This Division of Section VIII provides requirements applicable to the design, fabrication, inspection, testing, and certification of pressure vessels operating at either internal or external pressures exceeding 15 psig. Such vessels may be fired or unfired. This pressure may be obtained from an external source or by the application of heat from a direct or indirect source, or any combination thereof. These rules provide an alternative to the minimum requirements for pressure vessels under Division 1 rules. In comparison the Division 1, Division 2 requirements on materials, design, and nondestructive examination are more rigorous; however, higher design stress intensify values are permitted. Division 2 rules cover only vessels to be installed in a fixed location for a specific service where operation and maintenance control is retained during the useful life of the vessel by the user who prepares or causes to be prepared the design specifications. These rules may also apply to human occupancy pressure vessels typically in the diving industry. Rules pertaining to the use of the U2 and UV Code symbol stamps are also included.

This publication is issued with an automatic addenda service.  All addenda service publications are issued in loose leaf format to facilitate later insertion of replacement pages which incorporate the latest approved changes to the standard.  Purchasers may wish to purchase a binder from ASME (BPVC Binder), but the publication will also fit a standard three ring binder.  The addenda service includes all updates issued prior to publication of the next edition in July 2013.

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