HISTORY - (FOREWORD ASME B16.5-2009)
In 1920, the American Engineering Standards Committee (later the American Standards Associations (ASA)) organized Sectional Committee B16 to unify and further develop standards for pipe flanges and fittings (and later for valves and gaskets). Cosponsors of the B16 Committee were ASME, the Heating and Piping Contractors National Association (now Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)), and the Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valves and Fittings Industry (MSS). Cosponsors were later designated as cosecretariat organizations.
The Committee soon recognized the need for standardization of steel pipe flanges. In May, 1923, Subcommittee 3 was organized to develop such standards for pressures in the 250-psi to 3,200-psi range and for elevated temperatures. Active work began in October, including steel flanged fittings. The first proposed standard was submitted to the Committee in April 1926 and approved by letter ballot in December.
After favorable review by the three sponsor organizations, the Standard was approved as American Tentative Standard B16e in June 1927. Experience in using the Standard showed the need for hub dimensions of companion flanges and for other changes, including rerating of 250-lb and 1,350-lb flanges and development of flanged fittings with integral bases. An investigation was made into the factors determining stiffness of flanges and flange hubs.
The revised edition was approved as ASA B16E-1932. A revision was initiated in 1936, stimulated by suggestions from Committee members and industrial users. The resulting 1939 edition contained standards for welding neck flanges (completed in March 1937), 1,500-lb flanges in the 14-in. through 24-in. range, 2,500-lb flanges and flanged fittings in the 1/2-in. through 12-in. range, and dimensions for a full line of ring joint flanges developed by the American Petroleum Institute.
Pressure-temperature ratings for alloy steel flanges and fittings, developed by Subcommittee 4, were included for the first time. In August 1942, the War Production Board requested a review of measures to conserve vital materials in piping components. A special War Committee of B16 was appointed and, operating under War Standard Procedure, developed revised pressure-temperature ratings for all materials and pressure classes.
The ratings were published as American War Standard B16e5-1943. In 1945, under normal procedures, Subcommittees 3 and 4 reviewed the 1939 standard and 1943 ratings and recommended adoption of the wartime ratings. Their report was approved as Supplement No. 1 to B16e-1939 and published as ASA B16e6-1949. In addition to ratings, the supplement updated material specification references and added a table of metal wall thickness for weldingend valves.
In 1920, the American Engineering Standards Committee (later the American Standards Associations (ASA)) organized Sectional Committee B16 to unify and further develop standards for pipe flanges and fittings (and later for valves and gaskets). Cosponsors of the B16 Committee were ASME, the Heating and Piping Contractors National Association (now Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)), and the Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valves and Fittings Industry (MSS). Cosponsors were later designated as cosecretariat organizations.
The Committee soon recognized the need for standardization of steel pipe flanges. In May, 1923, Subcommittee 3 was organized to develop such standards for pressures in the 250-psi to 3,200-psi range and for elevated temperatures. Active work began in October, including steel flanged fittings. The first proposed standard was submitted to the Committee in April 1926 and approved by letter ballot in December.
After favorable review by the three sponsor organizations, the Standard was approved as American Tentative Standard B16e in June 1927. Experience in using the Standard showed the need for hub dimensions of companion flanges and for other changes, including rerating of 250-lb and 1,350-lb flanges and development of flanged fittings with integral bases. An investigation was made into the factors determining stiffness of flanges and flange hubs.
The revised edition was approved as ASA B16E-1932. A revision was initiated in 1936, stimulated by suggestions from Committee members and industrial users. The resulting 1939 edition contained standards for welding neck flanges (completed in March 1937), 1,500-lb flanges in the 14-in. through 24-in. range, 2,500-lb flanges and flanged fittings in the 1/2-in. through 12-in. range, and dimensions for a full line of ring joint flanges developed by the American Petroleum Institute.
Pressure-temperature ratings for alloy steel flanges and fittings, developed by Subcommittee 4, were included for the first time. In August 1942, the War Production Board requested a review of measures to conserve vital materials in piping components. A special War Committee of B16 was appointed and, operating under War Standard Procedure, developed revised pressure-temperature ratings for all materials and pressure classes.
The ratings were published as American War Standard B16e5-1943. In 1945, under normal procedures, Subcommittees 3 and 4 reviewed the 1939 standard and 1943 ratings and recommended adoption of the wartime ratings. Their report was approved as Supplement No. 1 to B16e-1939 and published as ASA B16e6-1949. In addition to ratings, the supplement updated material specification references and added a table of metal wall thickness for weldingend valves.