ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC)
Encyclopedia
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is an American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME) standard
that provides rules for the design, fabrication
, and inspection of boiler
s and pressure vessel
s. A pressure component designed and fabricated in accordance with this standard will have a long, useful service life, and one that ensures the protection of human life and property. Volunteers, who are nominated to its committees based on their technical expertise and on their ability to contribute to the writing, revising, interpreting, and administering of the document, write the BPVC.
. A fire-tube boiler exploded at the Grover Shoe Factory
in Brockton, Massachusetts
on March 20, 1905 which resulted in the deaths of 58 people and injured 150. Then on December 6, 1906 a boiler in the factory of the P.J. Harney Shoe Company exploded in Lynn, Massachusetts
. As a result the state of Massachusetts enacted the first legal code based on ASME's rules for the construction of steam boilers in 1907.
ASME convened the Board of Boiler Rules before it became the ASME Boiler Code Committee which was formed in 1911. This committee put in the form work for the first edition of the ASME Boiler Code - Rules for the Construction of Stationary Boilers and for the Allowable Working Pressures, which was issued in 1914 and published in 1915.
The first publication was known as the 1914 edition, and it developed overtime into the the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel code, which today has over 92,000 copies in use, in over 100 countries around the world.
The first edition of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (1914 edition) consisted of one book, 114 pages long, measuring 5 x 8 inches which evolved into today's edition which consists of 28 books, including twelve dedicated to the construction and inspection of nuclear power plant components and two Code Case books. (The 2001 edition of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code is more than 16,000 pages.) The 28 books are either standards that provide the rules for fabricating a component or they are support documents, such as Materials, Nondestructive Examination, and Welding and Brazing Qualifications.
After the first edition of the Code, the verifications that the manufacture was to the Code was performed by independent inspectors, which resulted in a wide range of interpretations. Hence in February 1919, the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors was formed.
ADDENDA
An addenda, which includes additions and revisions to the individual Sections of the Code are issued accordingly for a particular edition of the code up until the next edition.
INTERPRETATIONS
ASME's interpretations to submitted technical queries relevant to a particular Section of the Code are issued accordingly. Interpretations are also available through the internet.
CODES CASES
Code Cases provide rules that permit the use of materials and alternative methods of construction that are not covered by existing BPVC rules. For those Cases that have been adopted will appear in the appropriate Code Cases book: "Boilers and Pressure Vessels" and "Nuclear Components."
Codes Cases are usually intended to be incorporated in the Code in a later edition. When it is used, the Code Case specifies mandatory requirements which must be met as it would be with the Code. There are some jurisdictions that do not automatically accept Code Cases.
Part A - Ferrous Material Specifications
This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides material specifications for ferrous materials which are suitable for use in the construction of pressure vessels.
The specifications contained is this Part specify the mechanical properties, heat treatment, heat and product chemical composition and analysis, test specimens, and methodologies of testing. The designation of the specifications start with 'SA' and a number which is taken from the ASTM 'A' specifications.
Part B - Nonferrous Material Specifications
This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides material specifications for nonferrous materials which are suitable for use in the construction of pressure vessels.
The specifications contained is this Part specify the mechanical properties, heat treatment, heat and product chemical composition and analysis, test specimens, and methodologies of testing. The designation of the specifications start with 'SB' and a number which is taken from the ASTM 'B' specifications.
Part C - Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals
This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides mechanical properties, heat treatment, heat and product chemical composition and analysis, test specimens, and methodologies of testing for welding rods, filler metals and electrodes used in the construction of pressure vessels.
The specifications contained is this Part are designated with 'SFA' and a number which is taken from the American Welding Society
(AWS) specifications.
Part D - Properties (Customary/Metric)
This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides tables for the design stress values, tensile and yield stress values as well as tables for material properties (Modulus of Elasticity, Coefficient of heat transfer et. al.)
The section also covers the suppliers examination responsibilities, requirements of the authorized inspectors (AI) as well the the requirements for the qualification of personnel, inspection and examinations.
The pressure vessel can be either fired or unfired. The pressure may be from external sources, or by the application of heating from an indirect or direct source, or any combination thereof.
The Division is not numbered in the traditional method (Part 1, Part 2 etc.) but is structured with Subsections and Parts which consist of letters followed by a number. The structure is as follows:
The pressure vessel can be either fired or unfired. The pressure may be from external sources, or by the application of heating from an indirect or direct source as a result of a process, or any combination of the two.
