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 Subsection contains requirements for the material, design,fabrication, examination, testing and overpressure protection ofitems which are intended to conform to the requirements for Class 3construction. The rules of Subsection ND cover the requirements forassuring the structural integrity of items.

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:

• Revisions to include requirements for control of electronicQuality Assurance Manuals and documents.
• New requirements for auditing and renewal of Owner’sCertificates.
• New requirements for Owner’s Quality Assurance Program
• Revisions to Mandatory Appendix II,  Article II-1000"Experimental Stress Analysis"
• Updated standards and specifications referenced in TableNCA-7100.
• Updates to Material Specifications and Grades Permitted forClass MC Construction
• New paragraph in Subsection NH for special considerations forClass 1 components in elevated temperature service.

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 and others concerned with the design,fabrication, assembly, erection, examination, inspection andtesting of pressure vessels, plus all potential governingentities.

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”:

• “N,” “NA,” “NPT,” “NS” (N-Type Certificates of Authorizationand Certificates of Accreditation) – click here
• “NV” (Nuclear Safety and Pressure Relief Valves – includesBPVC-II-A, Section II, Part A, Ferrous Materials Specifications –click here
• “NV” (Nuclear Safety and Pressure Relief Valves – includesBPVC-II-B, Section II, Part B, Nonferrous Materials Specifications)–