There are significant differences among countries in regulating the supply and operation of boilers and pressure vessels. These differences include compliance with specific standard(s) limiting source or specification of materials, use of specific inspection bodies and discriminatory certification systems or import licenses. However, these standards have a proven history of supporting public safety and good commercial operating experience.
BS ISO 16528-1:2007 is performance-based, and enables these standards to co-exist, providing an approach that can accommodate technical innovations, existing regulatory frameworks and market needs.
BS ISO 16528-1 specifies performance requirements for boilers and pressure vessels, to ensure the integrity of the pressure boundary.
BS ISO 16528-1 includes the following:
- welding end connection for the first circumferential joint for welded connections
- first threaded joint for screwed connections
- face of the first flange for bolted, flanged connections
- first sealing surface for proprietary connections or fittings
- safety accessories, where necessary
- feedwater inlet (including the inlet valve) to steam outlet (including the outlet valve), including all inter-connecting tubing that can be exposed to a risk of overheating and cannot be isolated from the main system
- associated safety accessories
- connections to the boilers involved in services, such as draining, venting, desuperheating, etc.
An important safety requirement is the suitable provision of technical requirements taking into account the various modes of failure that can occur in boilers and pressure vessels. Guidance is given on these modes together with the criteria for satisfying these.
