A number of changes have been proposed for the next edition of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII. This code is widely referenced throughout industry, including the CSA B51 (for boilers and pressure equipment) and B52 (for mechanical refrigeration) codes.
Changes of interest to the HVACR industry relate to the removal of exemptions for:
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vessels having an inside diameter under 6 inches;
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vessels with design pressure under 300 psi and design temperature under 210°F; and
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hot water supply storage tanks with heat input less than 200,000 BTUH, water temperature less than 210°F, and volume less than 120 gallons.
Background information about the proposed change is shown in AHRI’s White Paper, “HVACR Equipment Represents Performance and Safety”, available at the following link: https://www.ahrinet.org/advocacy/advocacy-regulatory
If these changes will have an impact on your business, you may provide comments up until December 31, 2024, 5 PM Eastern. Comments showing the direct impact that the removal of these exemptions would have on your business will be most impactful.
A summary of the proposed change is available through this link (click on record 07-245): https://cstools.asme.org/csconnect/public/index.cfm?PublicReview=Revisions#3166
Instructions are available on the ASME website, and if you have any questions or comments, please contact Perry Chao at pchao@hrai.ca.
