Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
3 INTERPRETATIONS
ASME 831.3
INTERPRETATIONS VOLUME 24
Replies to Technical Inquiries
April 30, 2012 through December 16, 2013
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 stated in the interpretation, or if
none is stated, to the Edition in effect on the date of issuance of the interpretation. Subsequent
revisions to the Code may have superseded the reply.
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. ln these cases, a revised
reply bearing the original interpretation number with the suffix R is presented. ln the case where
an interpretation is corrected by errata, the original interpretation number with the suffix Eis used.
ASME procedures provide for reconsideration of these interpretations when or if additional
infom1ation 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 Policy in the Code documents, ASME does not "approve,"
"certify," "rate," or "endorse" any item, construction, proprietary device, or activity.
For detailed instructions on preparation of technical inquiries to the 831 Committee, refer to
Appendix Z.
1-1
Copyright 2015 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
No reproduction may be made of this material without writien consent of ASME.
Subject
831.3
Interpretation
File No.
24-13
12-1782
24-04
12-243
24-24
24-09
24-18
24-16
2+26
24-15
24-10
13-1331
12-1504
13-509
13-266
13-1508
13-76
12-1584
24-23
24-05
13-789
12-499
24-30
11-1769
24-29
24-08
13-709
12-1071
24-22
24-21
24-11
13-786
13-710
12-1610
24-07
24-19
24-25
24-06
24-17
24-20
24-12
24-27
24-01
24-14
24-28
24-03
12-56, 12-666
13-620
13-1499
12-623
13-474
13-704
12-1728
13-1548
12-57
12-2057
13-1549
12-241
24-02
12-102
1-2
Copyrigh t 2015 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
o reproduction may be made of this material without written consent of ASME.
Interpretation 24-01
Subject: Table 323.2.2, Notes (3) and (5), Impact Testing (831 .3-2010)
Date Issued: April 30, 2012
File: 12-57
Question: Jn accordance with ASME 831.3-2010, if a material meets the requirements of
Table 323.2.2, Note (3) exception to impact testing requirements, does it matter what size specimen
is obtainable as described in Note (5)?
Reply: No.
Interpretation 24-02
Subject: Table 341.3.2 and Paras. 341.4.1, 341.4.2, and M341.4, Radiography for Fillet Welds
(831.3-2010)
Date Issued: April 30, 2012
File: 12-102
Question: ln accordance with ASME 831.3-2010, is it a requirement to perform radiography
on fillet welds?
Reply: No.
Interpretation 24-03
Subject: Table 341.3.2, Acceptance Criteria (831.3-2010)
Date Issued: April 30, 2012
File: 12-241
Question: In accordance with ASME 831.3, if indications are detected in the base metal or a
weld not required to be examined, are the indications required to be evaluated?
Reply: The Code does not specifically address this issue. However, the Introduction states that
the owner is responsible for imposing requirements supplementary to those of the Code if
necessary to assure safe piping for the proposed installation. Also see para. 300(c)(4).
1-3
Copyrigh1 20 15 by the American Society of Mechanical Engi neers.
No reproduction may be made of this material wilhoul wrillen consent of ASM E.
lfil1
~
Interpretation 24-04
Subject: Fig. 323.2.26, Design Minimum Temperature According to ASME B31T (631.3-2010)
Date Issued: Apri I 30, 2012
File: 12-243
Question (1): In accordance with ASME 831.3-2010, may Fig. 323.2.28 be used for impact-tested
materials in the same manner as described in the ASME 8PV Code rules?
Reply (1): No. See interpretation 20-13R.
Question (2): [n accordance with ASME 831.3-2010, is the use of ASME 831 T, Standa rd
Toughness Requirements for Piping, mandatory?
Reply (2): No.
Question (3): In accordance with ASME 831.3-2010, does Fig. 323.2.28 apply to UNS 531803
(22Cr duplex)?
Reply (3): No.
Interpretation 24-05
1-4
Copyright 2015 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
No reproduction may be made oflhis material without written consent of ASME.
~.
W.
Interpretation 24-06
I-5
Copyright 20 15 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
No reproduction may be made of this material without written consent of ASME.
Interpretation 24-07
Subject: Pa ra. 345.2.2(a), Exam ination During Leak Testing (631.3-1996 Edition Through
631 .3-2010)
Date Issued: October 5, 2012
File: 12-56, 12-666
Question (1): In accordance with ASME 631.3-1996 Edition through ASME 631.3-2010, para.
