11/07/2024
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has announced the public review period for its scope change proposals #07-245 and #16-2389 to its Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section VIII, Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels, Division 1 and Division 2 respectively will begin on November 1, 2024 and end on December 31, 2024 (downloadable from this link: ASME Scope Change Proposals). These proposals, if adopted, would eliminate long-standing exemptions for certain equipment manufactured by AHRI’s member companies as well as many other non-HVACR related equipment classes. The change, if successfully implemented, removes key exemptions the HVACR, water heating and many other industries have successfully covered with their own codes and standards for decades, and would alter the way relevant standards and codes interact with, and are interpreted by, jurisdictions.
The HVACR and water heating industry annually manufactures and installs more than seven million pieces of equipment with an enviable record of safety, reliability and performance, accomplishing that feat through a detailed, intertwined system of checks and balances related to design, fabrication, testing, and repair. As part of these efforts, the industry works closely with standards development organizations (SDOs) to continuously improve and update the relevant codes and standards for the benefit of all parties, including the public. Unfortunately, the HVACR, water heating and many other industries are currently facing unusual headwinds relative to pressure containing equipment that has the potential to negatively impact both product availability and affordability with no offsetting benefits in terms of safety or performance.
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), along with 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 elimination of these long-standing, well-supported exemptions will create unnecessary confusion for local code inspectors, will increase equipment expenses and create production delays and is likely to result in a shortage of trained ASME inspectors, repair issues for units in the field and the potential for misapplication of codes. Whether intentional or not, such code misapplication would not provide any enhancement in terms of safety or performance but would have a severe, detrimental impact on the industry’s efforts to support decarbonization and address climate change.
AHRI joins other industry organizations in opposing the elimination of the ASME BPVC Section VIII key scope exemptions due to the lack of technical justification and proper consideration of industry wide standards, along with the resulting confusion on the jurisdictional level that will surely result. Such changes will negatively impact product choice, availability and affordability of vital life- and health-affirming HVACR and water heating equipment, while doing nothing to enhance its safety or performance.
A white paper is available for download at AHRI Safety White Paper, which contains additional details on this looming threat to stakeholders as well as consumers. After reviewing the white paper and ASME scope proposal, impacted stakeholders can voice their concerns and opposition through the ANSI comment process, details of which can be found at the link at the beginning of this article. For questions, please feel free to contact Thomas Deary, AHRI Director of Codes ([email protected]).
The public review period closes at 5 p.m. on December 31, 2024, so time is of the essence to submit comments highlighting the impact of these Scope changes on your business.
About AHRI
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), a North American association with global interests and services, serves its membership of 300-plus HVACR and water heating equipment manufacturers through operations in the United States, Canada, China, Dubai, India and Mexico. AHRI members manufacture quality, efficient and innovative HVACR equipment and components for sale around the world with an outstanding record of safety and reliability. These products account for more than 90% of the residential and commercial equipment manufactured and sold in North America. Through AHRI’s certification, standards, advocacy and analytics programs and more, we help ensure safety, comfort and productivity for all. For more information, please visit https://www.ahrinet.org.
