Pipe Fitting Standards

With the rapid expansion in the global trade, standardization of various products has become an essential requirement. The standards given to various products significantly contributes towards increasing international trade which in turn bridges the quality gap between the manufacturers, producers and buyers of different nations. In pipe fittings as well, standards play a vital role. The manufacture and installation ofpipe fittings is tightly regulated by various standards and codes. The integrity of pipe fittings and flanges in the piping system depends on various principles used in design, construction and maintenance of the entire system. The components of pipe fittings are made in different materials, in a variety of types and sizes and hence should be manufactured according to common national standards or according to manufacturers’ proprietary item. Some manufacturers also use their own internal piping standards based upon national and industry sector standards.

• Difference between “Standard” and “Codes” Piping codes imply the requirements of design, fabrication, use of materials, tests and inspection of various pipe and piping system. It has a limited jurisdiction defined by the code. On the other hand, piping standards imply application design and construction rules and requirements for  pipe fittings like couplings,elbows, tees, flanges, reducers, unions, plugs, pipe caps, nipples etc. Like a code, it also has a limited scope defined by the standard. Factors affecting standards: “Standards” on pipe fittings are based on certain factors like as follows:

1. Pressure-temperature ratings

2. Size

3. Design

4. Coatings

5. Materials

6. Marking

7. End connections

8. Dimensions and tolerances

9. Threading

10. Pattern taper etc.

• Types of pipe fitting standards Some widely used pipe fitting standards are as follows:

1. ANSI: The American National Standards Institute ANSI is a private, non-profit organization. Its main function is to administer and coordinate the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. It provides a forum for development of American national standards. ANSI assigns “schedule numbers”. These numbers classify wall thicknesses for different pressure uses.

2. ASME: American Society for Mechanical Engineers This is one of the reputed organizations in the world developing codes and standards. The schedule number for pipe fitting starts from ASME/ANSI B16. The various classifications of ASME/ANSI B16 standards for different pipe fittings are as follows: 

1. ASME/ANSI B16.1 – 1998 – Cast Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings

2. ASME/ANSI B16.3 – 1998 – Malleable Iron Threaded Fittings

3. ASME/ANSI B16.4 – 1998 – Cast Iron Threaded Fittings

4. ASME/ANSI B16.5 – 1996 – Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings

5. ASME/ANSI B16.11 – 2001 – Forged Steel Fittings, Socket-Welding and Threaded

6. ASME/ANSI B16.14 – 1991 – Ferrous Pipe Plugs, Bushings and Locknuts with Pipe Threads

7. ASME/ANSI B16.15 – 1985 (R1994) – Cast Bronze Threaded Fittings

8. ASME/ANSI B16.25 – 1997 – Buttwelding Ends

9. ASME/ANSI B16.36 – 1996 – Orifice Flanges etc.

3. ASTM International: American Society for Testing and Materials This is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. It was originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). This is a reputed scientific and technical organization that develops and publishes voluntary standards on the basis of materials, products, systems and services. This is a trusted name for standards. The standards covered by this organization covers various types of pipes, tubes and fittings, especially made of metal, for high-temperature service, ordinary use and special applications like fire protection. The ASTM standards are published in 16 sections consisting of 67 volumes.

4. AN: Here, “A” stands for Army and “N” stands for Navy The AN standard was originally designed for the U.S. Military. Whenever, a pipe fitting is AN fittings, it means that the fittings are measured on the outside diameter of the fittings, that is, in 1/16 inch increments. For example, an AN 4 fitting means a fitting with an external diameter of approximately 4/16″ or ¼”. It is to be noted that approximation is important because AN external diameter is not a direct fit with an equivalent NPT thread.

5. BSP: British Standard Pipe BSP is the U.K. standard for pipe fittings. This refers to a family of standard screw thread types for interconnecting and sealing pipe ends by mating an external (male) with an internal (female) thread. This has been adopted internationally. It is also known as British Standard Pipe Taper threads (BSPT )or British Standard Pipe Parallel (Straight) threads (BSPP ). While the BSPT achieves pressure tight joints by the threads alone, the BSPP requires a sealing ring.

6. DIN: Deutsches Institut für Normung This refers to the industrial pipe, tube and fittings standards and specifications from the DIN, Deutsches Institut für Normung which in English means the German Institute for Standardization. DIN is the German national organization for standardization and is ISO member body for that country. DIN standard designation The designation of a DIN standard shows its origin where # symbolizes a number: 

1. DIN # : Used for German standards having mainly domestic significance or designed as the primary step toward international status.

2. DIN EN # : Used for the German edition of European standards.

3. DIN ISO # : Used for the German edition of ISO standards.

4. DIN EN ISO # : Used if the standard has also been adopted as a European standard.

7. Flanges: Ratings in Classes and Pressure Numbers (PN)

Flange Class15030060090015002500

Flange Pressure Number, PN2050100150250420

8. ISO: International Organization for Standardization ISO is the industrial pipe, tube and fittings standards and specifications from the International Organization for Standardization. ISO standards are numbered. They have format as follows: “ISO[/IEC] [IS] nnnnn[:yyyy] Title” where nnnnn: standard number yyyy: year published, and Title: describes the subject

9. JIS: Japanese Industrial Standards This is the Japanese industrial standards or the standards used for industrial activities in Japan for pipe, tube and fittings and published through Japanese Standards Associations.

10. NPT: National Pipe Thread National Pipe Thread is a U.S. standard straight (NPS) threads or for tapered (NPT) threads. This is the most popular US standard for pipe fittings. NPT fittings are based on the internal diameter (ID) of the pipe fitting.