As an industry-leading steel fabricator, we at T BAILEY, INC. take every step we can to deliver the highest quality fabrication to our customers. And one of the ways we do this is by maintaining our top-tier certifications.
From time to time, the organizations and committees behind our industry certifications update their codes and standards in order to reflect technological advancements and necessary changes. To ensure that our customers receive the best products possible, we immediately implement these updates and modify our processes as necessary.
Upcoming Coding Updates
Code and Standards updates are a regular occurrence, with them being refreshed every few years. This year is unique though, in that four of the most commonly used ones are being updated within the same year.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is the safety code for pressure vessels containing 15 psi to 3,000 psi. This foundational document establishes the rules for designing, fabricating, and inspecting boilers and pressure vessels.
ASME BPVC is updated every two years and the 2019 edition reflects recent technological changes in an effort to maintain a safe work environment and vessel integrity. This year’s code comes out this month and takes effect on January 1, 2020.
Underwriters Laboratory 142
The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 142 is the code standard for steel aboveground tanks that contain flammable and combustible liquids. This standard contains a large list of safety requirements that must be met if a shop fabricator wants to stamp their tanks with a UL certification mark.
UL 142 is currently in its 9th edition and was last updated in 2011, so this year’s 10th edition has been a long time coming.
American Water Works Association D100
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) D100 is the standard for aboveground welded steel water storage tanks. It prescribes best practices for quality assurance, design, materials, dimensions, and other elements of aboveground welded steel water tanks.
AWWA D100 is updated every six to eight years, so this year’s update may contain significant changes to water storage tank design, fabrication, erection, and testing.
American Welding Society D1.1
The American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 was created by the world’s leading welding society. D1.1 is a structural welding code for steel and specifies rules and best practices for assembling and welding fabricated parts.
AWS D1.1 is updated every five years and the next update is due within the next 12 months.
How Code Updates Affect Our Customers
You’re probably wondering, “How do these code updates affect me as a T BAILEY INC. customer?”
I’m glad you asked!
These updates are released by committees that make recommendations for the betterment of our industry and public safety. So while code updates might mean a bit more work for our fabricators and inspectors, these changes are always in the best interest our customers.
Revisions reflect technological advances in welding, material manufacturing, and industry requirements. Updates are not necessarily a reaction to problems in the industry, rather are a prime example of how the industry stays current with the times.
An example of this is how we have different safety codes for oil and water tanks.
While these kinds of tanks may look similar, the codes for them are quite different. This is because they have different applications and needs. Water is much more corrosive than oil, for example, and so water tanks require special paint to preserve their integrity.
As paint strength and longevity has improved, the code standard for what kind of paint to use has been updated to reflect new products and techniques.
How Code Changes Affect T BAILEY, INC.
We welcome updates because it means optimizing our processes for the safety and benefit of our clients. Also, changes don’t always equal more work for us. Sometimes, an update actually makes our job easier by removing outdated regulations.
For example, years ago the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code contained a complicated set of rules and checks and balances in regard to base materials. This was because the steel making process at that time was not as uniform and controlled as it is today. As steel making became more automated, refined and predictable, the quality control checks that ASME required were reduced. These code updates sped up the fabrication process, decreasing project turnaround time and saving our clients’ money.
Trusted Steel Fabrication In The Northwest
Our commitment to maintaining the highest levels of certification is a demonstration of T BAILEY, INC.’s leadership in the world of steel fabrication. By monitoring and staying current with all the codes and standards, we ensure that our products are safe and able to perform their intended roles.
To hear more about what T BAILEY, INC. can do for you, contact us today.
