This document is no longer a CPR. This document implements the requirements of Corporate Procedure ESH100.2.PS.1, Control Pressure Safety Hazards.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: A printed copy of this document may not be the document currently in effect. The official version is the online version located on the Sandia Restricted Network (SRN).

1. INTRODUCTION

Subject Matter Experts: Shane Page, and David Paoletta
Contributor: Pressure Safety Committee
MN471000, Issue T
Revision Date: March 31, 2008; Replaces Document Dated: December 14, 2007
Administrative Changes: May 26, 2011, and January 19, 2012

• Applicablity
• Purpose of the Pressure Safety Program
• Objectives
• Responsibilities
• Pressure Safety Manual (PSM)
• Special Considerations
• Requirements Source Documents

APPLICABILITY

For purposes of this document, Members of the Workforce are:

• Sandia employees.
• Sandia contractors.

PURPOSE OF THE PRESSURE SAFETY PROGRAM

The Pressure Safety Program at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) is designed to ensure safe pressure systems environments.

OBJECTIVES

• Provide requirements and guidance for Members of the Workforce who are involved with pressure systems.
• Ensure that the Pressure Safety Program conforms to pressure safety practices of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Section VIII of the Code for Design and Construction of Unfired Pressure Vessels. Pressure vessels and/or systems that do not conform to ASME code must be proven to provide equivalent safety through adherence to other widely accepted standards. Examples of these standards are included in the section "Requirements Source Documents" (at the end of this chapter). Some pressure systems and/or components are not directly addressed by a particular code. In these cases, the criteria for design and operation of pressure vessels as contained in the Pressure Safety Manual (PSM) must be followed.

  Note:  SNL is required to meet local, state, and federal codes and standards for safety and industrial hygiene. It is the intent of the Pressure Safety Program to meet applicable codes or standards. When doubt exists as to the applicability of certain requirements or procedures, or questions of interpretation arise, further investigation and analysis may be necessary and should be undertaken. In such cases, the following actions should be considered:

  • Obtain counsel from appropriate pressure safety consultants.
  • Seek assistance and guidance from the appropriate Environmental Safety & Health organization.
  • When interpretation of the governing directives is at issue, seek guidance from the Pressure Safety Committee (PSC).
• Ensure that the following design and operating criteria are considered and decisions are documented prior to the operation of any pressure system:
  • Materials are appropriate to the application.
  • Manufacturing processes and product quality are adequately controlled.
  • There is adequate testing to verify the integrity of pressure vessels.
  • Appropriate pressure system design criteria are followed, such as adequate margins between operating and rupture pressures.
  • Measures are established (or in place) to protect the system from overpressurization during normal operation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager, Safety Engineering, is the corporate Authority Having Jurisdiction for pressure-related matters. The SNL Pressure Safety Committee (PSC) is an advisory committee and reports to the Manager, Safety Engineering. The PSC provides interpretations and advice when questions arise concerning the safety of pressure systems or the applicability or meaning of pressure safety requirements.

PRESSURE SAFETY MANUAL (PSM)

• Defines the Pressure Safety Program used at SNL.
• Disseminates policies, guidance, and requirements that are endorsed by the Pressure Safety Committee to govern pressure operations.
• Provides guidance to Members of the Workforce who work with pressure systems.

Changes or additions to the PSM are reviewed and implemented by the Pressure Safety Committee (PSC). Suggestions for revisions may be made directly to a PSC member or through your Pressure Advisor.

PSM updates will be provided to:

• Disseminate new information or requirements from codes and standards.
• Communicate policies and procedures.
• Continually upgrade the quality and content of the guidance provided in the manual.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Use of fired pressure vessels (e.g., boilers).
• Systems involving explosive or chemical reactions.
• Systems intentionally exposed to fires or extreme temperatures.
• Intentional destructive tests.

REQUIREMENTS SOURCE DOCUMENTS

• 10 CFR 851, Worker Safety and Health Program.
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), B31.1 and B31.3 that provide the code for pressure piping design.
• American Petroleum Institute (API). Drum type containers.
• California Code of Regulations, Title 8 (California OSHA).
• Compressed Gas Association publications.
• DG 10210, (Sandia) Reservoir Design and Certification Development Reservoirs for Nuclear Weapons.
• DOE Pressure Safety Guidelines, M-089.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
• OSHA, Title 29 CFR.
• SAND90-8220, Pinto Criteria - Production of Gas Transfer System for Nuclear Weapons.
• Title DOT 49 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations). This contains design rules relating to pressure vessels shipped in interstate commerce.

See Pressure Safety Assistance Index for sources for obtaining copies of these codes.

Shane Page, srpage@sandia.gov
Al Bendure, aobendu@sandia.gov

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