Interpretation 18-12R

Subject: B31.3-2014-B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Table 323.2.2 Column A (b)

Applicability to Longitudinally Welded Seam Components

Date Issued: September 27, 2017

File: 17-1781

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3a-2000 Addenda, may welded austenitic

stainless steel pipe and fittings, with carbon content less than or equal to 0.1%
and furnished in the solution heat-treated condition, be used at temperatures
equal to or warmer than those listed in the Minimum Temperature Column of
Table A-I for the particular alloy in question without impact testing of the base
metal?

Reply 1: Yes.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3a-2000 Addenda, Table 323.2.2, does box A-
4(a) apply to austenitic stainless steel pipe and fittings?

Reply 2: Yes.

Question 3: In accordance with ASME B31.3a-2000 Addenda, Table 323.2.2, does box A-4
(b) apply only to welds performed on austenitic stainless steel piping by the
fabricator?

Reply 3: Yes.

Question 4: In accordance with ASME B31.3a-2000 Addenda, does para. 323.2.2(f) apply to
welds (with or without filler metal added) that are not subsequently solution heat
treated?

Reply 4: Yes.

Interpretation 22-15R

Subject: ASME B31.3-2006, Process Piping, Paras. 345.2.3(a) and 345.8, Leak Testing

Date Issued: October 13, 2016

File: 16-2465

Question 1: To comply with Section 345, must a piping system be leak tested at the factory
fully assembled, or can individual pipe spools and equipment be tested
separately as suggested in para. 345.2.3(a)?

Reply 1: The committee believes your question can be answered by previous

interpretation 20-24, a copy of which is attached.

Question 2: If a piping system in Normal Fluid Service has passed a hydrostatic leak test in
accordance with para. 345.4 or a pneumatic leak test in accordance with para.
345.5 or a hydrostatic-pneumatic leak test in accordance with para. 345.6, is a
sensitive leak test in accordance with para. 345.8 required?
Reply 2: No.

Interpretation 23-07R

Subject: B31.3-2008, Interpretation of Para. 304.7.2 Application of a Detailed Stress

Analysis Performed Using a Numerical Method

Date Issued: April 27, 2016

File: 16-1009

Question: If the designer performs a finite element method evaluation of an unlisted

component that is accepted by the owner in accordance with para. 300(c)(3), is
the designer required to perform the calculation to be substantiated in
accordance with para. 304.7.2?

Reply: No.

Interpretation 24-06R

Subject: B31.3-2010, Interpretation of Para. K328.2.1(b), Welding Qualifications

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 18-911

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2010, para. K328.2.1(b) is a separate

qualification of the welding procedure required for each combination of base
material specification(s) forming a joint, even if the material type or grade
remains the same?

Reply 1: Yes, unless para. K328.2.1(f) applies.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2010, if a welded joint comprised of two

different material specifications with the same type or grade in Chapter lX, High
Pressure Piping, is qualified, does the welding procedure also qualify welding of
each individual base material to itself?

Reply 2: No; see para. K328.2.1(b).

Interpretation 26-09R

Subject: B31.3-2012, Interpretation of Table 341.3.2 Acceptance Criteria for Welds Notes
“K”

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 17-992

Question 1: Does ASME B31.3-2012 address evaluation or acceptance of the depth of root
surface concavity on a radiographic film through use of film density differential?
Reply 1: The Committee believes your question can be answered by previous
Interpretations 6-04, Question (2) and Reply (2) and 16-07, copies of which are
attached.

Question 2: Does ASME B31.3-2012, Table 341.3.2 address evaluation or acceptance of the
depth of root surface concavity or total joint thickness, including weld
reinforcement, by visual examination?

Reply 2: Yes.

Question 3: Does ASME B31.3-2012 address evaluation of the depth of root surface
concavity or total joint thickness, including weld reinforcement, by ultrasonic
thickness measurements?

Reply 3: No.

Interpretation 26-01

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 341.3.4(a) Progressive Sampling for

Examination

Date Issued: April 27, 2016

File: 15-2246

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014 para. 341.3.4, when required spot
examination reveals a defect and progressive sampling is required, may “two
additional samples of the same kind” allow two additional spot examinations of
the same joint?

