It has been agreed to publish interpretations issued by the B31 Committee concerning B31.8as part of the update service to the Code. The interpretations have been asssigned numbers inchronological order. Each interpretation applies either to the latest Edition or Addenda at thetime of issuance of the interpretation or the Edition or Addenda stated in the reply. Subsequentrevisions to the Code may have superseded the reply.These replies are taken verbatim from the original letters, except for a few typographical andeditorial corrections made for improved clarity.ASME procedures provide for reconsideration of these interpretations when or if additionalinformation that the inquirer believes might affect the interpretation is available. Further, personsaggrieved by an interpretation may appeal to the cognizant ASME committee or subcommittee.As stated in the Statement of Policy in the Code documents, ASME does not “approve,” “certify,”“rate,” or “endorse” any item, construction, proprietary device, or activity.