The 2021 code edition is mandatory as of January 1, 2022. With this edition comes a few unique changes affecting the requirements for vessel designers. For years, the ASME code has required welders and non-destructive examination technicians to be certified to perform work on ASME code vessels. There were no requirements for the personnel tasked with determining the design parameters of Section VIII division I pressure vessels. Well, now there is! ASME Section VIII, Section VIII Div. 1 introduced a new mandatory appendix 47 that sets the requirements for pressure vessel designers.
This addition raises the bar for fabricators of pressure vessels as they now must employ or subcontract skilled and experienced vessel designers.
Question 1: What is the difference between a designer, engineer, and certifying engineer?
Answer: Appendix 47 outlines the educational requirements for each designation:
- Certifying Engineer: Chartered, Registered, or Licensed Professional Engineer
- Engineer: 4-year degree from an accredited university or college in engineering, science, or technology.
- Designer: 2-year degree from an accredited engineering technician or associate’s degree.
Appendix 47 also includes requirements for years of experience. 47-2 outlines years of experience, however, 47-3 provides alternative qualifications to allow the manufacturer to determine minimum years of experience based on how their company operates.
Question 2: Does Appendix 47 require manufacturers to have a Certifying Engineer on staff?
Answer: No.
If your project requires any of the items listed in Table 47-5-1, a certifying engineer may engage or be in responsible charge. However, an engineer or designer can be responsible charge if they meet the additional requirements listed in 47-5. Each design activity for Table 47-5-1 has specific requests outlined in this section.
Question 3: What Design Activities are listed in Table 47-5-1?
Answer:
- Numerical Analysis
- Fatigue Assessments (elastic stress analysis or elastic-plastic stress analysis)
- Design due to seismic reactions (linear and nonlinear response history procedure)
- Quick-actuating closures
- Design not specifically addressed in ASME Section VIII Division 1
BOARDMAN’S ENGINEERING SEMINAR
On April 19-20, we hosted 20 engineers from 10 different customers around the country. It was a great group that was very engaged in the classroom and shop time. We all enjoyed the opportunity to build relationships during the evening networking event. We plan to continue the training again in April 2023. Spots fill up quickly so please let me know if you’re interested in attending, or have other engineers you would like to send to Boardman. We’re happy to provide feedback received from past seminars so you can see the benefit each class has received.
“Watching the NDE exhibitions was really valuable. Also getting to hear EPC’s, Owner’s, and Fabricator’s preferences is something that is good to keep in mind moving forward.”
“I’m very appreciative of the Boardman Team for continuing to hos the Engineering Seminar and sharing their expertise with the pressure vessel industry. The two days were jam-packed and every minute was worthwhile.”
BOARDMAN NEWSLETTER:
We have appreciated the positive feedback to the newsletter we’ve sent out over the years. We want to continue building strong relationships with our customers and be a resource as the experts in pressure vessel fabrication.
We hope you find this newsletter beneficial as we share tips in the pressure vessel design and construction process.
If there are any topics you would like us to address, please let us know.