The rules contained in this section can be used as an alternative to the minimum requirements specified in Division 1. Generally the Division 2 rules are more onerous than in Division 1 with respect to materials, design and nondestructive examinations but higher design stress intensity values are allowed.
The pressure vessel can be either fired or unfired. The pressure may be from external sources, by the application of heating from an indirect or direct source, process reaction or any combination thereof.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a professional body, specifically an engineering society, focused on mechanical engineering....
(ASME) standard
Standardization
Standardization is the process of developing and implementing technical standards.The goals of standardization can be to help with independence of single suppliers , compatibility, interoperability, safety, repeatability, or quality....
that provides rules for the design, fabrication
Fabrication (metal)
Fabrication as an industrial term refers to building metal structures by cutting, bending, and assembling. The cutting part of fabrication is via sawing, shearing, or chiseling ; torching with handheld torches ; and via CNC cutters...
, and inspection of boiler
Boiler
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...
s and pressure vessel
Pressure vessel
A pressure vessel is a closed container designed to hold gases or liquids at a pressure substantially different from the ambient pressure.The pressure differential is dangerous and many fatal accidents have occurred in the history of their development and operation. Consequently, their design,...
s. A pressure component designed and fabricated in accordance with this standard will have a long, useful service life, and one that ensures the protection of human life and property. Volunteers, who are nominated to its committees based on their technical expertise and on their ability to contribute to the writing, revising, interpreting, and administering of the document, write the BPVC.
History
The BPVC got it roots from public outcry after several serious explosions in the state of MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. A fire-tube boiler exploded at the Grover Shoe Factory
Grover Shoe Factory disaster
The Grover Shoe Factory disaster was an industrial explosion, building collapse and fire that killed 58 people and injured 150 when it leveled the R. B. Grover shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on March 20, 1905...
in Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States; the population was 93,810 in the 2010 Census. Brockton, along with Plymouth, are the county seats of Plymouth County...
on March 20, 1905 which resulted in the deaths of 58 people and injured 150. Then on December 6, 1906 a boiler in the factory of the P.J. Harney Shoe Company exploded in Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
. As a result the state of Massachusetts enacted the first legal code based on ASME's rules for the construction of steam boilers in 1907.
ASME convened the Board of Boiler Rules before it became the ASME Boiler Code Committee which was formed in 1911. This committee put in the form work for the first edition of the ASME Boiler Code - Rules for the Construction of Stationary Boilers and for the Allowable Working Pressures, which was issued in 1914 and published in 1915.
The first publication was known as the 1914 edition, and it developed overtime into the the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel code, which today has over 92,000 copies in use, in over 100 countries around the world.
The first edition of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (1914 edition) consisted of one book, 114 pages long, measuring 5 x 8 inches which evolved into today's edition which consists of 28 books, including twelve dedicated to the construction and inspection of nuclear power plant components and two Code Case books. (The 2001 edition of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code is more than 16,000 pages.) The 28 books are either standards that provide the rules for fabricating a component or they are support documents, such as Materials, Nondestructive Examination, and Welding and Brazing Qualifications.
After the first edition of the Code, the verifications that the manufacture was to the Code was performed by independent inspectors, which resulted in a wide range of interpretations. Hence in February 1919, the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors was formed.