Reply 1: Yes.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014 para. 341.3.4, when required random
examination reveals a defective joint and progressive sampling is required, does
“two additional samples of the same kind” mean two additional joints?

Reply 2: Yes.

Interpretation 26-02

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 331 Weld between “Non Pressure Part” on
Heat Treatment Requirements

Date Issued: April 27, 2016

File: 15-2767

Question: Do ASME B31.3, para. 331 postweld heat treatment requirements apply to that
portion of an integral attachment where a non-pressure containing component is
welded to a non-pressure containing component?

Reply: No.
Interpretation 26-03

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Code Case 180, Leak Testing of Subassemblies of

Jacketed Piping for Use in ASME B31.3 Piping Systems

Date Issued: April 27, 2016

File: 16-577

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014, Code Case 180, is a leak test in
accordance with para. 345.1 required in addition to the Sensitive Leak Test?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation 26-04

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 341.3.4 Progressive Sampling

Date Issued: April 27, 2016

File: 16-843

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014, does para. 341.3.4 apply when welds are
made by more than one welder or welding process?

Reply: Yes. Also see Interpretation #1-62.

Interpretation 26-05

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 321 Piping Supports

Date Issued: April 27, 2016

File: 16-892

Question 1: Paragraph 321.3 Structural Attachments states “External and internal

attachments to piping shall be designed”; does this mean that piping support
elements must be designed in accordance with 304.7.2 if the items are not
listed?

Reply 1: No.

Question 2: Table 326.1 contains a reference to MSS SP 58; are other pipe support elements
required to be designed in accordance with 304.7.2?

Reply 2: No.

Interpretation 26-06

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 345.1 Testing Responsibility

Date Issued: April 27, 2016

File: 16-907

Question: Does ASME B31.3-2012 address who is responsible for performing the leak test
required by para. 345.1?

Reply: No. The Code requires that leak testing be performed. The Code does not
specify who is responsible for performing the leak test.

Interpretation 26-07

Subject: B31.3-2014, Proposed Revision to Para. 345.1 Required Leak Test

Date Issued: April 27, 2016

File: 16-951

Question: Does ASME B31.3-2014, para. 345.1, prohibit use of solids to displace a portion
of the test fluid during a leak test?

Reply: No.

Interpretation 26-08

Subject: B31.3-2002, Interpretation of Para. 345.2.3(c) Closure Welds

Date Issued: October 13, 2016

File: 16-1130

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2002, if a weld joint in a piping system that had
been successfully leak tested is subsequently completely removed and replaced
with a new weld joint or joints, can that new weld joint or joints be treated as
closure welds if all provisions of para. 345.2.3(c) are met?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation 26-09

Subject: B31.3-2012, Interpretation of Table 341.3.2 Acceptance Criteria for Welds Notes
“K”

Date Issued: October 13, 2016

File: 16-1557

Question 1: Does ASME B31.3-2012 address evaluation or acceptance of weld root

concavity on a radiographic film through use of film density differential?

Reply 1: The Committee believes your question can be answered by previous

Interpretations 6-04, Question and Reply (2) and 16-07, copies of which are
attached.
Question 2: Does ASME B31.3-2012, Table 341.3.2 address evaluation or acceptance of
weld root concavity or weld thickness (TW) by visual examination?

Reply 2: Yes.

Question 3: Does ASME B31.3-2012 address evaluation of weld root concavity or weld
thickness (TW) by ultrasonic thickness measurements?

Reply 3: The Code does not address this.

Interpretation 26-10

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Table 341.3.2 Reinforcement Allowed

Date Issued: October 13, 2016

File: 16-1559

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014 Table 341.3.2, does Criterion Value Note
L allow the maximum external reinforcement plus the maximum internal
protrusion as the total reinforcement for welds?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation 26-11

Subject: B31.3-2012, Interpretation of Table 323.2.2 Note 2 Impact Testing for Weld
Procedure Qualification

Date Issued: October 13, 2016

File: 16-1680

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014 Edition, if impact tests that meet Table
323.3.1 were performed at -320°F as part of a weld procedure qualification, does
that satisfy Table 323.2.2 Note 2 and allow use of this weld procedure for B31.3
piping systems with design minimum temperature down to -423°F without
additional impact testing at the design minimum temperature?

