scope:

This Standard covers the requirements for vertical stationary containers used for the storage and processing of bulk solid materials at internal gage pressures not exceeding 15 psig (100 kPa) and external pressures, including wind pressure, not exceeding 1 psig (6.9 kPa) at temperatures up to 212°F (100°C).

General Requirements

This Standard contains requirements, prohibitions, and guidance for bulk solids containers, including materials of construction, solids-loading characteristics, design, fabrication, examination, testing, and overpressure protection. This Standard does not address all aspects of these elements. Those aspects that are not specifically addressed should not be considered prohibited, provided that activities not addressed are performed following recognized good engineering practices. Engineering practices shall be consistent with the philosophy of this Standard, and such judgments shall never be used to overrule the requirements or prohibitions of this Standard. Engineering requirements of this Standard, while considered necessary and adequate for safe design, generally take a simplified approach to the subject. A designer capable of applying a more rigorous analysis shall have the latitude to do so; however, the approach shall be documented in the engineering design and its validity accepted by the owner. The approach used shall provide details of design, construction, examination, inspection, and testing for the design conditions of Section 7, with calculations consistent with the design criteria of this Standard.

Jurisdictional Requirements

Laws or regulations issued by a municipality, state, provincial, federal, or other enforcement or regulatory body having jurisdiction at an installation may establish requirements for bulk solids containers within its jurisdiction. Such laws or regulations may require the use of this Standard for bulk solids containers or components outside its scope. These laws or regulations should be reviewed to determine size or service limitations of the coverage, which may be different than those given here.

Classes Not in Scope

The following classes of bulk solids containers are not included in the scope of this Standard:

(a) containers within the scope of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC).

(b) containers of noncircular cross section.

(c) containers with eccentric or side discharges or multiple discharge hoppers

(d) containers made from concrete, composite, thermoplastic, or nonmetallic materials. Acceptable metallic materials properties are given in Section 5. For materials not listed in Section 5, the mechanical properties from ASME BPVC, Section II, Part D shall be used.

(e) bulk solids containers used in transportation.

(f) containers that are integral parts of rotating or reciprocating mechanical devices where the primary design considerations and/or stresses are derived from the functional requirements of the device.

(g) containers whose primary function is the transport of material from one location to another within a system of which it is an integral part (e.g., piping, pneumatic, or other conveying systems).

(h) piping components such as the following:

(1) pipe, flanges, bolting, gaskets, valves, expansion joints, and fittings

(2) the pressure-containing parts of components such as strainers and devices that serve such purposes as mixing, separating, snubbing, distributing, and metering or controlling flow, provided that the pressure- containing parts of such components are generally recognized as piping components or accessories

(i) containers with an internal operating pressure exceeding 15 psig or subjected to an external pressure, including wind pressure, exceeding 1 psig (6.9 kPa).

(j) containers intended for human occupancy.

(k) containers where the principal cylindrical axis is not vertical.

(l) containers that contain substances declared lethal or highly toxic by the owner.

Bolted Containers Not Within Scope

Bolted metal containers storing agricultural products that satisfy all of the following criteria are not covered by this Standard:

(a) The container has a diameter less than or equal to 48 ft (14.6 m).

(b) The container has a cylindrical storage volume of less than 72,750 ft³ (2 060 m³).

(c) Complete cycling of the stored product in the container is less than three times annually.

(d) The container is isolated from public access or right of way.

(e) The manufacturer of the container provides a limited warranty on the container.

(f) The container is used only for the storage of ownerproduced grain.

Pressure-Retaining Parts Within Scope

(a) Where external piping; other bulk solids containers; or mechanical devices such as pumps, mixers, or compressors are to be connected to the container, the applicability of this Standard shall terminate at the

(1) welded-end connection for the first circumferential joint for welded connections

(2) first threaded joint for screwed connections

(3) face of the first flange for bolted, flanged connections

(4) first sealing surface for proprietary connections or fittings

(b) Where non-product-containing or non-pressure-retaining parts are welded directly to either the internal or external product-containing or pressure-retaining surface of a container, this scope shall include the design, fabrication, testing, and material requirements established for non-product-containing or non-pressure-retaining part attachment by the applicable paragraphs of this Standard.

(c) The following are also within the scope of this Standard:

(1) product-containing or pressure-retaining covers for openings, such as manhole and hand hole covers

(2) the first sealing surface for proprietary fittings or components for which requirements are not provided by this Standard, such as gages, instruments, and nonmetallic components

Overpressure Protection

The scope of this Standard includes provisions for free air venting or pressure relief devices necessary to satisfy the requirements of this Standard.

Nondestructive Examination

All nondestructive examination (NDE) and associated acceptance standards beyond the requirements of this Standard shall be a matter of prior agreement between the manufacturer and owner or the owner's designated agent.