PRODUCTION MALAYSIA INC.

GS 5-1-1

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS DEPARTMENT GS Bulletin Page 1 of 1

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Date: 01 Feb. 01

Subject

Revision to the factor (C) for establishing the hydrostatic test pressure.

Reference GS:

GS 5-1-1 Pressure Vessels (Paragraph 9.32 on Hydrotest refers to IP 5-3-1 for requirements)
IP 5-3-1 Pressure Testing of Unfired Pressure Vessels

Changes

Revision of factor (C) in paragraph 3.4 of IP 5-3-1 from 1.5 to 1.3 to be consistent with the latest
revision in ASME Section VIII Div. 1 1999 Addendum for all pressure vessels fabricated under
ASME Section VIII Div. 1 code. The revised formula is:

C x MAWP x Srt/Sdt x t/t-c where

C = 1. 3 (revised from 1.5 for vessels designed to ASME Code Section VIII Div.1
allowable stresses).

Srt = allowable design stress at room temperature

Sdt = allowable design stress at design temperature

t = vessel section nominal wall thickness, including corrosion allowance

c = corrosion allowance

Applicability

This bulletin is applicable with immediate effect.

Background

The 1998 edition of the ASME Section II, Part D - ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code has
increased the maximum allowable design stress values for all the plate materials, eg., the allowable
value for ASTM 516 Gr. 70N (commonly used for EPMI vessels) is now increased from 17.5 ksi to
20 ksi (a 14 % increase) for metal temperature not exceeding 500 oF . Consequently, the wall
thickness and weight of the vessel are reduced proportionally. In view of the above, the factor in
establishing the hydrotest pressure requirements in ASME Section VIII, Div. 1 1999 Addendum is
revised from 1.5 to 1.3.