scope:

Paragraph U-1 defines the scope of coverage for Section VIII, Division 1, of the ASME Code. The term scope refers to both the types of pressure equipment considered in the development of these rules, as well as the geometric scope of a vessel that is stamped as meeting Section VIII, Division 1 (VIII-1). Paragraph U-1(a)(2) VIII-1 scope addresses pressure vessels that are defined as containers for the containment of pressure, internal or external. The definition of a pressure vessel as given in U-1(a)(2) can be interpreted to cover a broad range of pressure equipment some of which was not considered in the development of the rules. To minimize confusion among code users concerning what types of pressure vessels are covered by VIII-1, the committee elected to list the types of equipment "not considered in the development of the rules" instead of trying to list all types of equipment that were considered in the development of the rules. Paragraph U-1(c) describes the types of pressure equipment considered not within the scope of VIII-1. In addition, it makes two other very important points:

(1) Any pressure vessel meeting all the applicable requirements of VIII-1, even if outside the scope of the Code, may have the "Code" stamp applied. As an example, a pressure vessel with a design pressure less than 15 psi may still be code stamped if all the applicable code rules are satisfied.

(2) It is not the responsibility of ASME to decide when a pressure vessel should or should not be constructed in accordance with VIII-1 and stamped. Instead, it is the responsibility of the legal jurisdiction or regulatory body in force at the location where the equipment will be operated to decide whether or not the vessel should be code stamped. In fact, the enforcement or regulatory body has the right to establish the mandatory applicability of the code in whole or in part, as well as require code compliance even for equipment that would otherwise be outside its scope.