A Brief Discussion about ASME

What is ASME
ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded
in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional
organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all
engineering disciplines. The organization develops engineering codes and standards, conducts
research, holds conferences, releases publications, develops continuing education courses, and
much more.

ASMES Mission and Vision

ASMEs mission statement is To serve diverse global communities by advancing, disseminating and
applying engineering knowledge for improving the quality of life; and communicating the
excitement of engineering.
ASMEs vision establishes itself as the essential resource not just for mechanical engineers, but for
other technical professions as well. It aims not just to better Americas engineering and technical
landscape, but to bring these same benefits to all of humanity across the globe.

ASMES Core Values

In order to maintain such a reputation of high integrity and importance,
ASME holds itself to a strict set of core values. These core values are:

Embrace integrity and ethical conduct

Embrace diversity and respect the dignity and culture of all people

Nurture and treasure the environment and our natural and man-made resources

Facilitate the development, dissemination and application of engineering knowledge

Promote the benefits of continuing education and of engineering education

Respect and document engineering history while continually embracing change

Promote the technical and societal contribution of engineers

ASME Standards & Certification

Starting with the first issuance of its legendary Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code in 1914, ASMEs
codes and standards have grown to nearly 600 offerings, all designed to enhance public safety,
health, and quality of life as well as facilitate innovation, trade, and competitiveness.
More than 4,700 dedicated volunteers engineers, scientists, government officials, and others
contribute their technical expertise to protect public safety, while reflecting best practices of
industry. As market conditions and societal needs change, ASME revises and redevelops its
standards through a process of consensus committees and sub-tier committees.
Their goal is to develop the best, most applicable codes, standards, conformity assessment
programs, and related products and services in the world for the benefit of humanity.

Why does ASME Certification Matter?

ASME certification indicates a company is operating with a level of quality that is superior to
organizations with little or no documentation. Companies with ASME certification follow a set of
stringent quality manufacturing steps, and have outside entity verify all items have been
manufacturing to code.
Requirements for code stamp qualification include certification of each welder, material
procurement documentation, review of fabrication drawings and calculations, and any required
non-destructive examination (NDE). All ASME manufacturers must have an Authorized Inspector
(AI) who is the judge of code acceptability. The AI is an employee of a licensed insurance company
and has jurisdiction over all code phases of manufacture. The AI is authorized to suspend
manufacturing at any time or request that code imperfections be corrected.

ASME Stamping
A - Boiler assembly Designator
S - Power Boiler Designator
V - Boiler pressure relief valve Designator
PP Pressure piping Designator

Benefits to the Customer having ASME Stamp

In other words, ASME certification means you, as the customer of an ASME certified manufacturer,
are receiving the highest quality product available.

Here are just a few of the benefits you receive:

Peace of mind that your item is being designed/manufactured to strict, exacting codes

Your item is inspected by an outside entity, eliminating the false salesman guarantee

The company you contract with has a quality control program in place, and operates by it

An outside entity reviews fabrication drawings, calculations, material procurement

documentation, welding and any other required non-destructive examination documents prior to
the start of fabrication.

An extra level of guarantee that your item is safe and manufactured correctly.

Design Engineer (DE) prime responsibility

DE should go through various clauses of Section. I to get familiarize with code. Boiler strength
calculations shall be as per formulae given in code at PG sections for various components as
applicable. All the material in boiler region (Refer code jurisdictional PG 58.3) shall be ASME
approved material listed in ASME Section. II and identified in PG 5 to PG 10. All the weld detail
indicated in the code drawings shall be as per figures indicated in PW 15 & 16.
Drawing generated for approval shall contain minimum data as mentioned in design manual.
INTERPRETATIONS
ASME issues written replies to inquiries concerning interpretation of technical aspects of the Code.
Interpretations of the Code have historically been posted in January and July at
www.cstools.asme.org/interpretations. Interpretations issued during the previous two calendar
years are included with the publication of the applicable section of the code in the 2015 edition.
Following the 2015 Edition, interpretations will not be included in edition. They will be in real time
in ASMEs interpretations database at http://go.asme.org/interpretations. Historical BPCV
interpretations may also be found in the database.

CODE CASES
The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee meets regularly to consider proposed additions and
revisions to the Code and to formulate Cases to clarify the intent of existing requirements or
provide, when the need is urgent, rules for materials or constructions not covered by existing Code
rules. Those Cases that have been adopted will appear in the appropriate 2015 Code Cases book

BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE (BPVC)

Various Sections in BPVC
I - Rules for Construction of Power Boilers
II - Materials
Part A Ferrous Material Specifications
Part B Nonferrous Material Specifications
Part C Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals
Part D Properties
III - Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components
IV - Rules for Construction of Heating Boilers
V - Nondestructive Examination
VI - Recommended Rules for the Care and Operation of Heating Boilers
VII - Recommended Guidelines for the Care of Power Boilers
VIII - Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
IX - Welding and Brazing Qualifications

Frequently applicable parts in Section - I

Part PG - General requirement for all methods of construction
Part PW - Requirements for Boiler fabricated by Welding
Part PWT - Requirements for Water Tube Boiler