RTP-1 Code Stamp? 1

[hankroach]

I notice that there are many manufacturers of Reinforced Thermoset Plastic (RTP) vessels that say they design, fabricate, test, and document their vessels per ASME RTP-1 code requirements but do not have the ASME certification for the RTP-1 stamp.

I’m trying to determine the reasons or justification for requiring that a vessel be RTP-1 stamp versus a vessel that is specified and build to the code but not stamped.

Thanks.

 

[LSThill]

Hi hankroach (Mechanical)

If the above vessels per ASME RTP-1 code requirements and ASME certification for the RTP-1 stamp. Please read the following:

2001 ANSI/NB-23 Nationalboard Inspection Code
Page 192.1 APPENDIX 9 Reqair, Alteration and Inspection of Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic Pressure Equipment.

Leonard@thill.biz

http://www.thill.biz

 

[keeled]

hankroach:

being an active member of the ASME RTP-1 committee for over 15 years i have to comment on your question:

each of the accredited manufacturers have written QA/QC procedures, have trained and tested their employees, have produced and tested various laminates and reinforcements, and are subject to annual unannounced visits (audits) by the ASME to ensure compliance. the following outlines the specific requirements:

What does it mean when you are told “built in accordance with” the current ASME RTP-1 standard? Read on and the following may help explain what is required by the standard and what should be expected from those manufacturers who will “build in accordance with” the standard…… but no stamp.

First let us start with the applicability of the standard:
q Internal pressure up to 15 psig above liquid head pressure
q External pressure up to full vacuum
q Excludes:
o Equipment beyond the pressures listed above
o Hoods, ducts, stacks
o Fans and blowers
o Vessel internals
o Pumps
o Pipe and fittings
o Buried underground closed tanks

Laminate proof testing (as constructed laminate) is required when:
q Internal operating pressure exceeds 2 psig
q External operating pressure exceeds 2 psig
q All vessels equal to or greater than 16’ – 0” inside diameter
q All field fabricated vessels

UBRS (Users Basic Requirements Specification):
q This is a multi-page document that identifies the use of the equipment, describes the service and imposed loadings. It is helpful in properly designing the equipment and identifying potential hazards.


Fabricators Design Report:
q Calculations are prepared following the data provided in the UBRS
q These calculations along with the drawings constitute the design report that is reviewed and certified by a Registered Professional Engineer (RPE) that is experienced in the design of RTP equipment.

Quality Control Program:
q A written quality control program is implemented and followed by the manufacturer meeting all of the requirements of the ASME RTP-1 standard.
q The QC program is audited by qualified individuals and a survey performed to verify compliance by the ASME staff every (3) years (Certificate Renewal).

Laminates used to construct equipment:
q Each laminate used to construct the equipment:
o Has been produced, tested, and verified to meet the minimum criteria listed in Table 2A-3. This is the requirement of producing and testing of Design Basis Laminates (DBL).
o Testing includes tensile and flexural properties and the glass to resin ratio for each type of resin proposed and the type(s) of reinforcement(s) used (Paragraph 2A-300).

Design of the equipment follows:
q The Design by Rules in either Subpart 3A or Subpart 3B.
q Meet the minimum factors of safety or strength ratio as stated for the loading combinations listed in either of these subparts as they apply to the design of the equipment.
q Wind and seismic design following the designated building code listed in the UBRS (commonly ASCE 7-98, UBC, BOCA).

Fabrication of the equipment:
q Adheres to those requirements outlined in Part 4.
q Tolerances meet Fabrication Tolerances shown in Figure 4-1
q Bottom to shell, shell to shell, and top to shell jointing requirements are illustrated and clearly defined.
q Flange face flatness tolerances are also defined – this prevents bolt up connection problems.

