Pressure vessels code administration

Code Administration The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has written the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, which contains rirles for the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels. The ASME Code is an American National Standard. Most states in the United States and all Canadian provinces have passed legislation which makes the ASME Code or certain parts of it their legal requirement. Orrly a few jurisdictions have adopted the code for all vessels. The others apply it to certain types of vessels or to boilers. States employ inspectors (usually under a chief boiler inspector) to enforce code provisions. The authorities also depend a great deal on insurance company inspectors to see that boilers and pressure vessels are maintained in a safe condition. 

The inspection is undertaken primarily to ensure the continuous safe operation of the equipment and to direct repairs or changes in operation if questions of safety or adequacy for service arise. To be of significant value, an inspection must be carried out thoroughly and the results and conclusions compared with those of previous inspections. Local or state authorities may demand annual inspection and provide for penalties if a violation of the appropriate industrial pressure vessel or administrative code is found. 

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