BPVC U Design & Fabrication Uniformity 2

[dtn6770]

Is it a Code requirement that an ASME Sec. VIII Div. 1 pressure vessel design, including fabrication drawings, be performed by an organization holding a valid U-Stamp? The fabrication of said vessel would be performed by a U-Stamped company.

Our vessel assembly shop has outpaced our design group and we are considering outsourcing some design work. The question is whether or not it (the design outsourcing) needs to be to someone with a U-Stamp.

 

[chaulklate]

No. It's not uncommon for design to be sub'd out to third party consultants. Generally speaking, engineering offices or design consulting firms don't hold U stamps, the U stamp is reserved for fabricators.

If your schedule permits, it might be a good idea to have your in-house team do the calculations, and have a consulting company look after the fabrication drawings, that way the drawings will reflect your fabrication preferences (ie, forgings vs repads, preferred nozzle neck schedules, maximum weld build up, etc).

Keep in mind, final responsibility of the entire unit will lie with whoever puts the U stamp on it, so make good and sure you are happy with whatever drawings you get from your consultant.

 

[deanc]

Speak to your AIA.

See ASME SecVIII Div 1, U-2(b) and UG-90(b)(2)

Interpretation VIII-1-89-286

Your QC System will need to address control and acceptence.

You will need to verify and sign for all. Same as redoing the calcs??

I agree with chaulklate overall.

 

[dtn6770]

Thank you both for confirming what I thought was the case. I just hadn't dug deep enough into Sec. VIII to find the references to back it up.

We're just going to add to our engineering backlog for an in-house design.

 

[pvesseleng]

No but overall responsinsibility is belong to certificate holder