The occurrence of injuries during the rise of the Industrial Revolution led ASME to implement rules and regulations concerning the pressure vessel industry. Today, ASME is widely known as an international association, especially in the oil and gas industry. Hundreds of widely accepted ASME standards and codes ensure manufacturing equipment achieves its potential limit without putting humans and nature at risk.

What is ASME?

ASME or American Society of Mechanical Engineers is an American non-profit organization promoting the advancement of mechanical engineering and related disciplines resulting in standardized rules for machinery such as compressors, turbines, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and boilers.

As an engineering association, ASME commits to encouraging quality training and professional development programs, continuing education, conferences, publications, research, and other forms of outreach. With the efforts given, ASME aspires to offer solutions to real-world challenges by focusing on technical knowledge development.

Who Can Be Part of ASME Members?

ASME members are people from diverse backgrounds ranging from university students and early-career engineers to corporate executives and researchers.  ASME guarantees access to the latest information on the industry, provides relevant field volunteering, and guides its members throughout their professional careers.

Founded by Alexander Lyman Holley, Henry Rossiter Worthington, John Edison Sweet, and Matthias N. Forney in 1880, this association has become widely known for its spirit of collaboration with over 85.000 members in over 135 countries worldwide.

Through ASME, the members have created codes, standards, and certification programs that help ensure mechanical systems and equipment are designed, built, and operated safely and effectively.

What Does ASME Offer?

ASME provides an extensive array of offerings in the field of mechanical engineering, guaranteeing top-notch quality and safety across diverse industries. The range of programs available includes the following.

Certification & Accreditation

ASME offers certification services for a wide range of equipment and systems, such as boilers, pressure vessels, piping, and nuclear components. These services involve thorough evaluation and testing to ensure conformity with ASME codes and standards, ensuring the highest level of compliance and quality.

Learning & Development

ASME offers a range of training programs, workshops, and resources to support the growth of professionals and their technical knowledge. These opportunities foster continuous development, ensuring individuals remain well-informed about the latest advancements and industry best practices.

Publications & Submissions

ASME’s Publications and submissions include a range of resources such as technical journals, conference proceedings, standards and guidelines, technical books and manuals, and digital materials. These publications serve as important references, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and contributing to the progress of the mechanical engineering field.

Conferences & Events

asme events in universities
ASME Events in University of Illinois Chicago (Credit: engineering.uic.edu)

ASME releases conference and symposium proceedings, which document the most recent research and advancements presented at these gatherings. These publications serve as a valuable source for accessing state-of-the-art research and developments within the mechanical engineering community.

Topics & Resources

ASME covers topics & resources in various formats like articles, webcasts/podcasts, videos, and downloads. These various formats ensure convenient access to valuable knowledge and insights, accommodating different learning preferences for engineers to engage with dynamic discussions, visual demonstrations, and reference materials.

Government Relations

ASME’s Government Relations services involve collaborating with policymakers and regulatory agencies to advocate for the mechanical engineering community. They provide expert insights, recommendations, and analysis on key issues, shaping legislation and regulations. ASME fosters productive relationships with government entities to influence decisions impacting the field.

What Does ASME Certified Mean?

ASME-gove-tank-stamp-uai-516x516-1-jpg-e1698043149159
ASME stamp shows the quality of a product to be following ASME standards. (Credit: Brewfab USA)

When a company is considered as ASME certified, it shows they’ve adapted their methods to meet some of the world’s toughest safety and quality rules. ASME-certified items are dependable, work consistently, meet government requirements in over 100 nations, and are simpler to send abroad. You can spot ASME-certified products by the ASME stamps on them.

What Is ASME Certification?

ASME certification is a set of guidelines and certifications created by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). These certifications are acknowledged globally. Companies that hold ASME certification indicate that their service, product,  or procedure has fulfilled specific safety and quality standards.

ASME certification encompasses various sectors and applications such as boilers, nuclear facilities, pressure vessels, and piping. To attain ASME certification, a product or process must undergo extensive inspection and testing to ensure compliance with ASME standards.

ASME certification holds high significance in many industries and can be obligatory to conduct business in particular markets. According to ASME Official Website, here are some of the available certifications:

1. Bioprocessing Equipment Certification

bioprocessing equipment is one of the mechanical equipment that often follows asme's requirement.

The ASME Bioprocessing Equipment (BPE) Certification validates that products meet the ASME BPE standard for equipment used in bioprocessing industries. It sets hygienic requirements and is widely adopted in biopharmaceutical production. Certification improves product purity, safety, and efficiency while reducing costs.

