About the BPVC

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

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

Product Scope / Abstract

This Section provides requirements for all methods of construction of power, electric, and miniature boilers; high temperature water boilers, heat recovery steam generators, and certain fired pressure vessels to be used in stationary service; and power boilers used in locomotive, portable, and traction service.  Rules pertaining to use of the V, A, M, PP, S and E ASME Product Certification Marks are also included.  The rules are applicable to boilers in which steam or other vapor is generated at a pressures exceeding 15 psig, and high temperature water boilers intended for operation at pressures exceeding 160 psig and/or temperatures exceeding 250 degree F.  Superheaters, economizers, and other pressure parts connected directly to the boiler without intervening valves are considered as part of the scope of Section I.

Careful application of this Section will help users to comply with applicable regulations within their jurisdictions, while achieving the operational, cost and safety benefits to be gained from the many industry best-practices detailed within these volumes.

Key changes to this 2013 Edition include:

Part PR, Requirements for Boilers Fabricated by Rivets; Mandatory Appendix V, Additional Rules for Boilers Fabricated by Riveting; including Nonmandatory Appendices A-1 through A-6, Efficiency of Riveted Joints; and Nonmandatory Appendix A-75, Computations of Typical Nozzle Fittings Attached by Rivets.
Mandatory appendix added to address establishing governing Code edition and addenda for new construction and for parts. Manufacturer's Data Reports are revised to provide for reporting the governing edition and addenda.
Par. PEB-8.3 allowing the use of the rules in the new Section VIII Appendix 41 to be used in the design of Electric Immersion Heater Element Support Plates for Section I applications.
Addition of 1-1/4 NPS, 1-1/2 NPS, 2-1/2 NPS values to the table in PG-39.5.2.
Revision to PW-39, P-No. 3 to impose the carbon content limitation on pressure parts.
Addition of SA/GB 713 Grade Q345R material for Section I application up to 800°F(427°C). 
Addition of SA-350 to PG-9.1.
New paragraph PG-60.1.2.1 on requirements for independent remote water level indicators

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

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

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

For the