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ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is one of the most authoritative organizations that sets rules for the design, manufacture, maintenance and inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, power-generating machinery and their auxiliary systems, and components used in nuclear facilities. These rules establish a framework for quality in the industry.

ASME BPVC consists of 14 sections, 30 volumes and 16,000 pages.

BPVC documents are updated every two years. Developments between these dates are published through “addendum” and “supplement” documents.

ASME BPVC consists of 14 sections as you can see in the table below;

Segment I: Construction Rules of Power Boilers
Segment II: Material Specifications
Segment IID: Material Specifications, section D specifications
Segment IIDM: Material Specifications, section D properties, metric
Segment III: Construction Rules of Nuclear Power Plant Components
Segment IV: Heating Boilers Construction Rules
Segment V: Non-Destructive Testing
Segment VI: Recommended Rules for the Operation and Maintenance of Heating Boilers
Segment VII: Recommended Guidelines and Principles for Maintenance of Power Boilers
Segment VIII: Pressure Vessels Manufacturing Rules
Segment IX: Welding and Soldering Competencies
Segment X: Fiberglass, Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels
Segment XI: Inspection Rules for Nuclear Facility Components During Operation
Segment XII: Rules for the Continuity of Service and Construction of Transport Tanks
Code Cases: Power Boilers and Pressure Vessels
Code Cases: Nuclear Components

Product Scope / Summary

This Section provides requirements for all methods of construction of power, electric, and miniature boilers; high-temperature water boilers, heat recovery steam generators, and certain fired pressure vessels to be used in stationary service; and power boilers used in locomotive, portable, and traction service. Also included are rules for the use of the ASME Certification Mark and Designators V, A, M, PP, S, and E. The rules apply to boilers in which steam or other vapor is generated at pressures exceeding 15 psig and to high-temperature water boilers intended to operate at pressures exceeding 160 psig and/or temperatures exceeding 250 degrees F. Superheaters, economizers, and other pressure components connected directly to the boiler without intervening valves are considered part of the scope of Section I.

Careful application of this Chapter will help users achieve the operational, cost, and safety benefits derived from the many industry best practices detailed in these volumes, while also ensuring that users comply with applicable regulations within their jurisdiction.

It is intended for manufacturers, users, constructors, designers and others involved in the design, fabrication, assembly, installation, inspection, inspection and testing of pressure vessels, as well as all potential management units.

This Section is a “Service Section” of other BPVC Sections and provides material specifications for ferrous materials adequate for safety in the pressure equipment field. These specifications include requirements for chemical and mechanical properties, heat treatment, manufacturing, heat and product analysis, and test methods. They are designated by SA numbers and are the same or similar to specifications published by ASTM and other recognized national or international organizations.

This Section is a “Service Section” of other BPVC Sections and provides material specifications for ferrous materials adequate for safety in the pressure equipment field. These specifications include requirements for chemical and mechanical properties, heat treatment, fabrication, heat and product analysis, and test methods. They are designated by SB numbers and are the same or similar to specifications published by ASTM and other recognized national or international organizations.

This Section is a “Service Section” to other BPVC Sections that provide material specifications for fabrication, acceptability, chemical composition, mechanical serviceability, surface finish, testing requirements and procedures, working properties, and intended uses for welding rods, electrodes, and filler metals. These specifications are designated by SFA numbers and are derived from AWS specifications.

This Subpart contains both mandatory and non-mandatory appendices for Part III, Section 1 (Subparts NCA through NG) and Section 2, a list of design and design analysis methods and information, and Data Report Forms. These appendices are referenced in Subpart NCA through NG and Section 2, and are an integral part thereof.

Additional Sections

BPVC Section III-Rules for the Construction of Nuclear Facility Components-Part 1-Subsection NCD-Class 2 and Class 3 Components
BPVC Section III-Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components-Section 1-Subsection NE-Class MC Components
BPVC Section III-Rules for the Construction of Nuclear Facility Components-Section 1-Subsection NF-Supports
BPVC Section III-Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components-Section 1-Subsection NG-Core Support Structures
BPVC Section III-Rules for the Construction of Nuclear Facility Components-Subsection NCA-General Requirements for Sections 1 and 2
BPVC Section III-Code for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components-Part 2-Code for Concrete Vessels
BPVC Section III-Rules for the Construction of Nuclear Facility Components-Part 3-Containment Systems and Transport Packaging for Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste
BPVC Section III-Rules for the Construction of Nuclear Facility Components-Section 5-High Temperature Reactors

This Subpart contains requirements for materials, design, fabrication, inspection, testing and overpressure protection of items intended to comply with Class 1 construction requirements. NB Subpart rules cover requirements to ensure the structural integrity of items.

This Section contains the requirements and methods for non-destructive testing referred to and mandated by other BPVC Sections. It also includes the manufacturer’s inspection responsibilities, the duties of authorized inspectors, and the qualification, inspection and inspection requirements of personnel. Inspection methods are intended to detect surface and internal discontinuities in materials, welds and fabricated parts and components. A glossary of related terms is included.

Designed for manufacturers, users, constructors, designers and others involved in the design, fabrication, assembly, installation, inspection, inspection and testing of pressure vessels, as well as all potential management units. Segment V: Non-Destructive Testing Segment

This Section covers general definitions, terminology and operating instructions applicable to steel and cast iron boilers limited to the operating ranges of Section IV Heating Boilers. It includes instructions for related controls and automatic fuel-burning equipment. Illustrations show typical examples of equipment present. Also included is a glossary of terms commonly associated with boilers, controls and fuel-burning equipment.