Reply: No. See previous Interpretation 8-30, Question 3.

Interpretation 26-12

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 302.2.2 List Components Not Having Specific
Ratings

Date Issued: October 13, 2016

File: 16-1876

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014, may a listed component have its
pressure-temperature rating determined through one of the means in para. 304?
Reply: Yes, see para 303.

Interpretation 26-13

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 331.1.1, 331.1.3, and Table 331.1.1 PWHT

Date Issued: October 13, 2016

File: 16-2140

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3, para. 330.1.1, shall the nominal thickness of a
hubless ring-type flange be considered for determining preheat on a full
penetration groove weld through the thickness of the attached pipe?

Reply: Yes. See also para. 331.1.3(c).

Interpretation 26-14

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 304.7.2 Flanges

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 16-2507

Question: Does ASME B31.3-2016 para. 304.7.2 (a) permit the use of a metallic flange
without performing additional flange thickness calculations when designs are
checked for adequacy of mechanical strength as described in para. 302.5 and
documentation showing qualification for pressure design in accordance with
para. 304.7.2 is made available for the owner's approval?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation 26-15

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Figure 328.5.4F Cover Fillet

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 16-2522

Question: Do ASME B31.3-2014, paragraph 328.5.4(i) and Figure 328.5.4F require the
cover fillet weld to be made with a single pass?

Reply: No.

Interpretation 26-16

Subject: B31.3-2012, Interpretation of Table 341.3.2 Determination of Tw for Note K

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 16-2661
Question: Does ASME B31.3-2012 address how to evaluate root concavity or total joint
thickness, including weld reinforcement, by radiography where visual access to
the internal surface is not possible?

Reply: No.

Interpretation 26-17

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 307.2.1 Bonnet Bolting

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 16-2989

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016, for fluid services other than Category D,
do quick opening closures need to have at least four bolts?

Reply: The Code does not address this issue.

Interpretation 26-18

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 301.3.2 Uninsulated Component Design

Temperature

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 16-3057

Question: Does the criteria in para. 301.3.2 (Uninsulated Components) that establish
component temperature apply to uninsulated components in a piping system that
is otherwise insulated?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation 26-19

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Paras. 345.1(c)(1)(a) and 345.1(c)(1)(b) Required

Leak Test

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 17-4

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014, do all of the requirements in paras.

345.1(c)(1)(a) through 345.1(c)(1)(d) have to be met for para. 345.1(c)(1) to
apply?

Reply: No. If any of the requirements in (a) through (d) are met, then para. 345.1(c)(1)
applies.

Interpretation 26-20
Subject: B31.3-2012 and B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. 331 Post Weld Heat
Treatment

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 17-24

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2012 and B31.3-2014, is postweld heat

treatment required for P-No. 11C material?

Reply 1: No, unless required by the WPS or the engineering design.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014, is postweld heat treatment required for
over 50 mm (2 in) thick P-No. 1 welded to P-No. 11C if the exemption
requirements in Table 331.1.3 are met?

Reply 2: No, unless required by the WPS or the engineering design.

Interpretation 26-21

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Table A-1 Aluminum Casting

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 17-220

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3 2014 Edition, is cast aluminum ASTM B26,
Grade A356.0, Temper T6, UNS A13560 a listed material?

Reply 1: No.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3 2014 Edition, is cast aluminum ASTM B26,
Grade 356.0, Temper T6, UNS A03560 a listed material?

Reply 2: Yes.

Question 3: In accordance with ASME B31.3 2014 Edition, may cast aluminum ASTM B26,
Grade A356.0, Temper T6, UNS A13560 that is dual marked and dual certified
as grade 356.0/A356.0 use the Table A-1 or A-1M allowable stresses for grade
356.0?

Reply 3: Yes.

Interpretation 26-22

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Note 77 in Appendix A

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 17-562
Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3 2016 Edition, does Appendix A, Note (77) also
include the P-number/Group number designation of API 5L grades of pipe to
CSA Z245.1 grades of pipe?

Reply 1: Yes.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3 2016 Edition, does Appendix A, Note (77) apply
to fittings in accordance with CSA Z245.11 or flanges in accordance with CSA
Z245.12?

Reply 2: No.

Interpretation 26-23

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Para. K328.2 Welder Performance Qualification

Date Issued: April 20, 2017

File: 17-866

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014, are the requirements in para. K328.2.1(b)
applicable to welder and welding operator performance qualifications?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation 26-24

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Para. 323.1.2 Use of SA-193-B8 Class 2B Bolts

Date Issued: September 27, 2017

File: 17-1107

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016 Edition, may para. 323.1.2 Unlisted
Materials be used to qualify unlisted material ASTM A193 or ASME SA193,
Grade B8, Class 2B bolting with diameter greater than 38 mm (1.5 inches) and
less than or equal to 75 mm (3 inches) be used in B31.3 construction?

Reply 1: Yes.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016 Edition, are Tables A-2 and A-2M Notes
(15) and (60) applicable to a bolting material that is unlisted in Table A‐2 or A-
2M, Design Stress Values for Bolting Materials?

Reply 2: The Code does not address this.

Interpretation 26-25

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Paras. 304.3.3 and 328.5.4 Complete Encirclement

Reinforcement Pad over a Longitudinal Welded Pipe

Date Issued: September 27, 2017

File: 17-1793

Question 1: Does ASME B31.3-2014 prohibit installation of a complete encirclement

reinforcement pad over a longitudinal welded pipe?

Reply 1: No.

Question 2: Does ASME B31.3-2014 prohibit reinforcement pad fillet welds from crossing a
longitudinal pipe weld seam?

Reply 2: No.

Question 3: Does ASME B31.3-2014 provide requirements or guidance specific to fillet welds,
which cross a longitudinal pipe weld seams?

Reply 3: No.

Interpretation 26-26

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Paras. 304.3.1 “General” (a)(2) Unlisted Branch

Connections

Date Issued: September 27, 2017

File: 17-1965

Question: ASME B31.3-2014 Para. 304.3.1, is the limitation of DN 80 (NPS 3) related to

only the coupling?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation 26-27

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Paras. 328.5.2 Weld Fitting to SO/SW Flange

Date Issued: September 27, 2017

File: 17-2236

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2014, does the Code prohibit welding a
buttwelding fitting to a slip-on or socket weld component?

Reply: No. The Code is not a design handbook. Many decisions that must be made to
produce a sound piping installation are not specified in detail within this Code.
The Code does not serve as a substitute for sound engineering judgments by the
owner and the designer.

Interpretation 26-28

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Para. 300(c)(3) Design and Acceptance of Code

Prohibitions

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 17-2465

Question: Does the Code permit para. 300(c)(3) to be used to accept a design that is
specifically not permitted elsewhere in the Code?

Reply: Yes, provided the details of design, construction, examination, testing, and
calculations are consistent with the design criteria of this Code.

Interpretation 26-29

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Para. 335.2.5 Flanged Assembly

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 17-2704

Question: Does ASME B31.3 require that the BPV Code, Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix
2 be considered to determine bolt initial assembly stress?

Reply: No.

Interpretation 26-30

Subject: B31.3-2014, Interpretation of Table 323.2.2 Dissimilar Weld and Base Metal

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 17-3098

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3 2016 Edition, Table 323.2.2 Box A-3(a), for
ASTM A333 Gr.6 base metal that is internally lined or clad with UNS N08825, is it
required to perform additional impact tests on the base metal when used at a
design minimum temperature warmer than the value in the Min. Temp. column in
Table A-1/A-1M?

Reply 1: No, provided the lining or cladding process does not affect the metallurgy of the
base metal.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3 2016 Edition, Table 323.2.2 Box A-3(b), for an
ASTM A333 Gr.6 base metal internally lined or clad with UNS N08825 and
welded with ER NiCrMo-3 weld metal, is impact testing of the HAZ and weld
metal required when used at a design minimum temperature colder than -29°C (-
20°F) and warmer than the value in the Min. Temp. column in Table A-1/A-1M?

