Interpretations ASME B16.34-1998
Interpretations ASME B16.34-1998
Interpretations ASME B16.34-1998
INTRODUCTION
AsaservicetopersonswhousetheB16standards, B16 Committeerendersinterpretations of the
requirements upon request. The procedure for requesting an interpretation is described in the following
paragraphs.
Theinterpretationsincludeallreplies whichhavebeenapproved by theB16MainCommittee in
responsetoinquiriesconcerninginterpretation of thisStandard.
An interpretation applies either to the Edition andAddenda in effect on the date of issuance ofthe
interpretationortheEdition andAddendastated in theinterpretation.Subsequentrevisionstothis
Standard may supersedetheinterpretation.
PROCEDUREFORREQUESTINGINTERPRETATIONS
Upon request, the B16 Committee will render an interpretation ofany requirement of this Standard.
Interpretationscanonly be renderedinresponsetoawrittenrequest,whichshould be addressed to:
Therequestforinterpretationshouldbeclear andunambiguous.Itisfurtherrecommendedthatthe
inquirersubmithisrequestusingthefollowingformat:
(a) Subject. Cite the applicable paragraph number(s) and/or give a concise description of the subject.
(b) Question. Phrase the question as a request for an interpretation of a specific requirement suitable
for general understanding and use, not as a request for an approval of a proprietary design or situation.
The inquirer may alsoinclude anyplans or drawings which arenecessary to explainthequestion;
however,theyshouldnotcontainproprietarynames or information.
Requestswhicharenotinthisformat mayberewritteninthisformatprior to beinganswered,
whichmayinadvertentlychangetheoriginalintent of therequest.
ASME procedures provide for reconsideration ofan interpretation whenor if additional information
isavailablewhichtheinquirerbelievesmightaffecttheinterpretation.Further,personsaggrieved by
aninterpretation may appealtothecognizantASMEcommittee or subcommittee. ASME doesnot
approve,certify,rateorendorse any item,construction,proprietarydevice,oractivity.
119
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INTERPRETATIONS NO. 2
Replies to Technical Inquiries Issued from January 1, 1997 Through July 1, 1998
Interpretation: 2-45
Subject: Para. 6.7
Date Issued: August 11, 1997
File: 16-97-002 B
Question (1): Are multiple radial holes that penetrate the required minimum wall thickness of a valve
body, e.g., holes for the purpose of securing an identification plate, permitted under the requirements of
para. 6.7(g) of ASME B16.34-1988?
Reply (1): No. This clause only identifies requirements related to a single radial hole.
Question (2): Is it permissible to apply the requirementsof para. 6.7 of ASME B16.34-1988 to butterfly-
type valves that have integral or welded flanges on one or both body ends?
Reply (2): No.
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Interpretation: 2-46
Subject:
Multiple
Material
Markingndentification
Plate
Date Issued: April 6, 1998
File: B16-98-005
Question (1): When a valve body material meets all the requirements
of two separate material specification
grades listed in Table 1 of ASME B16.34-1996, may the valve body be marked with both material grade
symbols in accordance with para. 4.2.8?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): Is the selection of which of the two maximum or limiting temperatures to be shown on
the identification plate required by para. 4.3 of ASME B16.34-1996 for a valve body that is marked with
two material grade symbols designating material grades that have differing cautionary or specified
temperature limits listed in the respective Table 2 Notes the option of the manufacturer?
Reply (2): Yes.
139
Interpretation: 2-47
Subject: Minimum
Thickness
Wall
Date Issued: April 6, 1998
File: B 16-98-006
Question (1): Do the rules of para. 6.1.6 in ASME B16.34-1996 apply to local areas having less than
the required minimum wall thicknessresulting from manufacturing operations such as casting, forging, and
machining, including grinding, milling, and drilling?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): Under the rules of ASME B16.34-1988, is it permissible to use Table 3 to extrapolate
minimum wall thickness for valves having pressure-temperature ratings less than Class 150?
Reply (2): No.
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INTRODUCTION
As a service to personswhousetheB16standards,B16Committee renders interpretations of the
requirements upon request. The procedure for requesting an interpretation is described in the following
paragraphs.
The interpretations include all replies which have been approved in response to inquiries concerning
interpretationof this Standard since the publicationofASMWANSIB16.34-1988.
