NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
(OP)
Do the NBIC rules of Part 3 for repair apply to low pressure steam distribution piping for heating systems in commercial buildings?
Background: The building is equipped with a steam boiler rated at 150psig; the pressure is reduced and conducted into the piping system at 9psig. We are sure the building services piping was originally designed/constructed IAW ASME B31.9. Most parts of the distribution piping was originally welded and only the terminal heat exchangers and condo pumps have threaded connections so any piping repairs may necessarily incur welding (with some exceptions).
I assume that my state (NJ) has adopted the rules of the NBIC (although I have not been able to confirm this) and if so, then NBIC is tantamount to law but I am not sure if NBIC is applicable to low pressure building services steam pipe.
Thanks for reading, thanks for any advice offered.
Background: The building is equipped with a steam boiler rated at 150psig; the pressure is reduced and conducted into the piping system at 9psig. We are sure the building services piping was originally designed/constructed IAW ASME B31.9. Most parts of the distribution piping was originally welded and only the terminal heat exchangers and condo pumps have threaded connections so any piping repairs may necessarily incur welding (with some exceptions).
I assume that my state (NJ) has adopted the rules of the NBIC (although I have not been able to confirm this) and if so, then NBIC is tantamount to law but I am not sure if NBIC is applicable to low pressure building services steam pipe.
Thanks for reading, thanks for any advice offered.





RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
That being said, you should check the local regulations...as it may exempt steam piping at that low a pressure. For example the regulations in Canada exempt steam piping with a psv set at 15psi or lower.
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
Regards,
Mike
The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
http://www.nj.gov/labor/lsse/content/bbpvc.html
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
But what do you mean by "local Jurisdiction", who are they ? If the State has adopted the NBIC, is it not up to the county or city (or whoever issues permits) to apply and enforce the State's rules?
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
I doubt that the enforcement of the NBIC applies to industrial steam piping below 15 psi pressure or even higher pressure under B31.3 or non-boiler external piping under B31.1. My point was good engineering and safety practice would suggest using a contractor who has a current Certificate of Authorization issued by the National Board for weld repairs.
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
If such an exclusion existed in your areas where would it typically be found?
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
In the link I provided look for weld repairs under boiler and pressure vessel rules. The requirements I briefly reviewed were only applicable for boiler and pressure vessels, as most Jurisdictions regulate. I think this piping is exempt.
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
Since the NBIC(2007)Part 3, paragraph 1.2(a)re-invokes the original construction standard for repair & alteration of any "pressure-retaining item" and paragraph 1.2(e) specifically addresses steam piping and also re-invokes the original code of construction my opinion is that if downstream low pressure steam piping isn't specifically excluded then it must be included.
Ultimately what I am after is to force any and all welding repairs on low pressure piping to be accomplished by qualified people done iaw qualified weld procedures and tested/inspected by competent and qualified NDT professionals. This presents huge and costly organizational changes when the prevailing wisdom (or prevailing ignorance) has always been that low pressure piping repairs don't require higher levels of skill and oversight. I am waging the same battle on the structural side where, in my opinion, AWS requirements need to be adhered to.
Thank you, I very much appreciate everyone's ideas.
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
". . . there is no requirement within the NBIC for any type of piping that is non-code, in other words falling outside the boundaries of the ASME specific standards, in this case B31.9 code boundary as detailed in the standard at Figure 900.1.2. Anything outside the noted boundary would not be included in the NBIC welding requirements. "
I don't know whether his reply is a brilliant political sidestep to my question or whether he is just stating that which is blatantly obvious !! Based on this reply and with reference to Figure 900.1.2, I conclude that the steam heating distribution piping that I am concerned about is classified as "Nonboiler External Pipe (NBEP)" and does indeed fall within the Code boundary jurisdiction of ASME B31.9 by paragraph 900.1.2(a), which specifically lists, "(3) steam or other condensate". The only noted exclusion which falls outside of the B31.9 jurisdiction is the heat exchanger which is listed in paragraph 900.1.3.
Ergo, repairs to low pressure steam heating distribution piping must comply with NBIC Part 3 and performed by an R-stamp activity.
Perhaps I am I not reading Figure 900.1.2 correctly?
Comments please?
Thank you.
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
Thank you for responding. I, along with many Eng-Tip'sters, revere your vast array of knowledge and your willingness to help. But I really need you to explain, "NBEP is not within the scope of the NBIC". The issue of Jurisdiction and enforcement is exactly what I have been searching for. The State has not said it is not within jurisdiction, all they said was, " Anything outside the noted boundary would not be included in the NBIC welding requirements. "
If there is verbiage inside of NBIC Part 3 that excludes NBEP I have not been able to find it - quite to the contrary: paragraph 1.2(e) specifically addresses steam piping and also re-invokes the original code of construction.
what am I missing?
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
Thanks for the kind words. The way this works is that many Jurisdictions across the US have their own rules that specify what is enforced, and what is not enforced. For boilers and pressure vessels, it is mostly ASME Section I, and ASME Section VIII. BEP - boiler external piping is included within the scope of Section I for enforcement by Jurisdictions. This is where ASME B31.1 comes into play.
Beyond this, the Jurisdiction may have additional rules regarding other pressure retaining items. This is case by case specific.
The NBIC is an in-service, inspection, installation, repair/alteration and PRD code book. It says nothing about enforcement, it is intended to be used for repair of pressure retaining items. The Jurisdictions can adopt a Code book under law, like the NBIC, to address items under what they specifically regulate. Just because the NBIC deals with requirements for repair and alterations, it is only as good as those who enforce it.
Your Jurisdiction in question does not enforce this specific piping system, as they do for boilers and pressure vessels. With that said, the NBIC can't invoke it's own use in a Jurisdiction. What can be done, as you the owner, is to require the NBIC as part of your own internal specification or contract requirement for a repair organization.
RE: NBIC Applicable to Building Services Steam Piping ?
In the future if you have any repairs to make (or question) PLEASE go to your insurance inspector or their HO for help and clarification.