Reply 2: Yes.

Interpretation 26-31

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Para. 302.3 Allowable Stresses and Other Stress
Limits

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 17-3163

Question 1: Does ASME B31.3 prohibit the actual assembled bolt stress from exceeding the
listed Table A-2 bolt allowable stress?

Reply 1: No. See para 304.5.1(e) and 335.2.5.

Question 2: Does ASME B31.3 provide limits for stress of bolts in the actual assembled
condition?

Reply 2: No. See para 304.5.1(e) and 335.2.5.

Interpretation 26-32

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Para. 304.1.1(b) Variable Definition

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 17-3206

Question 1: Does ASME B31.3-2016 include the mill tolerance on pipe wall thickness in the
variable “c” in Eqn. (2)?

Reply 1: No. For mill tolerance, see 304.1.1(a).

Question 2: Does ASME B31.3-2016 require inclusion of the tolerance on diameter in the
variables “d” and “D”?

Reply 2: No.

Interpretation 26-33

Subject: B31.3-2008, Interpretation of Table 341.3.2 / Figure 341.3.2 (c) Incomplete

Penetration

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 18-95

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2008 for the purpose of evaluation of

incomplete penetration by radiography, would incomplete penetration also apply
if there was a missed root edge but no misalignment in Figure 341.3.2(c)?

Reply: Yes. See also Fig. 341.3.2(d).

Interpretation 26-34

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Para. 328.2.2 Ownership of Welding Procedures

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 18-164
Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016, may a contractor follow a WPS that has
been qualified by another company in accordance with the requirements of para.
328.2.2?

Reply 1: Yes.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016, does para. 328.2.2 take precedence over
the rules of ASME Section IX?

Reply 2: Yes.

Interpretation 26-35

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Table 326.1 General Note (b) Evaluation of Unlisted
Materials

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 18-410

Question: Does the Code require materials used by standards listed in Table 326.1 to be
evaluated in accordance with para. 323.1.2?

Reply: No. See para. 326.3.

Interpretation 26-36

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Paras. 301.2, 300.1.3, Fig 300.1.1 Packaged or

Process Equipment

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 18-621

Question: Does the Code require that multiple stage process equipment be defined as
packaged equipment?

Reply: No.

Interpretation 26-37

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Para. 344.6.2 Acceptance Criteria for UT, Linear
Indication for Ultrasonics

Date Issued: April 11, 2018

File: 18-662

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016, does the Code define a linear-type
discontinuity?

Reply: No.
Interpretation 26-38

Subject: B31.3-2012-B31.3-2016, Intent Interpretation of Para. 328.6 Weld Repair

Date Issued: June 22, 2018

File: 18-913 and 18-907

Question: Is it the intent of ASME B31.3 para. 328.6, 2012 through 2018, that only
Standard Welding Procedure Specifications described in paragraph 328.2.1 are
permitted for weld repair?

Reply: No.

Interpretation 26-39

Subject: B31.3-2008, Interpretation of Table 341.3.2/Symbol E Porosity

Date Issued: September 26, 2018

File: 18-1018

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2008, Table 341.3.2, symbol E (size and
distribution of internal porosity), do the acceptable limits apply to all
configurations of porosity?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation 26-40

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Note (55) of Table A-1/A-1M Heat Treatment of X

grades of API 5L

Date Issued: September 26, 2018

File: 18-1051

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016 Edition, may X grades of API 5L pipe be
used?

Reply 1: Yes.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016 Edition, are X grades of API 5L pipe made
of TMCP (Thermo-Mechanically Controlled Process) steel plates considered to
be in the “as-rolled” condition in accordance with Table A-1/A-1M Note (55)?

Reply 2: The Code does not specifically address this issue.

Interpretation 26-41
Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of 328.4.2(a)(1) End Preparation on Surface
Thermally Affected by Previous Welding and Cutting

Date Issued: September 26, 2018

File: 18-1311

Question 1: Does ASME B31.3-2016, para. 328.4.2(a)(1) prohibit end preparation on material
surfaces previously welded?

Reply 1: No.

Question 2: Does ASME B31.3-2016, para. 328.4.2(a)(1) provide requirements or guidance

about minimum length of material to be removed from previously welded
surfaces?

Reply 2: No.

Interpretation 26-42

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Table 323.2.2 - Box A-3(b)B Impact Test

Requirements for Welding ASTM A333 Grade 6 Material

Date Issued: September 26, 2018

File: 18-1529

Question: In accordance with ASME B31.3, Table 323.2.2, Box A-3(b) for welding ASTM
A333 grade 6 material with design minimum temperature between -29°C (-20°F)
and -46°C (-50°F) is impact testing in accordance with paragraph 323.3 required
for weld metal deposit and heat affected zone?

Reply: Yes. See also Table 323.3.1, Box 6.

Interpretation 26-43

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Para. 304.7.2 Proof Testing Requirements

Date Issued: September 26, 2018

File: 18-1572

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016, para. 304.7.2(c), are the proof test
requirements of the selected referenced code to be followed?

Reply 1: Yes.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016, para. 304.7.2(c), must an unlisted piping
component being proof tested meet the overall scope description of the selected
referenced code (MSS SP-97, ASME B16.9, or ASME BPVC Section VIII, Div.
1)?

Reply 2: No.
Interpretation 26-44

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Para. 301.2.2 Required Pressure Containment or

Relief

Date Issued: September 26, 2018

File: 18-1598

Question: Does ASME B31.3 2016 Edition, para. 301.2.2(a), define the highest expected
pressure during service?

Reply: No.

Interpretation 26-45

Subject: B31.3-2012, Interpretation of Para. 341.3.4 Progressive Sampling for

Examination

Date Issued: September 26, 2018

File: 18-1624

Question: Two weld joints in a designated lot require progressive sampling (10% random
examination requirement by engineering design) and both joints reveal a
defective weld. In accordance with para. 341.3.4(a), are four additional samples
(two for each of the defective welds) from the original designated lot required to
be given the same type of examination?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation 26-46

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Paras. 341.4.4, 344.1.2, 344.6.2, Appendix R

Ultrasonic Examination

Date Issued: September 26, 2018

File: 18-1808

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3–2016, when ultrasonic examination is

performed in accordance with para. 341.4.4(b)(1) for Elevated Temperature Fluid
Services that requires 100% ultrasonic examination, does the code prohibit use
of ultrasonic shear-wave or automated or semi-automated ultrasonic examination
with computer-based ultrasonic data acquisition?

Reply 1: No.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3–2016, are automated or semi-automated

ultrasonic examinations with computer-based ultrasonic data acquisition
classified as Special Methods in accordance with para. 344.1.2?

Reply 2: No.
Question 3: In accordance with ASME B31.3–2016, may automated or semi-automated
ultrasonic examination with computer-based ultrasonic data acquisition be used
to satisfy para. 344.6.2(a)?

Reply 3: Yes.

Question 4: In accordance with ASME B31.3–2016, may automated or semi-automated

ultrasonic examination with computer-based ultrasonic data acquisition be used
outside the requirements of Appendix R to satisfy the requirements of para.
341.4.4(b)(1)?

Reply 4: Yes.

Interpretation 26-47

Subject: B31.3-2016, Interpretation of Table 323.2.2 and Figure 323.2.2A Use of Curve D
for Normalized Carbon Steel Materials

Date Issued: September 26, 2018

File: 18-2198

Question 1: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016 Edition, does Figure 323.2.2A Note (3)
permit ASTM A671 and ASTM A672 pipe made from ASTM A516 normalized
plate to use curve D for determining impact test exemption if the pipe is not
normalized after forming and welding?

Reply 1: No.

Question 2: In accordance with ASME B31.3-2016 Edition, does Column A of Table 323.2.2
apply to Curve D materials determined by Figure 323.2.2A, Note (3)?

Reply 2: Yes.