2. Boiler and Pressure Vessel Certification

The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Certification Program ensures that boiler and pressure vessel are standardized. Certified products have ASME Certification Mark with more than 6,800 companies holding certificates, covering various areas including power boilers, heating boilers, pressure vessels, fiber-reinforced plastic vessels, transport tanks, and valves.

3. Quality Program for Suppliers (QPS) Certification

ASME’s Quality Program for Suppliers (QPS) is a certification that complements technical standards, improving the quality of items supplied to various industries. It is applicable to different sectors like material manufacturers, service providers, and those responsible for design. The certification process involves a two-stage survey/review, ensuring compliance with standards.

4. Reinforced Thermoset Plastic Corrosion-Resistant Equipment Certification

The ASME RTP Certification Program covers stationary vessels used for storing corrosive substances. It allows various fabrication methods and extends to field assembly and repair. The RTP Certification Mark signifies vessels made by an ASME-certified fabricator. Fabricators can register RTP vessels with The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

What Does it Mean By The Word “ASME Standards” and  “ASME Codes”?

ASME regulates standardized hot water boiler system
ASME regulates standardized Hot Water Boiler System (Credit: Freepik)

ASME produces and handles approximately 600 codes and standards covering many technical areas developed by committees of subject matter experts using an open, consensus-based process. These wide ranges of regulations and norms govern mechanical systems and equipment design, construction, and operation.

What Are Some ASME Codes and Standards?

Though there are hundreds of ASME standards, some are more common considering their universal application. To top it off, adhering to these several ASME codes is often mandatory, as required by either industry-specific regulations or government laws, to maintain the safety and reliability of the machine. Cited from its official website, below are some of the widely used ASME standards:

1. ASME Section VIII Division 1 & 2 – Pressure Vessel 

 refinery needs standardized pressure vessel to work properly
Refineries need standardized pressure vessel to work properly (Credit: Unsplash)

ASME Section VIII specifies the requirements for the design, fabrication, inspection, certification, and testing of pressure vessels, especially those surpassing 15 psi. This code covers essentials and inessentials continuation detailing in supplementary design to help engineers comply with industry standards upon reaching the operational and cost benefits without leaving the safety rules behind.

Companies in the pressure equipment industry widely recognize ASME manufacturer certification. For the ASME Section VIII Pressure Vessel Series, the certification program falls into ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPVC) with a Certification Mark for any company holding the ASME BPVC certification.

Suppose your organization wishes to obtain ASME BPVC Certification. In that case, it is best to join PetroSync’s ASME Section VIII Division 1 & 2 training course to prepare your employee better with the knowledge and up-to-date case study regarding pressure vessels. Enhance your company’s credibility and reputation with PetroSync. Reserve your spot today.

Petrosync ASME Section VIII Division 1 and Division 2 Pressure Vessel Training

2. ASME Section I – Power Boilers

ASME Section I discusses the regulations for all construction techniques of power, electric, miniature boilers, heat recovery steam generators, and high-temperature water boilers intending to be used in stationary service. The details in ASME I also include power boilers.

The objective of gaining the ASME Section I certification revolves around new market opportunities. It often becomes an obligation for companies working in power boilers used in traction service, portable, and locomotive to comply with internationally standardized products. Preparing the involved engineers to get

PetroSync launches ASME Section I – Power Boilers training course to equip you with practical knowledge and understanding of Section I power boilers following ASME BPVC Certification. Seize your opportunity to master basic concepts and design fundamentals of power boilers with PetroSync!

Petrosync ASME Section I Power Boilers Training

3. ASME Section IV – Rules for Construction of Heating Boilers

In this section, ASME covers all requirements for the design, fabrication, installation, and inspection of hot water heating, steam heating, hot water supply boilers,  and drinkable water heaters intended for low-pressure service.

For now, ASME Section IV is unavailable in PetroSync by default. But we can provide ASME Section IV through in-house training with customized outline material to help you tackle any challenges or issues your company faces. Request in-house training and take the first step towards investing in your employees’ professional development. Enroll today!

Petrosync ASME In House Training

4. ASME B31 Series – ASME B31.1, B31.3, and B31.5

ASME application to pressure vessels
ASME application to pressure vessels (Credit: Freepik)

In general, ASME B31 describes the requirements for piping systems. There are three most popular standards, with each of the codes having specific functionality from one another.

ASME B31.3 – Process Piping

ASME B31.3 regulates rules designed for process piping with a relatively lower factor of safety followed by lower reliability tolerance. This code stresses more on the design consideration of process plants. Thus petroleum refineries, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, and paper manufacturers refer to ASME B31.3 for their piping design.