An interpretation applies either to the edition and Addenda in effect on the date of issuance of the
interpretation or the edition andAddendastatedintheinterpretation.Subsequent revisions to this
Standardmaysupersedetheinterpretation.
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Replies to Technical Inquiries Issued from January 1, 1990 Through December 31, 1995
Interpretation: 2-1
Materials
Subject:
1;Table
Date
Issued:
May
1990
17,
File: B 16-89-O01
Question(3):Cannewmaterialsbeadded to Table l?
Reply(3):Yes. This can be done at thenextrevision or when an Addenda is prepared. In order
to facilitate the inclusion of new materials, it is recommended that the requester provide the Committee
withthedataneededtoestablishpressure-temperatureratingsasprovided in Annex F.
Interpretation: 2-2
Subject:
Paragraph
8.4.2;
Weld
Repair
Date
Issued: May
1989
29,
File: B 16-89-002
121
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Interpretation: 2-3
Subject:
Paragraph 8.3.2.2; Surface
Examination
Date
Issued: May 30,1990
File: B 16-89-003
Question: Under ASMWANSI B16.34-1988,para. 8.3.2.2,is it permissible, for Special Class valves,
to perform any or all of therequiredsurfaceexaminationseitherprior to or aftermachining?
Reply:Yes,providedthat the required examinations take place, as required by para. 8.2, afterany
required heat treatment.
Interpretation: 2-4
Subject:
Paragraph 6.1.5,Tables 3 and G3, Annexes A and G
Date
Issued:
May 21, 1990
File: B 16-89-004
Interpretation: 2-5
Subject:
Paragraph 8.3.2.1; Ultrasonic or Radiographic
Examination
Date
Issued:
May 29,1989
File: B 16-89-O05
Question: Is it intended that the distance of coverage for the Special Class Examination for forgings
under para. 8.3.2.1 be thesame as for castings?
Reply: No. It is a requirement of paras. 8.3.2.1(a) and (b) that the entire cylindrical and ring sections
be examined.
122
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Interpretation: 2-6
Subject:
Paragraph
2.3.3;
Fluid
Thermal
Expansion
Date
Issued:
October 5, 1989
File: B 16-89-009
Question: If a pressure relief valve is used as the means of overpressure protection under para. 2.3.3
of ASMEVANSI B16.34-1988, is it required that the relief valvebe manufactured and tested in accordance
with one of the Sections of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, by a manufacturer holding
theapplicableCodeCertificates?
Reply: This would depend upon the requirements of the purchaseroftheB16.34valve.Paragraph
2.3.3 assigns responsibility for providing means to assure that the pressure in the valve will not exceed
thatallowed to thepurchaser. If thepurchaserchooses a pressurereliefvalve as the means then it
is also thepurchasersresponsibility to designatewhichcodes or regulation, if any,applytothe
installedvalveandconcomitantlytothepressurereliefvalve,seepara.1.2.2.
Interpretation: 2-7
Subject:
Paragraph
2.1.3;
Limited
Class
Valves
Date
Issued:
April
1990
9,
File: B 16-89-011
Question(1):DoestheexpressionweldingendinASMWANSIB16.34-1988,para.1.1applyto
bothsocketweldingandbuttweldingendvalves?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): May butt welding end valves, size NPS 2-92 and smaller be constructed in accordance
with Annex G of .ASMUANSI B16.34-1988?
Reply(2):Yes.
Interpretation: 2-8
Welding
Seal
Subject:
Date
Issued:
April
1990
9,
-001 File:
Question: Does ASMWANSI B16.34-1988 include fabrication requirements for seal welding of seat
ringsintovalvebodies?
Reply: No.
123
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Interpretation: 2-9
Subject:
Paragraph
6.1.3;
Valve Body
Necks
Date
Issued: May 4, 1990
File: B 16-90-07
Interpretation:
2-10
Subject:
Paragraph 6.1.2; Inside
Diameter
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Date
Issued:
June 11, 1990
File: B 16-90-015
Question:WithreferencetoANSI B16.34-1981, para. 6.1.2, for buttwelding end valves, may the
basic inside diameter at the valve end be taken as the inside diameter of the highest pipe Schedule
Numberapplicable to thevalve size andpressureclass?
Reply: No. The basic inside diameter is a valve specific dimension that may or may not be relevant
to a particular set of pipe dimensions.
