×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

(OP)
Bids of standard air compressor models received from reputable manufacturers take exception to a purchase specification requirement that interconnecting piping / tubing be in accordance with ASME B31.3. What are others thoughts / experiences concerning the issue of code compliance versus manufacturer standard? Paragraph 300.1.2 appears to indicate that B31.3 would apply to these packaged units. Is there a section that would exclude these units from B31.3?

RE: Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

Doubt I really understand your question but...

why would the same document contradict itself?

Offshore Mechanical Shift Engineer (Trainee)
Oil, Gas & Power

RE: Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

Yes, look up fluid catagory.

RE: Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

We specify design and fabrication per B31.3 for our air compressors and have not had any issues.  Our compressors are 350 to 500 psi units though.

Where is the exclusion?  I can see if the gage pressure is <150 psi it can be Category D service, but there are still requirements for this service.  

RE: Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

The second part of my above response was directed at dcasto.

RE: Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

But, as owner operator, it's your choice still according to flow chart M300.  You can hit the box in the lower right hand side and it states that B31.3 "MAY BE USED".

RE: Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

I don't see any exception to air compressor piping, which is what I understood the OP was asking.  Even if you work your way down M300 and specify Cat D service there are requirements in the code for this service.  Of course you can specify it as normal service if you want.

A lot of air compressors are used in the construction industry or general industrial applications where B31.3 is not prevalent - that's probably why the mfrs the OP is dealing with are taking exception to B31.3 - it's not their standard.  The mfrs we deal with will meet B31.3 on request for the models we purchase.

RE: Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

The question comes down to are you willing to pay for compliance to a specification.  Many people want compliance to ANSI/ASME, ISO or API but want standard pricing of an industrial machine.  Manufacturers will comply with government body regulations or insurance regulations in the markets they have selected to participate in.  Everything else is a price adder or an exception.

RE: Code Compliance in Packaged Air Compressors

True crjones.  Our suppliers' main industries are construction and general industry, where they don't need to meet B31.3.  They design to it, they just don't do the level of testing/ inspection required, so we pay extra for full compliance.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources