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 contains requirements and methods for nondestructive examination which are referenced and required by other BPVC Sections.  It also includes manufacturer's examination responsibilities, duties of authorized inspectors and requirements for qualification of personnel, inspection and examination.  Examination methods are intended to detect surface and internal discontinuities in materials, welds, and fabricated parts and components. A glossary of related terms is included.

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:

• T-120(f) was revised to permit ISO 9712 and the ASNT Central Certification Program to fulfill requirements for training, experience, and examination.
• The T-430, T-460, and T-470 series of paragraphs and related figures were revised to clarify "weld metal overlay cladding" terminology.
• T-463.1. and T-472.2 were revised for straight beam examination calibration block guidance and restricted access weld applicability.
• T-462.7 and Article 4 Nonmandatory P were added to provide rules on when a split distance amplitude correction (DAC) curve is required and provide an example of how the curve is constructed.

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.