ASME BPVC.III.1.NF-2023 PDF
Subsection NF contains rules for the material, design, fabrication, examination, installation, and preparation of certification documents (Certificate of Compliance and NS-1 Certificate of Conformance) for supports for components and piping which are intended to conform to the requirements for Class 1, 2, 3, and MC construction as set forth in Subsections NB, NCD, and NE, respectively, of this Section.
The rules do not cover deterioration that may occur in service as a result of corrosion, erosion, radiation effects, or metallurgical instability of the materials (see NCA-1130).
Nuclear power plant supports (NCA-9200 provides the definitions of “support” and other terms) for which the rules are specified in this Subsection are those metal elements which transmit loads between components (see NCA-1210), including piping systems, and intervening elements and the building structure. However, the term supports does not encompass a structural element the sole function of which is to carry dynamic loads caused by a postulated loss of pressure-retaining integrity.
Careful application of this Section will help users to comply with applicable regulations within their jurisdictions, while achieving the operational, cost and safety benefits to be gained from the many industry best-practices detailed within these volumes.
In 1911, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers established the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee to formulate standard rules for the construction of steam boilers and other pressure vessels. In 2009, the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee was superseded by the following committees:
(a) Committee on Power Boilers (I)
(b) Committee on Materials (II)
(c) Committee on Construction of Nuclear Facility Components (III)
(d) Committee on Heating Boilers (IV)
(e) Committee on Nondestructive Examination (V)
(f) Committee on Pressure Vessels (VIII)
(g) Committee on Welding, Brazing, and Fusing (IX)
(h) Committee on Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels (X)
(i) Committee on Nuclear Inservice Inspection (XI)
(j) Committee on Transport Tanks (XII)
(k) Committee on Overpressure Protection (XIII)
(l) Technical Oversight Management Committee (TOMC)
Where reference is made to “the Committee” in this Foreword, each of these committees is included individually and collectively.
The Committee’s function is to establish rules of safety relating to pressure integrity, which govern the construction” of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks, and nuclear components, and the inservice inspection of nuclear components and transport tanks. For nuclear items other than pressure-retaining components, the Committee also establishes rules of safety related to structural integrity. The Committee also interprets these rules when questions arise regarding their intent. The technical consistency of the Sections of the Code and coordination of standards development activities of the Committees is supported and guided by the Technical Oversight Management Committee. This Code does not address other safety issues relating to the construction of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks, or nuclear components, or the inservice inspection of nuclear components or transport tanks. Users of the Code should refer to the pertinent codes, standards, laws, regulations, or other relevant documents for safety issues other than those relating to pressure integrity and, for nuclear items other than pressure-retaining components, structural integrity. Except for Sections Xl and XII, and witha few other exceptions, the rules do not, of practical necessity, reflect the likelihood and consequences of deterioration in service related to specific service fluids or external operating environments. In formulating the rules, the Committee considers the needs of users, manufacturers, and inspectors of components addressed by the Code. The objective of the rules is to afford reasonably certain protection of life and property, and to provide a margin for deteriora-tion inservice to give a reasonably long, safe period of usefulness. Advancements in design and materials and evidence of experience have been recognized.
This Code contains mandatory requirements, specific prohibitions, and nonmandatory guidance for construction activities and inservice inspection and testing activities. The Code does not address all aspects of these activities and those aspects that are not specifically addressed should not be considered prohibited. The Code is not a handbook and cannot replace education, experience, and the use of engineering judgment. The phrase engineering judgment refers to technical judgments made by knowledgeable engineers experienced in the application of the Code. Engineering judgments must be consistent with Code philosophy, and such judgments must never be used to overrule mandatory requirements or specific prohibitions of the Code.
The Committee recognizes that tools and techniques used for design and analysis change as technology progresses and expects engineers to use good judgment in the application of these tools. The designer is responsible for complying with Code rules and demonstrating compliance with Code equations when such equations are mandatory. The Code neither requires nor prohibits the use of computers for the design or analysis of components constructed to the requirements of the Code. However, designers and engineers using computer programs for design or analysis are cautioned that they are.
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