Back in 2012, I wrote an article about ASME’s “Lethal Service” definition in the hopes of providing some direction in how we could establish which of our HHC/EHSs may rise to the level of “lethal service” as it applies to the design of our pressure vessels. The article stirred much debate among the SAFTENG die-hards, but it also led to more questions. The most asked question was… “what about the piping connected to a lethal service pressure vessel, what guidance do we have for the piping?” Well, we have an answer… ASME B31.3-2014, Process Piping. Much like ASME Section VIII has for pressure vessels, ASME B31.3-2014, Process Piping has a special class of piping for those hazardous materials that are extremely hazardous (my words not ASME’s). ASME defines their Category M Fluid Service in the following manner:
Is your HHC/EHS a “Category M Fluid” (ASME B31.3)?
