ARTICLE 9

Protection Against Overpressure

N-910 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS'
N-9IO.l Each vessel within the scope of this
subsection of the Code shall be protected while
in service from consequences arising from the ap~
plication of steady state or transient conditions
of pressure and temperature which are in excess
of the design conditions specified in the certified
design specification provided in accordance with
N-141.
N-9IO.2 It is recognized that the protection of
vessels in a nuclear power plant is dependent
upon many protective systems to relieve or ter-
minate pressure transients, besides those pres-
sure relieving devices installed to limit overpres-
sures. The installation of pressure relieving
devices in accordance with the rules of Article
9 may nol in itself provide complete protection
against either excess pressure or temperature
transients to which the vessel may be subjected.
Rules governing the application of protective
systems which may complement the pressure re-
lieving devices are beyond the scope of this code.
Pressure relieving devices, however, form an es-
sential part of the over-all safety system, and the
requirements of this article apply to the devices
and principles employed to secure the required
protection.
The provisions to meet the requirements of
N-910.1 and all applicable rule. of this article
are to be the subject of a summary technical report
prepared by or on behalf of the owner setting out
the · degree of overpressure protection provided
for each vessel or group of vessels by the pres-
sure relieving devices, their schematic arrange-
ment in 'the system, the capacity for relief and
I Even if containment vessels .re constructed in .ccordance
with the rules of Subsection A. the requirements for pro-
tection ag.inst overpressure and v.cuum ue those set out
in Article 16.
dissipation related to the thermal and ove~an sys-
tem characteristics based on both the assumptions
made and the analysis of that transient condition
which dictated the maximum pressure relieving
requirements, all having regard to the pressure
and temperature limitations set out in design spe-
cifications (N-141l.
A copy of this summary report shall, if requested,
be made available to the enforcement authority
having jurisdiction at the point of installation.
N-910.3 The rated capacity of the pressure re-
lieving devices including any limitation imposed
by the systems connected to the discharge side
shall be sufficient to prevent a rise in pressure
~ithin the vessels which they protect of more
than 10 per cent above the design pressure at the
design temperature when the pressure relieving
devices are operating under the condition sum-
marized in the technical report of N-910.2.
The required reli~ving capacity of the self-
actuated safety valves shall not take advantage
of pilot actuated or other indirectly operated de-
vices unless they meet the requirements of N-911.4.
N-9JO.4 The nominal pressure setting of at
least one safety or relief valve connected to any
vessel or system shall not be greater than the
design pressure of the vessel (at design tempera-
ture) which it protects. Additional valves required
may have higher nominal settings, but in no case
shall these settings exceed 105 per cent of the
design pressure (at design temperature).
N-9JO.5 In determining the setting pressures
and discharge capabilities of relief devices re-
quired to secure compliance with N-910.1, full
account shall be taken of the pressure drop on
both inlet and discharge sides of pressure relief
devices at full discharge conditions. In addition,

