SECTION XIII
IMPACT ON JURISDICTIONAL LAW/REGULATIONS
RULES FOR OVERPRESSURE PROTECTION
Section XIII: A complete new standard for overpressure protection and pressure relief devices (PRDs)
How it works:
Referenced by other parts of the Code
Referencing Code specifies:
Objectives of overpressure protection
Accepted methods to achieve that protection
If pressure relief devices are specified, the permissible types of devices
Section XIII has the specific requirements for the devices themselves
1.1 SCOPE
Overpressure protection methods include:
(1) releasing excess pressure by use of pressure relief devices
(2) applying controls to prevent an increase in pressure
(overpressure protection by system design)
(3) using a combination of (1) and (2)
1.1 SCOPE – CONT.
(b) The referencing Code or Standard specifies the
objectives of the overpressure protection and acceptable
methods to achieve it. Where a pressure-releasing
overpressure protection method is specified, the referencing
Code or Standard identifies the permissible devices based
on this Section’s rules for devices to be marked with the
Certification Mark and appropriate Designator (e.g., HV, UV,
UD).
1.1 SCOPE – CONT.
Section XIII includes:
Requirements relating to pressure integrity and performance governing construction
and installation.
Construction requirements include materials, design, manufacture, examination,
inspection, production testing, and certification.
Installation requirements address only the variables that affect
the performance and pressure-relieving function of the
devices, including the inlet and outlet piping.
2.1 GENERAL
(f) The referencing Code or Standard may specify
portions of this Section. In this case, only the referenced
portions of this Section shall apply, and the remaining requirements
shall come from the referencing Code or Standard.
Sections I and III reference XIII only for capacity certification at this time.
V and NV designators used only to highlight applicable requirements for devices from those Sections.
2.2 RESPONSIBILITIES
Referencing Code defines duties and parties responsible for:
Design, construction and installation of pressure relief system other than the PRD
Determination of potential overpressure scenarios
Selection of type of overpressure protection
Sizing and selection of the PRD based upon the service
Installation of the PRD prior to operation
Manufacturer or Assembler of PRD (HV, UD, UV) must meet the requirements of this section (XIII).
Certified Individual shall provide oversight. PRD Manufacturer is not responsible for the installation
of PRD’s.
GENERAL CONCEPT FOR XIII
First edition is supposed to be “technology neutral”
No significant changes were included in the new edition
HOW IT WAS IMPLEMENTED
Sections IV, VIII, X and XII adopted Section XIII completely
Sections I and III adopted only capacity certification
requirements.
HOW IT WAS IMPLEMENTED – SECTION I
2019 Edition
2021 Edition
PG-69.1.1 For steam service, capacity certification
PG-69.1 Before the Certification Mark tests shall be conducted using dry saturated steam. The limits
for test purposes shall be 98% minimum quality and 20°F
is applied to any pressure relief valve or (10°C) maximum superheat. Correction from within these
power-actuated pressure-relieving limits may be made to the dry saturated condition.
valve, the valve manufacturer… shall For liquid service, capacity certification tests shall be
have the relieving capacity of his conducted using water at a temperature between 40°F
pressure relief valves certified in to 125°F (5°C to 50°C).
accordance with the provisions
PG-69.1.2 Moved to Section XIII. See Nonmandatory
of this paragraph. Appendix G.
PG-69.1.3 Moved to Section XIII. See Nonmandatory
Appendix G.
HOW IT WAS IMPLEMENTED – SECTION VIII
Section VIII 2021 Edition:
OVERPRESSURE PROTECTION
All Division 1 pressure relief device requirements have been transferred from UG-125
through UG-140 to Section XIII, and the remaining Division 1 overpressure protection
requirements have been restructured within the new UG-150 through UG-156. See
Nonmandatory Appendix PP for a complete cross-reference list.
HOW IT WAS IMPLEMENTED – SECTION VIII – CONT.
UG-150 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
(a) UG-150 through UG-155 provide the acceptable
methods and requirements for overpressure protection
for pressure vessels constructed to the requirements of
this Division. Acceptable methods include pressure relief
devices, open flow paths, and overpressure protection by
system design. It establishes the type, quantity and settings
of acceptable pressure relief devices and relieving
capacity requirements including maximum allowed relieving
pressures. Unless otherwise specified, the required
pressure relief devices shall be constructed,
capacity certified, and bear the ASME Certification Mark
in accordance with Section XIII. UG-156 provides requirements
for installation of pressure relief devices.
