Code Responsibility

[jwhit]

In the manufacture of raw materials for a pressure vessel, where does the material manufacturers responsibility leave off and the pressure vessel manufacturers begin?
As an example, the construction code is ASME VIII and the raw materials are castings. Limited information is given by the purchaser/vessel manufacturer other than listing applicable specifications which do or may apply.
Is it adequate to meet the material specification only and assume that impacts are exempted for the application if they aren’t a part of the material specification. Must welding (casting repair)and subsequent PWHT meet the requirements of ASME VIII in addition to qualification per ASME IX or simply follow the material specification? I’ve encountered this debate a few times and am of the opinion that meeting the material specification first and subsequently following ASME VIII for additional criteria, particularly welding/PWHT is the correct process. The customer should be responsible for calling out impacts and any NDE above and beyond an 80% quality factor. I would like to know how others view this type of situation.

 

[weldstan]

The materials manufacturer is responsible for providing the material which meets the ASME SA/SB Specification requirements only, unless the Purchaser has specified additional testing required under the ASME VIII in the Purchase Order.

 

[metengr]

Ultimate responsibility lies with the pressure vessel manufacturer of the vessel because they hold the ASME code symbol stamp, not a materials supplier. The rest of the stuff in the food chain is between the materials supplier and the vessel manufacturer specification requirements and supplemental requirements. This is why audits must be performed of materials supplier by ASME code stamp holders. Trust but verify materials suppliers!

 

[Fizza453]

Dear Metengr,

What about the material suppliers for Section III Applications?
Is it correct that material supplier for Section III applications is certified and qualified?


Nasir
Welding Engineer
DESCON ENGINEERING LIMITED
PAKISTAN

 

[metengr]

Fizza453;
Sorry, but I do not get involved with ASME B&PV Code, Section III.

 

[jwhit]

I appreciate the responses. I'm actually at the bottom of the food chain, in the foundry and often see orders that will state ASME VIII is applicable with nothing more, usually on an ordering data sheet. For various reasons, I've had to spend some time digging into Sec. VIII recently and developed questions as to what is needed, particularly in the area of PWHT. ASME VIII invokes heating and cooling rate controls that aren't found in the material specifications and my main concern was that we should be following Sec. VIII to the letter for PWHT. Interim post weld heat treatment isn't required to follow Sec. VIII, but a foundry post weld may or may not be an interim post weld. I wasn't overly concerned about the inspection portion or even impacts since that is obviously an engineering decision based on MDMT and should be included in the PO information. I haven't helped myself any with deciphering these things since I'm getting old, easily confuzzled and look at too many specifications.

 

[jwhit]

When doing ASME III work, the requirements of the customer are usually spelled out far better than for other Codes. Auditing to NIAC is performed by the customer or else a Quality Systems Certificate is held. ASME audits and issues the certificate. I'd actually prefer to muddle through Sec. III than VIII since there is more direction given by the customer.

 

[metengr]

jwhit;
When fabrication is performed to ASME Section VIII, Div 1 all technical requirements for PWHT, weld repair, etc., are done to this code book section. The material specification requirements are only part of the final equation, at the end of the day, the manufacturer of the pressure vessel has to answer to the AI regarding all requirements in Section VIII for compliance, not a material specification requirement.