D. Bruce Hebb, P.Eng. is the V.P. Engineering at RPS Composites, and is a member of the Committee responsible for NM.2. We asked him to answer a few questions about this new standard.
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NM.2 Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting-Resin Piping Systems is one of three Standards for Nonmetallic Pressure Piping Systems (NPPS) published by ASME, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The Standard was created by an ASME Committee of end users, manufacturers, and other subject matter experts to specify construction requirements for nonmetallic pressure piping and components. Up until now there had been no single definitive source and there was a need for a more clearly understood, uniform, and complete set of rules specifically applicable to FRP piping systems.
This new standard should give owners a greater sense of ease when theyre ready to source their FRP piping systems, especially systems with higher levels of complexity and criticality. Compliance with NM.2 will differentiate not only manufacturers from each other, but probably even brands within the same company.
This Standard provides requirements for the design, materials, manufacture, fabrication, installation, examination, and testing of glass-fiber-reinforced thermosetting-resin (FRP) piping systems.
Its the owners responsibility to select the piping standard that best applies to the proposed piping installation, but as NM.2 becomes the gold standard, the bar will be raised and I expect some manufacturers will have difficulty complying with many of the rigorous requirements. Owners may well start to see claims of NM.2 compliance but with exceptions, which really isnt compliance.
The ASME NPPS Standards specify engineering requirements deemed necessary for safe design and construction of nonmetallic pressure piping. These Standards contain mandatory requirements, specific prohibitions, and nonmandatory guidance for construction activities.
Ultimately, the Committee was concerned about the safe and reliable operation of FRP piping systems, and to that end, yes, we looked beyond the pipe itself. For example, there is a section on Piping Support. Next to installation errors, improper piping support is one of the most common reasons that FRP piping does not perform as it should.
No, not yet, but the intention is to include this some time in the near future. Nor does it include mortar piping, products with fibers other than glass, thermoset resins other than PE, VE and epoxy, high pressure pipe, ducting, and a few other exclusions.
No, NM.2 does not address operation or maintenance.
Like the B31 piping codes, manufacturers do not have to be certified by ASME to produce piping in compliance with the standard, so piping will not bear an ASME stamp.
Yes, we have several piping systems that are NM.2 compliant including our HPPE P-150 corrosion resistant FRP piping, our HPPE A-150 corrosion/abrasion resistant FRP piping, and our HPPE H-150 and HPPE H-150-200 high temperature corrosion resistant FRP piping.
NM.2 is now available in print from ASME. Readers can also receive advice from their NM.2 compliant manufacturer.
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These Standards prohibit designs and practices known to be unsafe and contain warnings where caution, but not prohibition, is warranted.
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FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) pipe, as with other materials, is required to comply with the ASME B31.3 Pressure Process Piping Code 1. There are deficiencies in the Code relative to FRP. FRP is a unique material in that there are no established pressure-temperature ratings as there are for other materials, e.g. steel, PVC. The Code does provide rules for pressure design of components with no established ratings. However, the rules for FRP can be very confusing and ambiguous. The code provides rules for stress analysis of pipe systems but does not adequately address the unique properties of FRP. The installation and testing requirements for FRP also need to be updated. This paper will summarize the ASME Pressure Piping Code current requirements for the pressure design, stress analysis, and installation of FRP pipe in process applications (excluding gas pressure pipe and non-pressure applications). A Pipe Project Team is currently working under Task Group F of ASME B31.3 to review and revise the Code as it deals with FRP and the paper will also provide an update on the status of that review and recommended changes. Keywords: Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Pipe (FRP Pipe), ASME B31.3 Pipe Code, FRP Pipe Stress Analysis, FRP Filament Wound Pipe Design Basis, Custom FRP Pipe, FRP Pipe Installation and Testing INTRODUCTION ASME B31.3, Process Piping, contains mandatory rules for non metallic piping in Chapter VII (ASME B31.1, Power Piping, contains non-mandatory rules in Appendix III and is virtually identical to B31.3 in dealing with FRP pipe. The Code does not properly address allowable stresses for loads other than pressure. Safe and accurate design and analysis of FRP pipe systems requires a more rigorous approach than currently out lined in the code. This paper will clarify the current code requirements, identify potential deficiencies, and provide current recommendations for upgrading the B31.3 based on the work of the ASME project Team.
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