Asme Pipeline Standards Compendium !free! -

ASME Pipeline Standards Compendium (officially designated as ASME PTB-9

) is a plain-language guide designed to help pipeline operators and engineers navigate the complex federal safety regulations governed by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

. It provides technical excerpts and simplified explanations of the ASME standards referenced in 49 CFR Parts 192, 193, and 195 , which regulate gas and liquid pipeline safety. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers - ASME Core Components of the Compendium

The compendium primarily integrates and explains five major ASME codes that form the backbone of global pipeline infrastructure: ASME Digital Collection ASME B31.4 : Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquids and Slurries

Covers systems transporting liquid hydrocarbons (crude oil, refined products), anhydrous ammonia, alcohols, and aqueous slurries. asme pipeline standards compendium

Detailed requirements for design, materials, construction, welding, and pressure testing for pipelines between production facilities, refineries, and terminals. ASME B31.8 : Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems

Governs gas transmission and gathering pipelines, compressor stations, and distribution mains up to the customer's meter.

Addresses safety aspects specific to gaseous fuels, including gas pressure control, leak detection, and fracture toughness requirements. ASME B31.8S : Managing System Integrity of Gas Pipelines

A supplement to B31.8 that provides a framework for "Integrity Management Programs" (IMP). API (American Petroleum Institute) – Often used together:

Helps operators identify threats, assess risks, and implement preventative measures to minimize system downtime.

ASME B31G: Manual for Determining the Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipelines

Provides a technical methodology for evaluating fitness-for-service in pipelines affected by corrosion. ASME B31Q: Pipeline Personnel Qualification

Establishes requirements for the qualification of frontline personnel performing "covered tasks" on pipeline systems. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers - ASME Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems - ASME 5. Relationship with Other Organizations

3. ASME B31.4: Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquids and Slurries

Moving out of the plant and into the ground, B31.4 governs the transportation of liquids, such as crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs), between facilities. This standard focuses heavily on external factors like soil loads, pipeline crossings (roads and rivers), and corrosion prevention, which are critical for long-distance transmission lines.

III. Materials & Components

| Standard | Title | Application | |----------|-------|-------------| | ASME B16.5 | Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings | Class flanges (150–2500) for pipeline connections | | ASME B16.9 | Factory-Made Wrought Steel Buttwelding Fittings | Elbows, tees, reducers for pipeline systems | | ASME B16.40 | Manually Operated Thermoplastic Gas Shutoffs | Distribution pipeline valves | | ASME B36.10M | Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe | Standard pipe dimensions (OD, wall thickness) | | ASME B36.19M | Stainless Steel Pipe | Dimensions for stainless pipeline applications |

IV. Welding & Fabrication

| Standard | Title | Notes | |----------|-------|-------| | ASME BPVC Section IX | Welding and Brazing Qualifications | Welder & procedure qualification (referenced by B31.4/B31.8) | | ASME B31.3 | Process Piping | Often used for pipeline station piping & auxiliaries |

4. Typical Pipeline Lifecycle – ASME Standards Mapping

| Stage | Applicable ASME Standard(s) | |-------|----------------------------| | Design | B31.4 / B31.8 / B31.12 | | Pipe & component specification | B36.10, B16.5, B16.9 | | Construction (welding, inspection) | B31.4, B31.8 (construction clauses) + ASME BPVC Sec IX (welding) | | Hydrostatic testing | B31.4, B31.8 (test pressure & hold time) | | Integrity assessment | B31G, B31.8S | | Personnel qualification | B31Q | | Repair & alteration | B31.4 / B31.8 (modification rules) |


5. Relationship with Other Organizations

  • API (American Petroleum Institute) – Often used together:
    • API 5L – Line pipe (referenced by ASME B31 codes)
    • API 1104 – Welding of pipelines (alternate to ASME BPVC Sec IX)
    • API RP 1160 – Integrity management (liquid pipelines) – complements B31.8S
  • CSA Z662 – Canadian pipeline standard (similar but not identical to ASME B31.4/B31.8)
  • PHA (PHMSA – US regulation) – ASME B31.4/B31.8 are incorporated by reference into US federal pipeline safety regulations (49 CFR Parts 192 & 195).

3.4 ASME PCC-2 – Repair of Pressure Equipment and Piping

While B31.4 and B31.8 tell you how to build a pipeline, PCC-2 tells you how to fix it. Standards include:

  • Type A: Welded sleeve repairs.
  • Type B: Mechanical clamp repairs.
  • Type C: Composite wrap repairs (fiber-reinforced polymers).
Scroll to Top