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Pressure Vessels

The safety of pressure vessels is an important concern in various industries. Our standards help manufacturers of pressurized storage containers, heat exchangers, steam generators, boilers, industrial piping, safety devices and pressure accessories meet essential safety requirements and satisfy conformity assessment procedures.

Regulating the safe design and application of pressure vessels

Learn how standards support pressure vessel safety globally

PD 5500: Ensuring safety in unfired pressure vessels for 50 years
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PD 5500: Ensuring safety in unfired pressure vessels for 50 years

PD 5500, the UK's national pressure vessels code, has played a pivotal role in ensuring the safe and efficient design, manufacture, inspection, and testing of unfired pressure vessels for nearly half a century. As it approaches its 50th anniversary milestone, the launch of the PD 5500:2024 edition marks a significant moment in the evolution of this critical industry standard. This article explores the purpose of PD 5500and outlines its key benefits for users, shedding light on why this code is essential for mechanical engineers, pressure vessel designers, manufacturers, and inspectors across various industries. Understanding the evolution and scope of PD 5500 Originally published as BS 5500 in 1976, PD 5500 replaced sector-specific pressure vessel standards, consolidating and refining requirements for the design and construction of unfired pressure vessels. The scope of PD 5500 encompasses a wide range of materials, including carbon, ferritic alloy, and austenitic steels, as well as supplements for vessels made from aluminium, copper, nickel, titanium, and duplex. While it is the UK's national pressure vessels code, its influence also extends globally. The code is commonly used in Commonwealth and former Commonwealth countries, the Middle East, and Asia. It competes with other internationally recognized standards such as the ASME BPVC which is predominantly used in the US and the BS EN 13445 series which is used in Europe. Learn more about how standards are supporting the safe design, management, and maintenance of pressure vessels by visiting our Pressure Vessel Topic Page. In essence, this document sets forth the comprehensive guidelines needed to ensure compliance with the highest safety and performance standards. PD 5500 remains a relevant choice, particularly for projects within the UK market, offering a comprehensive and user-friendly set of guidelines. Who needs to use PD 5500? PD 5500 caters to a diverse user base, including mechanical engineers, pressure vessel designers, manufacturers, and inspectors in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, process plants, energy generation (including nuclear), and the food and drink sector. This broad applicability speaks to the code's versatility and adaptability to a range of safety-critical applications. What is the 2024 update to PD 5500? The launch of PD 5500 signifies the commencement of a new three-year publishing cycle. It brings together all the changes and enhancements introduced during the 2021 publishing cycle. This cycle involves the release of annual amendments, each adding enhancements, corrections, and clarifications to the code. Purchasers of the new edition receive the base document along with the three amendments scheduled for release in September of each respective year (A1 in 2024, A2 in 2025, and A3 in 2026). The ongoing development and updating of PD 5500 involves collaboration with industry experts across design, manufacturing, inspection, and academia. The code is subject to rigorous review, with proposals, comments, and feedback considered from committee members and end-users alike. This collaborative approach ensures that PD 5500 remains at the forefront of industry standards, incorporating the latest technological advancements and addressing emerging challenges. As industries worldwide continue to rely on unfired pressure vessels, PD 5500 remains an indispensable tool, providing a solid foundation for the creation of safe, efficient, and compliant pressure vessels. Add PD 500:2024 to your collection today. Discover BSI Knowledge Over 100,000 internationally recognized standards are available for simple and flexible access with a BSI Knowledge subscription. Our tailored subscription service allows you to build your own custom collection of standards or opt for access to one of our pre-built modules, keeping you up to date with any changes. With support from a dedicated BSI account manager, our subscription service helps you achieve a more coherent and effective approach to best practice. Request to learn more.Read more
Standardizing the design of pressure vessels: What you need to know
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Standardizing the design of pressure vessels: What you need to know