Interpretation: 2-1 1
Subject:
Paragraph 2.1.5 (c); Valves
Fabricated by Welding
Date
Issued:
October 31, 1990
File: B 16-90-020
124
Interpretation: 2-12
Subject:
Paragraph 8.4; Defect
Removal
and
Repair
Date
Issued:
January
21,
1991
File: B 16-90-030
Interpretation: 2-13
Subject:
Annex F; Special Class
Rating
Method
Date
Issued: January 21, 1991
File: B 16-90-034
125
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Interpretation: 2-14
Subject: Requirements for Special Class Valves
Date Issued: January 1991
21,
File: B 16-90-038
Question (1): For a Special Class valve in accordance with ASMWANSI B16.34-1988, is it permissible
to construct a composite area for radiographic coverage, basedon Fig. 6 through 15, that meetsthe
intentofpara. 8.3.1.1 for avalvebodyshapenot illustrated?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): DoanyoftheFigs. 6 through 15 illustrate the seat-body shell radiographic coverage
that would be required for a valve body in the form of two intersecting mutually perpendicular cylinders,
whereoneof the cylinders corresponds to the valvenozzlesandthe other to an upperandlower
bonnet cavity?
Reply (2): Yes, Fig. 13, Sections X-X andY-Y.
Interpretation: 2-15
Subject: 6. l . 1; Minimum
Wall
Requirements
Date
Issued:
March 1991
19,
File: B 16-90-041
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Question:UnderASMWANSI B16.34-1988, for avalvebodyof sectional construction (see para.
6.4.2) where the body joint includes an internal gasket whose placement isolates an internal end section
of the body wall from the contained fluid, is it necessary that the entire body meet the minimum wall
requirementsofpara. 6.1.1?
Reply:Yes,takingdueaccountthat it is an obligation onthe part of the manufacturer to identify
the wetted surfaces that applyunderpara. 6.1.1 and to ensurethat the applicable metal thickness
requirements of para. 6.1.7 andtheboltingrequirementsofpara. 6.4.3 are accommodated.
Interpretation: 2-16
Subject:
Minimum
Thickness
Wall
Date
Issued: April 1991
10,
File: B16-91-003
Question: Under ASMWANSI B16.34-1988, are the rules for minimum valve body wall thicknesses
also requirements for valve parts other thanthevalvebody?
Reply:No.
126
Interpretation:
2-17
Materials Subject:
Date
Issued:
April
19,
1991
-004 File:
Interpretation:
2-18
Subject: Special Class Valves
Date
Issued:
August
1991
2,
B File: 16-91-008
Question: In the case ofavalve to be qualified for a Special Class designation under ASME/ANSI
B16.34-1988that is notofatypespecificallyillustratedinFigs.6through 15, e.g.,aweldendball
valve,mayacomposite,using for exampleelements of Figs. 12and13,be constructed in order to
satisfytheradiographicfilmcoveragerequirementsdetailedinpara.8.3.1.1?
Reply:Yes.
Interpretation:
2-19
Subject: Single Flange
(Lug
Type)
Valve
Body
Date
Issued:
July 31, 1991
B File: 16-91-009
Question: Does ASMEYANSI B16.34-1988 prohibit a single flange (lug type) valve body made from
aplatematerial listed inTable1whenthedesignissuchthat the bodyisloadedintensionfrom
pressureandpiping loads?
Reply: No. However,para.1.2.2cautionslimitationsthat maybeimposedbycodes or regulations,
para. 5.2notesthat criteria for the selection of materials are notwithin the scope of the Standard,
andpara.6.1.7placesresponsibility for adequatemetalthicknessupon the valvemanufacturer.
Interpretation:
2-20
Subject: 6.2.2; Valve
Flange
Ends
Date
Issued:
February
27,
1992
File: B16-91-016
Question:IsitarequirementofASME/ANSIB16.34-1988,thatvalveswithintegralflangedends
meet the flange thickness requirementsofASME/ANSIB16.34-1988 for flangedfittings?
Reply:Yes,seepara.6.2.2.
127
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Interpretation: 2-21
Materials Subject:
Date
Issued:
February
14,
1992
File: B 16-92-003
Question:InaccordancewithASMWANSIB16.34-1988,ismaterialASTMA105suitable for a
valvebodyat a temperature of-25 "C?
Reply:Yes.
