Is there an AWWA Code that is "equivalent" to B31.3? 3

[KernOily]

OK here's a dumb question for y'all and I freely admit that up front. Would one of you guys help this process plant ME with a Code question?

Is there an AWWA design code for the design of water distribution systems that does the same job as, say, ASME B31.3 does for refinery process piping? In other words, is there an AWWA code that specifies such things as allowable stresses, joint requirements, inspection, testing, supports, flexibility, etc.?

I have seen M11 but that does not qualify as a code. Usually, a Code is "statutized" in one's state laws as being a requirement for design. For example, in California, B31.3 is written into the statutes as a requirement that owners of piping systems must follow B31.3.

Thanks guys!

Thanks!
Pete

 

[RWF7437]

I can only speak for Oregon but here public water systems are regulated by the State Health Division under "Administrative Rules" which are "laws" in their effect. Private systems over a certain size, i.e number of connections, are similarly regulated. The State's OARS make frequent reference to AWWA standards making them also mandatory on those who design water systems and operate them. The State also relies heavily on the EPA under the "Clean Water Act". Originally adopted in 1976, I believe, and ammended several times since.

Other States probably have similar laws or rules, I believe.

good luck

 

[bimr]

You are playing with words.

The ASME Boiler Code written by the ASME is not a legal document. The ASME Boiler Code is a collection of standards and specifications put together by the ASME. ASME could have called it the ASME Boiler Standard instead of Code.

In the same manner, the computer code and genetic codes are also not legal documents.

A Code is a systematically arranged and comprehensive collection of laws.

The AWWA standards and specifications are probably the same type of a "code" as the ASME Code. They were just made by different people and organized in a different manner.

 

[KernOily]

bimr - In point of fact I am not playing with words. As an example, read the introduction to the API documents. Another good place to look is in the statutes of your state that are related to safety, industrial hygeine, industrial operating orders, etc. Words have specific meaning.

The ASME B&PV Code, as well as the ASME pressure piping codes, is in fact a legal document IF it has been adopted as such by the authority having jurisdiction. I can quote you book, chapter and verse if you want it.

You did not answer my question. What AWWA "document" governs the DESIGN and installation of water pipelines? Where do I find an allowable stress? What joint types are permitted? How do I calculate a hydrotest pressure? Stuff like that.

Thanks!
Pete

 

[RWF7437]

"You did not answer my question. What AWWA "document" governs the DESIGN and installation of water pipelines? Where do I find an allowable stress? What joint types are permitted? How do I calculate a hydrotest pressure? Stuff like that."

There is no single AWWA document that will answer all your questions. But there are many AWWA standards and guides to answer them. I'd suggest you visit their website and see a list of publications. Then, find someone in your area who is an AWWA member who would be willing to loan you his/her copies of the standards that interest you. Or join AWWA if you will be doing a lot of water system work. The membership will save you money on the long run. You local water supplier, City, Water District, or private water company will be an excellent source of information. I have been in the water business for 46 years but couldn't hope to tell you all you might need to know on this forum.

Good luck

 

[KernOily]

RWF - thanks. And thanks for your earlier reply - I apologize for not acknowledging. I did look on the AWWA site as you recommended, and what I found verfied what you said, as well as what I thought: there is no code.

Maybe I missed something, but I find it surprising that there is no overall governing document in regard to the design of a water system. Without a code, who decides, for example, what the allowable stress is in a line? Who decides in what manner to combine the loads that a pipeline sees (thermal, seismic, dead, etc.)? Is it left entirely to the engineer's judgment?

As you suggested I will look in my state dept of health documents and see what there is. As I referred to earlier, though, for chemical plant/refinery/fuel terminal/hydrocarbon pipeline/etc. there are overall ANSI/ASME design codes that are adopted and statutized by most states. It just surprises me that no similar document exists for water systems. I guess there hasn't been a big enough accident yet...

Thanks for the help!

Thanks!
Pete

 

[RWF7437]

You're welcome.

There is no single document but, most, if not all, AWWA standards are adopted by law, or administrative rule, by the agency responsible for regulating water systems. Thus, they have the force of law and can be enforced if violated. Enforcement can be by fines or even jail sentences for violations that endanger the public health or safety. This includes violations of strictly health standards such as chemical composition or bacteriological contamination.

As for accidents; in the US the water business is much older than the petroleum business so there have been many accidents. I'm not sure how big an accident has to be but.....

Design guidance and standards also exist in the AWWA, and other, standards. The designer has much discretion but is not free to do anything he wishes since his/her design is always subject to review by some, and sometimes several regulatory agencies including public health engineers, fire marshalls, environmental agencies; local, State and Federal. Thus, the judgements of more than a single engineer will come in to play.

Good luck on your journey into the wonderful world of water.

 

[bimr]

Standards, specifications, and so on published by the following, when referenced in the governing code for design and construction of water systems piping, shall apply:

AWS
API
AWWA
Pipe Fabrication Institute
NFPA

So if you want to be abolutely sure which one applies, contact your local authorities. That would be the State EPA that will approve the project. For example, IL EPA specifies AWWA:

http://www.ipcb.state.il.us/SLR/IPCBandIEPAEnvironmentalRegulations-Title35.asp

(a) All water main construction shall be performed in accordance with the "Standard Specifications for Water and Sewer Main Construction in Illinois," ...

http://www.ilspe.com/StandardSpecificationsForWaterSewer.asp

Since you are working with steel piping systems, here are some AWWA "Codes" to get you started:

AWWA C-200 AWWA Standard for steel pipe.
AWWA C-206-83 AWWA Standard for field welding of steel water pipe.
AWWA C-207-86 AWWA Standard for steel pipe flanges for waterworks
AWWA C-208-83 AWWA Standard for dimensions for fabricated steel water pipe fittings.

 

[JStephen]

74Elsinore, there isn't any specific "code" like what you have in mind.

For example, if you are installing a ductile iron water line, you'd select materials appropriate for the pressure. You'd check that pipe thickness was adequate to support earth loads. But you don't expect to see the calculation of internal moments due to restraint or temperature differences. You wouldn't use one of the finite-element type pipe-design programs. It's just a simpler world in the water-works industry.

There are several differences. Much of the pipe used is rubber-jointed, so deflections are easily accommodated. Leaks are a fairly minor issue without the environmental concerns of a petroleum pipeline. Major blowouts can still do some damage, but it is nothing compared to the potential of a gas or high-pressure steam line. Most water lines are intended for ambient temperatures, which vastly simplifies the design.

In terms of actual design, the standard for a particular item will specify material strength and thickness for a given pressure range (and the range of pressures is fairly limited, as they just correspond to typical waterworks applications.) The pipe standards include design methods for thickness to withstand external loads (ie, buried pipe with traffic loads). I think more analysis is spent on analyzing systems and sizing water lines than in actual design of the lines.