What Is an ASME Code?

ASME Codes are technical requirements developed and published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for the design, materials, fabrication, examination, testing, inspection and construction of specific mechanical equipment, pressure equipment and piping systems.

ASME stands for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ASME develops Codes and Standards used across industries including power generation, oil and gas, chemical processing, petrochemical, refining, manufacturing, pressure equipment and other engineering applications.

There is no single ASME Code for every application. Different ASME Codes and Standards apply to different types of equipment, piping systems, materials, fabrication activities, examination methods and engineering requirements.

ASME is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It develops and publishes engineering Codes and Standards covering areas such as piping systems, boilers, pressure vessels, materials, welding, inspection, examination and related mechanical engineering practices.

ASME publications are used by engineers, manufacturers, fabricators, inspectors, designers and other industry professionals to establish technical requirements for equipment and engineering systems.

ASME means American Society of Mechanical Engineers. In industrial engineering, the term ASME commonly refers to the Codes and Standards published by the organization for mechanical equipment, pressure equipment, piping, materials, fabrication, examination and related engineering applications.

Therefore, when a project specification refers to an ASME Code, it identifies a particular set of technical requirements applicable to the equipment or system being designed, manufactured, inspected, or tested.

An ASME Code is a set of technical requirements developed for a defined type of engineering system, equipment, or application. Depending on its scope, an ASME Code can address design, materials, fabrication, welding, examination, inspection, testing, installation and other applicable requirements.

Different Codes have different scopes. For example, ASME B31.3 applies to process piping, while ASME BPVC Section VIII addresses pressure vessel construction.

ASME publishes both Codes and Standards. An ASME Code generally provides comprehensive technical rules for a defined type of equipment or system, while an ASME Standard can establish technical requirements, dimensions, methods, specifications, or other engineering criteria for a particular subject.

A project can require several ASME publications together. The applicable documents depend on the equipment, piping system, material, dimensions, service conditions and project requirements.

The ASME Codes List includes Codes covering pressure piping, boilers, pressure vessels, nuclear components, nondestructive examination, welding qualifications and other engineering applications.

ASME Codes and Standards serve different technical purposes. Codes generally establish rules for specific engineering systems or equipment, while Standards provide technical requirements, dimensions, specifications, procedures and other engineering criteria.

For piping and pressure equipment, different ASME publications can be used together. For example, a piping project may use an applicable B31 Code together with material specifications, dimensional standards, welding requirements, examination requirements and project specifications.

The ASME B31 series contains Codes for different types of pressure piping systems. There is no single ASME piping Code that applies to every piping application.

The correct Code depends on the type of piping system, service conditions, operating requirements, design conditions and project specifications.

ASME Code sections are individual parts of ASME publications that address specific subjects, equipment, materials, examination methods, construction requirements, or qualifications.

One of the best-known examples is the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), which is divided into sections covering different technical areas.

The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is a major ASME publication covering requirements for boilers, pressure vessels, materials, examination, welding qualifications and other applicable pressure equipment and construction activities.

The BPVC is divided into multiple sections. The applicable section depends on the equipment, construction activity, materials, examination method and other requirements within the scope of the project.

An ASME material specification defines requirements for particular materials and product forms used under applicable ASME Code construction rules. Material requirements can include chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment, dimensions, testing and other applicable requirements.

For example, ASME SA312 is an ASME material specification for austenitic stainless steel pipe. The material specification is different from a piping Code such as ASME B31.3.

ASME BPVC Section VIII is the principal ASME BPVC section associated with pressure vessel construction. It provides rules within its scope for the design, materials, fabrication, examination, inspection, testing and certification of pressure vessels.

Section VIII includes different divisions. The applicable division depends on the design approach and requirements applicable to the pressure vessel.

Heat exchanger requirements can involve different ASME Codes and Standards depending on the equipment design, pressure-containing components, materials, fabrication and project requirements. For pressure vessels and applicable heat exchanger components, ASME BPVC Section VIII may be relevant when the equipment falls within its scope.

The exact Code and applicable requirements should be confirmed from the equipment design, engineering specification, applicable Code edition and project requirements.

ASME Code Interpretations provide official interpretations of specific technical questions concerning the meaning or application of provisions within applicable ASME Codes and Standards.

Code interpretations should not be treated as a replacement for reading the applicable Code. The specific Code edition, paragraph, requirement and interpretation should be reviewed when resolving a technical question.

ASME Code compliance means that equipment, piping, materials, fabrication, examination, inspection and testing meet the requirements applicable under the specified ASME Code and project requirements.

Compliance depends on the applicable Code, edition, scope, design conditions, materials, fabrication procedures, examination, testing, inspection and documentation requirements.

To read an ASME Code, first identify the equipment or piping application and then determine which Code and edition applies. After that, review the applicable scope, definitions, design requirements, material requirements, fabrication rules, examination, inspection, testing and documentation requirements.

The correct ASME Code depends on the type of equipment or piping system, service conditions, operating pressure and temperature, materials, design requirements, fabrication methods, inspection, testing and project specifications.

For example, a process plant piping system may require ASME B31.3, while a power piping system may fall under ASME B31.1. A pressure vessel may fall under ASME BPVC Section VIII.

The applicable Code edition and project specification should always be verified before engineering, fabrication, inspection, or procurement.

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