What is ASME B31.4?
ASME B31.4 is a sub-section of ASME B31 Process piping. ASME B31.4 code specialized in piping transporting hazardous products that are predominately liquid between facilities, production, and storage fields, plants, and terminals, and within terminals and pumping, regulating, and metering stations associated with liquid pipeline systems
Section B31.4 of the ASME Pressure Piping Code prescribes requirements for the design, materials, construction, assembly, inspection, and testing of piping transporting liquids such as crude oil, condensate, natural gasoline, natural gas liquids, liquefied petroleum gas, liquid alcohol, liquid anhydrous ammonia, and liquid petroleum products between producers’ lease facilities, tank farms, natural-gas processing plants, refineries, stations, ammonia plants, terminals, and other delivery and receiving points.
Followings are also included in scope of ASME B31.4:
- primary and associated auxiliary liquid petroleum and liquid anhydrous ammonia piping at pipeline terminals (marine, rail, and truck), tank farms, pump stations, pressure-reducing stations, and metering stations, including scraper traps, strainers, and prover loops
- storage and working tanks, including pipe-type storage fabricated from pipe and fittings, and piping interconnecting these facilities
- liquid petroleum and liquid anhydrous ammonia piping located on property that has been set aside for such piping within petroleum refinery, natural gasoline, gas processing, ammonia, and bulk plants
- those aspects of operation and maintenance of liquid pipeline systems relating to the safety and protection of the general public, operating company personnel, environment, property, and the piping systems
Key Differences Between ASME B31.4 Vs B31.3
Both codes provide guidelines for designers, fabricators, and operators, But the application of a particular code relies on the type of pressure container, scope of work, medium of fluid, working pressure, and geographical location.
As an example, The ASME B31.4 code applies to Pipeline (and piping) facilities, but it may not includes all equipment in terminal facilities. For pressure vessels, pumps and meters we need to refer to ASME B31.3 or other codes of the B31 series. Sometime Designers and Engineers may need to combine multiple code.
