ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC)

The ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is an American Society of
Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standard that regulates the design and construction of
boilers and pressure vessels. The document is written and maintained by volunteers
chosen for their technical expertise. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
works as an Accreditation Body and entitles independent third parties such as
verification, testing and certification agencies to inspect and ensure compliance to the
BPVC.

Contents

1 History
2 Code Sections
3 ASME BPVC Section II - Materials
4 ASME BPVC Section III - Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components
5 ASME BPVC Section V - Nondestructive Examination
6 ASME BPVC Section VIII - Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
o
6.1 ASME Section VIII Division 1
o
6.2 Division 2 - Alternative Rules
o
6.3 Division 3 - Alternative Rules for Construction of High Pressure Vessels

History
The BPVC was created in response to public outcry after several serious explosions in the
state of Massachusetts. 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 edition of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, known as the 1914 edition, was
a single 114-page volume. It developed over time into the ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel code, which today has over 92,000 copies in use, in over 100 countries around the
world. As of March 2011 the document consisted of 16,000 pages in 28 volumes.
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.

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
Subsection WA - General Requirements for Division 3
Subsection WB - Class TP (Type B) Containment
Subsection WC - Class SC storage Containments
Division 4 - Reserved for fusion reactors (Not Active)
Division 5 - Construction rules for high temperature reactors (Not Active)
Subsection HA - General Requirements
Subsection HB - Class A Metallic Pressure Boundary Components
Subsection HC - Class B Metallic Pressure Boundary Components
Subsection HF - Class A and B Metallic Supports
Subsection HG - Class A Metallic Core Support Structures
Subsection HH - Class A Non-Metallic Core Support Structures

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
Addenda, which include 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 - MATERIALS

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 starts 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 starts 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.)

ASME BPVC SECTION V - NONDESTRUCTIVE

EXAMINATION
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 as the requirements for the qualification of personnel, inspection and
examinations.

ASME BPVC SECTION VIII - RULES FOR CONSTRUCTION

OF PRESSURE VESSELS
The section of the ASME BPVC consists of 3 divisions.[16]

ASME Section VIII 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:

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

Subsection A - General Requirements

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

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

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 UB - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Fabricated by Brazing

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)

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 UCI - Requirements for Pressure Vessels Constructed of Cast Iron

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

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 ULW Requirements for Pressure Vessels Fabricated by Layered

Construction

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

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 2 has also provisions for the
use of finite element analysis to determine expected stress in pressure equipment, in
addition to the traditional approach of design by formula (Part 5: "Design by Analysis
requirements").

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.