4 A Commentary for Understanding and Applying the Principles of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

In Chapter 4, Roger Reedy provides commentary for the understanding and application of the principles of the ASME B&PV Code. Roger traces the history of the Code, from its initial charter and the voluntary effort of engineers for establishing a Code with a safety record to the current Code developed by a consensus process. Roger suggests that Code Users apply common sense when using the Code and for understanding Code requirements. He emphasizes that “the Code is not a handbook and cannot substitute for the use of engineering judgment.” Also, Roger emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the basic principles of the Code Interpretations in the application of safety factors for the Section III Nuclear Code, the Section VIII Pressure Vessels, and the Section I Boiler Code. Roger states that the term safety factor is both incorrect and misleading, because a reduction in the factor seems to indicate a reduction in safety. In fact, when the Code Committee considers a reduction in design factor, it allows the reduction only after it determines that other changes in Code requirements have compensated for the reduction.