ASME International

SECTION I PED GUIDE Supplement to Guide for  Stamp Holders Use of  Section I to Meet the EC Pressure Equipment Directive {97/23/EC)
 N STP-PT-002

Annotation

The Directive [1] applies to all equipment (pressure vessels, piping, boilers) subject to a pressure greater than 0.5 bar.

Despite several exclusions, such as equipment in the nuclear power field, this scope is very wide as it covers usual products (such as pressure cookers) as well as large industrial equipment (such as chemical reactors or liquefied gas vessels).

The Directive applies only to new equipment.

It should be recognized that major replacements to boiler plants such as steam drums or reheater headers can be covered by the Directive even if they are replaced on a "like for like" basis.

Guideline 3/4 outlines the extent of a "boiler" stating that it covers from the feedwater inlet (including the inlet valve) to the steam outlet (again including the outlet valve). It includes all interconnecting pipework that may be exposed to a risk of overheating and are not capable of isolation from the main system. It also includes the associated safety accessories and the piping connected to the boiler involved in services such as draining, venting, desuperheating, etc. Readers will note that this scope of coverage is very similar to that of ASME Section I, Power Boilers [3].

Guideline 113 defmes the application to repairs or modifications of pressure equipment. The complete replacement of pressure equipment by a new one is covered by the PED. Repairs are not covered but pressure equipment that has been subjected to important modifications that change the original characteristics, purpose and or type after it has been put into service has to be considered as a new product covered by the Directive. This has to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.