1. General presentation

1.1 Building codes and regulations

Boiler-made apparatus and equipment, whether used to store liquids or gases, or as pressure vessels in the chemical, petrochemical or nuclear industries, represent a major potential risk. Cracking, damage or rupture can have catastrophic human and environmental consequences. This has led national and European authorities to introduce regulations, and manufacturers' associations to draw up appropriate construction codes [50].

At the end of May 2002, regulations governing pressure vessels and equipment underwent a major change. A new European directive replaced the national regulations applicable in each European country. This new directive 97/ 23/ EC covers the majority of equipment subject to a positive pressure in excess...