Inspection and tests:
q Non manufacturing related inspector has performed in-process inspections to verify:
§ Proper resin and promotion of the resins
§ Proper reinforcing and sequences followed
§ Laminator and secondary bonders used to produce the equipment were qualified and their qualifications were current.
§ Assembly of the equipment meets the requirements of the drawings and the detailed requirements of Part 4 of the Standard.
§ Resins and reinforcements used have been qualified via testing for DBL’s.
§ Laminate has been properly cured, meets the minimum required laminate thickness, and is within the dimensional tolerances listed in Part 4.
q Any non-conformity has been identified, corrective action determined, and corrected.
q Testing of the equipment by either filling with water and pressurizing, performing vacuum test, or conducting Acoustic Emission (AE) test, to meet the requirements of the standard and verified as meeting those requirements.
q Verify laminate proof tests have been conducted and meet the design laminate minimum properties.
q Perform visual inspection and verify compliance with Table 6-1 as indicated in the UBRS.

Shop Qualification:
q Manufacturer has established a complete QC program that:
§ Controls material receiving, testing, storage, and issuance for use in the manufacture of equipment.
§ Qualifies laminators and secondary bonders following the standard
§ Provides for the inspection documentation of any corrective action taken during the manufacture of the equipment.
§ Properly documents all activities (material receiving, testing, inspection, etc.) needed to produce the equipment.
q Demonstrated capability to properly produce the laminates intended for the production of the equipment – Paragraph 7-600. Demonstration laminate produced for Type I, Type II, and all variations of Type X laminates produced by the manufacturer.
q Has been surveyed by the ASME and found to:
§ Meet the requirements of the Standard
§ Properly implement all aspects of their written QC program
§ Demonstrate capability of producing all the types of laminates listed in the scope of their Certificate of Authorization.

Mandatory Appendix M-1 through M-11 address the following:
q M-1 Reinforcement Materials Receiving Procedures
o Outlines the minimum requirements for receiving, testing, storage, and documentation for all reinforcing materials used to produce equipment to this standard.
q M-2 Matrix Materials Receiving Procedures
o Outlines the minimum requirements for receiving, testing, storage, and documentation for all resins and additives used to produce equipment to this standard.
q M-3 Calculation of Physical and Mechanical Properties Using Lamination Analysis Method
o Laminate property calculations for use in Subpart 3B. Computer programs based on this procedure are more commonly used.
q M-4 Quality Control Program
o Example of the minimum requirements for the development of a QC program
q M-5 Qualification of Laminators and Secondary Bonders
o Detailed requirements for qualifying of shop laminators and secondary bonders.
q M-6 Demonstration Vessel
o Each shop qualified to this standard produces a Demon vessel to demonstrate their ability to follow the requirements of this standard.
o This Demon vessel is on display at each of the certificate holders shops and is the basis for verifying, visually and procedurally, compliance with the standard by the ASME Survey team.
q M-7 Repair Procedures
o Repair procedures and identification of non-conformities that can or cannot be repaired. Limitation of repair is identified and the required oversight for them is documented.
q M-8 Acoustic Emission Examination
o Used primarily for Critical Service equipment or when a lower factor of safety or stress ratio is called for following the requirements of Part 1 and Subpart 3B.
q M-9 Glossary
q M-10 Reference Documents
q M-11 Submittal of Technical Inquiries to the Reinforced Thermoset Plastic Corrosion Resistant Equipment Committee
q M-12 Dual Laminate Vessels
o Outlines the requirements for shop qualification, design requirements, and manufacture of Dual Laminate equipment. Recently added to the standard.


with that said, those that claim to meet the requirements must be audited independently to ensure compliance.

ASME Section VIII battles this issue and those of us in the RTP community must also face this as there is a cost involved in obtaining ASME accreditation.

sorry for the lengthy answer to a simple question. if you have more questions feel free to ask.

 

[deanc]

This also depends on Jurisdictional requirements.

 

[keeled]

to date it is not a code and has not been adopted by any jurisdiction

 

[LSThill]

Hi keeled (Mechanical)

Note: text has Being Finalized of Issue with 2001 Addendum this is APPENDIX 9. pages 192.1 - 192.21.



Leonard@thill.biz

http://www.thill.biz