There are several different documents available on the details of pressure vessel design. However, the basis of the design of pressure vessels is the use of appropriate formulae for vessel dimensions in conjunction with suitable values of design strength. Pressure vessels can be divided into `simple vessels' and those that have more complex features. The relevant standards and codes specify information about the design and manufacture of vessels and vessel design and fabrication is an area well covered by standards and codes. As a result of this standardization, the outright failure of a properly designed, constructed, operated, and maintained pressure vessel is rare. What is the Difference Between ASME BPVC, PD 5500, and BS EN 13445? The design and manufacture of boilers and pressure vessels are normally carried out to meet the requirements of national and international standards with one of the earliest being the AOTC 1939/48/58 `Rules for the construction, testing, and scantlings of metal arc welded steel boilers and other pressure vessels’. The other principal standards in the UK were BS 1500 and BS 1515, both of which are now withdrawn and superseded by PD 5500, whereas the BS EN 13445 series of standards deals with the design unfired pressure vessels. The other most used design code is the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineering) Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC). In the 1950s, ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code was dominant across most of the world.  Over time, PD 5500 and BS EN 13445 series became more competitive in designing lighter and more efficient vessels. Now as it stands, all three are used and recognized globally, though with the ASME BPVC being more prominent in America, PD 5500 more prominent in the UK, and the BS EN 13445 series more widely used in Europe. There are several main points of difference between them, which include; material selection restrictions, allowable stresses, and joint efficiencies. What is the ASME BPVC? ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code establishes the rules of safety – in relation to pressure integrity only – governing the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels and of nuclear power plant components during construction. The aim of the rules is to provide a margin for deterioration in service. It is suitable for those who’ve purchased it in the past, as well as users of PD 5500 and the BS EN 13445 series. ASME BPVC is international in scope, with more than 100,000 copies in use in 100 countries. In particular, the boiler and pressure-vessel sections are considered essential within such industries as electric power generation, petrochemicals, transportation, and many others. Currently, half of the world’s nuclear power plants incorporate all or portions of ASME nuclear codes and standards in their construction, operation, and/or maintenance. Sixty nations generally recognize and apply the BPVC, while 30 of the 44 nuclear nations purchase their nuclear components to specifications contained within ASME’s nuclear codes and standards.  The nuclear sections of the BPVC reflect the best practices of the industry while contributing to more than a half-century of safety for the general public. ASME BPVC in its entirety includes 31 books and 17,000 pages covering industrial and residential boilers as well as nuclear reactor components, transport tanks, and other forms of pressure vessels. The requirements cover: power boilers, heating boilers, pressure vessels, fiber-reinforced plastic pressure vessels, construction of nuclear facility components, rules of in-service inspection of nuclear power plant components. Pressure vessels are covered in section VIII of the document. This section, in turn, is divided into three parts, 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. ASME BPVC is also continually kept current by committees comprising more than 1,000 technical experts. This ensures that the Code is always being developed to reflect advancements in design, in materials, and from the evidence of experience. To learn about the energy storage market and its contribution to net zero targets, click here. What is PD 5500? PD 5500:2024+A1:2024 Specification for unfired fusion welded pressure vessels is the UK’s national pressure vessels code. It specifies requirements for the design, construction, inspection, testing, and compliance verification of new unfired pressure vessels made from carbon, ferritic alloy, and austenitic steels. It also includes material supplements containing requirements for vessels made from aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium, and duplex. It is an invaluable reference tool for the safe and cost-effective design and assessment of pressure vessels. PD 5500 also helps users enter new markets, trade more seamlessly, increase trust in their products, and manage risk more efficiently. It also contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 on building resilient infrastructure because its use leads to safer and more robust pressure vessels. To learn more about PD 5500:2024+A1:2024, click here. What is the BS EN 13445 Series of Standards? The BS EN 13445 series of standards applies to unfired pressure vessels subject to a pressure greater than 0,5 bar gauge but may be used for vessels operating at lower pressures, including vacuum. It specifies the requirements for the design, construction, inspection, and testing of unfired pressure vessels. It defines terms, definitions, and symbols applicable to unfired pressure vessels. As a result, this standard will be used by those involved in commissioning, designing, building, or maintaining pressure vessels. The BS EN 13445 series is also invaluable to anyone wanting to demonstrate compliance with the EU Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC). It also helps with entry to new markets, facilitates trade, and increases customer trust. 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. Take the pressure off complying with European Directives and international requirements by adding these key standards and documents to your collection.
The importance of ASME standards to your organization
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The importance of ASME standards to your organization

