MSS Publishes Revised SP-55-2011, Approves SP-58-2009

SP-55-2011, utilized for the visual evaluation of surface irregularities in steel castings for valves, flanges, fittings, and other piping components, was originally published in 1961 and is today referenced in many standards’ publications and employed through-out the Industry. On August 26, ANSI granted final approval of the revised MSS SP-55-2011 as an ANS.

This Standard Practice is being published in its traditional book format (with improved spiral binding) and in a newly created electronic version (PDF).

The new ANSI-approved American National Standard edition, ANSI/MSS SP-55-2011, is now available and is used extensively in the chemical, petro-chemical, nuclear, boiler and pressure vessel, and other corrosive and high temperature industry environments.

This standard establishes the following: (a) Visual surface irregularity acceptance standards for steel parts; (b) Supplements requirements in identified ASTM Standards; (c) Provides a series of referenced photographs typical of the various surface irregularities; and (d) Identifies what is of generally acceptable and generally rejectable quality.

Standard Practice, SP-58-2009, Pipe Hangers and Supports –Materials, Design, Manufacture, Selection, Application, and Installation, has also been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an American National Standard (ANS).

SP-58-2009 was originally published in 1959 and is an established industry standard to assist and guide those tasked with the design, manufacture, specification, use, and inspection of pipe hangers, systems, and supports. In 2009, SP-58 was revised to comprehensively combine all of the content of five Pipe Hanger and Support standards into a single document. On February 11, 2011, ANSI granted final approval of MSS SP-58-2009 as an ANS.

ANSI/MSS SP-58-2009 includes all of the information from ANSI/MSS SP-69, Selection and Application; MSS SP-77, Guidelines for Pipe Support Contractual Relations; MSS SP-89, Fabrication and Installation Practices; and MSS SP-90, Guidelines on Terminology for Pipe Hangers and Supports. This Standard Practice is used extensively in the power, plumbing, HVAC, construction, mechanical, electrical, industrial, fluid conveyance, and other related industries. It serves as a “complete guide” for pipe hanger and support design, manufacture, selection, and installation; enabling the user to specify a minimum level of acceptance for pipe hanger design and performance, in addition to defining the types of hangers and supports.

The new ANSI-approved American National Standard edition, ANSI/MSS SP-58-2009, is now available; noting its content is substantively consistent with the superseded 2009 MSS-only edition. New revisions will be applied to the next ANSI/MSS version, which will utilize an accelerated review timeline so as to approve one unified and revised ANSI/MSS Standard Practice that benefits the industry as a whole and provides a basis for common practice by manufacturers, users, and the general public.

This Standard Practice establishes: (1) the material, design, fabrication, and inspection criteria to be used in the manufacture of standard types of pipe hanger components; (2) establishes the allowable stress values for materials used in standard types of pipe support components and unique hanger design assemblies; (3) establishes minimum design load ratings for rigid pipe hanger assemblies; (4) presents the recommended practice for the selection and application of pipe hangers and supports for all service temperatures; and (5) establishes recommended procedures for detailing, fabrication, and installation of pipe hangers and supports.

The Manufacturers Standardization Society (MSS) of the Valve and Fittings Industry is a non-profit technical association organized for development and improvement of industry, national and international codes and standards for Valves, Valve Actuators, Valve Modifications, Pipe Fittings, Flanges, Pipe Hangers and Supports, and Associated Seals. Since its establishment in 1924, MSS has been dedicated to developing standards for national and global application, in cooperation with other standardizing bodies and regulatory authorities. MSS is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited standards developer.