Most pressure vessels in the US are designed and fabricated in accordance with Section VIII, Division 1 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC). But since the code has twelve total sections, what are all the other sections used for? Four of the sections (I, IV, VI, and VII) are about the construction and operation of boilers (power and heating types). Sections III and IX are about nuclear facilities, components, and inspections. Rules for fiber reinforced plastic vessels are in Section X, and rules for tanks used in transportation applications are in Section XII. The remaining sections are known as reference sections, as information in those sections is referenced by several other sections. Material properties are in Section II. Section V is about all forms of non-destructive testing. And Section IX contains rules for welding procedures and qualifications. Section XIII is new in this code edition, for overpressure protection requirements. Any vessel fabricator will need to use at least Sections II, V, and IX in addition to Section VIII. Contact us if you have any questions about the code.
