I have been referring SAFTENG members to subscribe to the “Bulletin,” a FREE publication from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. This publication is an EXCELLENT resource for those safety professionals dealing with pressure vessel safety, especially those in the process safety arena. Their latest edition covers two (2) very significant changes to the pressure vessel safety world, and as usual, the NBBI has presented the changes in a very educational manner. We do not have to be mechanical engineers to learn about and manage pressure vessels, and the NBBI breaks down some technical matters that we can understand. ALWAYS seek professional help from qualified professional engineers with the necessary credentials for inspections, repairs, and change of service needs. Still, as PSM/RMP managers, we need to understand the “big picture” as to how we manage our pressure vessels. This edition covers:
- One Code, One Inspector, One Stamp…And Now, One System!
- ASME’s new Section XIII: Overpressure Protection and the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Industry – In 2021, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code) released a new code section centered on rules for overpressure protection. While this addition of ASME Code Section XIII resulted in very few technical changes, there are several differences in how the requirements are organized and referenced based on overpressure protection methods and the service where the overpressure protection is applied. This article will briefly overview these changes and how they affect stakeholders in both new and post-construction activities related to overpressure protection.