About the BPVC

Since its first issuance in 1914, ASME’s Boiler and PressureVessel Code (BPVC) has pioneered modern standards-development,maintaining a commitment to enhance public safety and technologicaladvancement to meet the needs of a changing world.  More than100,000 copies of the BPVC are in use in 100 countries around theworld. 

Click here for aprinter-friendly version of a brochure, which details all 12 BPVCSections, plus ASME’s portfolio of related BPVC offerings.

Product Scope / Abstract

This Section covers requirements for construction and continuedservice of pressure vessels for the transportation of dangerousgoods via highway, rail, air or water at pressures from full vacuumto 3,000 psig and volumes greater than 120 gallons. "Construction" is an all-inclusive term comprising materials,design, fabrication, examination, inspection, testing,certification, and over-pressure protection.  "Continuedservice" is an all-inclusive term referring to inspection, testing,repair, alteration, and recertification of a transport tank thathas been in service.  This Section contains modal appendicescontaining requirements for vessels used in specific transportmodes and service applications.  Rules pertaining to the useof the T ASME Product Certification Marks are included.

Careful application of this Section will help users to complywith applicable regulations within their jurisdictions, whileachieving the operational, cost and safety benefits to be gainedfrom the many industry best-practices detailed within thesevolumes.

Key changes to this 2013 Edition include:

• Revision of Foreword, Part TG-100.1, and creation of a newmandatory appendix ZZ regarding clarification for establishing agoverning Code Edition and Addenda for new construction and fieldassembly as well as for parts.
• Revision of TM-110.10 to include language addressing standardwelded parts
• Incorporation of Code Case 2596
• Addition of Grade A designation to SA-645
• Revision of TM-250 to reflect changes to Section VIII, Division1, UHA-51 on impact test requirements.
• Paragraph on tolerances added to TG-1.

All changes to this 2013 Edition are incorporated into theappropriate page and each affected area is identified with adesignator.  Each Section includes a Summary of Changes thatlists the material affected by the change, plus the nature of thechange.  There will no longer be Addenda service for this 2013Edition or for future Editions.

Intended for manufacturers, users, constructors, designers andothers concerned with the design, fabrication, assembly, erection,examination, inspection and testing of pressure vessels, plus allpotential governing entities.

BPVC purchasers may wish to purchase a binder from ASME (BPVC Binder), but the publication will alsofit a standard three-ring binder.

For the convenience of those applying for and/or maintainingtheir ASME Product Certification Marks, ASME gathers its requiredcodes and standards into the following “BPVC product certificationpackages”:

• “T” (Transport Tanks) – click here
  “TD” (Transport Tanks, Rupture Disc Devices) – click her