49 French Codes Dealing with Pressure Equipment Available to Purchase

Chapter 49 deals with French Codes dealing with Pressure Equipment. In France two important organizations SNCT (Pressure Vessel and Piping Manufacturer's Association) and AFCEN (French Association for Design, Construction and In-Service Inspection) are responsible for the implementation of pressure equipment Codes. SNCT develops Codes such as CODAP for Unfired Pressure Vessels, CODETI for Industrial Piping and COVAP for Steam Boilers and Super-heated Water Boilers, with Thermal Fluid Boilers to be included in 2005. AFCEN develops Codes for die nuclear sector namely RCCM and RCCMR. Chapter 49 deals with pressure equipment covered by the above Codes that deal particularly with the case of a boiler falling within the scope of the PED in which case it shall be considered as an “assembly” i.e. “several pieces of pressure equipment assembled by a Manufacturer to constitute an integrated and functional whole”. In Chapter 49 Francis Osweiller assembles contributions of four experts conversant with these Codes, explains the outlines of the organizations and development of these Codes. CODAP is covered by Gerrarand.Perraudin, Barnard.Pitrou covers CODETI, Alain. Bonnefoy discusses COVAP and RCCM is addressed by Jean-.Marie Grandemange.

Originally published in 1943 and updated and republished eight times, the CODAP has been fully revised in 2000 by the French organization of Pressure Vessel and Piping Manufacturers in order to comply with the new European regulation (Pressure Equipment Directive 97∕23 EC). The Code is composed of the following Sections: Generals, Materials, Design, Fabrication and Testing and Inspection. The last Section, Testing and Inspection, covers also the task concerning Assessment of conformity to the PED when applicable. The different rules of the 2000 edition are related to the concept of Construction Category which appeared in the 1980 edition. This concept enables the construction quality of a vessel to be adapted and consistent within its future working condition. In this chapter CODAP scope is first detailed both for application in compliance with the PED and for application in accordance with other regulations. Main requirements relating to Materials, Design, Fabrication, Testing and Inspection are presented and significant differences widi ASME VIII Division 1 or 2 are outlined

CODETI that applies to Industrial Piping i.e., piping intended for industrial plant and covers the same scope as ASME B31-1 and B31.3. CODAP and CODETI are based on the concept of “construction category”, which enables the construction quality of a piping to be adapted and consistent with its future working conditions. Originally published in 1974 and updated and republished four times ('79, '82, '91, '95), CODETI has been entirely revised in 2001 by SNCT (French Pressure Equipment Manufacturer's Association) in order to comply with the new European regulation (Pressure Equipment Directive 97∕23 EC). Originally CODETI had two sections, the first covering low and medium pressures (P 25 bar; T 350°C), the second covering high pressures. This structure based on early European developments in the field of piping was replaced by the concept of Construction Category which enables the construction quality of a piping to be adapted and consistent with its future working conditions. This concept has been maintained for the 2001 edition. Division 1 applies to industrial metallic piping (i.e. intended for an industrial plant) above ground, ducted or buried. Division 2 and 3 will cover pipeline transportation and water transportation and steel penstock respectively. Scope of Division 1 is detailed both for application in compliance with the PED and for application in accordance with other regulations. Main requirements relating to Materials, Design, Fabrication and Installation, Testing and Inspection are presented. Relevant significant differences with ASME B31.1 and B31.3 are provided.

COVAP applies to steam boilers, super-heated water boilers and thermal fluid boilers and covers the scope as ASME Section I. This code covers all the pressure equipment, which can be assembled by a manufacturer to constitute an integrated and functional whole. The rules of this Code have been established first in order to cover equipment, which shall meet the requirements of the PED, but also to be used where other regulations shall be applied. This Code published by the French organization of Pressure Vessel and Piping Manufacturers is based on the French Standard Serie NF E 32-100 which was withdrawn when the new European regulation (Pressure Equipment Directive 97∕23 EC) came in force. Then main requirements relating to Materials, Design, Fabrication and Installation, Testing and Inspection as well as those for Water Quality are presented and significant differences with ASME Section I and Section VIII provided where relevant.

RCCM addresses Inspection rules for Nuclear Island Components and safety related pressure equipment. As indicated in 49.3, the RCC-M was initially based on the ASME III design rules and the French industrial experience. Procurement, manufacturing, and examination practices have since evolved according to the evolution of European and international standards. Design rules applicable to class 1 and 2 components have been updated to comply with applicable regulations and in order to take account of service experience. Less specific work was dedicated to class 3 components, and it is anticipated that more and more reference will be done to applicable non-nuclear industrial standards, and more particularly European harmonized standards, in the near future, as agreed in particular for application to the Finland project. For this reason, the discussions are more particularly dedicated to class 1 and 2 pressure components, with additional information being provided for specific components, such as reactor pressure vessel internals, supports and storage tanks. Additional comments are given in 49.7.10 on construction rules applicable to fast breeder reactor components and in-service surveillance of pressurized water reactor equipment.

Chapter 49 provides the basic philosophy of the Codes and discusses with the help of several tables and graphics General rules, Materials, Design (including flexibility analysis), Fabrication and Installation rules, Testing and Inspection. The authors also discuss their link with the Pressure Equipment Directive or other regulations in addition to a comparison with the relevant ASME Codes. The authors conclude with futuristic ideas and the chapter is replete with pertinent references.