FAQs

• What is MAWP?

  Per ASME Section VIII-1 Appendix 3, MAWP (maximum allowable working pressure) is “the maximum gage pressure permissible at the top of a completed vessel in its normal operating position at the designated coincident temperature for that pressure.  This pressure is the least of the values for the internal or external pressure to be determined by the rules of Division 1 for any of the pressure boundary parts, including static head thereon, using nominal thicknesses exclusive of allowances for corrosion and considering effects of any combination of loadings listed in the code that are likely to occur at the designated coincident temperature.“ Read More...

• What is design pressure?

  Per ASME Section VIII-1 Appendix 3, design pressure is “the pressure used in the design of a vessel component together with the coincident design metal temperature, for the purpose of determining the minimum permissible thickness or physical characteristics of the different ones of the vessel.  When applicable, the static head shall be added to the design pressure to determine the thickness of any specific zone of the vessel.” Read More...

• What is a boiler?

  Alberta Regulation 49/2006 defines it as “a vessel in which steam or other vapour may be generated under pressure or in which a liquid may be put under pressure by the direct application of a heat source.”  Other legislation and code define it in similar ways.  CSA B51 Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Code, defines it as “as a vessel under the Act”.  By ‘Act’, CSA B51 refers to the governing statute in each provincial or territorial jurisdiction.  For all boilers registered with a CRN in Canada, in the absence of a Variance issued by the jurisdictional regulatory authority, the requirements of ASME Section I must be met in its entirety. Read More...

• What is a pressure vessel?

  Alberta Regulation 49/2006 defines it as “a vessel used for containing, storing, distributing, processing or otherwise handling an expansible fluid under pressure.”  Other legislation and code define it in similar ways.  CSA B51 defines it as “a closed vessel for containing, storing, distributing, transferring, distilling, processing, or otherwise handling a gas, vapour, or liquid.”  In Canada, pressure vessels must be designed in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.  For non-nuclear equipment, the ASME Rules for the Construction of Pressure Vessels must be met in their entirety.  For all pressure vessels registered in Canada, in the absence of a Variance issued by the jurisdictional regulatory authority, either ASME Section VIII-1, Section VIII-2, or VIII-3 must be met.  Unless explicitly permitted by regulators, mixing code requirements into a single design is not permitted. Read More...