Interpretation: 2-22
Subject:
Minimum
Thickness
Wall
Date
Issued:
April
1992
2,
File: B 16-92-004
Question: In accordance with ASMWANSI B16.34-1988, what basic inside diameter should be used
when determiningminimumrequiredbodywallthicknessfor a wafer style ballvalve?
Reply: The diameter associated with the valve body inside circumference should be used. See para.
6.7(c) andFig.16.
Interpretation: 2-23
Flanged-End
Subject:
Dimensions
Date
Issued:
May
12,
1992
File: B 16-92-004
Question: Under ASME B16.34-1988, what dimensions apply for flanges or flanged-end valves that
are of a smaller size than those listed in the reference ASMEB16.5?
Reply: Valves having end flanges smaller than those listed in ASME B165 are notcoveredbythe
SCOF Of ASMEB16.34-1988.
Subject:Paragraph5.1;BoltingMaterial
Question: For valve bolts, does ASMUANSI B16.34-1988 have requirements for bolt head configu-
ration?
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128
Interpretation: 2-24
Subject:
Paragraph
2.1.5;
Valves
Fabricated
Welding
by
Date
Issued:
May 12, 1992
File: 16-92-009 B
Question (1): Under ASMWANSI B16.34-1988, is there a valve size above which both flanged end
valves and Standard Class welding end valves that are fabricated by welding are required to meet the
nondestructiveexaminationrequirementsofASMEBoilerandPressureVesselCode, Section VIII,
Division 1, for welding?
Reply (1): Yes, see para. 2.1.5(~)(1).
Interpretation: 2-25
Subject:
Paragraph
2.1.5;
Valves
Fabricated
Welding
by
Date
Issued:
May
12,
1992
10
16-92-0B File:
Interpretation: 2-26
Subject:
Paragraph
5.1.2;
Investment Castings
Date
Issued:
August 19, 1992
2-013 File:
Question (1): Does ASMWANSI B16.34-1988 place limits on the size or pressure class for investment
cast bodies, bonnets or cover plates?
Reply (1): No.
129
Interpretation: 2-27
Subject:
Paragraph 7.1; Shell
Testing
Date
Issued:
August 25,1992
File: B16-92-017
Question (1): Under ASWANSI B16.34-1988,when a flanged end valve body that had been shell
testedhastheendflangedgasketseatingsurfaceremachined to provide a differentsurfacefinish, is
it requiredthatthevalvebodyagain be shelltested?
Reply (1): Shell testing requirements apply to assembled valves. There are no provisions for separate
pressure testing of valvecomponentpartssuchasvalvebodies.
Question (2): Under ASWANSI B16.34-1988,when a flanged end valve that has been shell tested
has thebody end flangegasketseatingsurfaceremachined to provide a different surface finish, is it
requiredthatthevalveagain be shell tested?
Reply (2): No. However, it should be notedthatASMWANSI B16.34-1988 applies to newvalve
construction,para. 1.1. Therefore, the valvewouldnotrequireretestif the remachiningwasdone
either by or under the aegis of the valve manufacturer.
Interpretation: 2-28
Subject:
Valves
Welding
End
Date
Issued:
August 19,1992
File: B 16-92-0
18
Interpretation: 2-29
Subject: scope
Date
Issued: January 6,1993
File: B 16-92-029
Question (1):Does the scopeof ASMWANSIB16.34-1988include coveragefor valve end configurations
other than those related to flanged, butt welding,socketwelding or threaded?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): Are valves with end configurations other than those within the scope of B16.34-1988
permitted underASMEpressurevesselandpipingCodes?
Reply (2): Since Coderequirements may vary regardingconformancestipulations it is necessary
that the applicable code be consulted.
130
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Interpretation: 2-30
Subject:
Paragraph
6.4.2;
Body
Joints
Date
Issued: October 19,
1993
File: B 16-93-007
Question(1):Withreference to ASWANSI B16.34-1988,para.6.4.2, may a valvemanufacturer
useone of theboltingmaterialsfromTable 1 thathas an allowable stress in excess of 20,000psi
for a valvebody joint?
Reply(1):Yes.
Question (2): When a valve manufacturer selects a bolting material from ASME B16.34-1988, Table
1, for a valvebody joint and thatmaterialhasanallowable stress greaterthan20,000psi,is it
permissibletousethathigherallowable stress whencalculatingthebolting area requirementin
accordancewithClause6.4.2(a)?
