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Online Companion Guide to the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Codes
Publisher:
ASME Press
Publication date:
2020

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 1, Subsection NF, was developed in an attempt to provide rules for the estimated 10,000 piping and component supports existing in a typical nuclear power plant. This chapter provides information on the origins and evolution of design rules and is intended to allow designers, engineers, and fabricators to make better use of Subsection NF of the ASME Code. It begins with an introduction to Article NF-1000, focusing on the scope, types of supports, and boundaries of jurisdiction for supports. The chapter then describes the NF-2000 material requirements, providing information on permitted and exempt materials, material certification requirements, and impact testing of materials. Next, it discusses the design rules for supports—both plate-and-shell and linear. All aspects of design are considered, including stress theory, loadings, welding, bolting, load testing, and functional requirements. The chapter then addresses rules for NF-4000 fabrication and installation. These rules provide requirements for the entire fabrication cycle, including forming, fitting, aligning, welding, heat treatment, and bolted connections. The chapter also describes methods for nondestructive examination of support welds and relevant acceptance standards. It provides cross-referencing to Subsections NB, NC, ND, NE, and NG, as well as to the B31.1 and B31.3 Codes. The closing pages of this chapter address Code Cases and Interpretations. Discussions include Subsection NF Appendices, and with the help of Figures, Tables, and references, it is anticipated that the reader will develop a better understanding of Subsection NF and appreciate its complexities and usefulness.

History

Robert J. Masterson was the author of this Chapter for the first edition, Uma S. Bandyopadhyay updated it for the second edition thru the fifth edition and R. Peter Deubler updated it for the current online edition.

