Reclassification - Section I to Section VIII, Div. 1 2

[mathieu1263]

I am trying to determine if there are any Code related directives and/or industry best practices in regards to reclassifying a pressure vessel from a Section I (S Stamp) to a Section VIII, Div. 1 vessel. The issue at hand is that we have a steam drum operating that was originally designed and built to ASME Section I. The service, however, fully conforms to the exclusions of being classified as an unfired pressure vessel per the preamble of Section I (and the scope of Section VIII) - therefore this vessel would today be built to Section VIII.

The benefit for us is the inclusion of isolation valves upstream of the RV's on the drum if we can follow Section VIII. However, the one snag I have found is that NBIC has specifically stated that reclassification is not within its scope in Interpretation 95-22. Additionally, it doesn't appear as though it is specifically covered by API 510 (our governing Code for in service vessels).

Does anybody have any feedback on other resources?


Matthew

 

[metengr]

Did you check any ASME B&PV Code Cases? The other possible alternative is to contact your Jurisdiction or regulatory body and determine if they can help you.

 

[puigi]

ASME code case 1855-1 (Dec 30, 2006) may apply to your case.

 

[GenB]

Hi. nly te Jurisdiction Inspection gency can Authorize not a change in Code Satamping nor an Alteration but the piping/Valves you mention above.
I do not think a code case will help as it is out of the ASME hands. If the NB does not cover it, only the trird and final: Jurisdiction can help.

 

[jharris3]

Yes, ASME is a new construction code only.

If you want to change the service to allow for isolation valves you need to work with your jurisdiction.

If you want to include something upstream of the RV's then put in a burst disk on a branch with its own iso valve. This way you can LOTO both iso valves in OPEN during operation and if you need to service either the RV or the burst disk you can isolate it while leaving the other online.

You say that the vessel fits ASME VIII criteria. Is it the design service conditions or the operating conditions that fit? If its design then that helps you. But if the nameplate and/or NBIC Forms say something else then you would want to perform a Re-Rate on the vessel Per NBIC to change the service, which for most places would require you to work with your jurisdiction.