| Year | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1880 | The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is founded |
| 1884 | First performance test code: Code for the Conduct of Trials of Steam Boilers |
| 1900 | First revision of an ASME standard, Standard Method of Conducting Steam Boiler Tests |
| 1911 | Establishment of a committee to propose a Boiler Code |
| 1913 | New Committee to revise the Boiler Code |
| 1914 | Issuance of the first Boiler Code |
| 1915 | Standards for Specifications and Construction of Boilers and Other Containing Vessels in Which High Pressure is Contained |
| 1919 | National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors formed |
| 1924 | Code for Unfired Pressure Vessels |
| 1930 | Test Code of Complete Steam-Electric Power Plants |
| 1956 | Committee established for ASME Pressure Vessel Code for Nuclear Age |
| 1963 | Section III (Nuclear Power) of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code |
| 1968 | ASME Nuclear Power Certificate of Authorization Program commences |
| 1972 | ASME expands its certification program worldwide; first ASME manufacturer certification issued outside of North America |
| 1978 | First ASME publication of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee interpretations |
| 1983 | ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code published in both conventional and metric units |
| 1989 | Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code published on CD-ROM |
| 1992 | First Authorized Inspection Agency accredited |
| 1996 | Risk technology introduced into the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code |
| 1997 | High Pressure Vessel Code |
| 2000 | C&S Connect (on-line balloting and tracking system) launched for Boiler and_Pressure Vessel Committees |
| 2007 | ISO TC11 Standard 16528—Boilers and Pressure Vessels published, establishing performance requirements for the construction of boilers and pressure vessels and facilitating registration of BPV Codes to this standard |
| 2008 | Polyethylene plastic pipe introduced into the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III |
| 2009 | ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee reorganized from one consensus body to ten consensus bodies |
Code Sections
LIST OF SECTIONS- ASME BPVC Section I - Rules for Construction of Power Boilers
- ASME BPVC Section II - Materials
- Part A - Ferrous Material Specifications
- Part B - Nonferrous Material Specifications
- Part C - Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals
- Part D - Properties (Customary)
- Part D - Properties (Metric)
- ASME BPVC Section III - Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components
- Subsection NCA - General Requirements for Division 1 and Division 2
- Division 1
- Subsection NB - Class 1 Components
- Subsection NC - Class 2 Components
- Subsection ND - Class 3 Components
- Subsection NE - Class MC Components
- Subsection NF - Supports
- Subsection NG - Core Support Structures
- Subsection NH - Class 1 Components in Elevated Temperature Service
- Appendices
- Division 2 - Code for Concrete Containments
- Division 3 - Containments for Transportation and Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High Level Radioactive Material and Waste
- ASME BPVC Section IV - Rules for Construction of Heating Boilers
- ASME BPVC Section V - Nondestructive Examination
- ASME BPVC Section VI - Recommended Rules for the Care and Operation of Heating Boilers
- ASME BPVC Section VII - Recommended Guidelines for the Care of Power Boilers
- ASME BPVC Section VIII - Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
- Division 1
- Division 2 - Alternative Rules
- Division 3 - Alternative Rules for Construction of High Pressure Vessels
- ASME BPVC Section IX - Welding and Brazing Qualifications
- ASME BPVC Section X - Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels
- ASME BPVC Section XI - Rules for Inservice Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components
- ASME BPVC Section XII - Rules for the Construction & Continued Service of Transport Tanks
ADDENDA
An addenda, which includes additions and revisions to the individual Sections of the Code are issued accordingly for a particular edition of the code up until the next edition.
INTERPRETATIONS
ASME's interpretations to submitted technical queries relevant to a particular Section of the Code are issued accordingly. Interpretations are also available through the internet.
CODES CASES
Code Cases provide rules that permit the use of materials and alternative methods of construction that are not covered by existing BPVC rules. For those Cases that have been adopted will appear in the appropriate Code Cases book: "Boilers and Pressure Vessels" and "Nuclear Components."
Codes Cases are usually intended to be incorporated in the Code in a later edition. When it is used, the Code Case specifies mandatory requirements which must be met as it would be with the Code. There are some jurisdictions that do not automatically accept Code Cases.
ASME BPVC Section II
The section of the ASME BPVC consists of 4 parts.Part A - Ferrous Material Specifications
This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides material specifications for ferrous materials which are suitable for use in the construction of pressure vessels.
The specifications contained is this Part specify the mechanical properties, heat treatment, heat and product chemical composition and analysis, test specimens, and methodologies of testing. The designation of the specifications start with 'SA' and a number which is taken from the ASTM 'A' specifications.
Part B - Nonferrous Material Specifications
This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides material specifications for nonferrous materials which are suitable for use in the construction of pressure vessels.
The specifications contained is this Part specify the mechanical properties, heat treatment, heat and product chemical composition and analysis, test specimens, and methodologies of testing. The designation of the specifications start with 'SB' and a number which is taken from the ASTM 'B' specifications.
Part C - Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals
This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides mechanical properties, heat treatment, heat and product chemical composition and analysis, test specimens, and methodologies of testing for welding rods, filler metals and electrodes used in the construction of pressure vessels.
The specifications contained is this Part are designated with 'SFA' and a number which is taken from the American Welding Society
American Welding Society
The American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying...
(AWS) specifications.
