PD 5500 discusses specifications for unfired pressure vessels. unfired pressure vessels is a containers designed to hold gases or liquids at a pressure substantially different from the ambient pressure. PD 5500 specifies requirements for the design, construction, inspection, testing, and verification of compliance of new unfired pressure vessels. The term ‘‘pressure vessel’’ as used in this specification includes branches up to the point of connection to the connecting piping by bolting, screwing, or welding, and supports, brackets, or other attachments directly welded to the pressure-containing shell. The term ‘‘unfired’’ excludes vessels that are subject to direct generated heat or flame impingement from a fired process. It does not exclude vessels subject to electrical heating or heated process streams.
NOTE: Whilst this specification is limited to the construction of new vessels, with the agreement of the relevant parties it can be used to guide the maintenance or any modification of existing vessels. Where these existing vessels were designed and constructed using an earlier edition of PD 5500, with the agreement of the relevant parties, that an earlier edition can be used to guide the maintenance or any modification.
PD 5500 on unfired pressure vessels is useful for:
The unfired pressure vessels can present hazards to employee safety and facility operability yet fired pressure vessels are at greater risk of overheating. Over time, pressure vessels can become cracked or damaged, which can lead to rupture failures and leakage. The tests specified in PD 5500 help to ensure that the vessels are safe to use.
PD 5500 specifies minimum requirements for design, inspection, testing, and durability while manufacturing the unfired pressure vessels to ensure superior performance. PD 5500 is to be applied for defining the way the provisions are applied and their appropriateness for the intended duty, which is defined in the other documents. Using PD 5500