Piping Piping Codes and Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) standard 29 CFR 1910.119 require specifically regarding piping?
- Only new piping installations must be documented
- Process safety information including P&IDs and mechanical integrity programs for piping must be maintained (Correct answer)
- All piping must be replaced every 10 years
- Piping inspections must be performed only by licensed Professional Engineers
Correct answer: Process safety information including P&IDs and mechanical integrity programs for piping must be maintained
PSM requires maintaining current P&IDs and a mechanical integrity program that includes inspection, testing, and maintenance of piping in processes covered by the standard.
Question 2: What does NFPA 13 govern in relation to piping?
- Natural gas distribution piping in buildings
- Installation of automatic sprinkler systems including fire protection piping (Correct answer)
- Industrial process piping safety
- Fire hose piping in refineries
Correct answer: Installation of automatic sprinkler systems including fire protection piping
NFPA 13 is the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, covering design, installation, and testing of fire protection piping and sprinkler equipment.
Question 3: What is the purpose of ASME B16.9?
- To specify dimensions and tolerances for factory-made wrought butt-welding fittings (Correct answer)
- To define pressure-temperature ratings for flanged joints
- To govern threaded pipe fittings dimensions
- To provide standards for pipe support design
Correct answer: To specify dimensions and tolerances for factory-made wrought butt-welding fittings
ASME B16.9 covers factory-made wrought steel butt-welding fittings (elbows, tees, reducers, caps) including their dimensions, tolerances, and marking requirements.
Question 4: Under API 570, what is a 'thickness measurement location' (TML)?
- A location where pipe is always thickest due to flow patterns
- A designated point on a piping circuit where thickness measurements are routinely taken to monitor corrosion (Correct answer)
- A specification for minimum wall thickness
- A location where thickness is measured only at commissioning
Correct answer: A designated point on a piping circuit where thickness measurements are routinely taken to monitor corrosion
TMLs are specific, marked locations on piping where ultrasonic thickness measurements are routinely taken to track corrosion rates and predict remaining life.
Question 5: What does ASME PCC-2 provide guidance on?
- Design of pressure vessels
- Repair of pressure equipment and piping using various repair methods (Correct answer)
- Certification of piping inspectors
- Quality control for pipe manufacturing
Correct answer: Repair of pressure equipment and piping using various repair methods
ASME PCC-2 provides standard repair methods and procedures for pressure equipment and piping, including mechanical clamps, full encirclement sleeves, composite wraps, and welded repairs.
Question 6: What is the significance of the 'corrosion allowance' in piping design per ASME B31.3?
- Extra wall thickness added to account for expected metal loss during the design life, maintaining safe pressure capacity (Correct answer)
- The maximum corrosion rate allowed before a pipe must be replaced
- The coating thickness required for external corrosion protection
- A factor applied to increase the design pressure for corrosive fluids
Correct answer: Extra wall thickness added to account for expected metal loss during the design life, maintaining safe pressure capacity
Corrosion allowance is added to the calculated minimum required wall thickness so that the pipe remains structurally adequate throughout its intended service life despite corrosion.
Piping Piping Codes and Standards 2
What does OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) standard 29 CFR 1910.119 require specifically regarding piping?