Engineering Standard
SAES-L-610 30 November 2005
Nonmetallic Piping
Piping Standards Committee Members
Al-Sannaa, M.S., Chairman
Al-Dossary, M.B.
Al-Nasri, N.I.
Al-Qahtani, K.D.
Al-Sabti, R.A.
Al-Sharif, T.M.
Al-Teraiki, A.M.
Balhareth, N.M.
Chen, J.T.
Fadley, G.L.
Ismail, A.A.
Khashab, J.M.
Kim, S.U.
Lewis, T.
Mahmoud, K.A.
Mullen, M.A.
Phan, H.C.
Solaiman, M.Z.
Stark, G.D.
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards
Table of Contents
1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 Limitations...................................................... 3
5 Installation, Testing and Inspection................ 7
Previous Issue: 30 September 2003 Next Planned Update: 1 June 2006
Page 1 of 7
Primary contact: Muhsen S. Al-Sannaa on 874-6679
Document Responsibility: Piping SAES-L-610
Issue Date: 30 November 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2006 Nonmetallic Piping
1 Scope
1.1 This Standard covers requirements and limitations for the design, installation
and testing of nonmetallic piping in all areas and in all applications, except for
plumbing systems in buildings, which are covered by SAES-S-060.
1.2 This Standard supplements the requirements of ASME B31 Series, Code for
Pressure Piping.
2 Conflicts and Deviations
2.1 Any conflicts between this standard and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standards (SAESs), Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this standard in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
3 References
The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this standard shall comply with the latest
edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.
3.1 Saudi Aramco References
Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement
Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards
SAES-B-017 Fire Water System Design
SAES-L-105 Piping Material Specifications
SAES-L-132 Material Selection of Piping Systems
SAES-S-020 Industrial Drainage and Sewers
SAES-S-040 Saudi Aramco Water Systems
SAES-S-050 Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems in Buildings
Page 2 of 7
Document Responsibility: Piping SAES-L-610
Issue Date: 30 November 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2006 Nonmetallic Piping
SAES-S-060 Plumbing Code
SAES-S-070 Installation of Utility Piping Systems
Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications
01-SAMSS-029 Unrestrained Gasketed Joint RTR Sewer Pipe and
Fittings
01-SAMSS-034 RTR (Fiberglass) Pressure Pipe and Fittings
3.2 Industry Codes and Standards
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASME B31.3 Chemical Plant and Petroleum Refinery Piping
American Society for Testing and Materials
ASTM D1785 Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic Pipe
ASTM D4024 Reinforced Thermosetting Resin (RTR) Flanges
Uniform Plumbing Code
American Water Works Association
AWWA C950 Fiberglass Pressure Pipe
3.3 Other References
Saudi Arabian Standards Organization
SASO SSA/14 Pipes of Unplasticized Plastic for Potable Water
4 Limitations
4.1 Materials
4.1.1 The use of nonmetallic piping is prohibited in hydrocarbon services.
Exceptions:
1. RTR (Fiberglass) piping for aviation refueling facilities shall be in
accordance with 01-SAMSS-034 provided it is buried, its size is limited
to maximum 4-inch nominal pipe size and the joints are adhesive
bonded. Additional protection shall be provided to ensure the integrity
of the system against physical damage. As a minimum, red concrete
slabs shall be laid midway between the pipe and grade, and markers
indicating the location of the buried pipe shall be installed at intervals
not exceeding 30 m.
Page 3 of 7
Document Responsibility: Piping SAES-L-610
Issue Date: 30 November 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2006 Nonmetallic Piping
2. RTR piping if accepted for oily water sewer services as per SAES-S-
020, shall be in accordance with 01-SAMSS-034 utilizing epoxy resin
with restrained joints as defined in AWWA C950, and buried. The use
of nonmetallic pipe for any hydrocarbon service, including oily water
sewers, is prohibited on offshore structures.
3. RTR piping, if used for pressure sewer services as defined in SAES-S-
020, shall be in accordance with 01-SAMSS-034 utilizing epoxy resin
with restrained joints as defined in AWWA C950 and buried.
4. RTR (Fiberglass) piping for flue gas blow down system shall be in
accordance with 01-SAMSS-034 provided it is buried, and the joints are
restrained type as defined in AWWA C950. The intended service shall
conform to the RTR piping manufacturer's recommended temperature
and pressure limits.
4.1.2 RTR piping is approved for use in fire water service. It shall be in
accordance with 01-SAMSS-034 with restrained joints as defined in
AWWA C950 and buried. Refer to SAES-B-017 for fire water system
design.
4.1.3 RTR piping, if approved to be used for other than fire water and
hydrocarbon services on offshore structures shall be in accordance with
01-SAMSS-034 with restrained joints as defined in AWWA C950.
4.1.4 PVC piping including PVC/uPVC and CPVC, if approved to be used
in services not listed in any other Saudi Aramco Engineering
Standards, shall be in accordance with ASTM D1785, Schedule 80 or
SASO SSA/14, Class 5 for pressure service and ASTM D1785,
Schedule 40 or SASO SSA/14, Class 3 for non pressure service. Refer
to SAES-L-005 for pipe sizes limitations.
