PE Status for PVs 5

[PipingEquipment]

Hello all,

I am a Masters Student and an engineer and am curious as to the relevancy of getting my PE with my focus being on pressure vessels. At the code shop I work at there is no PE that signs off on vessels, as this is not a requirement of the code.
So, is there an application of a PV PE that I am unaware of?
Would this be a pointless avenue to pursue or is there work that would require a PV PE?

I suspect the design of vessels at engineering firms may be a potential opportunity...

 

[JStephen]

In my experience, the AI checks that calculations were done, and that they generally appear to be adequate, but does not check the calculations themselves, or confirm that they are complete or correct. The requirement really is to have someone doing the design that knows what they are doing. Neither an engineering degree nor a a PE license is really necessary or sufficient, but there's not any other certification for vessel designers that I'm aware of. But in response to the original poster, if you have an opportunity to get your PE and assuming it's not some huge burden for you to do so, then go ahead and get it.

Just from general engineering experience, it seems that you really need to understand what software is doing before you can reliably use it, it's not a substitute for understanding the problem at hand.

 

[stanweld]

PipingEquipment:
While working for a major EPC firm, one of our younger PV Engineers (10 years out of University) obtained his PE and was appointed Chief PV Engineer shortly there after. Note he was the only P.E. in the PV Department. He subsequently became Engineering Manager.

 

[PipingEquipment]

Thanks for the information. I'm already kind of the PV guy here at our company, but its nice to reaffirm the notion that getting my PE has the potential to boost me up the ladder faster, and it will probably help me get a better job if I were to leave my current job.

 

[LSThill]

Oh! He subsequently became Engineering Manager. His job was out source to India, He is now unemployed.

L S THILL

 

[stanweld]

LSThill,
Not so.

 

[LSThill]

stanweld (Materials)

Right after he got the P.E., he became Engineering Manager. His job was out source to India, He is now unemployed. (Ture)!!

Yes! it did happen toward the end of December 2009, was out source to CHENNAI INDIA new office.

L S THILL

 

[mbt22]

Size of vessel is determined by process guys.
Corrosion is determined by process/corrosion guys
Cyclic conditions are determined by process/operating guys.

The vast majority of whom don't have a PE (industrial exemption) or (in my case) aren't in a country that requires registration.

The CEng is nice and often a prerequisite for promotion, but for us largely means you're still breathing, employed and haven't gone to jail in the four years after graduating.

Matt

 

[bernoullies123]

ha ha guys. thanks for a funny read. A bit of my you know is bigger than you know. oh, and I have a silver ring around my pinky! too funny.

 

[metengr]

Many opinions on such a topic.

I am a Masters Student and an engineer and am curious as to the relevancy of getting my PE with my focus being on pressure vessels. At the code shop I work at there is no PE that signs off on vessels, as this is not a requirement of the code.
So, is there an application of a PV PE that I am unaware of?

Yes, Division 2 and 3 vessels. The reason Div 1 vessels do not require a PE review/sign-off is very simple. Section VIII committee and subgroups believe it is not necessary to have requirements in their Code book for PE review and sign-off based on a successful track record of safe pressure vessel experience.

Would this be a pointless avenue to pursue or is there work that would require a PV PE?

Having the PE is a credential that would be a benefit for both vessel design, review of designs and forensic analysis.

 

[MrBTU]

I once got advice from an old timer who recommended against getting a PE if you are employed by a fab shop. His arguement was that currently, if you are a designer at a fab shop, and you don't have a PE, then the shop takes ultimate responsibility for the design. If you have your PE and you sign the documents using your PE, then your license in on the line and you are open to liability. His arguement was "why take the responsibility on personally when, without a PE, the company takes the responsibility?"
Of course if you want to go into business for yourself, you would need it.

 

[metengr]

If you have your PE and you sign the documents using your PE, then your license in on the line and you are open to liability. His arguement was "why take the responsibility on personally when, without a PE, the company takes the responsibility?"

Tell your old timer sure the company will take responsibility, and most likely kick the person's a%% out the door that was the lead designer or representative that signed the Form U-1 for the poor design.

 

[APIEric]

It has been my experience (in fact I have a minor fiasco sitting on my desk right now ) that a PE performing or reviewing the design calculations on ASME PV Sect VIII div 1 is not any more likely to perform it correctly. The reason I believe this stems from the USUALLY normal fact that they just don’t have enough depth of field or time in grade to subjectively look at the numbers at tell if what they are getting on paper or even via electrons is correct. More than once I have had an API inspector or QC inspector field review a stamped package that has glaring errors. Bottom line, it is the experience, not the letters before or after ones’ name that determines ability.
Just my two bits.