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Viega achieved a significant milestone in early 2024 with the approval of its ASTM F3226 listed ProPress and MegaPress systems by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B31 Board. This approval marks a significant moment for press technology in the engineering sectors, validating its reliability and effectiveness for industrial piping applications.

Understanding ASME and B31 Codes

ASME is a non-profit organization dedicated to setting baseline standards that protect safety and performance across various industries from automotive parts to piping systems. The ASME B31 codes are the foundation of the codes that engineers and facility designers reference when planning industrial installations.

The B31 codes encompass several sub-codes, each tailored to specific applications. These codes are crucial for engineers and facility managers, providing a standardized framework for ensuring safety and efficiency in industrial piping systems. Viega's current approvals on fittings and valves fall under the following codes:

• - B31.1: Power piping
  - B31.3: Process piping
  - B31.9: Building utilities

When a manufacturer states compliance with the B31 codes, the product is still considered an "unlisted component" which typically requires submission of installation history and supplemental documents for the specifying engineers to determine if the product is a sound fit. One drawback to this for engineers is if something fails, it could be perceived that they deviated from consensus best-practice and must substantiate their decision. With an ASTM standard that Viega meets now listed in the Referenced Standards tables, engineers can rest assured they are choosing what is considered best practice for their design.

“With Viega having a referenced position via ASTM F3226 testing in the B31 codes, engineers can now say that Viega’s press technology is considered a best practice or an acceptable method of joining pipe,” said Will Dutcher, Technical Sales Leader, Industrial, of Viega.

Viega's inclusion in the B31 Referenced Standards tables means:

- Engineers can confidently specify Viega press technology in their design without subjective unlisted component review
- Facilities built to meet B31 codes can incorporate Viega products without concern
- Risk and liability associated with specifying press fittings that meet ASTM F3226 are significantly reduced

ASTM F3226

The approval is based on Viega's compliance with ASTM F3226, a standard that establishes rigorous testing criteria for press-connect fittings. By meeting these criteria, Viega has demonstrated the robustness and reliability of its press technology for industrial applications. This standard includes:

Any manufacturer can test to the ASTM F3226 standard. While Viega helped orchestrate and establish testing criteria to ensure baseline performance is met, compliance with the standard is not exclusive to Viega. For the industry, this ensures that any component tested to this standard proves, in an objective manner, that it will withstand harsh conditions like those often seen in industrial environments.

While ASME B31 is a comprehensive set of codes for pressure piping systems in various industries, it provides guidelines for designing, fabricating, testing and maintaining piping systems. ASTM F3226 is a specific standard that establishes testing criteria for press-connect fittings used in industrial piping applications. As projects are often under tighter timetables to complete, using press technology means projects can be completed faster, safer and with less downtime in a facility.

Viega's Commitment to Quality and Innovation

Viega has been actively involved with ASME and ASTM testing standards for well over a decade. Viega engineers have been attending B31 code meetings and have been part of committee and subcommittee meetings. From proposal to peer review to the open commentary period and the testing standards, ASME’s checks and balances ensure that no manufacturer can have an outsized impact on objective quality and safety standards. Viega's journey to this approval showcases its dedication to quality and innovation.

An International Influence

While the ASME B31 codes are American standards, their influence extends globally. Many countries without established codes will have reciprocity in terms of a fitting being approved and tested to American standards. “If it’s tested and proven in the U.S., it’s often seen favorably in terms of adoption,” said Dutcher. Global companies often look to these standards as a benchmark for quality and safety which expands Viega's reach in international markets.

Viega continues to be at the forefront of innovation in piping technology. The company is actively involved in exploring applications in hydrogen and fuel gas codes and developing solutions for emerging industry needs. Viega seeks to be a pioneer in showcasing how press technology can be cleaner from eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic solvents and glues from a job site and being better stewards of local environments and communities, all while keeping worker safety at the top of mind. This ASME B31 approval is not just a milestone for Viega but a significant step forward for the entire industrial piping industry. It paves the way for safer, more efficient and innovative piping solutions in industrial facilities worldwide.