4.1.5 Plastic pipes, fittings, and plastic valves that do not have built-in
protection from Ultraviolet (UV) light (exposed to sunlight) shall be
shielded by painting with an exterior-grade, water-based emulsion, or
tapewrap with UV resistant pressure sensitive tape utilizing adhesive
that will not affect the plastic material.
4.1.6 The use of metal piping with an internal thermoplastic lining is limited
to those specific services listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
4.1.7 Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polybutylene (PB) piping
shall not be used for new installations. These materials may be used
for maintenance including replacement at existing ABS and PB
installations.
4.1.8 Asbestos cement piping shall not be used.
Page 4 of 7
Document Responsibility: Piping SAES-L-610
Issue Date: 30 November 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2006 Nonmetallic Piping
4.2 Design
4.2.1 Allowable pressure/temperature ratings for RTR piping shall be in
accordance with 01-SAMSS-034 and 01-SAMSS-029.
4.2.2 Threaded flanges shall not be used on nonmetallic piping systems.
4.2.3 Lap joint flanges may be used if one piece construction flanges are not
available within the industry at the specified nominal pipe sizes. Prior
approval from the Chairman of Plumbing and Utilities Standards is
required.
4.2.4 For RTR piping system, pre-qualified jointing procedures and methods
in accordance with 01-SAMSS-034, shall be used.
4.2.5 Threaded joints and unions may be used for thermoplastic piping
except PVC pipes, (see UPC Section 606.2.2) 15 mm through 50 mm
nominal pipe sizes only, provided they are factory made. Prior
approval from the Chairman of Plumbing and Utilities Standards
Committee is required for the use of factory made threaded joints and
unions of larger nominal pipe sizes and alternate material types.
4.2.6 Branch connections to threaded metallic piping may only be used for
RTR pipe up to and including 75 mm nominal pipe size, provided they
are factory made.
4.2.7 Flexibility requirements of nonmetallic piping system shall be as
follows:
a) Flexibility, support and anchoring requirements shall be in
accordance with ASME B31.3 Chapter VII. This requirement
also applies to off-plot applications.
b) Flexibility, if required, shall be provided by using bends, loops,
offsets, bellows, expansion joints and slip joints.
c) Cold spring is not permitted in nonmetallic piping systems.
4.3 Additional Requirements
4.3.1 Flanged joints shall have the following requirements:
a) Flanged joints on nonmetallic piping system shall be made with
flat face flanges and full-faced elastomeric gaskets.
b) Flanges shall have pressure rating equal to or greater than the
nonmetallic piping pressure rating.
Page 5 of 7
Document Responsibility: Piping SAES-L-610
Issue Date: 30 November 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2006 Nonmetallic Piping
c) Bolt tightening procedures and maximum torque for bolting on
nonmetallic flanges shall be in accordance with ASTM D4024.
d) Washers shall be used for bolting nonmetallic flanges.
4.3.2 Transition from nonmetallic to metallic piping shall be done in a
manner that the weight of metallic piping shall not be transferred to
nonmetallic piping (PVC female threaded fittings are prohibited by
UPC Section 6.2.2), and flexibility requirements shall be taken into
account separately for both piping materials.
4.3.3 Transition from nonmetallic to metallic piping in firewater and oily
water sewer services shall be made underground or in a buried valve
box.
4.3.4 In pressurized systems, connections to metal valves, larger than 50 mm
nominal pipe sizes, shall be by means of flanges.
4.3.5 Nonburied metal valves including metal valves in buried valve boxes,
shall be supported independently of nonmetallic piping. In buried
condition, metal valves 4 inch in size and larger shall be supported
independently of nonmetalic piping.
4.3.6 Nonmetallic pipe shall be carried through a metallic sleeve in a valve
box wall. Nonmetalic sleeve is acceptable provided the sleeve shall
have mechanical characteristics and properties at least similar to that of
the pipe passing through the sleeve. The space between the pipe and
sleeve shall be sealed with approved flexible waterproof mastic
sealant.
4.3.7 The distance between the valve box wall and the back of the
nonmetallic flange, inside the valve box, shall be not less than 150 mm
to permit work access.
4.3.8 Nonmetallic piping in water systems, covered within the scope of
SAES-S-040, shall conform to the requirements of SAES-S-040 for
aboveground applications.
4.3.9 Nonmetallic piping shall not be used aboveground outside buildings
for firewater and fire extinguishing systems; neither shall it be used for
firewater services on offshore structures. Refer to SAES-S-050 for
nonmetallic piping in fire water systems inside buildings, and SAES-
B-017 for fire water system design.
Page 6 of 7
Document Responsibility: Piping SAES-L-610
Issue Date: 30 November 2005
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2006 Nonmetallic Piping
4.3.10 Nonmetallic piping joints shall be clear of concrete anchor blocks.
Thrust block requirements on nonmetallic pipe shall be in accordance
with SAES-S-070.
4.3.11 Refer to SAES-L-132 for the requirements and limitations regarding
chemical, mechanical and dimensional properties including maximum
allowable flow velocities in nonmetallic piping systems.
5 Installation, Testing and Inspection
This Standard adopts the requirements of SAES-S-070, "Installation of Utility Piping
Systems."
Revision Summary
30 November 2005 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and
reissued with no other changes.
Page 7 of 7
