Michigan U-stamp
Michigan U-stamp
(OP)
Anybody done business in Michigan? We are being offered a new vessel fabricated in 'the manner of ASME VIII' but without the "U"-stamp or National Board listing. My reading of the posted MI laws regarding pressure vessels [vs. Boilers] is that MI does not regulate vessels. We are thinking of buying this unstamped vessel and installing it in MI, with proper PRV protection, etc. Will this 'fly' in the state of Michigan?





RE: Michigan U-stamp
RE: Michigan U-stamp
Boiler Division
William Vallance, Chief
Mark Moore, Assistant Chief
Steve Ayotte, Senior Inspector
RE: Michigan U-stamp
You may already be aware, but you can access his contact info from the National Board webpage, under NB Members.
RE: Michigan U-stamp
RE: Michigan U-stamp
RE: Michigan U-stamp
NOTE: entire Boiler Dept was closeted in meeting when I called, so I left a message. About 1-hour later I got a response. It doesn't get any better than that!
RE: Michigan U-stamp
Stay safe.
RE: Michigan U-stamp
RE: Michigan U-stamp
PHA - Process Hazards Analysis [ includes PRV sizing ]
RAGAGEP - Regularly & Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practices.
For this item, it means use ASME rules to design and fabricate the vessel, and perform In-Service Inspx per API 510*. There aren't any other "Regularly & Generally Accepted" rules for design or In-Service [as-corroded] evaluations in the USA.
*I left out Nat'l Board because it has very few things to say about evaluating vessels [vs. boilers]. API-510 is the opposite; lots about vessels, not much on boilers.
RE: Michigan U-stamp
RE: Michigan U-stamp
Yes. Fabrication to Section VIII, Div 1 without a stamp and AI involvement is done. The rules do not require the application of the stamp unless it is stated in the contract for build.
RE: Michigan U-stamp
Just want to ensure that everything is covered here.
RE: Michigan U-stamp
Bottom Line: if there is a problem that happenes inside your fince, and it causes injury, you will be held liable. Doesn't matter if you are blameless, if the act was done against your rules, if the act was done by a bonded contractor, or even a tresspasser -- you are liable.
RE: Michigan U-stamp
Indeed! I hear some consulting firms have a - shall we say "different"? - rate sheet when legal issues are involved.
Not at all uncommon to see the "design and fabricate but do not stamp" clause. As already stated, ASME has no authority as to when, or if, the BPV is implemented. In some cases I advocate against a U stamp (generally when one is proposed for a vessel which is out of scope), but in general for vessels in scope I prefer to see a U stamp. Note the word "prefer" as I try to keep in mind that in my role I make recommendations to my company's facilities, I have no direct control authority to mandate anything.