1.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Component Supports
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, winter 1973 addenda, 1971 ed.
2.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Nuclear Power Plant Components
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, winter 1973 addenda, 1971 ed.
3.
ASME B31.1, Power Piping
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 2020 ed. Note 1
4.
USA Standard B31.7, Nuclear Power Piping
, 1969 ed.
5.
MSS SP-58, Pipe Hangers and Supports—Materials, Design, and Manufacturer
;
Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
, 2009 ed. Note 1
6.
AISC Manual of Steel Construction
;
The American Institute of Steel Construction
, 9th ed.,
1990
.
7.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Component Supports
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, winter 1982 addenda, 1980 ed.
8.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Component Supports
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, summer 1978 addenda, 1977 ed.
9.
ASME Boiler and amp; Pressure Vessel Code Interpretation III-1-78-47, Paragraph NF-1120, Section III, Division 1
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
,
March
30
,
1978
.
10.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NCA, Paragraph NCA-3254, Design Specification
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1977 ed.
11.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subsubarticle NF-1130, Boundaries of Jurisdiction
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1986 ed.
12.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NB, Paragraph NB-1132, Boundary Between Components and Attachments
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1986 ed.
13.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NC, Paragraph NC-1132, Boundary Between Components and Attachments
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1986 ed.
14.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection ND, Paragraph ND-1132, Boundary Between Components and Attachments
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1986 ed.
15.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NE, Paragraph NE-1132, Boundary Between Components and Attachments
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1986 ed.
16.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 1, Code Case 1644, Additional Materials for Component Supports
;
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,
1975
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17.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 1, Code Case 1644 (Revision 6)
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,
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18.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 1, Code Case N-71, Additional Materials for Component Supports and Alternative Design Requirements for Bolted Joints
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, Rev.
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19.
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21.
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23.
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24.
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25.
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;
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26.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NCA, Paragraph NCA-3252, Contents of Design Specification
;
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, 1998 ed.
27.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Nuclear Power Plant Components
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, winter 1976 addenda, 1974 ed.
28.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NCA, Paragraph NCA-2131, Code Classes and Rules of Division 1
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
29.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Paragraph NF-3121, Terms Relating to Design by Analysis
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
30.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Component Supports
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1977 ed.
31.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Component Supports
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1980 ed.
32.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Mandatory Appendix II, Experimental Stress Analysis
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
33.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subsubarticle NF-3280, Design by Load Rating
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
34.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Nuclear Power Plant Components
;
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, 1992 ed.
35.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section II, Part D, Materials, Properties
;
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, 1995 ed.
36.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section II, Appendix 1, Part D, Materials, Properties
;
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, 2021 ed.
37.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section II, Appendix 2, Part D, Materials, Properties
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, 2021 ed.
38.
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rev. 1,
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1978
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39.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NB, Fig. NB-3221-1, Stress Categories and Limits of Stress Intensity for Design Conditions
;
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40.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NB, Fig. NB-3222-1, Stress Categories and Limits of Stress Intensity for Level A and Level B Service Conditions
;
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41.
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, 7th ed.,
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42.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Mandatory Appendix XIII, Design of Linear Type Supports by Linear Elastic and Plastic Analysis
;
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, winter 1973 addenda, 1971 ed.
43.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Mandatory Appendix XVII, Design of Linear Type Supports by Linear Elastic and Plastic Analysis
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1974 ed.
44.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Paragraph NF-3143, Linear Type Supports—Analysis Procedure
;
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, 1998 ed.
45.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Mandatory Appendix XVII, Design of Linear Type Supports by Linear Elastic and Plastic Analysis
;
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, 1998 ed.
46.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subarticle NF-3300, Design Rules for Linear Type Supports
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, winter 1982 addenda, 1980 ed.
47.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subsubarticle NF-1110(c), Aspects of Construction Covered by These Rules
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
48.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Mandatory Appendix XVII, Paragraph XVII-2450, Design of Linear Type Supports by Linear Elastic and Plastic Analysis
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1974 ed.
49.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subparagraph NF-3324.5, Design of Welded Joints
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
50.
Blodgett
,
O. W.
,
Design of Welded Structures
,
James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation
,
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1966
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51.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Mandatory Appendix XVII, Paragraph XVII-2460, Design of Linear Type Supports by Linear Elastic and Plastic Analysis
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1974 ed.
52.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subparagraph NF-3324.6, Design Requirements for Bolted Joints
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
53.
Kulak
,
G. L.
,
Fisher
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,
Guide to Design Criteria for Bolted and Riveted Joints
;
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, 1st ed.,
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54.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subsubparagraph NF-3132.1(a)(3), Types of Procedures—Load Rating
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1974 ed.
55.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subsubarticle NF-3280, Plate and Shell Supports—Design by Load Rating
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
56.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subsubarticle NF-3380, Linear Supports—Design by Load Rating
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
57.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Component Supports
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, winter 1983 addenda, 1983 ed.
58.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Mandatory Appendix XVII-3000, Design of Linear Type Supports by Linear Elastic and Plastic Analysis—High Cycle Fatigue Analysis for Class 1
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1974 ed.
59.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subsubarticle NF-3330, High Cycle Fatigue Analysis for Class 1
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
60.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Mandatory Appendix XVII-4000, Design of Linear Type Supports by Linear Elastic and Plastic Analysis—Limit Analysis Design for Class 1
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1974 ed.
61.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subsubarticle NF-3340, Limit Analysis Design for Class 1
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
62.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Paragraph NF-3122, Functional Requirements
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, winter 1976 addenda, 1974 ed.
63.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Paragraph NF-3123, Functional Requirements
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
64.
MSS SP-69, Pipe Hangers and Supports—Selection and Application
;
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, 1991 ed.
65.
MSS SP-89, Pipe Hangers and Supports—Fabrication and Installation Practices
;
Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry, Inc.
, 1991 ed.
66.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Article NF-4000, Fabrication and Installation
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1974 ed.
67.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Non-Mandatory Appendix K, Tolerances
;
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, 1998 ed.
68.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subsubarticle NF-2150, Material Identification
;
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, 1998 ed.
69.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subarticle NF-4400, Rules Governing Making, Examining, and Repairing Welds
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
70.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Article NF-5000, Examination
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
71.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subparagraph NF-4622.7, Exemptions to Mandatory Requirements
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
72.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section IX, Paragraph QW-420, Material Groupings
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
73.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subarticle NF-4700, Requirements for Bolted Construction
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
74.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section V, Nondestructive Examination
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
75.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subarticle NF-5200, Required Examination of Welds
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1974 ed.
76.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subarticle NF-5200, Required Examination of Welds
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, winter 1978 addenda, 1977 ed.
77.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Paragraph NF-5221, Examination of Class 2 and MC Support Welds, Primary Member Welded Joints
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
78.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Component Supports
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, winter 1974 addenda, 1974 ed.
79.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Article NF-8000, Certificates of Authorization, Nameplates, Stamping, and Data Reports
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
80.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NCA, Article NCA-8000, Certificates, Nameplates, Code Symbol Stamping, and Data Reports
;
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, 1998 ed.
81.
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;
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,
Dec.
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,
1993
.
82.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 1, Code Case N-570, Alternative Rules for Linear Piping and Linear Standard Supports for Class 1, 2, 3, and MC
;
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,
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,
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83.
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;
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.
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ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Article NF-8000, Certificates of Authorization and Certificates of Conformance
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, A99 addenda, 1998 ed.
85.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NCA, Article NCA-3680, Responsibilities of an NS Certificate Holder
;
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, A99 addenda, 1998 ed.
86.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NCA, Article NCA-8100, Authorization to Perform Code Activities
;
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, A99 addenda, 1998 ed.
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ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Supports
;
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, A96 addenda, 1995 ed.
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;
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, A96 addenda, 1995 ed.
89.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Mandatory Appendix NF-II, Design of Single Angle Members
;
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, A95 addenda, 1995 ed.
90.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Subarticle NF-3300, Design Rules for Linear Type Supports
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, A95 addenda, 1995 ed.
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ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Supports
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, 1998 ed.
93.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Mandatory Appendix NF-III, Energy-Absorbing Support Material
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
94.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Article NF-3000, Design
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
95.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Non-Mandatory Appendix NF-A, Structural Bolt Preloading
;
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 1998 ed.
96.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Non-Mandatory Appendix NF-B, Design Allowable Stresses for Plate-, Shell-, and Linear-Type Supports
;
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99.
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;
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100.
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;
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, 2004 ed.
101.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Non-Mandatory Appendix NF-D, Tolerances
;
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, 2007 ed.
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ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Supports
,
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ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Supports
,
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, 2015 ed.
(2011a Addenda)
.
104.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Supports
,
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, 2015 ed.
105.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Supports
,
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, 2017 ed.
106.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Supports
,
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 2019 ed.
107.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Subsection NF, Supports
,
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, 2021 ed.
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