New standard for unfired fusion welded pressure vessels 23 December 2013

PD 5500:2012 – the latest specification for unfired fusion welded pressure vessels, covering vessels manufactured from carbon, ferritic alloy and austenitic steels, aluminium, copper and nickel – is now available from BSI Standards.

The specification applies to equipment designed to BS 5500 in use outside the EU or manufactured under the Pressure Equipment Directive, and will be updated every three years. It supersedes PD 5500:2009, which has now been withdrawn.

Key revisions include: clarification of the use of subcontractors; tubesheet minimum thickness requirements for large tube diameters; and clarification of the requirements for static head in the evaluation of test pressure.

Other main changes are: revisions to the impact testing requirements of Annex D; and inclusion of a new enquiry case 5500/139 for the ISO 16528-2:2007 conformance tables.

The new standard specifies requirements for design, manufacture, inspection, testing and verification, and can also provide a basis for vessel design and manufacture for PED compliance.

The PD 5500:2012 refers to pressure vessels connected to piping by bolts, screws or welding, as well as supports, brackets and other direct attachments. It also applies to vessels that are subject to electrical heating or heated process streams, but specifically not vessels exposed to direct heat or flame.

The specification can be used with equipment and systems designed or manufactured to BS 5500 or PD 5500. And the 2012 specification is also relevant to pressure vessels in use outside of the EU as well as those designed and manufactured under the Pressure Equipment Directive.

Brian Tinham

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