ASME_B16.44-2002.pdf

ASME B16.442002(Revision of ASME B16.44-1995)MANUALLY OPERATEDMETALLIC GAS VALVES FORUSE IN ABOVEGROUND PIPINGSYSTEMS UP TO 5 PSIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDThe American Society ofMechanical EngineersThe American Society ofMechanical EngineersA M E R I CA NN A T IO N A L ST A N D A R DMANUALLY OPERATEDMETALLIC GAS VALVES FORUSE IN ABOVEGROUND PIPINGSYSTEMS UP TO 5 PSASME B16.44-2002(Revision of ASME B16.44-1995)call the Document Policy Group at 303-3972295.Date of Issuance:June 27,2003The next edition of this Standard is scheduled for publication in 2007.There will be no addendaissued to this edition.ASME issues written replies to inquiries concerning interpretations of technical aspects of thisStandard.Interpretations are published on the ASME Web site under the Committee Pages at http:/www.asme.org/codes/as they are issued.ASME is the registered trademark of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.This code or standard was developed under procedures accredited as meeting the criteria for American NationalStandards.The Standards Committee that approved the code or standard was balanced to assure that individuals fromcompetent and concerned interests have had an opportunity to participate.The proposed code or standard was madeavailable for public review and comment that provides an opportunity for additional public input from industry,academia,regulatory agencies,and the public-at-large.ASME does notapprove,rate,orendorseany item.construction,proprietary device,or activity.ASME does not take any position with respect to the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with anyitems mentioned in this document,and does not undertake to insure anyone utilizing a standard against liability forinfringement of any applicable letters patent,nor assume any such liability.Users of a code or standard are expresslyadvised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights,and the risk of infringement of such rights,isentirely their own responsibility.Participation by federal agency representative(s)or person(s)affiliated with industry is not to be interpreted asgovernment or industry endorsement of this code or standard.ASME accepts responsibility for only those interpretations of this document issued in accordance with the establishedASME procedures and policies,which precludes the issuance of interpretations by individuals.No part of this document may be reproduced in any form,in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise,without the prior written permission of the publisher.The American Society of Mechanical EngineersThree Park Avenue,New York,NY 10016-5990Copyright2003byTHE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERSAll rights reservedPrinted in U.S.A.nessage:pleasethe Document Policy Group a303-397-2295.FOREWORDThe B16 Standards Committee was organized in the spring of 1920 and held its organizationalmeeting on November 21st of that year.The group operated as a sectional Committee(laterredesignated as a Standards Committee),under the authorization of the American EngineeringStandards Committee(subsequently named American Standards Association,then the UnitedStates of America Standards Institute and now,American National Standards Institute).Sponsorsfor the group were the American Society of Mechanical Engineers,Manufacturers StandardizationSociety of the Valve and Fitting Industry,and the Heating and Piping Contractors NationalAssociation(later the Mechanical Contractors Association of America).The American Gas Association determined that standardization of gas valves used in distribu-tion systems was desirable and needed.The A.G.A.Task Committee on Standards for Valvesand Shut-Offs was formed and development work commenced in 1958.In 1968,it was determinedthat a more acceptable document would result if approval were gained for the American NationalStandards Institute and to facilitate such action,the A.G.A.Committee became B16 SubcommitteeNo.13,later renamed Subcommittee L,which is its current designation.In 1982,the B16 Commit-tee,was reorganized as an ASME committee operating under procedures accredited by ANSI.The first standard developed by the Subcommittee was ANSI B16.33.As a follow-up,the B16.38 standard was subsequently developed to cover larger sizes of gasvalves and shut-offs.Starting in about 1965,there was a major increase in the use of plastic pipingin gas distribution systems,which made it desirable to have valves and shut-offs of a compatiblematerial.To fill this need,the B16.40 standard was developed.In 1985,the lack of standards for gas valves for use in gas piping systems,downstream fromthe point of delivery(meter outlet),and upstream of the inlet to gas utilization equipment,wasbrought to the attention of the subcommittee.To fill this need,this Standard was developed.This Standard has been developed so that user and manufacturers have a common basis valvespecification,one that can be readily used to qualify valve designs.Usage by certifying bodieswould make it possible for building codes to reference the standard.In 2002,the title was changed to clearly match the updated scope and several other revisionswere incorporated to bring the standard up-to-date with the current practices.All request for interpretations or suggestions for revisions should be sent to the Secretary,B16Standards Committee,The American Society of Mechanical Engineers,Three Park Avenue,NewYork,NY10016-5990.Following its approval by the B16 Standards Committee,this Standard was approved as anAmerican National Standard by ANSI on May 16,2002.ivwith ASMEasecall the Document Policy Group at 303-397-2295.