(a) This part contains requirements for pressure vessels. table 54.01-5(a) gives a breakdown by parts in this subchapter of the regulations governing various types of pressure vessels, boilers, and thermal units.
(b) Pressure vessels are divided into Classes I, I-L (low temperature), II, II-L (low temperature), and III. table 54.01-5(b) describes these classes and sets out additional requirements for welded pressure vessels.
(c) The requirements for pressure vessels by class are as follows:
(1) Class I-L and II-L pressure vessels must meet the applicable requirements in this part.
(2) Pressure vessels containing hazardous materials as defined in Sec. 150.115 of this chapter must meet the requirements of this part or, as applicable, the requirements in 49 CFR parts 171-177 or part 64 of this chapter.
(3) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, Classes I, II, and III pressure vessels not containing hazardous materials must be designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements in Section VIII, division 1, of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (incorporated by reference; see 46 CFR 54.01-1) and must be stamped with the ASME ``U'' symbol. These pressure vessels must also comply with the requirements that are listed or prescribed in paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section. Compliance with other provisions in this part is not required.
(4) Classes II and III pressure vessels that have a net internal volume of less than 0.14 cubic meters (5 cubic feet) and do not contain hazardous materials must be stamped with either the ASME ``U'' or ``UM'' symbol. Compliance with other provisions in this part is not required.
(d) Pressure vessels described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section must--
(1) Have detailed plans that include the information required by Sec. 54.01-18 (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control number 2130-0181);
(2) Meet Sec. 54.01-35, Sec. 54.20-3(c), and Sec. 54.25-3 of this part;
(3) Have pressure relief devices required by subpart 54.15;
(4) Meet the applicable requirements in Sec. Sec. 54.10-3, 54.10-20, and 54.10-25 for inspection, reports, and stamping;
(5) If welded, meet the post weld heat treatment and minimum joint and radiography requirement in table 54.01-5(b); and
(6) If a steam generating pressure vessel, meet Sec. 54.01-10.
(e) The plans required by paragraph (d)(1) of this section must be certified by a registered professional engineer to meet the design requirements in paragraph (d) of this section and in section VIII, division 1, of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. The certification must appear on all drawings and analyses. The plans must be made available to the Coast Guard prior to the inspection required by Sec. 54.10-3(c).
(f) If a pressure vessel has more than one independent chamber and the chambers have different classifications, each chamber must, as a minimum, meet the requirements for its classification. If a single classification for the entire pressure vessel is preferred, the classification selected must be one that is required to meet all of the regulations applicable to the classification that is not selected. For example, if one chamber is Class I and one chamber is Class II-L, the only single classification that can be selected is Class I-L.
(g) The design pressure for each interface between two chambers in a multichambered pressure vessel must be--
(1) The maximum allowable working pressure (gauge) in the chamber with the higher pressure; or
(2) If one chamber is a vacuum chamber, the maximum allowable working pressure (absolute) in the other chamber minus the least operating pressure (absolute) in the vacuum chamber.
Table 54.01-5(a)--Regulation Reference for Boilers, Pressure Vessels,
and Thermal Units------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part of Part of
subchapter subchapter
Service and pressure temperature boundaries regulating regulating
mechanical automatic
design control------------------------------------------------------------------------Main (power) boiler: All...................... 52 62Pressure vessel: All.......................... 54 NAFired auxiliary boiler \1\ (combustion
products or electricity):
(a) Steam:
More than 103 kPa (15 psig)............... 52 \2\ 62 or
63
Equal to or less than 103 kPa (15 psig)... 53 63
(b) Hot water heating:
More than 689 kPa (100 psig) or 121 [deg]C 52 63
(250 [deg]F).............................
Equal to or less than 689 kPa (100 psig) 53 63
and 121 [deg]C (250 [deg]F)..............
(c) Hot water supply:
More than 689 kPa (100 psig) or 121 [deg]C 52 63
(250 [deg]F).............................
Equal to or less than 689 kPa (100 psig) 53 63
and 121 [deg]C (250 [deg]F)..............Other:
(a) Fired thermal fluid heaters: All........ 52 63
(b) Unfired steam boiler:
More than 206 kPa (30 psig) or 454 [deg]C 52 NA
(850 [deg]F) \3\.........................
Equal to or less than 206 kPa (30 psig) 54 NA
and 454 [deg]C (850 [deg]F)..............
(c) Evaporators and heat exchangers: More 54 NA
than 103 kPa (15 psig) \4\.................
(d) Unfired hot water supply or heating 54 NA
boiler: More than 103 kPa (15 psig) \4\....------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Including exhaust gas types.\2\ Boilers with heat input ratings = 12,500,000 Btu/hr.
must have controls that meet part 62. Boilers with heat input ratings
<12,500,000 Btu/hr. must have controls that meet part 63.\3\ Temperature of working fluid.\4\ Relief device is required even if designed for less than 103 kPa (15
psig).
