B31.3
323.1.2
Unlisted materials may be used provided they conform to a published specification covering chemistry, physical and mechanical properties, method and process of manufacture, heat treatment, and quality control, and otherwise meet the requirments of this Code. Allowable stresses shall be determined in accordance with the applicable allowable stress basis of this Code or a more conservative basis."

The discrepancy is the specifics of the appropriate construction code.

Depending on the construction code, an ASTM material is not permitted to be simply substituted for an ASTM material, i.e., ASTM A53 may be classified as a S1 numbered material while a ASME SA53 is classified as a P1 material.

I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that only those materials classified as SA or SB materials (ASME approved ASTM materials) could be used in the construction of a boiler under Section I. This is not the case with external piping where the applicable construction code B31.1 allows a flange classified as an ASTM A105 to be substituted for a ASME SA105. I believe all ASME code sections allow SA/SB materials to be substituted for ASTM A or B material specifications (A being ferrous and B being nonferrous materials), but not the reverse in all cases (again, code section specific).

I am at a disadvantage, so you can help me here, I don't have a full set of section II (parts A, B, C, and D). I was under the impression only ASME SA or SB materials were listed with a P number assignment. I was also under the impression that ASTM materials were assigned S numbers. If both are listed in Section II, Part A, does the list discriminated between P numbers assigned to ASME listed base metal specifications for base metals and S numbers assigned to ASTM specification por base metals?

Someone said, "You have to be a lawyer to read the code." I sometimes have to agree with the statement because unless we know all the specifics, the appropriate code sections as well as the proposed materials, we can only address generalities.  One must always remember what the letters A, S, M, and E stand for. Without knowing all the specifics, we can only talk in general terms.

Best regards - Al

Al,
Its been too long since I've done Section I stuff, and my graying beard and receding hairline should speak volumes about my ability to recall anything beyond my oatmeal this morning (or was it donuts), so I can't address that. Perhaps some of our boiler guys can step in. I do happen to have a B31.3 (2002) available which is what I quoted from.

I don't envy you and the traveling.

I try to limit my travel to a week per month. There are months where I don't have to travel, but I have to pay for my "sins" by traveling for several weeks back to back. This is one of those times. I am traveling for four of the six weeks. I just finished three weeks of travel and I'm glad to be home with my grand children. I got home at 1:30 AM this morning and already one was over to assemble a new Lego kit with grandpa. We didn't finish, so he was upset that he had to stop to go to school.

My practice gives me the flexibility I need to go to AWS committees, the Show, and my other activities. While I have that flexibility, I also don't have an employer footing the bills for the travel, hotels, and meals, not to mention the $1800/month I pay just for medical insurance. There are trade-offs to being self-employed or working for a corporation.

I've worked for "Corporate America" and I've had some darn good positions, but never fit into the corporate culture very well, a case of a square peg in a round hole.

If someone asks "Are there any questions?", I'm going to ask my questions.

If someone asks, "Is there anyone that doesn't believe we'll hit the delivery date?", I'm going to give my honest opinion.

It goes back to my days as a welder, "Don't ask the question if you don't want to hear the answer."

"Dear does this dress make my butt look big?"

"You betcha." Loved that commercial. I don't know why but my wife always gives me a side-ward glance when that one comes on the TV.

That attitude doesn't always sit well with the person asking the question. I guess that explains why I wasn't asked to be a member of Bush's cabinet.

I give you and others like you that take these extended assignments credit. I only hope that you are being well compensated for your time away from the "Good Old US of A" and your loved ones.

I found travel to be easier while I was younger and I didn't have grandchildren. As I tell my wife, "I may not die rich, but I'm going to die happy." She definitely agrees with the "rich" part.

I hate to ramble. It isn't like I don't have work to do after being out of the office for the last three weeks, but I have to tell you a story. I took a course titled "The Future of Communications". It was my first introduction (as well as everyone in the class) to the Internet. He took us to the computer lab and instructed us how to access the Internet and we were all given accounts and screen names. Of course all the women in the group were the first to locate the porn sites (go figure). He told us that within five years we would wonder how we ever got along without the Internet. He went on to talk about how we would communicate and how we would come to depend on the Internet. At the end of the course we had to turn in "course evaluations" of the course and the instructor. One other fellow and I gave the instructor and course a favorable evaluation. The university fired him. As it turns out, everything he told us was spot on the mark. Every time I use my computer to send a file I think of that individual and how he was ahead of the curve and how it cost him his position at the university. The lesson learned was that everyone has something to contribute to our society. Just because I can't see what's on the horizon, doesn't mean that someone else with a higher vantage point can't see it. It is to our advantage to learn who those individuals are sitting in those higher vantage points and to listen to them when they have something to say. We might see the future.

You have a different vantage point that I do. I read to your comments very closely. I do learn something new each time.  Good luck on your new assignment and I hope that doesn't mean you will be out of touch with your family of forum regulars. There are several people that participate in this forum that we have come to rely upon. You are in that unique class of people. Your responses are factual, accurate, and helpful. That's why I visit this site as often as I do. That's why Chuck will be missed. He  too was a member of the elite. I'm sure he was the same in his day to day contact with family and friends. We may never meet face to face, but we are building relationships and friendships through our keyboards.  

Best regards - Al