ASME COMPANION GUIDE V1

Description / Abstract: INTRODUCTION

This fourth edition is in two volumes composed of 11 Parts, with Parts 1–5 in Volume 1, Parts 6–11 in Volume 2. Common to both volumes is the front matter, including the Organization of the Code. Organization and Operation of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) Committee has been initially authored by Martin D. Bernstein for the first edition, appropriately updated in the second and third editions by Guido G. Karcher capturing the dramatic changes in the ASME BPV organization. The current fourth edition is updated by Joel G. Feldstein and Thomas P. Pastor who hold positions of responsibility in the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Committees.

An index is provided at the end of each volume as a quick reference to topics occurring in different Code Sections of that volume. In addition to indexing several topics covered in this publication, it is also meant to assist in reviewing the overlaps of the ASME Boilers Pressure Vessel Code Sections/Subsections/Paragraphs occurring in the particular volume. In each chapter, all discussions generally pertain to the latest 2010 Code Edition unless noted otherwise by the chapter author(s).

In the preceding three editions, a total of 140 authors contributed to this publication that had three volumes for the third edition. Unique for this edition with two volumes, is the inclusion of Code Sections I through XII, in addition to several ASME B31 Piping Codes. Each of the 49 contributors covering 38 chapters of the current fourth edition captured ‘up-to-date' Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes and Standards, making this publication once again a comprehensive "Companion Guide Book".

The ASME Code is generally accepted in the United States (and in many foreign countries) as recognized minimum safety standard for the construction of pressure vessels and piping. Toward that end, these two volumes can be considered "a primer." Although this primer is authored by several Code Committee members who are considered experts in their respective fields, the comments and interpretations of the rules contained in this publication are strictly the opinions of the individual authors; they are not to be considered official ASME Code Committee positions.

Volume 1 has five Parts, each addressing a unique aspect of the Code. Part 1 covers Power Boilers (Code Sections I and VII); Part 2 covers Materials and Specifications (Code Section II). Scope of Part 2 has been considerably enlarged to address the "sub-topics" of "material specifications" which are the essence of the BPV Codes and Standards. Basis for Acceptance of BPV Codes for "International Material Specifications" are also addressed.

Part 3 provides an in-depth commentary on Rules for Construction of Nuclear Power Plant Components (Code Section III, Division 1). Previously, "Pumps" and "Valves" were addressed in a single chapter, which are now separately dealt in two chapters. As in the previous editions, Section III Division 2 continues to be included in Part 3, addressed by several additional contributors with expertise in their respective areas. Section III Divisions 3 and 5 are included in Part 3, with Division 5 addressing the "Generation IV Nuclear Reactors", which is an add-on-aspect of this edition.

Part 4 covers Sections IV and VI of BPV Code. Part 5 covering Nondestructive Examination (NDE), Code Section V of BPV Code is now included in Volume 1.

Volume 2 covers Parts 6–11, with Part 6 covering Section VIII– Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels. In Part 6, experts dealing with Divisions 1, 2, and 3 provide in-depth criteria and commentary of Code Section VIII with the latest of the code stipulations. In addition there is a chapter by an expert of the BPV Code who discusses safety and litigation issues.

Part 7 addresses welding and brazing qualifications of Code Section IX by the contributor with expertise at the helm of Code Committee deliberations.

Part 8 covering Code Section X pertains to fiber-reinforced plastic pressure vessels has been considerably revised by the current contributor for this edition.

Part 9 providing in-depth discussions of Code Section XI in chapters 27 through 34 is updated by authors associated with the specific subgroups and subcommittees dealing with the topics addressed in the previous editions. A chapter from the third volume of the third edition dealing with Applications of Elastic- Plastic Fracture Mechanics is included in this volume.

Part 10 covering Code Section XII dealing with Transport Tank Code which was in the third volume of the third edition is now included in this part.

Part 11 has coverage of ASME B31 Codes and Standards in chapters 35 through 38. Code for B31.1 Power Piping and B31.3 Process Piping which were in chapters 16 and 17, respectively, of volume 1 of the third edition are now completely revised and covered by Code Committee experts in Chapters 35 and 36 in this Part 11. For the first time since the first edition, in Part 11 of the current fourth edition, additional experts cover ASME Standards B31.9, B31.T, B31.5, B31E, B31J, B31.4, B31.8, B31.11, B31G and B31.12.