SECTION VIII-1

Subject

Interpretation

File No.

Appendix 2, Tables 2-4 and 2-5.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-91

BC05-1667

Appendix 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-85

BC03-1476

Appendix M, M-5.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-97

BC05-1136

U-1(c)(2)(i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-90

BC06-095

UG-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-93

BC06-507

UG-16(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-92

BC06-357

UG-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-94

BC06-559

UG-43(d) and UCS-6(b)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-100

BC06-541

UG-99(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-87

BC05-1566

UG-116 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-84

BC02-4219

UG-116(a)(1)(b)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-88

BC05-1589

UG-136(c)(3)(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-89

BC04-1311

UHX-9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-99

BC06-423

UW-11(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-95

BC04-1455

UW-11(a) and UW-12(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-101

BC05-1574

UW-13(c)(2) and Fig. UW-13.1(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-96

BC04-1456

UW-16(f)(3)(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-98

BC06-273

UW-29(d) and UW-48(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII-1-04-86

BC04-1348

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-84
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2001 Edition); UG-116, Required Marking for External Pressure
Date Issued: March 1, 2004
File: BC02-4219
Question (1): Is it required by the rules of Section VIII, Division 1 that the external maximum allowable
working pressure of a vessel be marked on the pressure vessel and on the data report when not specified as
a design condition by the user or his/her designated agent?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): Is it the intent that, when specified by a user to design and stamp a vessel with the external
maximum allowable working pressure, this value be entered in the Manufacturers Data Report, Form U-1A?
Reply (2): Yes.
Question (3): If a Manufacturer chooses to indicate an external pressure rating of Full Vacuum on a
Section VIII, Division 1 pressure vessel, is it the intent to allow the use of the abbreviation FV?
Reply (3): Yes.
Note: This interpretation was inadvertently omitted from Vol. 55 of the interpretations.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-85
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2001 Edition, 2002 Addenda); Appendix 17
Date Issued: November 5, 2004
File: BC03-1476
Question: Is it the intent of Appendix 17, 17-4, in Section VIII, Division 1, to allow the construction of
dimpled or embossed assemblies constructed per Appendix 17 with a plate thickness less than 116 in. (1.6 mm)
specified in UG-16(b)?
Reply: Yes.
Note: This interpretation was inadvertently omitted from Vol. 55 of the interpretations.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-86
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2001 Edition, 2003 Addenda); UW-29(d) and UW-48(b)
Date Issued: December 1, 2005
File: BC04-1348
Question: Is it the intent in UW-29(d) and UW-48(b) that the Manufacturer either sign the welder and
welding operator performance qualification records, or provide some other method of control, such as an
electronic database, as long as the alternative method is controlled in accordance with the Manufacturers
quality system?
Reply: Yes.
Note: This interpretation was inadvertently omitted from Vol. 56 of the interpretations.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-87
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); UG-99(e)
Date Issued: February 3, 2006
File: BC05-1566
Question: Consider a shell and tube heat exchanger where only the shell is constructed according to the
rules of Section VIII, Division 1 and to which the Code Symbol stamp is applied. Is it required that the tube
side of this combination unit be pressure tested per UG-99(e)?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: VIII-1-04-88
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); UG-116(a)(1)(b)(4)
Date Issued: February 22, 2006
File: BC05-1589
Question: Consider a multichamber pressure vessel consisting of an inner chamber surrounded by a jacket,
in which the inner chamber is subject to both internal pressure and full vacuum. When the inner chamber
is at full vacuum condition along with additional external pressure applied by the surrounding jacket, even
if this condition does not govern the design of the inner chamber, is it required by the rules of Section VIII,
Division 1 that the external maximum allowable working pressure of the inner chamber be marked on the
nameplate and documented on the Manufacturers Data Report?
Reply: Yes, when it is specified as a design condition.
Interpretation: VIII-1-04-89
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2001 Edition, 2003 Addenda); UG-136(c)(3)(c), Performance Requirements
of Pressure Relief Valves
Date Issued: March 13, 2006
File: BC04-1311
Question: Is it the intent of UG-136(c)(3)(c) that a pressure relief valve has failed to meet performance
requirements of Section VIII, Division 1 if it exhibits chattering during operational and capacity tests, or
flutter at the flow-rated pressure in a way that either would interfere with the measurement of capacity or
would result in damage to the valve?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: VIII-1-04-90
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); U-1(c)(2)(i)
Date Issued: March 13, 2006
File: BC06-095
Question: May vessels as described by Section VIII, Division 1, U-1(g)(2) and U-1(g)(3), be exempted
by the provisions of U-1(c)(2)(i) when the vessels have an internal diameter of 6 in. or less?
Reply: Yes, unless construction in accordance with the Code is required by the user or local jurisdiction.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-91
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); Tables 2-4 and 2-5.1
Date Issued: April 5, 2006
File: BC05-1667
Question: Do the recommended minimum gasket widths of Table 2-4 of Section VIII, Division 1 apply
to all the gasket styles shown in Table 2-5.1 except for self-energized gaskets and ring joints?
Reply: Yes.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-92
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); UG-16(c)
Date Issued: April 27, 2006
File: BC06-357
Question: A pressure vessel that has no specified corrosion allowance is made of plate that is ordered to
a thickness equal to the required design thickness. If the actual plate thickness received is less than the
required design thickness, but is within the allowable undertolerance as given in UG-16(c), may the plate
be used in accordance with the rules of Section VIII, Division 1?
Reply: Yes.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-93
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); UG-14, Code Case 2155, and Code Case 2156
Date Issued: May 24, 2006
File: BC06-507
Question: Is it permissible to use both Code Cases 2155 and 2156 for a vessel that has a flat head machined
from rod/bar stock and is integral to a shell body as an alternative to UG-14?
Reply: Yes.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-94
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); UG-30
Date Issued: May 24, 2006
File: BC06-559
Question: Stiffening rings required to resist external pressure are located on the inside of a pressure vessel.
These internal stiffening rings are designed to carry the loads generated by the external pressure, and fillet
welds are used only as a means of holding the rings in place. Do the weld sizing requirements of UG-30
apply to these fillet welds?
Reply: No.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-95
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2001 Edition, 2003 Addenda); UW-11(a) and Code Case 2235-6
Date Issued: May 31, 2006
File: BC04-1455
Question (1): Is it the intent of Code Case 2235-6 that when portions of the vessel meet the requirements
of UW-11(a) for full radiography and portions meet the requirements of Code Case 2235-6 for using ultrasonic
examination in lieu of radiography, the vessel nameplate be stamped with RT-1?
Reply (1): Yes, provided the extent of examination, joint efficiencies, and the Code Case are noted on the
Manufacturers Data Report and the nameplate is marked under the Code Symbol stamp by applying UT.
Question (2): May a vessel nameplate be stamped RT-2 per the rules of UG-116 of Section VIII,
Division 1 when a complete vessel satisfies the requirements of UW-11(a)(5) and when the spot radiography
requirements of UW-11(a)(5)(b) have been applied, but when ultrasonic examination in accordance with the
provisions of Code Case 2235-6 has been used in lieu of radiography?
Reply (2): Yes, provided the extent of examination, joint efficiencies, and the Code Case are noted on the
Manufacturers Data Report and the nameplate is marked under the Code Symbol stamp by applying UT.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-96
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition); UW-13(c)(2) and Fig. UW-13.1(f)
Date Issued: June 15, 2006
File: BC04-1456
Question: If an intermediate head is not located at a cylinder-to-cylinder junction (i.e., a circumferential
weld) and if the fillet weld is sized to carry the shear load as defined in UW-13(c)(2), may the intermediate
head be attached without the butt weld as shown in Fig. UW-13.1(f)?
Reply: No.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-97
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition); Appendix M, M-5.7, Responsibilities
Date Issued: June 15, 2006
File: BC05-1136
Question: M-5.3(i) of Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix M states that when a stop valve between a
pressure relief device and the equipment it is protecting is closed, the user shall ensure that the other system
components are acceptable for the potential levels of pressure established in M-5.3(g). Is it required by the
rules of Section VIII, Division 1 for the user to ensure that other system components are acceptable for
potential levels of pressure if the stop valve(s) is closed when the measures in M-5.7(b)(3)(b) are implemented?
Reply: No.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-98
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); UW-16(f)(3)(a)
Date Issued: June 15, 2006
File: BC06-273
Question: May fittings and bolting pads, in accordance with UW-16(f)(3)(a), have an opening in the shell
equal to or less than 4.25 in. (pipe O.D. of 3.5 in. + 0.75 in.), if that is less than one-half the vessel inside
diameter, without requiring reinforcement per UG-37?
Reply: Yes. See UW-16(f)(3)(a)(2) and UW-16(f)(3)(b).