All changes in this 2013 Release are included on the appropriate page, and each affected area is identified with an identifier. Each Section includes a Change Summary listing the nature of the change as well as the material affected by the change. There will no longer be an Addenda service for this 2013 Release or future Releases.

The purpose of these proposed guidelines is to promote safety in the use of power boilers. In this Chapter the term “power boiler” includes fixed, portable and traction type boilers, but does not include locomotive and high temperature water boilers, nuclear power plant boilers, central heating boilers, pressure vessels or marine boilers. This Chapter provides such guidelines as are intended to assist those directly responsible for the operation, maintenance and inspection of power boilers. Due to their extensive use, emphasis is given to industrial type boilers. Guidelines are also provided for the operation of auxiliary equipment and appliances affecting the safe and reliable operation of power boilers.

This Section of Chapter VIII provides requirements applicable to the design, fabrication, inspection, testing, and certification of pressure vessels operating at internal or external pressures exceeding 15 psig. Such vessels may be fired or unfired. This pressure may be achieved by the application of heat from an external source or from a direct or indirect source, or any combination thereof. These rules provide an alternative to the minimum requirements for pressure vessels under the Section 1 rules. Section 1 has more stringent requirements for materials, design, and nondestructive testing compared to Section 2; however, higher design stress concentration values are permitted. The Section 2 rules cover only vessels to be installed in a fixed location for a specific service in which operational and maintenance control is maintained throughout the life of the vessel by the user who prepared or caused the design specifications to be prepared. These rules may also apply to pressure vessels typically intended for human occupancy in the diving industry. Rules for the use of the U2 and UV ASME Product Certification Marks are also included.

This Section of Section VIII provides requirements applicable to the design, fabrication, inspection, testing, and certification of pressure vessels operating at internal or external pressures generally in excess of 10,000 psi. Such vessels may be fired or unfired. This pressure may be obtained from an external source, a process reaction, the application of heat from a direct or indirect source, or any combination thereof. The Section 3 rules apply to vessels that are intended for a specific service and are installed in a fixed location or are moved from site to site between pressurizations. Operational and maintenance control throughout the life of the vessel is maintained by the user who prepared or caused the design specifications to be prepared. Section 3 does not establish maximum pressure limits for Section VIII, Divisions 1 or 2, or minimum pressure limits for this Section. Rules for the use of the UV3 ASME Product Certification Marks are also included.

This Section contains rules for the qualification of welding, brazing and joining procedures required by other BPVC Sections for the manufacture of components. It also includes rules for the qualification and requalification of welders, soldering machines and welding, brazing and melting machine operators to be able to weld, braze or plastic bond as required by other BPVC Sections in the manufacture of components. Welding, brazing and joining data covers essential and non-essential variables specific to the joining process used.

This Section provides requirements for the construction of an FRP pressure vessel in accordance with a manufacturer’s design report. It includes the methods of fabrication, processing, manufacturing, inspection, and testing required for the vessel. Section X includes three Classes of ship design; Class I and Class III – destructive testing of a prototype and Class II – qualification through mandatory design rules and acceptance testing by non-destructive methods. These vessels are not permitted to store, process, or handle lethal liquids. Vessel fabrication is limited to the following processes: bag molding, centrifugal casting, and filament winding and contact molding. General properties are given for glass and resin materials and minimum physical properties are given for composite materials.

It provides requirements for the maintenance of a nuclear power plant while it is in operation and for the return of a plant to service following power plant outages. The Rules require a mandatory programme to demonstrate adequate safety and to manage the effects of deterioration and ageing. The Rules also require the Authorised Nuclear Service Inspector to verify that the mandatory programme has been completed and to permit the safe and rapid return of the plant to service. The application of this Part commences when the requirements of the construction regulations are met.

PART 1
This Part provides rules for examination, inspection and testing; NDE methods, qualifications and requirements; evaluation and acceptance standards for defects, faults and related conditions; repair/replacement operations and corrective operations/measures in light water-cooled nuclear power plants.

PART 2
This Section provides requirements for establishing a Reliability and Integrity Management (RIM) Program for advanced nuclear reactor designs. The RIM Program addresses the entire life cycle for all types of nuclear power plants; it requires a combination of monitoring, inspection, testing, operation, and maintenance requirements that ensure that each Structure, System, and Component (SSC) meets the facility risk and reliability objectives. Those selected for the RIM Program.

This Part covers the requirements for construction and continuing service of pressure vessels for the transportation of hazardous goods by road, rail, air, or water at pressures from full vacuum to 3,000 psig and in volumes greater than 120 gallons. “Construction” is a term that includes materials, design, fabrication, inspection, examination, testing, certification, and overpressure protection. “Continued service” is a term that includes all references to the inspection, testing, repair, alteration, and recertification of a transportation tank in service. This Part contains modal annexes that contain requirements for vessels used in specific modes of transportation and service applications. T Includes rules for the use of the ASME Product Certification Marks.

Since its first publication in 1914, ASME’s Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) has led the development of modern standards, continuing its commitment to advancing public safety and technological advancement to meet the needs of a changing world. More than 100,000 copies of BPVC are in use in 100 countries worldwide.

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