[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR56.15-1]

[Page 180-181]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 56_PIPING SYSTEMS AND APPURTENANCES--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart 56.15_Fittings
 
Sec. 56.15-1  Pipe joining fittings.

    Source: CGD 77-140, 54 FR 40602, Oct. 2, 1989, unless otherwise 
noted.


    (a) Pipe joining fittings certified in accordance with subpart 50.25 
of this subchapter are acceptable for use in piping systems.
    (b) Threaded, flanged, socket-welding, buttwelding, and socket-
brazing pipe joining fittings, made in accordance with the applicable 
standards in Tables 56.60-1(a) and 56.60-1(b) of this part and of 
materials complying with subpart 56.60 of this part, may be used in 
piping systems within the material, size, pressure, and temperature 
limitations of those standards and within any further limitations 
specified in this subchapter. Fittings must be designed for the maximum 
pressure to which they may be subjected, but in no case less than 50 
pounds per square inch gage.
    (c) Pipe joining fittings not accepted for use in piping systems in 
accordance with paragraph (b) of this section must meet the following:
    (1) All pressure-containing materials must be accepted in accordance 
with Sec. 56.60-1 of this part.
    (2) Fittings must be designed so that the maximum allowable working 
pressure does not exceed one-fourth of the burst pressure or produce a 
primary stress greater than one-fourth of the

[[Page 181]]

ultimate tensile strength of the material for Class II systems and for 
all Class I, I-L, and II-L systems receiving ship motion dynamic 
analysis and nondestructive examination. For Class I, I-L, or II-L 
systems not receiving ship motion dynamic analysis and nondestructive 
examination under Sec. 56.07-10(c) of this part, the maximum allowable 
working pressure must not exceed one-fifth of the burst pressure or 
produce a primary stress greater than one-fifth of the ultimate tensile 
strength of the material. The maximum allowable working pressure may be 
determined by--
    (i) Calculations comparable to those of ANSI B31.1 or Section VIII 
of the ASME Code;
    (ii) Subjecting a representative model to a proof test or 
experimental stress analysis described in paragraph A-22 of Section I of 
the ASME Code; or
    (iii) Other means specifically accepted by the Marine Safety Center.
    (3) Fittings must be tested in accordance with Sec. 56.97-5 of this 
part.
    (4) If welded, fittings must be welded in accordance with subpart 
56.70 of this part and part 57 of this chapter or by other processes 
specifically approved by the Marine Safety Center. In addition, for 
fittings to be accepted for use in piping systems in accordance with 
this paragraph, the following requirements must be met:
    (i) For fittings sized three inches and below--
    (A) The longitudinal joints must be fabricated by either gas or arc 
welding;
    (B) One fitting of each size from each lot of 100 or fraction 
thereof must be flattened cold until the opposite walls meet without the 
weld developing any cracks;
    (C) One fitting of each size from each lot of 100 or fraction 
thereof must be hydrostatically tested to the pressure required for a 
seamless drawn pipe of the same size and thickness produced from 
equivalent strength material, as determined by the applicable pipe 
material specification; and
    (D) If a fitting fails to meet the test in paragraph (c)(4)(i)(B) or 
(c)(4)(i)(C) of this section, no fitting in the lot from which the test 
fitting was chosen is acceptable.
    (ii) For fittings sized above three inches--
    (A) The longitudinal joints must be fabricated by arc welding;
    (B) For pressures exceeding 150 pounds per square inch, each fitting 
must be radiographically examined as specified in Section VIII of the 
ASME Code;
    (C) For pressures not exceeding 150 pounds per square inch, the 
first fitting from each size in each lot of 20 or fraction thereof must 
be examined by radiography to ensure that the welds are of acceptable 
quality;
    (D) One fitting of each size from each lot of 100 or fraction 
thereof must be hydrostatically tested to the pressure required for a 
seamless drawn pipe of the same size and thickness produced from 
equivalent strength material, as determined by the applicable pipe 
material specification; and
    (E) If a fitting fails to meet the test in paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(C) 
or (c)(4)(ii)(D) of this section, no fitting in the lot from which the 
test fitting was chosen is acceptable.
    (d) Single welded butt joints without the use of backing strips may 
be employed in the fabrication of pipe joining fittings of welded 
construction provided radiographic examination indicates that complete 
penetration is obtained.
    (e) Each pipe joining fitting must be marked in accordance with MSS 
Standard SP-25.