94
 ARTICLE 9 PROTECTION AGAINST OVERPRESSURE
back pressure arISIng from discharge to closed
storage or dissipation systems, or from the use of
rupture disks in association with safety or relief
valves, or from the discharge of other devices
through common discharge piping shall be con-
sidered.
N-910.6 Where unbalanced safety or relief
valves are used, the setting pressure determined
by consideration of vessel design pressure and
inlet pressure drop under full discharge conditions
shall be reduced by total back pressure occasioned
by the presence of rupture disks and! or a closed
system Of other restriction or static pressure on
the discharge side.
N 910.7 While pressure relieving devices need
a do so or (b) means are provided to verify the in-
not be installed directly on the vessels which
they serve to protect, no stop valve or similar
device shall be placed relative to a protective
device required for the protection of any vessel
so that it could remove the protection afforded
to the vessel, except where such stop valves or
other devices are shown to be required in the di·
rect interest of system safety or for the purpose
of in·service inspection and testing, subject/
however, to the requirements of N-910.8.
N-910.8 Any stop valve or similar device on
the inlet or discharge side of a protective device
provided in conformity with N-910.7 shall be so
constructed, positively controlled and interlocked
that the requirement of N-910.1 will be co.mplied
with under all conditions of operation of the system.
N·9IO.9 Vessels that are to operate completely
filled with liquid shall be equipped wi th liquid
re~ief valves of a minimum ~ in. pipe size, unless
otherw"ise protected against overpressure.
N-911 Safety and Relief Valves
N-911.1 All safety and relief valves shall be
manufactured, tested, certified, and marked in
accordance with the requirements of N-913 and
N-914. Due allowance shall be made for the effect
of back pressure on the certified discharge capa-
City of the valves used (see N-910.5).
N-911.2 Safety and relief valves shall be spring-
loaded valves, except as permitted in N-911.3
and N-911.4.
95
N-910 - N-911
N-911.3 Balanced, spring-loaded type safety
and relief valves whose set points are independent
of back pressure are acceptable for meeting the
requiremenls of these rules.
Valves of this type whic"h, in addition, are pro-
vided with a supplementary back pressure balanc-
ing piston to counteract the maximum back pres-
sure effects arising in the event of bellows failure
are preferred. Where the expected back pressure
is in excess of 15 per cent of the set pressure and
balanced valve!, are employed, the supplementary
piston is mandatory unless (a) the valves are du-
plicated or triplicated so that the required dis-
charge capacity is obtained even if anyone of the
valves should fail to operate when called upon to
tegrity of the bellows.
N-911.4 (a) Valves operated by pilot control
means or devices which are not dependent upon
an external energy source are acceptable for meet-
ing the requirements of these rules subject to the
following conditions:
(1) The pilot control device shall be actuated
directly by the fluid pressure of the protected
vessel or system.
(2) The main unloading valve operation shall
be characterized by full opening pop action in
'direct response to the operation of the pilot con-
trol device.
(3) The main unloading valve and pilot control
device, treated as a'combination, shall meet all
other requirements of these rules.
(4) Where operation of the pilot control device
is dependent upon integrity of a pressure sensing
element, such as a bellows, means shall be pro-
vided to reveal fail\1re of the sensing element.
As an example, a detector or alarm may be pro-
vided to sense pressure built up in the chamber
as a result of leakage of the sensing element.
The chamber shall have a design pressure rating
not less than that of chambers on the normally
pressurized side of the pressure sensing element.
(b) Valves operated by pilot control or
other indirect means depending upon an external
energy source, such as electrical, pneumatic or
hydraulic systems, are not acceptable for meeting
the requirements of these rules unless the design
is such that the main unloading valve will open
automatically by self-actuation even if any essen-
tial part of the pilot auxiliary device or the energy
source should fail and provided that:
 N-911 - N-913 SECTION III NUCLEAR VESSELS - CLASS A
(1) the actual set pressure of the valve is re-
duced to fully compensate for any increase in
actuating pressure under self-actuating conditions,
(2) the capacity rating assigned to the main
unloading valve is not greater than the capacity
of discharge as limited by such self-actuation.
N-911.5 If the design or application of a safety
Of relief valve is such that liquid can collect on
the discharge side of the disk, and if such liquid
would interfere with proper operation, the valve
shall be equipped with a drain at the lowest point
where liquid can collect.
N-911.6 The spring of a safety or relief valve
in service for pressures up to and including 250
psig shall not be reset for any pressure more than
10 per cent above or 10 per cent below that for
which the valve is marked. For pressure above
250 psi, the spring shall not be reset for any pres-
sure more than 5 per cent above or 5 per cent
below that for which the safety or relief valve is
marked. If the operating conditions of a valve are
o N-913.1 Safety and Relief Valves. Each safety
changed so as to require a new spring for a dif-
ferent pressure, the valve shall be adjusted by
the manufacturer or his authorized representative
who shall furnish and install a new name plate.
N-912 Rupture Disks
N-912.1 Rupture disks may be used either in
conjunction with safety valves or as primary pro-
tective devices where their use is compatible
with all the conditions of these rules and subject
to the following requirements:
(a) The opening provided through a rup-
ture disk used in conjunction with a safety valve,
after breakage, is sufficient to permit a flow equal
to the rated capacity of any associated safety
valve; but in no such case shall this area be less
than the area of the pip-ing between th.e safety
valve and rupture disk.
(b) The opening provided through a rup-
ture disk used as the primary protective device
shall be sufficient to provide the required dis-
charge capacity at the specified bursting pressure
which may be less than the vessel design pres-
sure, but in no case shall the area be less than
