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ASME B31.1/B31.3 PWHT Exemption Guide

This technical bulletin discusses post weld heat treatment (PWHT) requirements for piping systems constructed according to ASME B31.1 and B31.3. It notes that while the codes provide PWHT exemptions for some materials and conditions, owners are responsible for determining if PWHT is actually required based on design conditions, industry experience with similar systems, and reliability considerations. All newly fabricated and in-service piping systems must have their PWHT requirements reviewed on a case-by-case basis rather than assuming code exemptions apply. Actions are identified for owners to update PWHT specifications and welding procedures as needed.

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Muhammad Ghufran Khan
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121 views1 page

ASME B31.1/B31.3 PWHT Exemption Guide

This technical bulletin discusses post weld heat treatment (PWHT) requirements for piping systems constructed according to ASME B31.1 and B31.3. It notes that while the codes provide PWHT exemptions for some materials and conditions, owners are responsible for determining if PWHT is actually required based on design conditions, industry experience with similar systems, and reliability considerations. All newly fabricated and in-service piping systems must have their PWHT requirements reviewed on a case-by-case basis rather than assuming code exemptions apply. Actions are identified for owners to update PWHT specifications and welding procedures as needed.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Ghufran Khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Iss ue: TB-2 0 2 2 -0 1

Post ed: 04 -Ma r-2 0 2 2 N&P ETC


Posted By: Me c h an i ca l I nt e g r it y –
St at io n ary Eq u ip me n t

A u t h o r e d B y : Sam Okulaja
Technical Bulletin

TOPIC:
Caution on Applying
Summary ASME B31.1 / B31.3
Crack on Trinidad’s D708 Converter
PWHT Exemption
The application of ASME

B31.1 / B31.3 exemption table


outlet. Piping was not post weld heat Table
treated.
requires owner and industry

experience to determine

PWHT requirements for Post Weld Heat Treat (PWHT), is my piping exempt?
piping.
PWHT relieves stress in the material. Stress is a function Most site pipe specifications that require PWHT, even if the

Actions Required: welding, geometry, the service fluid, service conditions, code doesn’t require it, are due to industry process safety

material thickness, and type of material. If the stress is too and reliability incidents.
Applies To: All newly
high, either initially or as the pipe ages and loses ductility, it
fabricated and in-service For example, the code provides a PWHT exemption for P1
can lead to cracking and loss of primary containment.
piping systems constructed materials (carbon steel). The concerns about this

to ASME B31.1 or B31.3. ASME B31.1 Power Piping and B31.3 Process Piping codes exemption include the following:

have a post weld heat treat (PWHT) exemption table. The


• Pressure piping systems constructed of P1 material
1. Ensure that a process is in
table exempts some piping materials from PWHT
without PWHT may develop cracks, particularly when
place to review PWHT
requirements.
exposed to certain process fluids.
requirements for new
The code ‘exemption’ however, is not a blanket exemption. • Without PWHT, stricter welding controls for preheat
fabrication and in-service
What the codes have done is provide a possibility of an and multi-layer welding techniques are required.
repairs instead of
exemption and transferred the responsibility on PWHT During construction these stricter requirements may
specifying “as per code”.
requirements to the designer and owner. Note 4 in Table not always be adequate or achievable. The result is
This process must include
132.2 of ASME B31.1 and note 4 in Table 331.1.3 of ASME piping systems that are more prone to service induced
specifying PWHT as per
B31.3. state that “No exemptions are permitted for PWHTs failure.
the site pipe specifications
required by the designer or the [weld procedure
and the specific WPS. Lastly, by code, repairs and alterations on existing systems
specification]”. In other words, as the owner, we need to
must always be in accordance with the original design
review our piping specifications and design conditions to
specification and the original version of the code of
ensure PWHT is performed when required. As the owner
construction. If PWHT was specified in the original design,
we are held accountable for the consequence of any pipe
it must be applied to any repair or alteration.
failure and we are not protected by the code (or exemption).
For more information on PWHT see the presentation on

“Importance of Post Weld Heat Treatment”

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