This Refrigeration Piping and Heat Transfer Components Code is a Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code for Pressure Piping, B31. This Section is published as a separate document for simplicity and for convenience of Code users. The users of this Code are advised that in some areas legislation may establish governmental jurisdiction over the subject matter covered by the Code. The owner of a piping installation shall choose which piping code(s) are applicable to the installation and shall have the overall responsibility for compliance with this Code. (See Nonmandatory Appendix C.) The owner of a complete piping installation shall have the overall responsibility for compliance with this Code.

It is required that the engineering design specify any special requirements pertinent to the particular service involved. For example, the engineering design shall not for any service specify a weld quality lower than that stipulated in para. 527.3.2(d) for the Code-required visual examination quality and for the types of welds involved; but where service requirements necessitate added quality and more extensive nondestructive examination, these are to be specified in the engineering design and any revision thereto, and when so specified, the Code requires that they be accomplished.