that required to comply with N-910.3.
(e) The bursting pressure shall be de-
termined by bursting two or more specimens at
the specified temperature from a lot of the same
material and of the same size as those to be used.
96
The tests shall be made in a holder of the same
form and pressure area dimensions as that with
which the ·disk is to be used.
(d) Every rupture disk shall have a spe-
cified bursting pressure at a specified temperature,
shall be marked with this information, with a lot
number, and with the tolerance on the marked burst-
ing pressure and shall be guaranteed by its manu-
facturer to burst within such marked tolerance on
the marked bursting pressure.
(e) Where the rupture disk is to be used
on the inlet or discharge side of a safety or relief
valve, the space between the valve and the disc
holder shall be vented or drained.
(f) Piping and other equipment beyond
the rupture disk shall be so arranged or be of such
a nature that no obstruction can be caused by
the release of the material of the rupture disk into
the system.
N-913 Marking
and relief valve % in. pipe size and larger shall
be plainly marked by the manufacturer with the
required data in such a way th at the marking will
not be obliterated in service. No smaller valves
than % in. pipe size shall be used. The marking
shall be placed on the valve or on a plate or plates
securely fastened to the va lve. The Code symbol
shall be stamped on the valve or name plate, but
the other required data may be stamped, etched,
impressed, or cast on the vt,llve or name plate.
The marking shall include the following:
(a) The name or identifying trademark
of the manufacturer,
(b) Manufacturer's design or type number,
(e) Size in., (Pipe size of inlet)
(d) Set Pressure psi,
(e) Capacity - - - lb of saturated
steam per hour, or cu ft of air (60F and
14.7 psia) per min.
NOTE: In addition, the manufacturer may indicate the capa-
city in other fluids (see Appendix V).
{f} ASME symbol as shown in Fig. N-913 ..
FIG. N-913 OFFICIAL
SYMBOL FOR ST AMP TO
DENOTE THE AMERICAN
SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL
ENGINEER'S STANDARD
 ARTICLE 9 PROTECTION AGAINST OVERPRESSURE
N-913.2 Liquid Relief Valves. No liquid relief
valves smaller than ~ in. pipe size shall be used.
Each liquid relief valve shall be marked with the
following data:
(a) Name or identifying trademark of the
manufacturer,
(b) Manufacturer's design or type number,
(0) Size - - - in., (pipe size of inlet)
(d) Set Pressure - - - psi,
(e) Relieving capacity - - - gal of
water per min at 70 F.
N-913.3 Rupture Disks. Every rupture disk
shall be plainly marked by the manufacturer in
such a way that the marking will not be obliter-
ated in service. The marking may be placed on
the flange of the disk or on a metal tab perma-
nently attached thereto.' The marking shall in-
clude the following:
(a) The name or identifying trademark
of the manufacturer,
(b) Manufacturer's design or type number
and lot number t
(0) Size in.,
(d) Maximum bursting pressure - psi,
(e) Minimum bursting pressure - - psi,
(f) Coincident di.k temperature - - F
(g) Capacity - - - lb of saturated
steam per hour t or - - - ell ft of air (60 F and
14.7 psia) per min.
NOTE: In addition, the manufacturer may indicate the capa-
city in other flu ids <eee Appendix V).
N-913.4 Use of Code Symbol Stamp. Each
safety and relief valve to which the Code symbol
i. to be applied shall be fabricated by a manufac-
turer who is in possession of a Code symbol stamp
(see Fig. N-913) and a valid Certificate of Author-
ization obtainable under the following conditions:
(a) Authorization to use the symbol re-
ferred to in N-913.l(f) will be granted by the Soci-
ety pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph.
(b) Any manufacturer may apply to the
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee of the
Society upon forms issued by the Society for auth-
orization to use the stamp. Each applicant shall
agree that if authorization to use the stamp is
granted, it will be used according to the rules
and regulations of this Code, that any safety or
relief valve to which the symbol is applied will
1 The markin. may be coded and identified with the marking
liven on the certificate supplied wi th each rupture disk.
97
N-9J3 - N-914
have the certified capacity stamped on the valve
after tests as required in N-914, and that any
stamp will be promptly returned to the Society
on demand, or in the case the applicant discon-
tinues the manufacture of safety and relief valves
to which the Code symbol is applied, or in case
the Certificate of Authorization issued to such
applicant bas expired and no new certificate has
been issued . The holder of any such stamp shall
not permit any other manufacturer to use his stamp.
(0) Authorization to use the stamp may
be granted or withheld by the Society in its ab-
solute discretion. If authorization is given, and
the proper administrative fee paid, a Certificate
of Authorization evidencing permission to use
such symbol, expiring December 31, 1967, or the
triennial anniversary date thereafter, will be for-
warded to the applicant. Each such certificate
will be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, or
other duly authorized officer or officers, of the
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee. Six (6)
months prior to the date of expiration of any such
certificate, the applicant shall apply for a renewal
of such authorization and the issuance of a new
certificate.
(d) The Society reserves the absolute
right to cancel or refuse to renew such authoriza-
tion, returning fees paid for the pro-rated unex-
pired term.
(e) The Boiler and Pressure Vessel
Committee may at any time and from time to time
make such regulations concerning the issuance
and use of such stamps 8S it deems appropriate,
and all such regulations shall become binding
upon the holders of any valid Certificates of
Authorization.
(f) All stamps for applying the symbol
shall be obtained from the Society.
N-914 Certification of Capacity of Safety and
Relief Valves
N-914.1 Before the symbol is applied to any
safety or relief valves, the valve manufacturer
shall have the capacity of his valves certified as
prescribed hereinafter.
N-914.2 Capacity certification te.t. shall be
conducted with saturated steam, air, or natural
gas. When saturated steam is used, corrections for
moisture content of the steam shall be made.
N-914.3 Capacity certification te.ts shall be
conducted at a pressure not exceeding 103 per
 N·914 SECTION III NUCLEAR VESSELS - CLASS A