Reply(2):No.
Interpretation: 2-31
Subject: SpecialValves
Class
Date
Issued:
August
11, 1993
3-013 File:
Question:Does ASMUANSI B16.34-1988includerequirementsfor Special Class Valveshaving
other than threaded or welding ends?
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Reply: No.
131
Interpretation: 2-32
Subject:
Paragraph
4.1.3;
Rating,
Identification
Plate
Date
Issued:
November 8, 1993
B16-93-014 File:
Interpretation: 2-33
Subject: Table 1
Date Issued October 4, 1993
B16-93-015 File:
Question:MayvalvesbemarkedasbeingincompliancewithASMWANSI B 16.34-1988when
constructed of materials specified in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Cases but which are not
included in Table I?
132
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Interpretation:
2-34
Subject:
Paragraph
8.3.1.1 ; Radiographic
Examination
Date
Issued:
October 4, 1993
-019 File:
Question: If a valve casting is subject to radiography in accordance with ASME B16.34-1988, para.
8.3.1.1, and found to have indications in excess of the Annex B2 acceptance criteria, may that casting
be repaired by welding in accordance with para. 8.4 and again be radiographed to determine acceptability?
Reply:Yes.
Interpretation:
2-35
Subject:
Table 1, Body-Bonnet
and
Cover
Bolting
Date
Issued:
February 1, 1994
-024 File:
Interpretation:
2-36
Subject: Paragraph
7.1; Shell Test
Date
Issued: April 5 , 1994
4-001 File:
133
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Interpretation: 2-37
Subject:
Paragraph
8.3. l. 1; Radiographic
Examination
Date
Issued:
June
21,
1994
File: B 16-94-004
Interpretation: 2-38
Subject: Standard Class Valve
Date Issued August 2, 1994
16-94-005 B File:
134
Interpretation: 2-39
Subject:
Paragraph
Thickness
F1.3;
Wall
Date
Issued:
September
14,
1994
94-007 B File:
Question (3): Under ASMWANSI B16.34-1988, is valve design the responsibility of the manufacturer
so long as theminimumwallthicknessrequirementismet?
Reply (3): No, the manufacturer is responsible for meetingallthe applicable requirementsof the
Standard.
135
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Interpretation:
2-40
Subject:
Inservice
Material
Deterioration
Date
Issued:
January
16,
1995
File: B 16-94-0 1O
Interpretation:
2-41
Subject:
On-Line
Modifications
Valve
Date
Issued:
January
16,
1995
File: B 16-94-009
Question: Are on-line valve modifications, for example drilling and tapping into a packing chamber
to add an auxiliaryfitting,covered byASMEB16.34-1988?
Reply: No. See para.1.1wherethescope is definedasapplyingonly to new valveconstruction.
Interpretation: 2-42
Subject:
Paragraph
6.7;
Wafer or Flangeless
Valves
Date
Issued:
August
11,
1995
File: B 16-95-003
Question (1): In B16.34-1988, are the requirements of para. 6.7 applicable to all valves whose body
category is wafer or flangeless?
Reply (1): Yes.
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g correctly shown in the drawing?
Reply (2): No. There is a printingerror.Thedimension g shouldhavebeenshownasanouter
ligamentdimension as described by thetext.
Question (4): In B16.34-1988, may para. 6.7be used to determine minimum wall thickness requirements
for a multipiece valve body having blind holes parallel to the central body run (e.g., holes in a wafer
type center piece) for assemblybolting?
Reply (4): Yes.
136
Interpretation: 2-43
Separation
Requirements
Subject:
Date Issued August
11,
1995
File: B 16-95-004
Question: In B16.34-988,paras. C2.l(a), C2.2(a), and D2.2(a), does the separation requirement for
linearindicationsapplyonly to linearlyalignedindications?
Reply: No. The separationrequirementappliesequally to all alignments.
Interpretation: 2-44
Subject:
Paragraph
6.1.2;
Inside
Diameter
Date
Issued:
December
13,
1995
File: B 16-95-08
Question: For socket-welding-end valves, does ASME B16.34-1988, by reference to ASME B16.11
inpara.6.2.3requirethattheinsidediameter, d, definedinpara.6.1.2, be theborediameter of
fitting as in ASME B16.1 l ?
Reply: No.
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137