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.

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Product Scope / Abstract

This Division of Section VIII provides requirements applicableto the design, fabrication, inspection, testing, and certificationof pressure vessels operating at either internal or externalpressures generally above 10,000 psi.  Such vessels may befired or unfired.  This pressure may be obtained from anexternal source, a process reaction, by the application of heatfrom a direct or indirect source, or any combination thereof. Division 3 rules cover vessels intended for a specific service andinstalled in a fixed location or relocated from work site to worksite between pressurizations.  The operation and maintenancecontrol is retained during the useful life of the vessel by theuser who prepares or causes to be prepared the designspecifications.  Division 3 does not establish maximumpressure limits for either Section VIII, Divisions 1 or 2, norminimum pressure limits for this Division.  Rules pertainingto the use of the UV3 ASME Product Certification Marks are alsoincluded.

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:

• New Mandatory Appendix on Establishing Governing BPVC Editionsand Case for Pressure Vessels and Parts
• KD-1, KD-2, KD-3, to include the simplified elastic-plasticanalysis, thermal stress ratcheting assessment and a fatiguepenalty factor for linear elastic fatigue analysis
• New Nonmandatory Appendix B, which includes the requirements ofwithdrawn standard High Pressure Systems Nonmandatory Appendix Aand Section 3000
• To permit electroslag welding for weld overlay in KF-2Supplemental Welding Fabrication Requirements

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 f