ASME Section VIII, Div.

Pressure Testing
and
Code Stamping

Topics
Requirements

for Pressure Testing

Hydrostatic Testing
Pneumatic Testing
Test Gauge
Stamping

Requirements
for
Pressure Testing

Why Test?
Detect gross defects in
design and fabrication

What Must Be Pressure Tested?

Completed vessels, fabricated to the
ASME Code, at the required pressure
and temperature

Hydrostatic Testing

Test Temperature
The recommended minimum metal
temperature of 30 oF above the
design minimum design metal
temperature (MDMT) and not over
120 oF

HydroTest Pressure
St
Tp MAWP (1.3)
Sd
Tp = Test Pressure
MAWP= Maximum Allowable Working Pressure
St = Material stress value at test temperature
Sd = Material stress value at design temperature

Exceptions
Vacuum

Service
Combination Units
Enameled Vessels
Cast Iron Vessels

Vacuum Service
Multiply the difference between
the normal atmospheric pressure
and the design internal absolute
pressure by 1.3

Combination Units
When

operated independently test

as separate vessel
Example: Heat Exchangers

Enameled Vessels
Test pressure shall be equal to
but need not be above the
vessel MAWP

Cast Iron Vessels

MAWP

< 30 psi:

Test

pressure must be 2.5 x MAWP

and <60 psi

MAWP
Test

> 30 psi:

pressure must be 2 x MAWP

Pneumatic Test Pressure

St
Tp MAWPx1.10x
Sd
Tp = Test Pressure
MAWP= Maximum Allowable Working Pressure

St = Material stress value at test temperature

Sd = Material Stress value at Design temperature

Test Procedure
1.
2.

Gradually increase pressure to

about test pressure
Thereafter, increase the pressure at
an interval equal to 1/10 of the test
pressure until the test pressure has
been reached

Assure that UW-50 has been complied prior to

pneumatic testing

Visual Inspection
Visual

inspection should be done by

dividing the test pressure by
1.3

for hydrostatic test

1.1 for pneumatic test

Never conduct a visual inspection

at full pressure

Witness Pressure Test

Authorized Inspector shall
witness pressure tests for all
vessels being U stamped,
except multiple vessels
fabricated to UG-90(c)(2)

UG-102: Test Gauges

Connected

directly to the vessel

Visible to the Operator
Graduated at a range double the
test pressure, but in no case more
than 4 times or less than 1-1/2 times
the test pressure
Calibrated against a deadweight
tester or master gauge

Stamping

UG-118: Methods of Marking

Marking

may be directly on the vessel

or on a nameplate
Minimum letter size requirements for
either direct stamping or nameplate
A nameplate is required on
Ferrous

materials less than 1/4 thick

Non-ferrous materials less than thick

Symbol Stamping
Code

stamps may be applied on the

vessel or on a nameplate attached to
the vessel, prior to hydrostatic test
Test procedure must be documented
in the Manufacturers program
The Authorized Inspector must have
accepted the test procedure

Mode of Inspection
Inspection

by the Authorized Inspector

Inspection by the Owner-User Inspector
User

must be stamped above the

U Code symbol

Type of Construction
Arc/Gas

Welded

- W
Brazed
- B
Pressure Welded
- P
Resistance Welded - RES

Special Services
Lethal

Services
L
Unfired Steam Boiler
UB
Direct Fired Vessels
DF
Non-stationary
NPV
Pressure Vessels
Letters are located under the U Code
symbol stamp

Degree of Radiography
Full

Radiography
UW-11 (a)(5)(b)
Spot Radiography
When RT-1, RT-2
or RT-3 does not apply

RT-1
RT-2
RT-3
RT-4

Postweld Heat Treatment

Entire

vessel heat treated

Partial heat treatment

HT
PHT

Vessel Parts
The

word part must be stamped

under the U Code stamp symbol
The Manufacturers name, preceded
by Certified by, and the serial
numbers are the only identification
required

Code Stamp
Code

Symbol

The

U symbol stamp is for

a Manufacturer who
fabricates complete
pressure vessels in the shop
or field
The holder of a U stamp
may also make vessel parts

Code Stamping

Code Stamp
The

UM Code
Symbol is applied to
pressure vessels that
are built to the
requirements of U-1(j)

UM

Code Stamp
The

UV symbol is
used for pressure
relief devices that
meet Section VIII,
Div. 1 requirements.

UV

Questions?
Pressure Testing & Code
Stamping