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ASME B31.5-2022

Refrigeration Piping and Heat Transfer Components
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ASME B31.5-2022

Refrigeration Piping and Heat Transfer Components

PUBLISH DATE 2023
PAGES 106
ASME B31.5-2022

Purpose and Scope of ASME B31.5-2022

ASME B31.5, Refrigeration Piping and Heat Transfer Components, is one of the specialized sections of the ASME Code for Pressure Piping. Its main objective is to provide comprehensive, safety-focused rules for piping systems that operate at the extreme temperature ranges typical of refrigeration and climate control applications—from cryogenic lows (as low as -320°F [-196°C]) to elevated temperatures for heat rejection.

The standard ensures that piping carrying refrigerants (like ammonia, fluorocarbons, etc.) and secondary coolants (like glycol or brine) maintains mechanical integrity and prevents leakage, which can be critical for safety, environmental protection, and system efficiency. It is concerned with piping that is either erected on the premises or factory-assembled.

The scope of the standard covers:

  • Refrigerant Piping: All connecting refrigerant and secondary coolant piping, beginning at the first joint adjacent to equipment such as compressors, condensers, evaporators, and pumps.
  • Design Requirements: Criteria for material selection, including guidance on material toughness at low operating temperatures (to prevent brittle fracture), as well as stress analysis for expansion and flexibility.
  • Fabrication and Joining: Detailed requirements for welding, brazing, and soldering, which are common joining methods for the different materials (steel, copper, etc.) used in these systems.
  • Testing and Inspection: Mandatory requirements for leak and pressure testing to ensure the integrity of the completed system before it's put into service.

The standard does not generally apply to: water piping, systems designed for external or internal gage pressure not exceeding 15 psi, or self-contained or unit systems covered by a nationally recognized testing laboratory like Underwriters Laboratories (UL).


Application and Use

ASME B31.5 is the authoritative guide for professionals in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) and industrial refrigeration sectors. It is primarily used by:

  • Design Engineers: They use the code to select materials that can handle the low design metal temperatures without the need for additional costly impact testing, and to perform stress calculations specific to the system’s operating cycles.
  • Manufacturers and Fabricators: They follow the standard's detailed requirements for dimensions, tolerances, welding, and brazing procedures to build piping spools and install systems that are guaranteed to be leak-tight and robust.
  • Inspectors and Regulators: They reference B31.5 to verify that the system has been constructed and tested in compliance with safety requirements, particularly concerning pressure testing and adherence to material limits.

The code is essential in industries like food processing, cold storage, chemical manufacturing, and large-scale comfort cooling, where the safe and efficient containment of refrigerants is paramount.

SDO ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Document Number B31.5
Publication Date Jan. 21, 2023
Language en - English
Page Count 106
Revision Level
Supercedes
Committee
Publish Date Document Id Type View
Jan. 21, 2023 ASME B31.5-2022 Revision