BPVC Code PDF files

[FoxRox]

Anyone willing to share, please describe the process by which you or your company acquires pdf files of BPVC.

I ask because I am curious if there are different ways or if it is generally consistent. I am new to being part of this process.

Thanks!

 

[metengr]

We purchase them or become a code volunteer.

 

[TGS4]

And purchasing is generally through providers such as IHS.

 

[FoxRox]

Thanks for the replies.

More specifically, do you pay one time fees, or do you do annual maintenance? Do you get hard copies or files only? etc, etc...

We're being told we have to do annual maintenance to get a pdf download for company wide use, but this makes no sense to me. This is not software requiring support or any kind of service contract. It is simply a file that comes out with a new version every two years. What is the purpose of annual maintenance? Next year we would have to pay them thousands of dollars for absolutely nothing. This is a really tough sell for me to go to my management with - and try to explain how much more efficient it is to use the PDFs, when I can just buy hard copies for a few hundred each.

 

[metengr]

I would suggest you contact ASME.org and inquire about ASME B&PV Code books. You can also contact IHS as TGS4 had suggested. You have options, and it boils down to cost and access.

 

[SnTMan]

FoxRox, Side note: The PDF's are nice in some (one or two) ways, such as using the search. However, IMO, for day-to-day use they are miserable, reason being the pages in the Code books are laid out such that a lot of flipping back and forth is needed, real pain the the a$$ with PDF's and slow. Plus every time you follow a link in the PDF, it re-sets the page display. Another PITA.

If you're gonna use 'em much get the books.

Regards,

Mike

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[marty007]

We have a subscription with Techstreet, and have gone paperless (PDF only).

The benefit of a subscription is that you are automatically granted access to new editions of the code as soon as they become available (every 2 years these days). Additionally, you are granted access to the redline versions of the codes, which clearly indicate every change that has been made since the previous edition.

When the code is updated, we download both the regular and redline versions, then do a one-time review of the redline version to highlight any changes that affect our business.

I am a huge fan of the PDF version because of how easy it is to flip around. The entire code is bookmarked by paragraph, so you can flip to a desired paragraph very fast. Also, references made in the code are clickable links, so you can immediately pop to the reference, then type ALT+(left arrow) to return. I find it much faster to find what I'm looking for.

My two cents...

Cheers,

 

[SnTMan]

Well, there you go, a couple of pretty different opinions

Regards,

Mike

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[FoxRox]

Mike - I find it interesting that you prefer flipping back and forth through pages as opposed to using the search function and links in the pdf. I suppose if one had many years of experience with the document, that could be easier and more efficient. I don't even know which direction to go most of the time when a different part of the code is referenced. I have to agree with Marty that the pdfs are much easier for me to work with. Probably twice as fast if not more - especially since we're looking at getting additional codes that I have not seen before.

Marty - Yes, that is the option we're looking at, but it seems that the value will be hard to sell to management. If you maintain the subscription every year, then it is about twice as expensive as just buying hard copies. It's hard to prove that using the pdfs is twice as fast, and you would have to have a pretty consistent string of new designs going through to justify the cost. As a manufacturer, we sometimes work on a lot of new designs, and sometimes very few.

Anyway, this conversation seems to affirm that the options we're finding in our own search are indeed the only options everyone faces. Personally, I find this whole operation a bit shady and contrary to the ASME mission statement. These codes are de facto laws almost everywhere, and their paramount stated purpose is the safety of the public. Yet, any individual or company wishing to lay eyes on them must pay thousands of dollars just to view them. I'm not saying ASME doesn't deserve any compensation. Of course, they do. But with the code books, certifications, audits, stamps, member dues, etc... How much is enough? Where does this much money go besides lobbyists to get more governments to adopt the code? /endrant

Thanks everyone for their input.

 

[SnTMan]

FoxRox, I hadn't thought, but the search and links and so forth would be extremely helpful for learning the Code. Woulda been nice in my earlier days

All I'm saying is the paper books work better for me.

Regards,

Mike

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[davefitz]

Since these codes are required to be used by law in some states, some versions of the code can be found at the following link:
<

https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code/safety.html>

"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

 

[marty007]

Yes I agree that it depends on your site.

Personally I work at a fabrication shop that is designing new ASME VIII-1 pressure equipment almost daily. Large sections of the code are now etched in my head and I could probably recite them verbatim, but every now and then a customer comes to us with some strange geometry or operating condition that makes me dig around a bit (eg. non-round pressure vessels / unusual materials where I'm not familiar with the PWHT and impact test requirements, etc...).

I do agree in principle. If these codes are required to be followed by law, then any joe-schmo should be able to reference them if they see something that doesn't look right, or scares them. The authors would certainly have to be compensated somehow, and that would be a hard sell to governments, but yeah I agree in principle.

 

[metengr]

FoxRox;

Anyway, this conversation seems to affirm that the options we're finding in our own search are indeed the only options everyone faces. Personally, I find this whole operation a bit shady and contrary to the ASME mission statement. These codes are de facto laws almost everywhere, and their paramount stated purpose is the safety of the public. Yet, any individual or company wishing to lay eyes on them must pay thousands of dollars just to view them. I'm not saying ASME doesn't deserve any compensation. Of course, they do. But with the code books, certifications, audits, stamps, member dues, etc... How much is enough? Where does this much money go besides lobbyists to get more governments to adopt the code? /endrant

I wish to welcome you to the world of Codes and Standards. I hear you but this is the price of doing business. If you are going to blame ASME, you better blame - NFPA, ASTM, ASNT, AWS, do I need to name more? All of these wonderful codes and standards are for public safety. The problem is who is going to pay for printing, meetings space, office overhead, etc??? Again, the price of doing business.

 

[Compositepro]

You can view NFPA codes on-line but they are presented in a way to prevent reproduction or printing.

 

[jte]

I guess I have the best of both worlds. An IHS subscription coupled with hard copies with copious notes. I really appreciate having both, and use either one depending on the specific circumstance.

 

[SnTMan]

jte, yes, the ideal setup

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[marty007]

jte, yes, the ideal setup

And expensive