### 1. Where can I find ASTM standards for free?
Officially, ASTM standards are not available for free; they are copyrighted documents sold to fund their development and maintenance. However, you can access them for free through these legitimate methods:
* **University/Library Subscription:** Many universities and large public libraries subscribe to the "ASTM Compass" database. If you are a student or member, you can access standards for free through their library website.
* **Your Company:** Many engineering firms purchase subscriptions to ASTM standards for their employees.
* **ASTM Reading Room:** ASTM offers a free "Reading Room" on their website where you can view a specific standard online (but not download or print it) for a limited period, usually 3 days.
* **Free Sections:** ASTM often provides a preview or the scope section of a standard for free on their website so you can confirm it's the correct one before purchasing.
### 2. What is ASME B31.9?
ASME B31.9 is the section of the ASME B31 Code for Pressure Piping that covers **Building Services Piping**. It provides requirements for the design, materials, fabrication, installation, testing, and safety of piping systems found in industrial, institutional, commercial, and public buildings. This includes systems for water, steam, air, and other fluids, typically operating at lower pressures and temperatures compared to industrial process plants.
### 3. Is ASME a code or standard?
ASME itself is an **organization** (the American Society of Mechanical Engineers). This organization publishes both **codes and standards**. The key difference is in their application:
* **ASME Codes:** These are legally adopted requirements for safety and design that are often incorporated into law by government jurisdictions and regulatory bodies. Compliance is often mandatory. Examples include the BPVC (Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code) and B31 Piping Codes.
* **ASME Standards:** These are generally consensus-based guidelines for terminology, testing, dimensions, or best practices. They are typically voluntary unless referenced by a code or contract.
### 4. What is the ASME Code for piping?
The primary ASME code for piping is the **ASME B31 Code for Pressure Piping**. It is a comprehensive code divided into multiple sections, each covering a specific type of piping system:
* **B31.1:** Power Piping (power plants, geothermal systems)
* **B31.3:** Process Piping (refineries, chemical plants, factories)
* **B31.4:** Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquids and Slurries
* **B31.8:** Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
* **B31.9:** Building Services Piping
* **B31.12:** Hydrogen Piping and Pipelines
### 5. Are ASTM and ASME the same?
No, **ASTM and ASME are not the same**. They are two distinct organizations with different primary focuses, though they work together closely.
* **ASTM International** (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials) focuses on developing **technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services**. They specify *what* a material is and how to test it (e.g., ASTM A36 for structural steel, ASTM A193 for bolting materials).
* **ASME** (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) focuses on **codes and standards for the design, fabrication, and inspection of mechanical devices and systems**. They specify *how* to use materials and components to build safe systems (e.g., the Boiler Code, Piping Codes). ASME standards often reference and require the use of ASTM material standards.
In simple terms: **ASTM defines the quality of the building blocks (materials), and ASME defines the rules for assembling them into a safe structure (a boiler, a piping system).**
