I like to explain the documentation for our pressure vessels much in the same context as our birth certificates. For every pressure vessel in service today, we must have that vessel’s U-1 Form. And please don’t tell me about the OSHRC decision stating otherwise. I really don’t care what a group of lawyers think about how I manage my process hazards. In other words, if we simply live by the minimum requirements set forth by OSHA/EPA, well we will die by these minimum standards. So regardless of OSHA or OSHRC says about “compliance”, this article is to help process safety practitioners understand the different ASME pressure vessel datasheets.
These ASME documents are created by the manufacturer(s) who are certified to make these vessels. The U-1 form will provide us with all the necessary data points to ensure we are using the vessel within its design limitations, as well as ensure we are maintaining the vessel per its “service” for its life cycle.