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.
Hazard detection: Flame and gas safety standards for explosive atmospheres
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Hazard detection: Flame and gas safety standards for explosive atmospheres

Those who manufacture, sell or distribute flame and gas (F&G) detection devices and software should always be supporting consultants and end-users with system design. This is simply because the stakes are very high when it comes to explosive atmosphere sites. These are places where people, the environment, and the future of businesses are at risk. The highest possible levels of safety are crucial. For that reason, of course, it’s increasingly been the case that F&G detection devices incorporate software mapping tools. Manufacturers design these tools in order to help system designers know how many devices to deploy and where to put them. Standard BS 60080:2020 Explosive and toxic atmospheres: Hazard detection mapping – Guidance on the placement of permanently installed flame and gas detection devices using software tools and other techniques was published in August 2020 to address these issues. What Does BS 60080:2020 Do? As its name suggests, it gives guidance on the placement of permanently installed F&G detectors. It also covers the setting of performance standards for coverage, placement of devices, and technology selection. The standard also provides guidance on the most commonly used methods of mapping and/or modeling, these being: prescriptive, volumetric, and scenario-based. It also gives guidance on operations, maintenance, and the availability/reliability of the system to complement relevant standards. It defines permanently installed detection systems as including optical flame detection (including ultraviolet, infrared and visual), flammable gas/vapor detection, and toxic gas detection. The standard is relevant to applications where optical flame detection is used as a means of detecting flaming fires in internal and external environments; where a gas detection system is used as a method of explosion protection; where the hazard arises from the release or accumulation of explosive gases and vapors and where the hazard arises from the release or accumulation of toxic gases. BS 60080:2020 use will increase the level of safety in explosive atmospheres, particularly in gas and oil environments. Importantly, the standard supplies a benchmark requirement against which to review a hazard detection system. As such it will increase the confidence and reputation of those organizations that demonstrate they’re doing everything they can to safeguard people in the vicinity of their sites. Its development has been a rare opportunity for a new British Standard to pave the way for hazard detection mapping, greatly decreasing the risk in many explosive atmosphere sites and their vicinities and filling a gap in the market for guidance in this area. As such it will be an essential tool for all F&G device manufacturers and sellers wanting to work with consultants and end users on optimizing system design. In your safety-critical industry, get everyone in your business involved in embedding a culture of health and safety. A BSI Knowledge subscription gives you instant access to the resources you need to improve your health and safety processes. The flexibility and visibility it provides of the best practices guidance enable you to get the most from your standards. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to our GBM07 Occupational & Personal Safety module and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more. Other Key Explosive Atmosphere Standards Standard BS 60080:2020 complements and supports existing related explosive atmosphere standards: Standard BS EN IEC 60079-17:2024 is the latest international standard on how to inspect and maintain electrical installations for use in explosive atmospheres. It’s for use wherever there’s a risk from the potential presence of explosive gas or dust mixtures with air or combustible dust layers under normal atmospheric conditions. Standard BS EN 1127-1:2019 specifies methods for the identification and assessment of hazardous situations leading to explosion and the design and construction measures appropriate for the required safety. This is achieved by risk assessment and risk reduction. It is applicable to any equipment, protective systems, and components intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres, under atmospheric conditions. These atmospheres can arise from flammable/combustible substances processed, used, or released by the equipment, protective systems, and components or from materials in the vicinity of the equipment, protective systems, and components, and/or from the materials of construction of the equipment, protective systems, and components. BS EN IEC 60079-10-1:2021 is concerned with the identification and classification of areas where explosive gas atmospheres are present, in order to permit the proper assessment of ignition sources in such areas. Whilst part BS EN IEC 60079-15:2019 examines equipment for use in explosive atmospheres and part BS EN 60079-2:2014 contains specific requirements for the design, construction, marking, and testing of electrical equipment intended for use in explosive gas atmospheres or explosive dust atmospheres. It also includes requirements for pressurized enclosures containing a limited release of a flammable substance. To ensure you are protecting your staff from risks that working in environments with explosive atmospheres may pose, add these standards to your collection today.

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