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Effective edition EN 13480

Effective edition EN 13480

Effective edition EN 13480

(OP)
Since my original thread in the CEN/ECN Code issues section did not get any response, Ill give it a try here.

I was wondering how to determine the effective edition of the EN 13480 design code (assuming your contract doesn't spell this out).
I noticed issue 2 (Sept 2013) just came out, (already) incl. some amendments (EN 13480-2:2012/A1, EN 13480-4:2012/A1 and EN 134805:2012/A1).

Other piping codes like B31.3 simply (but effectively!) state that when a code becomes effective (e.g. 6mo after the Date of Issuance), it's not to used retroactive. Furthermore the latest edition (effective before contract sign date) determines the applicable edition to use.

Q1) How to determine the applicable edition of EN 13480 for a project, when the contract is signed dd-mm-yyyy?
Q2) What to do when during a project a new edition comes out, or amendments are issued? I assume you have to stick to the edition that's being used, but EN 13480 doesn't explicitly spell out anything out on this.

RE: Effective edition EN 13480

It is generally assumed that the edition in effect at the time of signing is in effect, unless stated otherwise. Changes made to the code, or new editions becoming effective during project execution would not normally be applied, unless specifically stipulated otherwise in the contract conditions, however that would be very unusual in my experience. Actually I've never seen it.

Independent events are seldomly independent.

RE: Effective edition EN 13480

(OP)
Thanks BI for your input. Hoped to get some response of any specific experience with this code and how to handle amendments and corrigenda.
From a general POV it makes sense to apply the edt in effect at the sign date.

What makes it difficult though is that our contracts sometimes get signed as much as 4 years after the proposal.
Especiallty for EN codes and standards, significant changes (i.e. improvements) are made periodically as the code is still somewhat immature and evolving.

RE: Effective edition EN 13480

ASME codes may be even more problematic, as there are frequent updates between major revisions and interpretations are issued as well, not to mention many possibilities for updates to the hundreds of ASTM, API, MSS and other standards and practices referenced within.

What I've found out is that, if you use good design practices, code updates usually don't have a significant impact on design, and if they did, you'd have a basis for revising the proposal and claiming extra costs anyway.

Thirdly, after 4 years material and labor costs are likely to require major revisions in any case, so your old proposals aren't going to be worth much in that regard either.

If you're signing contracts and constructing to proposals issued 4 years ago, good luck with that. You'll need it.

Independent events are seldomly independent.

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