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The student will be able to describe:
◦ the history of ASME and the National Board
◦ the history of the National Board Inspection Code
◦ how the NBIC becomes an American National Standard
◦ how the NBIC has changed through the years
◦ the current format of the NBIC
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Industry used waterways for a source of
power to run production equipment in the
1700s and early 1800s.
In the 1800s, factories needed to move closer
to where raw materials were.
Without waterways, steam became a source of
power to operative equipment.
The steam generators/boilers had a tendency
to explode, causing up to 50,000 deaths and
2 million injuries annually.
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States and cities establish their own
construction rules for their jurisdictions. No
national standard existed.
There was no uniformity or interchangeability
between states, cities, and counties.
Manufacturers had to satisfy requirements of
each jurisdiction in which the boiler was
manufactured. Many had none.
Boiler manufacturers and insurance
companies asked ASME to develop a single
standard in 1910.
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ASME published the first boiler code in 1915.
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Getting ASME Code adopted by Jurisdictions was a
struggle.
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The National Board was formed in 1919.
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National Board formed to unify Jurisdictions and
enforcement; provide standardization and
interchangeability.
In 1921 The National Board:
◦ Commissioned its first inspector.
◦ Commenced registration of boilers.
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1945 Chapter I released: Introduction
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1946 Chapter II released: Laws and Rules
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1946 Chapter III released: Rules for
Inspection of Existing Installations of Power Boilers
1946 Chapter IV released: Rules for
Inspection of Boilers or Unfired Pressure Vessels
1946 Chapter V released: Rules for Inspection of New
Boilers or Pressure Vessels
1947 Chapter VI released: Repairs to Boilers and
Pressure Vessels
1949 Chapter VII released: Inspection of Fusion
Welding
The First NBIC
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1951 First full Edition released
• Reformatted Chapters
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1960 Edition Added:
• Chapter VIII: low pressure side of reducing valve
• Chapter IX: low water cut-off and feedwater
regulating device
• Chapter X: inspection and repair PV in service in
petroleum refineries
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Continued to address issues of Jurisdiction and
Inspectors.
Both shop and inservice.
Based on previously published NB reports and
papers.
• Safety devices, welding, design calculations, nuclear
• “Truly a manual for boiler and pressure vessel
inspectors”
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Welding Inspectors qualifications (eyesight,
experience, knowledge, training, temperament,
agility, physical strength, good judgment, integrity,
and honesty.)
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1975 “R” Stamp Program
1977-Owner/User Inspection Agencies, “NR,
“VR”
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Welding requirements deleted
ASME Section IX
Recognized other codes of construction
1983-American National Standard
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A manual for the Inspector.
Recommended Legislation, Rules and
Regulations for Boiler and PV Safety (NB-131,
NB-132).
NB members understood problems and
difficulties inspectors faced. This provided
the basis for developing the NBIC:
• New designs—increased pressures and
temperatures
• Improved technology—appurtenances, materials,
fabrication, etc.
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ANSI is an umbrella organization for
standards developed in the USA.
Assures industry input.
Recognized worldwide.
Procedures based on consensus (openness,
balance, due process):
• Public has right to comment
• All comments must be resolved
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 1992-Changes Implemented
• 5x8 to 8x11 Loose Leaf
• Annual Addenda – Mandatory 6 months after issue
date
• Reorganized into Sections
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1995-Reformatted into Parts
• Administrative, Inservice Inspection, Repair and
Alteration, Repair Methods, Mandatory and
Non-mandatory Appendix
• User friendly
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2007 - Changes
Implemented
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Restructured into three
parts:
• Part 1 – Installation
• Part 2 – Inspection
• Part 3 – Repairs and
Alterations
The 2007 Edition
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2011 - Changes
Implemented
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Published in new
format (no binders)
The 2011 Edition
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ASME CODE
JURISDICTION
INSPECTOR
INTERCHANGEABILITY
STANDARDIZATION
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What is a Jurisdiction?
◦ A government entity with the authority to make
laws governing activities within its borders.
◦ Jurisdiction could be a Township, County, City,
State, or Province.
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Jurisdictions may have additional
requirements in statute or rule.
◦ May require boiler and pressure vessel repairs or
alterations to be registered with National Board.
◦ May require the Repair Organization to have
jurisdictional license.
◦ May require a Repair Organization to have an “R”
stamp.
◦ May have special rules governing routine repairs.
◦ May require an official approval before starting
any work.
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Click NB Members to locate the jurisdictional authority.
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