Table 54.01-5(b)--Pressure Vessel Classification
[Note to table 54.01-5(b): All classes of pressure vessels are subject to shop inspection and plan approval.\4\]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radiography
requirements, section
VIII of the ASME
Class limits on Joint requirements \1 Boiler and Pressure Post-weld heat
Class Service contents pressure and 6 7\ Vessel Code treatment
temperature (incorporated by requirements \5 7\
reference, see 46 CFR
(a) Vapor or gas...... Vapor or gas: Over 600 (1) For category A; Full on all butt For carbon- or low-
(b) Liquid............ p.s.i. or 700 [deg]F. (1) or (2) for joints regardless of alloy steel, in
(c) Hazardous Liquid: Over 600 category B. All thickness. accordance with
Materials \2\. p.s.i. or 400 [deg]F. categories C and D Exceptions listed in table UCS-56 of
must have full table UCS-57 of section VIII of the
penetration welds section VIII of the ASME Boiler and
extending through ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
the entire thickness Pressure Vessel Code Code, regardless of
of the vessel wall do not apply. thickness. For other
or nozzle wall. materials, in
accordance with
(a) Vapor or gas, or Over 250 p.s.i. and (1) For categories A Full on all butt For carbon- or low-
liquid. service temp. below 0 and B. All joints regardless of alloy steel, in
(b) Hazardous [deg]F. categories C and D thickness. accordance with
Materials \2\. must have full Exceptions listed in table UCS-56 of
penetration welds table UCS-57 of section VIII of the
extending through section VIII of the ASME Boiler and
the entire thickness ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
of the vessel wall Pressure Vessel Code Code, regardless of
or nozzle wall. No do not apply. thickness. For other
backing rings or materials, in
strips left in place. accordance with
(a) Vapor or gas...... Vapor or gas: 30 (1) Or (2) for Spot, unless exempted In accordance with
(b) Liquid............ through 600 p.s.i. or category A. (1), by UW-11(c) of section VIII of the
(c) Hazardous 275 through 700 (2), or (3) for section VIII of the ASME Boiler and
Materials \2 3 6\. [deg]F. category B. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
Liquid: 200 through Categories C and D in Pressure Vessel Code. Code.
600 p.s.i. or 250 accordance with UW-
through 400 [deg]F. 16 of section VIII
of the ASME Boiler
and Pressure Vessel
Code.
(a) Vapor or gas, or 0 through 250 p.s.i. (1) For category A; Spot. The exemption Same as for I-L
(1) For category A; Spot. The exemption Same as for I-L
(1) or (2) for of UW-11(c) of except that
(b) Hazardous below 0 [deg]F. category B. All section VIII of the mechanical stress
Materials \2\. categories C and D ASME Boiler and relief may be
must have full- Pressure Vessel Code substituted if
penetration welds does not apply. allowed under
extending through subpart 54.30 of
the entire thickness this chapter.
of the vessel wall
(a) Vapor or gas...... Vapor or gas: Under 30 In accordance with Spot, unless exempted In accordance with
(b) Liquid............ p.s.i. and 0 through section VIII of the by UW-11(c) of section VIII of the
(c) Hazardous 275 [deg]F. ASME Boiler and section VIII of the ASME Boiler and
Materials \2 3 6\. Liquid: Under 200 Pressure Vessel Code. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
p.s.i. and 0 through Pressure Vessel Code. Code.
250 [deg]F.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Welded joint categories are defined under UW-3 of section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Joint types are described in table UW-12
of section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and numbered (1), (2), etc.\2\ See 46 CFR 54.20-2.\3\ See 46 CFR 54.25-8(c) and 54.25-10(d).\4\ See 46 CFR 54.01-15 and 54.10-3 for exemptions.\5\ Specific requirements modifying table UCS-56 of section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code appear in 46 CFR 54.25-7.\6\ See 46 CFR 54.20-3(c) and (f).\7\ Applies only to welded pressure vessels. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control number 2130-0181) [CGFR 68-82, 33 FR 18828, Dec. 18, 1968, as amended by CGFR 69-127, 35 FR 9976, June 17, 1970; CGD 77-147, 47 FR 21809, May 20, 1982; 55 FR 696, Jan. 8, 1990; CGD 88-057, 55 FR 24236, June 15, 1990; CGD 85-061, 55 FR 41917, Oct. 16, 1990; CGD 95-027, 61 FR 26000, May 23, 1996; USCG-2000-7790, 65 FR 58460, Sept. 29, 2000; USCG-2003-16630, 73 FR 65165, Oct. 31, 2008]