pipe Threads |
| B16.15 | Cast Bronze Threaded Fittings Class 125 and 250 |
| B16.18 | Cast Copper Alloy Solder Joint Pressure Fittings |
| B16.20 | Ring Joint Gaskets and Grooves for Steel Pipe Flanges |
| B16.21 | Non-metallic Flat Gaskets for Pipe Flanges |
| B16.22 | Wrought Copper and Copper Alloy Solder Joint Pressure Fittings |
| B16.23 | Cast Copper Alloy Solder Joint Drainage Fittings – DWV |
| B16.24 | Cast Copper Alloy Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings Class 150, 300, 400,600, 900, 1500 and 2500 |
| B16.25 | Butt welding Ends |
| B16.26 | Cast Copper Alloy Fittings for Flared Copper Tubes |
| B16.28 | Wrought Steel Butt welding Short Radius Elbows and Returns |
| B16.29 | Wrought Copper and Wrought Copper Alloy Solder Joint Drainage Fittings DWV |
| B16.32 | Cast Copper Alloy Solder Joint Fittings for Solvent Drainage Systems |
| B16.33 | Manually Operated Metallic Gas Valves for Use in Gas Piping Systems Up to 125 psig (sizes ½ through 2). |
| B16.34 | Valves – Flanged, Threaded and Welding End |
| B16.36 | Orifice Flanges |
| B16.37 | Hydrostatic Testing of Control Valves |
| B16.38 | Large Metallic Valves for Gas Distribution (Manually Operated, NPS 2 ½ to 12, 125 psig maximum) |
| B16.39 | Malleable Iron Threaded Pipe Unions, Classes 1150, 250 and 300 |
| B16.40 | Manually Operated Thermoplastic Gas Shutoffs and Valves in Gas Distribution |
| B16.41 | Functional Qualification Requirement for Power Operated Active Valve Assemblies for Nuclear Power Plants |
| B16.42 | Ductile Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings, Class 150 and 300 |
| B16.45 | Cast Iron Fittings for Solvent Drainage Systems |
| B16.44 | Manually Operated Metallic Gas Valves for Use in House Piping Systems |
| B16.47 | Large Diameter Steel Flanges (NPS 26 through NPS 60) |
| B16.48 | Steel Line Blanks |
| B16.49 | Factory-Made Wrought Steel Butt-welding Induction Bends for Transportation and Distribution Systems |
| B16.50 | Wrought Copper and Copper Alloy Braze-Joint Pressure Fittings |
| B16.51 | Cast and Wrought Copper and Copper Alloy Press-Connect Pressure Fittings (draft) |
| ASME BPVC Section V | Non destructive testing |
| ASME BPVC Section IX | Welding and Brazing Qualifications ASME Piping Components Standards |
| ASME BPVC 2023 Section VIII div. 1 | ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code |
American Petroleum Institute Standards (API)
Standards created by the American Petroleum Institute (API) are essential for the planning, building, and functioning of piping systems in the oil and gas sector. Safety, dependability, and environmental preservation in upstream, midstream, and downstream operations are the main goals of API standards.
API 570 for the inspection and upkeep of in-service piping systems, API 6D for pipeline valves, and API 5L for line pipes are important standards. These internationally accepted standards support the preservation of performance, uniformity, and regulatory compliance in projects involving petroleum. API standards are essential for improving the longevity of piping infrastructure and lowering operating hazards.
