The safety of pressure vessels is an important concern in various industries.

Pressure vessels are specially designed close containers used to hold gases, volatile liquids, and semi-solids at varying pressures. As a result, it becomes mandatory to take extreme care regarding the specifications and features during the engineering, design, and fabrication phase. Any negligence or a gap during this phase may lead to fatal accidents or injuries at the worksite.

This is where ASME Codes come in.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a non-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development across all engineering disciplines while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society.

ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education, and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.

Issued every two years, the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) sets the standard for the safe design, manufacture, and maintenance of boiler and pressure vessels, power-producing machines, and nuclear power plant components. The document is written and maintained by volunteers chosen for their technical expertise and was first issued in 1914 in response to public outcry after several serious explosions in the state of Massachusetts.

ASME Section VIII: A Focus on Pressure Vessels

ASME Section VIII of the code is dedicated to pressure vessels.

It gives detailed requirements for the design, fabrication, testing, inspection, and certification of both fired and unfired pressure vessels. It specifically refers to those pressure vessels that operate at pressures, either internal or external, that exceed 15 psig. The latest update was published in 2021.

Section VIII is divided into three sections, each of which covers different vessel specifications. Division 1 addresses the requirements for design, fabrication, inspection, testing, and certification. Division 2 provides requirements on materials, design, and non-destructive examination standards. Division 3 provides guidelines for pressure vessels operating at internal or external pressures above 10,000 psi. All 3 Divisions reference many other standards as outlined below.

The BPVC has been adopted in whole or in part by over 100 countries, but primarily is used by all US and Canadian states and territories. It is important to note that other pressure vessel codes, including PD 5500 and BS EN 13445 series, have been legally adopted in various countries.

To discover the differences between the different pressure vessel codes (ASME BPVC, PD 5500 and BS EN 13445 series), click here.

What are the benefits of ASME code?

Adopting the ASME code can have several key benefits to your organization. These include:

User and environment protection

The ASME code ensures that your organization adheres to the very latest health and safety measures in your industry. It offers insight on how to reduce accidents to safeguard staff, while also protecting your valuable assets onsite. Over the years, these codes have not only prevented accidents but also helped organizations to minimize their environmental impact by avoiding leaks and accidents.

Quality control and improved efficiency

Adopting the ASME code is a mark of quality that demonstrates your organization’s commitment to maintaining the highest working practices. With better quality control comes improved efficiency as you develop and maintain performance-based standards.

Regulatory compliance and brand reputation

The ASME code provides a framework to manage your regulatory and legal obligations. Implementing a robust system can help to deliver stakeholder confidence, thereby improving your brand reputation and providing a competitive advantage when bidding for contracts.

Want to access and manage the standards you need to support your management of pressure vessels - all in one place? With a BSI Knowledge subscription, you will have the flexibility and visibility to manage the essential standards you need to work confidently and optimize safety. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to a pre-built module and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more.

Ensure your organization is operating to best practices when designing, manufacturing, and maintaining pressure vessels, by adding the ASME BPVC code to your collection today.