Part D - Properties (Customary/Metric)
This Part is a supplementary book referenced by other sections of the Code. It provides tables for the design stress values, tensile and yield stress values as well as tables for material properties (Modulus of Elasticity, Coefficient of heat transfer et. al.)
ASME BPVC Section V
The section of the ASME BPVC contains the requirements for nondestructive examinations which are referred and required by other sections of the Code.The section also covers the suppliers examination responsibilities, requirements of the authorized inspectors (AI) as well the the requirements for the qualification of personnel, inspection and examinations.
Division 1
This division covers the mandatory requirements, specific prohibitions and nonmandatory guidance for materials, design, fabrication, inspection and testing, markings and reports, overpressure protection and certification of pressure vessels having an internal or external pressure which exceeds 15 psi (100 kPa).The pressure vessel can be either fired or unfired. The pressure may be from external sources, or by the application of heating from an indirect or direct source, or any combination thereof.
The Division is not numbered in the traditional method (Part 1, Part 2 etc.) but is structured with Subsections and Parts which consist of letters followed by a number. The structure is as follows:
- Subsection A - General Requirements
- Part UG - General Requirements for All Methods of Construction and All Materials
- Materials: UG-4 through to UG-15
- Design: UG-16 through to UG-35
- Openings and Reinforcements: UG-36 through to UG-46
- Braced and Stayed Surfaces: UG-47 through to UG-50
- Fabrication: UG-75 through to UG-85
- Inspection and Tests: UG-90 through to UG-103
- Marking and Reports: UG-115 through to UG-120
- Overpressure Protection: UG125 through to UG-140
- Part UG - General Requirements for All Methods of Construction and All Materials
- Subsection B - Requirements Pertaining to Methods of Fabrication of Pressure Vessels
- Part UW - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Fabricated by Welding
- General: UW-1 through to UW-3
- Materials: UW-5
- Design: UW-8 through to UW-21
- Fabrication: UW-26 through to UW-42
- Inspection and Tests: UW-46 through to UW-54
- Marking and Reports: UW-60
- Pressure Relief Devices: UW-65
- Part UF - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Fabricated by Forging
- General: UF-1
- Materials: UF-5 through to UF-7
- Design: UF-12 through to UF-25
- Fabrication: UF-26 through to UF-43
- Inspection and Tests: UF-45 through to UF-55
- Marking and Reports: UF-115
- Pressure Relief Devices: UF-125
- Part UB - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Fabricated by Brazing
- General: UB-1 through to UB-3
- Materials: UB-5 through to UB-7
- Design: UB-9 through to UB-22
- Fabrication: UB-30 through to UB-37
- Inspection and Tests: UB-40 through to UB-50
- Marking and Reports: UB-55
- Pressure Relief Devices: UB-60
- Part UW - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Fabricated by Welding
- Subsection C - Requirements Pertaining to Classes of Materials
- Part UCS - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Constructed of Carbon and Low Alloy Steels
- General: UCS-1
- Materials: UCS-5 through to UCS-12
- Design: UCS-16 through to UCS-57
- Low Temperature Operation: UCS-65 through to UCS-68
- Fabrication: UCS-75 through to UCS-85
- Inspection and Tests: UCS-90
- Marking and Reports: UCS-115
- Pressure Relief Devices: UCS-125
- Nonmandatory Appendix CS: UCS-150 through to UCS-160
- Part UNF - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Constructed of Nonferrous Materials
- General: UNF-1 through to UNF-4
- Materials: UNF-5 through to UNF-15
- Design: UNF-16 through to UNF-65
- Fabrication: UNF-75 through to UNF-79
- Inspection and Tests: UNF-90 through to UNF-95
- Marking and Reports: UNF-115
- Pressure Relief Devices: UNF-125
- Appendix NF: Characteristics of the Nonferrous Materials (Informative and Nonmandatory)
- Part UHA Requirements for Pressure Vessels Constructed of High Alloy Steel
- General: UHA-1 through to UHA-8
- Materials: UHA-11 through to UHA-13
- Design: UHA-20 through to UHA-34
- Fabrication: UHA-40 through to UHA-44
- Inspection and Tests: UHA-50 through to UHA-52
- Marking and Reports: UHA-60
- Pressure Relief Devices: UHA-65