A piping system, especially one with a standardized design, has become a crucial element in the industry. Engineers and designers, managers, supervisors, and plant engineers can properly design and operate their piping systems by following ASME B31.3 as the quality reference in the industry.

Knowing how thorough this standard is, PetroSync crafts its ASME B31.3 Process Piping Code Design training course to help you understand Process Piping Code, ASME B31.3. and its practical use for all aspects, from piping design to testing and certification. Enroll today and take your career to the next level.Petrosync ASME B31.3 Process Piping Code Design Requirements Training

ASME B31.1 – Power Piping

Unlike ASME B31.3, ASME B31.1 regulates rules designed for power piping with higher reliability. Electric power generating stations, geothermal heating systems, central and district heating and cooling systems, and industrial manufacturers commonly use this standard.

ASME B31.5 – Refrigeration Piping & Heat Transfer Components

Meanwhile, ASME B31.5 is a refrigeration piping and heat transfer guideline. It focuses on the necessary criteria for the materials, design, fabrication, assembly, erection, testing, and inspection. ASME B31.5 becomes a primary successor for designers, regulators, inspectors, and manufacturers of refrigeration piping and heat transfer components to maximize the functionality of refrigeration piping.

For now, ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.5 are unavailable, but you can register for a requested in-house training for these particular standards to meet your company’s needs with PetroSync.

Petrosync ASME In House Training

5. ASME B1.22M – Gauges and Gauging for MJ Series Metric Screw Threads

ASME B1.22M covers vital specifications and dimensions for the gauges used on MJ series metric screw threads and the requirements and dimensions for the thread gauges and measuring equipment listed in Tables 1 and 2. Further reference to the customary conversion of the metric table can be seen in Appendix D.

Most ASME codes and standards revolve around design thinking in mechanical engineering
Most ASME codes and standards revolve around design thinking in mechanical engineering (Credit: Freepik)

6. ASME Y14.5 – Dimensioning and Tolerancing

ASME Y14.5 regulates the design language of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T). This standard provides guidelines, definitions, symbols, regulations, requirements, defaults, and recommended practices for stating and interpreting GD&T.

It also associates requirements for use on engineering drawings, models defined in digital data files, and other related documents.

7. ASME B30.5 – Mobile and Locomotive Cranes

ASME B30.5 is a design guideline for mobile and locomotive cranes to ensure their safety operations. As one of the most taken certifications under ASME, this code covers crawler cranes, locomotive cranes, wheel-mounted cranes, and any variations that maintain the same fundamental features and operate on either internal combustion engines or electric motors.

ASME Y14.5 and ASME B30.5 are currently unavailable in PetroSync. Hence, you can egister for a requested in-house training for these particular standards to meet your company’s needs. We aim to help your team to stay ahead of the curve by providing expert instructors in the industry. Join us!

Petrosync ASME In House Training 8. ASME PCC-2 – Repair of Pressure Equipment

ASME PCC-2 discusses the methods for fixing pressure equipment, piping, pipelines, and all associated mechanics that fall under ASME Pressure Technology Codes and Standards once they are implemented. Either permanent or temporary depending on the circumstance, the ASME PCC-2 standard involves design, fabrication, inspection, and testing procedures.

The standard can be used when a repair is required based on inspection and flaw assessment results though ASME PCC-2 does not include how the inspection and flaw assessment is done in its document.

Complying with ASME PCC-2 standards can result in the safe and effective repairs of pressure equipment. If you want to know the design philosophy of pressure parts, understand the in-service problems of piping and pressure equipment, and learn the maintenance aspects of the mentioned equipment, then ASME PCC-2 Repair of Pressure Equipment training course by PetroSync is right for you. Enroll today and advance your career by demonstrating your expertise in the repair of pressure equipment.

What Is The Most Used ASME Standard?

The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, often called ASME standards, is a highly recognized set of rules used globally by manufacturers, technicians, and inspectors. Employing these standards offers several advantages:

  1. Facilitate Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: ASME standards encourage teamwork and information exchange among various engineering fields.
  2. Ensure Compatibility of Mechanical Products and Systems: They guarantee that mechanical products and systems work seamlessly together.
  3. Verify Product Performance: ASME standards also serve as a means to confirm the performance of products, assuring they meet established criteria.

In conclusion, ASME plays an essential role in the safety and reliability of mechanical products. A company must design, construct, install, maintain, inspect, and operate its equipment following the guidelines regulated by ASME.

Joining ASME training course can enhance a company’s ability to comply with regulations, improve its operational efficiency, and reduce costs. You can also opt for ASME training course online for a cost-efficient choice. Invest in professional development and boost your career to the next level with PetroSync!

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