09/11/2024
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is considering a scope change to its Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section VIII, Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels, that would eliminate long-standing exemptions for certain equipment manufactured by AHRI’s member companies and has the potential to also impact many other industries producing equipment with pressurized components. The change, if implemented, removes key exemptions the HVACR and water heating industry has successfully covered with its own codes and standards for decades, and would alter the way relevant standards and codes interact with, and are interpreted by, jurisdictions.
AHRI has issued a safety white paper in support of protecting ASME BPVC Section VIII scope exemptions.
AHRI and many other stakeholder organizations firmly believe existing codes and standards have served both the industry and the public well for many years, with an excellent, long-term safety record. Removing ASME’s BPVC scope exemptions would place the BPVC in conflict with myriad codes and standards that currently occupy this space, such as those from nationally recognized testing laboratories (e.g., UL), SDOs (e.g., ASHRAE) and even other ASME codes. The current proposal has the potential to disrupt many industries and increase costs to the consumer with no offsetting benefits in terms of safety or performance. Unless stakeholders object, this change could be adopted in the next edition of the ASME BPVC, due in 2025. The comment period is expected to begin in mid to late September.
To learn more about this situation, download the AHRI safety white paper at this link: HVACR Equipment Represents Performance and Safety. For information on the current status and potential impact of the current ASME proposal, along with information on how to comment, please contact Thomas Deary, AHRI Director of Codes, at [email protected].
About AHRI
AHRI is the trade association representing international manufacturers of heating, water heating, ventilation, air conditioning, commercial refrigeration (HVACR) and water heating equipment. For more information, visit https://www.ahrinet.org.
