A500 vs. A106 seamless pipe for fuel oil according to B31.1

[USAeng]

One is for structural stuff... the other is for high temp service... our application is for fuel oil piping in a boiler... but not high temp...

Our shop standard is NFPA 85 which calls out B31.1 as the spec to follow for this piping... I cant find anywhere in B31.1 that says I could not use A500 pipe... there is a material listing with different materials in table 126.1 but I cant see that the table is saying those are the only materials you are allowed to use for piping in this specification... for combustable liquides in section 122.7.2 it only says to use steel alloy seamless pipe... can anyone give me a nudge in right direction or confirm my beliefs that we can use the A500 as a substitute? Thank you.

 

[USAeng]

I was just informed that this is actually for natural gas... not fuel oil... but my question still applies I guess.

 

[tr1ntx]

A513 is ERW carbon and alloy steel mechanical tubing.
A519 is Seamless carbon and alloy steel mechanical tubing.
These can be used for fluid lines.

I'm not sure if A500 "structural tubing" is intended for internal pressure such as piping applications. If it has such a limitation it is probably because of the weld process and HAZ metallurgy. (fuzzy memory)

You are aware that "tubing" and "pipe" are made to different sizing schemes, right?

 

[tr1ntx]

A500:
"This specification covers cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel round, square, rectangular, or special shape structural tubing for welded, riveted, or bolted construction of bridges and buildings, and for general structural purposes."

Strictly speaking, I guess A500 rules itself out.

 

[ATsampalas]

Hello USAeng,
Before starting to find a solution :
1) You should use the right Edition of ASME B31.1 applicable ;
2) Then select a base metal from the applicable Table (A-1, A-2, A-3, ...)
3) Next check your base metal choice to see if no NOTES in the different tables of ASME B31.1 restrict their use...
4) If you want to use Base Metals outside ASME B31.1, do not forget to follow the requirements of Chapter III Materials...
Sincerely, A_Tsampalas

 

[stanweld]

B31.1 does not permit A-500 pipe, which is not listed in the Tables that provide the design allowable stresses.

 

[Duwe6]

To simplify ATsamplas info:
A500 is mechanical tubing and will probably leak.
SA106 or SA-53 are pressure pipe. The *S* in the spec
# denotes acceptance by ASME. Never buy *S* material, always buy *SA* material for any pressure system like B31.3 piping.