use of B31 vs. BPVC

[Gorpomon]

Hi,

I was recently posed a question I don't quite know. I was asked how ASME B31, specifically 31.1 and 31.3, relate to the BPVC.

Going off the titles, BPVC is for pressure vessels, while B31 is for pressure piping, but how do they relate? Are they separate, meaning boilers would be designed to BPVC and the piping around them to B31?
Does BPVC ever refer one to B31? Does B31 ever refer one to BPVC? Does one ever take precedence over the other? Does their jurisdiction in design every overlap?

Thanks

 

[vesselfab]

yes
no
no
no
no

 

[jte]

I believe that would be:

yes
no
yes
no
no

See B31.1 104.1.3 and B31.3 304.1.3 and 304.4 for examples. A search of the pdf version of B31.3 for "Section VIII" yields plenty of others. A search of VIII-1 for "B31" yields no matches.

jt

 

[metengr]

BPVC - Boiler Pressure Vessel Code. Let's be clear, this construction Code pertains to boilers and pressure vessels. B31 Piping Codes are also standards (ANSI approved and follow similar rules as ASME B&PV Code) and are referenced by ASME BPVC.

The answer to your questions can be found by reviewing the applicable section of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section I for Power Boilers and Section VIII, Div 1 for unfired pressure vessels. There are references to B31.1 Power Piping Code in the applicable section as well as jurisdictional and administrative boundaries. It is all spelled out.