HOW IT WAS IMPLEMENTED – SECTION VIII – CONT.
UG-154 PERMITTED PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
AND METHODS
Protection against overpressure shall be provided by
pressure relief devices, open flow paths, or system design
or a combination thereof in accordance with this
paragraph.
(a) Pressure Relief Valves
(1) Pressure relief valves bearing the ASME Certification
Mark with the UV Designator in accordance with Section
XIII may be used. Pressure relief valves shall be of the
direct spring-loaded or pilot-operated type.
(2) Pressure relief valves certified for a steam discharging
capacity under the provisions of Section I and
bearing the ASME Certification Mark with the V Designator
for safety valves may be used on pressure vessels constructed
to this Division.
ORGANIZATION OF SECTION XIII
1. General Requirements
2. Protection Against Overpressure
3. Requirements for Pressure Relief Valves
4. Requirements for Rupture Disk Devices
5. Requirements for Pin Devices
ORGANIZATION OF SECTION XIII
6. Requirements for Spring-Activated Non-reclosing Devices
7. Requirements for Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves
8. Requirements for Devices in Combination
9. Capacity and Flow Resistance Requirements
10. Authorization to Use the ASME Certification Mark
11. Requirements for Open Flow Paths or Vents
12. Installation
13. Rules for Overpressure Protection by System Design
ORGANIZATION OF SECTION XIII – APPENDICES
Mandatory
I. Definitions
II. Adhesive Attachment of Nameplates
III. Quality Control System
IV. Capacity Conversion
Non-Mandatory
A. Guidance on Units (US Customary and Metric)
B. Stop Valves Used in Pressure Relief Systems
C. Guide to Certificates of Conformance for Pressure Relief Devices
SECTION XIII – ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Section XIII is a service committee to other parts of the Code for overpressure protection concerns.
It will work on updates and expansion of Section XIII (Those updates are comment balloted to the
affected Book Code committees)
Technical changes related specifically to pressure relief devices will progress
PRD specific design rules
Material requirements specific to PRD’s will probably be incorporated (Code Case 1750)
Special processes written specifically for PRD’s will probably be expanded (welding)
Activities to promote acceptance by other standards continue (Ex.: B31 applications)
EXAMPLES OF JURISDICTIONAL LAWS
§ 3a.4. Adoption of National standards.
The Department adopts and incorporates by reference the following codes:
(1) ANSI/NB23.
(2) ASME Code.
(3) ASME Code published cases and interpretations that have been approved by the Industrial Board.
(4) ASME B 31.1.
(5) ASME/CSD1.
(6) National Electric Code, NFPA 70.
(7) NFPA 85.
Definitions in 3a.1 states:
ASME Code--"The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code," 2004 edition and its published cases and interpretations issued by
ASME.
EXAMPLES OF JURISDICTIONAL LAWS
§6551. Vessels, Boilers and Pressure Relief Devices.
(a) All unfired pressure vessels, boilers, and fired pressure vessels shall meet all applicable requirements
of the Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders and the Boiler and Fired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders
unless the design, material and construction of the pressure vessel or boiler is accepted by the
Division as equivalent to the ASME Code.
753 Definitions
Code: The applicable sections of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and of the ANSI Standards.
Power Boilers. Section I, 1977 edition, (except PG--39 and PW--35 for which the 1974 edition will be used).
Material Specification, Section II, 1977 edition.
Nuclear Power Plant Components, Section III, 1977 edition, Division 1 and 2 (except NB/NC/ND--3612(a)(3), for which
the 1974 edition will be used).
Heating Boilers, Section IV, 1977 edition.
Pressure Vessels, Section VIII, 1977 edition.
EXAMPLE OF ADOPTED STANDARDS
EXAMPLE OF ADOPTED STANDARDS
POSSIBLE REQUIRED ACTIONS
Include Section XIII as one of the ASME Sections required by the Jurisdiction under
accepted standards
Suggest that where “stamping” is required, update to “ASME Certification Mark with
Designator”, and list required designators
The “home” of the designator determines applicable device requirements
Provide guidance to Inspectors that Code Stamping and Certification Mark have
the same meaning
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
PRD Manufacturer’s must work to the latest mandatory edition applicable to their
product
Sections IV and VIII will now mandate Section XIII PRDs – applies to all new
construction of that equipment (Section XIII becomes incorporated by reference)
Practically, PRD’s cannot be obtained to “earlier” Codes editions
QUESTIONS?
Prepared by J. F. Ball, P. E.
October 5, 2021
