How to Get ASME Weld Certifications for Pressure Vessels
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, or ASME, is the governing body that establishes safety codes and regulation standards. An ASME stamp of approval means your pressure vessel complies with national standards and regulations, and is regarded internationally as a product of quality. Section eight of ASME's International Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code governs design, manufacture and inspections safety for pressure vessels. The ASME certification for pressure vessels is commonly referred to as the Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) Code. Obtaining this certification requires a thorough knowledge of ASME code among other things. The entire certification process costs about $18,000.
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Things You'll Need
- BPV ASME code books
- Pessure vessel design consultant
- ASME certifiied authorized inspection agency
- Level III-certified ASNT-registered person for "Nondestructive Evaluation"
Instructions
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Purchase books covering boiler and pressure vessel certification codes. In particular any book you purchase should discuss Section VIII in detail. Division 1 of Section VIII covers the design, inspection and testing of pressures exceeding 15 psig, Division 2 covers alternative rules, and Division 3 covers fabrications and testing for pressure vessels exceeding 10,000 psi.
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Design and develop your pressure vessels quality control manual using the guidelines listed in Appendix 10 of the code book. The appendix specifies details around the topics of design calculations, material control systems, purchasing, welding processes, calibration, testing and quality control.
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Bring on board a manager to serve as a pressure vessel design consultant. Confirm that this manager has a detailed knowledge of ASME codes.
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Appoint a Level III-certified ASNT-registered person for "Nondestructive Evaluation", or NDE. The ASNT is the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, and Level III certification is the highest certification one can obtain. This person will be tasked to train quality control engineers for nondestructive evaluations.
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Hire an authorized inspection agency (AIA) which has received ASME approval. Your AIA contact person oversee and scrutinize the rest of your ASME certification process until certification is complete.
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Obtain AIA approval of both your quality control manual as well as any supporting documentation.
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Task your team with learning the Level I and Level II quality control system requirements as well as related ASME code. They must know these details backwards and forwards.
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Do a "practice run" or demonstration following the AIA approved quality control system. ASME refers to this as a "joint review."
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Arrange for you AIA contact to observe your pressure vessel demonstration. Take note of any recommendations made and fulfill them.
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Request a re-visit to show AIA recommendations were integrated. If all goes smoothly, your pressure vessel will receive ASME certification.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep meticulous records of every step of the pressure vessel design, fabrication, and testing process. Keep these records in an organized fashion so they are easy to locate. These records will be poured over and inspected with a fine-toothed comb by the AIA.
A pressure vessel marked with the ASME stamp of approval means ASME is liable if the vessel fails for any reason. Should this happen, your ASME certification process will be highly scrutinized. Any inconsistencies discovered on your part will likely result in a lawsuit.