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-99
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); UHX-9
Date Issued: June 15, 2006
File: BC06-423
Question: May the thickness of the tubesheet flanged extension be less than the minimum required thickness
calculated in accordance with UHX-9.5(b) of Section VIII, Division 1 at any point along the flanged extension?
Reply: No.

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-100
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); UG-43(d) and UCS-6(b)(3)
Date Issued: June 15, 2006
File: BC06-541
Question (1): Is it permitted by UCS-6(b)(3) of Section VIII, Division 1 to use SA-36 material for a stud
pad (studded outlet) with a thickness greater than 58 in. and attached to the shell in accordance with the
requirements of Fig. UG-40(a-1) or (a-2)?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): When considering pressure loads only, UG-43(d) requires a studded outlet to meet the
reinforcement requirements of UG-36 through UG-42, limits the distance the stud hole can be to the inside
surface of the vessel, and specifies a minimum stud engagement length per UG-43(g). Does Section VIII,
Division 1 contain rules for designing a studded outlet when subject to external loads such as shear and/or
bending moment?
Reply (2): No; see U-2(g).

Interpretation: VIII-1-04-101
Subject: Section VIII, Division 1 (2004 Edition, 2005 Addenda); UW-11(a) and UW-12(d)
Date Issued: June 20, 2006
File: BC05-1574
Question (1): Per UW-12(d), is E p 0.85 to be used for calculating circumferential stress for a seamless
vessel section welded to a flat head using Type 7 weld on one end and a seamless head with a Type 1 or 2
weld on the other end in accordance with Table UW-12 when the spot radiography requirements of
UW-11(a)(5)(b) have not been met?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): Is E p 0.85 to be used when calculating the circumferential stress for a seamless vessel
section welded to flat heads on each end using Type 7 welds in accordance with Table UW-12?
Reply (2): No; E p 1.00, provided the seamless vessel section does not have a Category B weld.
Question (3): May E p 1.00 be used for circumferential stress calculation for a seamless vessel section
and the thickness of the seamless head when the Category A or B welds connecting the seamless vessels
sections or heads are Type 3, 4, 5, or 6 of Table UW-12 and spot radiography in accordance with
UW-11(a)(5)(b) is met?
Reply (3): No; E p 0.85 for Type 3, 4, 5, or 6 welded joints.