345.2.2(a), must examination for leaks be performed in accordance with the visual examination
method in para. 344.2?
Reply {l): No.
Question (2): Other than sen sitive lea k testing, do ASME 8 31.3-1996 Edition through
ASME 831.3-2010, define leak testing examination requirements?
Reply (2): No.
Question (3): ln accordance with ASME 631.3-1996 Edition through ASME 831.3-2010, para.
345.2.2(a), must personnel performing the examination for leaks be qualified for visual examination per paras. 342.1 or 344.2?
Reply (3): No.
Question (4): In accordance with ASME 831.3-1996 Edition through ASME 631.3-2010, para.
345.2.2(a), must leak testing be performed in accordance with a written procedure for visual
examination?
Reply (4): No.
Question (5): Other than sensitive leak testing, do ASME 631.3-1996 Edition through
ASME 831.3-2010 require compliance with the requirements of ASME BPV Code Section V,
Articles 9 or 10 for leak testing?
Reply (5): No.
Question (6): In accordance with ASME 631.3-1996 Edition through ASME 831.3-2010, during
a hydrostatic lea k test, if the examiner is satisfi ed that the requirements of para. 345.2.2(a) are
met, is a 100% visual examination (i.e., a visual examination of 360 deg of the pipe or joint
surface) of each joint or connection required?
Reply (6): No.
Interpretation 24-08
Subject: Para. 341.4.l{b), Sample Examinations (831.3-2010)
Date lssued: October 5, 2012
File: 12-1071
Question: If one welder makes the tack welds in a circumferential butt weld and another welder
welds the root pass and remainder of the weld, is it required that the welder who made the tack
welds be represented in the sample examinations required by para. 341.4.1 (b) or the progressive
sampling of para. 341.3.4?
Reply: No.
I-6
Copyright 20 I 5 by the American Society of Mechan ical Engineers.
No reproduction may be made of this material without written consent of ASME.
~
e
Interpretation 24-09
Subject: Para . 304.7.2, Press ure Design (631.3-2010)
Date Issued: October 5, 2012
File: 12-1504
Question: In accordance with ASME 631.3-2010, para. 307.1.2, Unlisted Valves, if valve pressuretemperature ratings are established by the method set forth in ASME 616.34, Appendix B, is it
necessary to qualify the pressure design in accordance with ASME 831.3, para. 304.7.2?
Reply: No.
Interpretation 24-10
Subject: Para. 328.5.4, Welded Branch Connections (831.3-2010)
Date Issued: October 5, 2012
File: 12-1584
Question: In ASME 831.3-2010, for the installation of instrument tap type branch connections,
do the weld types specified in ASME Section VIII, Division 1, UW-15(b) (i.e., welds that require
no strength calculations) and corresponding acceptable welding types shown in UW-16, which
include not-fully-penetrated branch connection groove welds, comply with the acceptable welding
details shown in ASME 631.3, para. 328.5.4?
Reply: No; however, see para. 300(c)(3).
Interpretation 24-11
Subject: Para. 345, Pneumatic Leak Testing (831.3-2010)
Date Issued: October 5, 2012
File: 12-1610
Question: Jn accordance with ASME 831.3-2010, para. 345.5.4(a), with or without the owner's
approval, does the Code permit pneumatic testing in excess of 1.33 times the design pressure?
Reply: No; however, see para. 300(c)(3).
1-7
Copyright 20 15 by lhe /\mcrican Society of Mechanical Engi neers.
No reproduction may be made of this material without written consent of ASME.
Interpretation 24-1 2
1-8
Copyright 2015 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
No reproduction may be made of this material without written consent of ASME.
&
<&.
Interpretation 24-13
Subject: Para. 328.5.4 and Fig. 328.5.40, Welded Branch Connection (831.3-2010)
Date Issued: April 15, 2013
File: 13-76
Question: Does ASME 831.3-2010 permit the use of a complete (full) encirclement split-tee as
a branch connection, where a branch pipe is butt welded to the branch opening of the split-tee,
if the requirements of paras. 303 and 304.7.2 are met?
Reply: Yes. Sec also paras. 300(c)(3) and 300(c)(4).