Below are the Important Piping Codes & standards by API:
| Code | Description |
| Spec. 5L | Line Pipe |
| Spec. 6D | Pipeline Valves |
| Spec. 6FA | Fire Test for Valves |
| Spec. 12D | Field Welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids |
| Spec. 12F | Shop Welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids |
| Spec. 12J | Oil and Gas Separators |
| Spec. 12K | Indirect Type Oil Field Heaters |
| Std. 594 | Wafer and Wafer-Lug Check Valves |
| Std. 598 | Valve Inspection and Testing |
| Std. 599 | Metal Plug Valves – Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends |
| Std. 600 | Steel Gate Valves-Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends |
| Std. 602 | Compact Steel Gate Valves-Flanged Threaded, Welding, and Extended Body Ends |
| Std. 603 | Class 150, Cast, Corrosion-Resistant, Flanged-End Gate Valves |
| Std. 607 | Fire Test for Soft-Seated Quarter-Turn Valves |
| Std. 608 | Metal Ball Valves-Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends |
| Std. 609 | Lug-and Wafer-Type Butterfly Valves |
| Std. 610 | Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum, Heavy Duty Chemical and Gas Industry Services |
| Std. 611 | General Purpose Steam Turbines for Refinery Services |
| Std. 612 | Special Purpose Steam Turbines for Refinery Services |
| Std. 613 | Special Purpose Gear Units for Refinery Services |
| Std. 614 | Lubrication, Shaft-Sealing and Control Oil Systems for Special Purpose Application |
| Std. 615 | Sound Control of Mechanical Equipment for Refinery Services |
| Std. 616 | Gas Turbines for Refinery Services |
| Std. 617 | Centrifugal Compressors for General Refinery Services |
| Std. 618 | Reciprocating Compressors for General Refinery Services |
| Std. 619 | Rotary-Type Positive Displacement Compressors for General Refinery Services |
| Std. 620 | Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low Pressure Storage Tanks |
| Std. 630 | Tube and Header Dimensions for Fired Heaters for Refinery Service |
| Std. 650 | Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage |
| Std. 660 | Heat Exchangers for General Refinery Service |
| Std. 661 | Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers for General Refinery Service |
| Std. 670 | Vibrations, Axial Position, and Bearing-Temperature Monitoring Systems |
| Std. 671 | Special Purpose Couplings for Refinery Service |
| Std. 674 | Positive Displacement Pumps-Reciprocating |
| Std. 675 | Positive Displacement Pumps-Controlled Volume |
| Std. 676 | Positive Displacement Pumps-Rotary |
| Std. 677 | General Purpose Gear Units for Refineries Services |
| Std. 678 | Accelerometer-Base Vibration Monitoring System |
| Std. 1104 | Welding Pipelines and Related Facilities |
| Std. 2000 | Venting Atmospheric and low-Pressure Storage Tanks – Non-Refrigerated and rigerated |
| RP 530 | Calculation for Heater Tube Thickness in Petroleum Refineries |
| RP 577 | Welding Inspection and Metallurgy |
| RP 1110 | Pressure Testing of Liquid Petroleum Pipelines |
American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM)
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), now known as ASTM International, plays a crucial role in defining material standards for piping systems across various industries. ASTM standards ensure the quality, strength, and compatibility of materials used in pipes, fittings, flanges, and valves.
Common standards include ASTM A106 for seamless carbon steel pipes and ASTM A312 for stainless steel pipes. These standards specify material composition, mechanical properties, and testing requirements, providing engineers with the data needed for safe and effective design. Widely accepted worldwide, ASTM standards help maintain consistency, improve safety, and support compliance with other international piping codes and regulations.
Please note that
- Any specifications starting with A are for steel, Eg: A106 for Carbon Steel
- Any specifications starting with B are used for non-ferrous alloys Eg: B 42 used for Seamless Copper Pipe
- Any specifications starting with D are for plastic material Eg: D2846 used as CPVC Plastic Hot and Cold Water Distribution Systems
- Any specifications starting with F are for End-use materials and products Eg: F492 → Polypropylene and PP Plastic-Lined Ferrous Metal Pipe and Fittings
- Any specifications starting with G are used for Corrosion, deterioration, weathering, durability, and degradation of materials and products
Below are the mostImportant Piping Codes & standard under ASTM:
| Codes | Description |
| A 36 | Specification for Structural Steel |
| A 53 | Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot –Dipped, Zinc Coated Welded and Seamless |
| A 105 | Specification for Forgings, Carbon Steel, for Piping Components |
| A 106 | Specification for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High Temperature Service |
| A 181 | Specification for Forgings, Carbon Steel for General Purpose Piping |
| A 182 | Specification for Forged or Rolled Alloy Steel Pipe Flanges, Forged Fittings, and Valves and Parts for High Temperature Service |
| A 193 | Specification for Alloy Steel and Stainless-Steel Bolting Materials for High Temperature Service |
| A 194 | Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts for Bolts for High Pressure and High Temperature Service |
| A 234 | Specification for Piping Fittings of Wrought Carbon Steel and Alloy Steel for Moderate and Elevated Temperatures |
| A 333 | Specification for Seamless and Welded Steel Pipe for Low Temperature Service |
| A 350 | Specification for Forgings, Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Requiring Notch Toughness Testing for Piping Components |
| A 352 | Specification for Steel Castings, Ferritic and Martensitic for Pressure Containing Parts Suitable for Low Temperature Service |
| A 420 | Specification for Piping Fittings of Wrought Carbon Steel and Alloy Steel for Low Temperature Service |