The answer to this question depends on your application. Typically, the Jurisdiction (which is the authority that regulates boilers and pressure vessels at the location where these objects are installed) determines the applicable edition and addendum year of the ASME B&PV code.
If you are an owner-user or owner that does not have any Jurisdictional obligations, you can mandate the 2004 Edition of the ASME B&PV code for new boiler and pressure vessels as soon as it is published.
As metengr said, a client can specify the use of the 2004 edition for new orders today. As far as I know, we have not yet received our copies of the 2004 edition. However, their nominal date of issuance is probably July 2004, and they are probably being shipped now.
From the Foreward to Div. 1 (page viii):
"After Code revisions are approved by ASME, they may be used beginning with the date of issuance shown on the Addenda. Revisions, except for revisions to material specifications in Section II, Parts A and B, become mandatory 6 months after such date of issuance, except for boilers or pressure vessels contracted for prior to the end of the 6 month period."
So if you issue a PO for a new vessel on December 30, 2004, the July 2003 edition may still be used. Issue that PO on January 2, 2005, however, and the 2004 edition is mandatory.
The Code is normally issue by ASME on July 1 and is manndatory on Jan 1 however because ASME was late issuing the 2004 Code they have extended the date to March 1 2005.
Sirs,
You may use by choice the new issue(or addendas)on July 1st (in this case the issue is not ready published, so one has to wait)
the new issues are mandatory on Dec 31st of the year of issue (guess why the ASME uses the 31st day of the last Month of the year of issue)!
In the case of the 2004 eddition which is not ready (I think it is ready now but my is not in yet)
the ASME may postpone the mandatory date of Dec 31st to a later date because of the delay in print.
Regards,
ER
