Process Piping Fundamentals, Codes and Standards – Module 1

Plastic pipes do have limitations on the mechanical and thermal properties.

1.10. GRADES

In steel pipe, the word "grade" designates divisions within different types based on
carbon content or mechanical properties (tensile and yield strengths).

• Grade A steel pipe has lower tensile and yield strengths than Grade B steel
pipe. This is because it has lower carbon content. Grade A is more ductile
and is better for cold bending and close coiling applications.

• Grade B steel pipe is better for applications where pressure, structural

strength and collapse are factors. It is also easier to machine because of its
higher carbon content. It is generally accepted for Grade B welds as well as
Grade A.

1.11. PIPE CONSTRUCTION

• Electric Resistance Welding (ERW)

− Electric Resistance Welding (ERW) pipe is manufactured by rolling

metal and then welding it longitudinally across its length. The weld
zone can also be heat treated, so the seam is less visible.

− Welded pipe often has tighter dimensional tolerances than

seamless, and can be cheaper if manufactured in large quantities.
These can be manufactured up to 24” OD in a variety of lengths to
over 100 feet.

− It is mainly used for low/ medium pressure applications such as

transportation of water / oil.

− Other welding technique for pipe fabrication is fusion weld (FW)

sometimes called “continuous weld” or spiral weld (SW) pipe. The
basic difference between ERW and FW is:

− No material is added during welding process in ERW.

− Filler material is added during welding process in FW.

− Large diameter pipe (about 10” or greater) may be ERW, or

Submerged Arc Welded (SAW) pipe.

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Submerged Arc Welded (SAW)

− Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) is an arc welding process where

an arc is established between one or more continuous bare-solid
or cored-metal electrodes and the work. The welding arc or arcs
and molten puddle are shielded by a blanket of granular, fusible
material. Filler metal is obtained from the electrodes, and on
occasion, from a supplementary welding wire.

Seamless (SMLS)

− Seamless (SMLS) pipe is manufactured by piercing a billet

followed by rolling or drawing, or both to the desired length;
therefore, a seamless pipe does not have a welded joint in its
cross-section.

− Seamless pipe is finished to dimensional and wall thickness

specifications in sizes from 1/8 inch to 26 inch OD. Seamless pipe
is produced in single and double random lengths. Single random
lengths vary from 16'-0" to 20'-0" long. Pipes that are 2" and below
are found in double random lengths measuring 35'-0" to 40'-0"
long.

− Seamless pipe is generally more expensive to manufacture but

provides higher pressure ratings.

Important

Pressure Piping Code B 31 was written to govern the manufacture of pipe. In

particular, code B31.1.0 assigns a strength factor of 85% for a rolled pipe, 60% for a
spiral-welded and 100% efficiency for a seamless pipe.

Generally, wider wall thicknesses are produced by the seamless method. Seamless
pipe is usually preferred over seam welded pipe for reliability and safety.

Seamless pipes cannot be substituted for others. Only ERW and SAW pipes can be
substituted.

Seam welded pipe should not be specified for installation in which it will be operating
in the material’s creep range [700°F (370°C) for carbon/low alloy steels and from
800°F (430°C) for high alloy and stainless steels]. However, for the many low-
pressure uses of pipe, the continuous welded method is the most economical.

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How to Identify Seamless or ERW Stainless Steel pipes?

To identify that a pipe supply is seamless or ERW, simply read the stencil on the side
of the pipe

• If it is ASTM A53,

− Type S means seamless.

− Type F is furnace but welded.

− Type E is Electrical resistance welded.

That’s how it is the easiest way to identify whether pipe is seamless or ERW.

Recommended Guidelines

• All pipe lines carrying toxic inflammable fluids shall be seamless.

• Utility piping can be ERW or Seam welded.

• Steam pipe lines shall preferably be seamless.

1.12. PIPE PROCUREMENT

• Standard Sizes

− NPS1/8, ¼, 3/8, ½, ¾, 1, 1½, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8,10,12,14,16,18, 20, 24,

28, 30, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60.

− NPS1¼, 2½, 3½, 5 are NOT used.

• Standard Lengths

− Pipe is supplied in Random length (18 to 25 ft.) or double random

length (38 to 48 ft.).

• End Preparation

Steel pipes can generally be specified with a specific end preparation at the
time of purchase. Three end preps are standard.

− Plain Ends (PE) - A plain end pipe is a pipe that has been cut at
90° perpendicular to the pipe run. This type of end is needed when
being joined by mechanical couplings, socket weld fittings, or slip-
on flange.

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− Bevel Ends (BE) - A bevel is a surface that is not at a right angle

(perpendicular) to another surface. The standard angle on a pipe
bevel is 37.5° but other non-standard angles can be produced.
Beveling of pipe or tubing is to prepare the ends for Butt welding.

− Threaded Ends (TE) - Typically used on pipe 3" and smaller,

threaded connections are referred to as screwed pipe. With
tapered grooves cut into the ends of a run of pipe, screwed pipe
and screwed fittings can easily be assembled without welding or
other permanent means of attachment. In the United States, the
standard pipe thread is National (not nominal) Pipe Thread (NPT).
The reason for this is that as NPT connections are assembled,
they become increasingly more difficult for the process to leak.
The standard taper for NPT pipe is 3/4" for every foot.

Common Abbreviations

Common abbreviations for the types of pipe ends are as follows:

Bevel End (BE) End of Pipe (EOP) Thread End (TE)

Bevel Both Ends (BBE) Flange One End (FOE) Thread Both Ends (TBE)
Bevel Large End (BLE) Plain End (PE) Thread Large End (TLE)
Bevel One End (BOE) Plain Both Ends (PBE) Thread One End (TOE)
Bevel Small End (BSE) Plain One End (POE) Thread Small End (TSE)
Bevel for Welding (BFW) Threads Only (TO)
Butt weld End (BE) Threads per Inch (TPI)

1.13. PIPING DESIGN

The main aim of piping design is to configure and lay equipment, piping and other
accessories meeting relevant standards and statutory regulations. The piping design
and engineering involves six (6) major steps:

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• Selection of pipe materials on the basis of the characteristics of the fluid and
operating conditions including maximum pressures and temperatures.

• Finding economical pipe diameter and wall thickness.

• Selection of joints, fittings and components such as flanges, branch

connections, extruded tees, nozzle branches etc.

• Developing piping layout and isometrics.

• Performing stress analysis taking into account the potential upset conditions
and an allowance for those upset conditions in the design of piping systems.

• Estimating material take-off (MTO) and raising material requisition.

1.13.1. Codes and Standards

The design basis for any project should state the required design codes for materials
and equipment. This is usually set by the client, and the engineer should review the
requirements to assure they are complete and not contradictory. Local laws may
require special requirements for hurricanes, earthquakes or other public safety
issues.

The main associations involved in generating piping codes and standards for process
industry in US are:

• ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineers

• ANSI: American National Standardization Institute

• ASTM: American Society of Testing Materials

• API: American Petroleum Institute (primarily for Oil & Gas Industry)

The basic rules for piping engineering are ASME B31 codes. The important codes
are:

− ASME B31.1 - Power Piping

− ASME B31.2 - Fuel Gas Piping

− ASME B31.3 - Process Piping

− ASME B31.4 - Liquid Piping

− ASME B31.5 - Refrigeration Piping

− ASME B31.8 - Gas Distribution and Transportation

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