- Technical reference
Piping codes and standards we work to.
Every piping stress analysis, failure assessment, and support design Softstra delivers is built against a defined set of piping codes and standards. A reference for project engineers, reviewers, and procurement teams verifying our code coverage during tender or quality audits.
- Code index
- ASME B31.3
- ASME B31.1
- Section VIII Div 1 App 2
- ASME PCC-1
- API 610 / 617
- Dynamic analysis
- Seismic codes
- Project-specific
- Code citation
- Primary
ASME B31.3 — Process Piping
ASME B31.3 is the governing code for process piping in refineries, petrochemical, chemical, and pharmaceutical plants. It defines the allowable stress limits, material requirements, and load case combinations used in the majority of Softstra engagements.
Where we apply it
- All refinery critical-line stress analysis in CAESAR II
- Petrochemical plant piping analysis
- Process plant failure and integrity assessment
- Overstress identification on operating piping systems
- Non-critical line manual calculation
CAESAR II Analysis →
F&I Assessment →
Thermal Expansion →
- Primary
ASME B31.1 — Power Piping
ASME B31.1 governs power piping systems — steam, boiler external piping, Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG), and Waste Heat Recovery Units (WHRU). It carries stricter allowable stress and fatigue requirements than B31.3.
Where we apply it
- Power plant main steam and reheat lines
- HRSG interconnecting piping
- Waste Heat Recovery Unit (WHRU) tube-to-header piping
- Boiler external piping within code jurisdiction
Stress Analysis →
Dynamic & Seismic →
Power & WHRU →
- Flange
ASME PCC-1 — Bolted Flange Joint Assembly
ASME PCC-1 provides guidelines for the assembly of pressure-boundary bolted flange joints — bolt torque, gasket seating, assembly sequence, and joint integrity.
Where we apply it
- Critical flange joint evaluation during Failure & Integrity Assessment
- Flange leakage investigation on operating plants
- Pre-startup flange joint assembly review
- Rotating equipment
API 610 and API 617 — Rotating Equipment
API 610 (centrifugal pumps) and API 617 (axial and centrifugal compressors) define the nozzle load envelope rotating equipment can tolerate without risking misalignment or damage.
- Pump nozzle load verification — every critical line connecting to pumps
- Compressor nozzle load verification — every critical line connecting to compressors
- Nozzle load evaluation as a stand-alone failure-investigation scope
- Dynamic
Dynamic analysis codes
API 618 — Reciprocating compressors, pulsation and vibration
Applied to reciprocating compressor discharge piping for pulsation and vibration-induced fatigue, together with Energy Institute guidance.
API RP 520 — Relief device sizing and reaction force
Applied to relief valve inlet piping for transient reaction force calculation.
Energy Institute Guidelines
Guidelines for the Avoidance of Vibration Induced Fatigue Failure in Process Pipework — applied to vibration risk screening and fatigue assessment.
NEMA SM-23 — Steam turbine nozzle loads
Applied to steam turbine interconnecting piping where vendor allowables are not supplied.
- Seismic
Local seismic codes for Southeast Asia
Several jurisdictions in the region require piping systems to be evaluated against local or adopted seismic codes. We build seismic load cases inside the CAESAR II model using the applicable code basis for the project site.
- Malaysia — MS 1553, MS EN 1998 (Eurocode 8) where adopted
- Indonesia — SNI 1726 (seismic design for buildings and non-building structures)
- Philippines — NSCP seismic provisions
- Thailand — DPT seismic design standard where applicable
- Brunei / Vietnam — project specification or reference code
- ASCE 7 — reference basis where a local code is not prescribed
- Other
Project-specific codes and client requirements
Beyond the codes above, Softstra works to any project-specific code supplement, client engineering specification, or EPC contractor standard provided at kick-off.
- Owner-operator piping specifications (Shell DEP, ExxonMobil GP, Petronas PTS, Chevron ETC)
- EPC contractor technical specifications
- NORSOK standards for North Sea-linked projects executed in SEA
- MSS-SP-58 and MSS-SP-69 for pipe support specification
- ASME B16.5 and B16.20 for flange and gasket dimensional standards
- NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 for sour-service material requirements
- Other
How codes are cited in our reports
Every stress report Softstra issues cites the specific code, edition, and clause used for each compliance check — not just the code name. Reviewers can trace every allowable stress, load case combination, and support capacity back to its governing clause without guesswork.
- Code edition and year stated in the report cover sheet
- Clause number cited alongside every allowable stress value
- Load case combinations cross-referenced to the code chapter
- Any deviation from default code assumptions documented and justified in the report