- Appendix HA: Suggestions on the Selection and Treatment of Austenitic Chromium–Nickel and Ferritic and Martensitic High Chromium Steels (Informative and Nonmandatory)
- Part UCI - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Constructed of Cast Iron
- General: UCI-1 through to UCI-3
- Materials: UCI-5 through to UCI-12
- Design: UCI-16 through to UCI-37
- Fabrication: UCI-75 through to UCI-78
- Inspection and Tests: UCI-90 through to UCI-101
- Marking and Reports: UCI-115
- Pressure Relief Devices: UCI-125
- Part UCL - Requirements for Welded Pressure Vessels Constructed of Material With Corrosion Resistant Integral Cladding, Weld Metal Overlay Cladding, or With Applied Linings
- General: UCL-1 through to UCL-3
- Materials: UCL-10 through to UCL-12
- Design: UCL-20 through to UCL-27
- Fabrication: UCL-30 through to UCL-46
- Inspection and Tests: UCL-50 through to UCL-52
- Marking and Reports: UCL-55
- Pressure Relief Devices: UCL-60
- Part UCD - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Constructed of Cast Ductile Iron
- General: UCD-1 through to UCD-3
- Materials: UCD-5 through to UCD-12
- Design: UCD-16 through to UCD-37
- Fabrication: UCD-75 through to UCD-78
- Inspection and Tests: UCD-90 through to UCD-101
- Marking and Reports: UCD-115
- Pressure Relief Devices: UCD-125
- Part UHT Requirements for Pressure Vessels Constructed of Ferritic Steels With Tensile Properties Enhanced by Heat Treatment.
- General: UHT-1
- Materials: UHT-5 through to UHT-6
- Design: UHT-16 through to UHT-57
- Fabrication: UHT-75 through to UHT-86
- Inspection and Tests: UHT-90
- Marking and Reports: UHT-115
- Pressure Relief Devices: UHT-125
- Part ULW Requirements for Pressure Vessels Fabricated by Layered Construction
- Introduction: ULW-1 through to ULW-2
- Materials: ULW-5
- Design: ULW-16 through to ULW-26
- Welding: ULW-31 through to ULW-33
- Nondestructive Examination of Welded Joints: ULW-50 through to ULW-57
- Fabrication: ULW-75 through to ULW-78
- Inspection and Tests: ULW-90
- Marking and Reports: ULW-115
- Pressure Relief Devices: ULW-125
- Part ULT Alternative Rules for Pressure Vessels Constructed of Materials Having Higher Allowable Stresses at Low Temperature
- General: ULT-1 through to ULT-5
- Design: ULT-16 through to ULT-57
- Fabrication: ULT-76 through to ULT-86
- Inspection and Tests: ULT-90 through to ULT-100
- Marking and Reports: ULT-115
- Pressure Relief Devices: ULT-125
- Part UHX - Rules for Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers
- Part UIG - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Constructed of Impregnated Graphite
- General: UIG-1 through to UIG-3
- Materials: UIG-5 through to UIG-8
- Design: UIG-22 through to UIG-60
- Fabrication: UIG-75 through to UIG-84
- Inspection and Tests: UIG-90 through to UIG-112
- Marking and Reports: UIG-115 through to UIG-121
- Pressure Relief Devices: UIG-125
- Part UCS - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Constructed of Carbon and Low Alloy Steels
- MANDATORY APPENDICES: 1 through to 42
- NONMANDATORY APPENDICES: A through to MM
Division 2 - Alternative Rules
This division covers the mandatory requirements, specific prohibitions and nonmandatory guidance for materials, design, fabrication, inspection and testing, markings and reports, overpressure protection and certification of pressure vessels having an internal or external pressure which exceeds 15 psi (103 kPa).The pressure vessel can be either fired or unfired. The pressure may be from external sources, or by the application of heating from an indirect or direct source as a result of a process, or any combination of the two.
The rules contained in this section can be used as an alternative to the minimum requirements specified in Division 1. Generally the Division 2 rules are more onerous than in Division 1 with respect to materials, design and nondestructive examinations but higher design stress intensity values are allowed.
Division 3 - Alternative Rules for Construction of High Pressure Vessels
This division covers the mandatory requirements, specific prohibitions and nonmandatory guidance for materials, design, fabrication, inspection and testing, markings and reports, overpressure protection and certification of pressure vessels having an internal or external pressure which exceeds 10,000 psi (70,000 kPa).The pressure vessel can be either fired or unfired. The pressure may be from external sources, by the application of heating from an indirect or direct source, process reaction or any combination thereof.