Interpretation 24-16
~
e
Interpretation 24-17
Subject: Para. K328.2.1(d), Welding Qualifications (831.3-2010)
Date Issued: April 15, 2013
File: 13-474
Question (1): In accordance with ASME 831.3-2010, para. K328.2.1(d), if transverse tensile testing
is required for a full penetration groove weld test coupon for Welding Procedure Qualification in
accordance with the ASME BPV Code, Section IX, shall yield strength be determined on the
transverse tensile test coupon?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): In accordance with ASME 831.3-2010, para. K328.2.1(d), shall all-weld-metal
tensile testing be conducted and the yield strength of the weld be determined if transverse
tensile testing is required for a full penetration groove weld test coupon for Welding Procedure
Qualification in accordance with the ASME BPV Code, Section fX?
Reply (2): No, unless the filler metal is not yet incorporated into Section IX (see para. K328.3.1).
Interpretation 24-18
~
e
Interpretation 24-21
Subject: Paras. 344.2.l and 342.1, Visual Exam ination (B31 .3-2012)
Date Issued: October 3, 2013
File: 13-710
Question (1 ): Does ASME B31.3-2012 have any qualification requirements for visual examiners
performing Code-required examinations?
Reply (1): Yes. See paras. 342.1 and 344.2.
Question (2): Does ASME B31.3-2012 require individuals that check the fit and alignment of
weld joints during fabrication to be qualified for visual examination as described in paras. 342.1
and 344.2?
Reply (2): No.
Interpretation 24-22
Interpretation 24-23
Subject: Paras. 328.5.4(d) and (e), Use of a Branch Connection Where the Abutting Branch Pipe
Is Not Welded to the Run (B31.3-2012)
Date Issued: October 3, 2013
File: 13-789
Question: Under the rules of ASME B3l.3-2012, may a branch connection be added to a piping
run using branch attachment details other than specified by para. 328.5.4(d), which require fully
penetrated groove welds to the run pipe, or para. 328.5.4(e)?
Reply: No, unless qualified in accordance with paras. 300(c)(3), 300(c)(4), and 304.7.2.
1-11
~
e U> s
Interpretation 24-24
Subject: Para. 302.3.6(a), Limits of Calculated Stresses Due to Occasional Loads (831.3-2012)
Date Issued: October 3, 2013
Pile: 13-1331
Question (1): Is the final paragraph in para. 302.3.6(a) applicable to castings only?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): Does ASME 831.3 permit the occasional stress of austenitic steel piping to rise
above yield?
Reply (2): Yes; however, see para. 302.3.2(e).
Interpretation 24-25
Interpretation 24-26
<fj};;.
~
0
Interpretation 24-27
Subject: Table 323.2.2, Low Temperature Toughness Tests for Metals (B31.3-2008)
Date Issued: October 3, 2013
File: 13-1548
Question: In accordance with ASME 631.3-2008, when ASTM 8423 N08825 base metal is welded
by SFA-5.14 ERNiCrMo-3 N06625 filler metal, do the rules of Table 323.2.2, Box A-6(b) require
that testing in accordance w ith Box B-6 be performed?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation 24-28
Subject: Table 323.3.1, Impact Testing Requirements for Metals (631.3-2008)
Date Issued: October 3, 2013
File: 13-1549
Question: In accordance w ith ASME 831.3-2008, Table 323.3.1, box A-5, is the qualified thickness
range T / 2 to T + 6 mm (!'4 in.)?
Reply: Yes. Also see previous Interpretation 4-17.
Interpretation 24-29
Subject: Para. 341.3.3, Defective Components and Workmanship (831.3-1996 Edition Through
831 .3-2012)
Date Issued: December 12, 2013
File: 13-709
Question: ls it the intent of ASME 631.3-1996 Edition through ASME 831.3-2012, para. 341.3.3
to allow replacement welds for rejected welds to be examined by any nondestructive (NOE)
method that is allowed for the original welds, as it is for high pressure piping system welds in
K341.3.3, rather than requiring the same NDE m ethod as used on the original defective welds?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation 24-30
Subject: Para. 341.3.l(a), NOE After PWHT for P-Nos. 3, 4, and 5 Materials (831.3-2010)
Date Issued: December 16, 2013
File: 11-1769
Question: A piping assembly made of P-No. 5 material consisting of severa l welds is furnace
heat treated and radiographed. One of those welds is defective and repaired. The assembly is
then heat treated again. ls it the intent of para. 341.3.l(a) that all of the welds in that piping
assembly be radiographcd again?
Reply: No.
1-13
Copyright 20 15 by lhe American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
No reproduction may be made oflhis material without wri tten consent of ASME.