cent of the pressure for which the safety or relief
valve is set to operate. The reseating pressure
shall be noted and recorded.
N-914.4 A capacity certification test is required
on a set of three valves for each combination of
where Actual Flow is determined quantitatively
by test, and Theoretical Flow is calculated by the
appropriate formula which follows:
FOR TEST WITH DRY SATURATED STEAM

size, design , and pressure setting. The official If = 51.5 AP

T
capacity rating for each combination of design,
size and test pressure shall be 90 per cent of
the average capacity of the three val ves tested. FOR TEST WITH AIR
Failure of the capacity ratings of a set of three
valves to fall within a range of plus or minus 5 1fT = 356 AP ~:
per cent of the average capacity shall he cause
to refuse certification of that particular safety FOR TEST lIlTH NATURAL GAS
valve design.
N·914.5 If a manufacturer wishes to apply the
Code symbol to a design of safety or relief valves,
II' = CAP
T
f M
ZT
four valves of each combination of pipe size and
where
orifice size shall be tested. These four valves
shall be set at pressures which will cover the If'T theoretical flow , pounds per hour,
approximate range of pressures for which the valves
A actual discharge area through the valve at
are to be used. The capacities, as determined by
developed lift, square inches
these four tests, shall be plotted against the ab-
solute flow test pressure and a curve drawn through P set pressure x 1.03 plus atmospheric pres-
these four points. If the four points do not estab· sure, pounds per square inch absolute
lish a reasonable curve, the authorized observer M = molecular weight
shall require that additional valves be tested. T absolute temperature at inlet (degrees
From this curve, relieving capacities shall be Fahrenheit plus 46O)
obtained. The stamped capacity shall be 90 per
C = conslant for gas or vapor based on the ratio
cent of the capacity taken from the curve.
of specific heats ~
N·914.6 Instead of individual capacity certifi· Cv
cation as provided N-914.4, a coefficient of dis- Z compressibility factor corresponding to P
charge K may be established for a specific safety and T.
valve design according to the following procedure:
(a) For each design, the safety valve The average of the coefficients KD of the nine
manufacturer shall submit for test at least three tests required shall be multiplied by 0.90 and their
valves for each of three different sizes (a total products shall be taken as the coefficient K of
of nine valves) together with detailed drawings that design.
showing the valve construction. Each valve of a
Failure of any of the experimentally determined
given size shall be set at a different pressure.
. (b) Tests shall be made on each safety coefficients, KD' to fall within a range of plus or
or relief valve to detennine its capacity-lift, pop- minus 5 per cent of the average value of KD found
shall he cause to refuse certification of that par-
ping and blow-down pressures, and actual capacity
ticular valve design.
in terms of the fluid used in the test. For the
purpose of such tests, valves shall be adjusted (c) The official relieving capacity of all
prior to testing so that the blow -down does not sizes and pressures of a given design, for wh ich
exceed 5 per cent of the set pressure. A coef- the value of K has been established under the
ficient KD shall be established for each test run provisions of (b) and which are manufactured sub-
as.follows: sequently, shall be calculated by the appropriate
Actual Flow formula in (b) multiplied by the coefficient K (see
Coefficient of discharge Appendix V).
Theore tical Flow

98
 ARTICLE 9 PROTECTION AGAINST OVERPRESSURE
N-914.7 Tests shall be conducted at a place
where approved equipment and personnel are avail-
able to conduct pressure-relieving capacity tests.
Tests shall be made in the presence of and cer-
tified by an authorized observer. The place, per-
sonnel, equipment, and the authorized observer
shall be subject to approval by the Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Committee.
99
N-914
N-914.8 A data sheet for each safety valve
tested sl.all be filled out and signed by the manu-
facturer and by the authorized observer witnessing
the tests. Such data sheet will be the manufac-
turer's authority to stamp valves of the same de-
sign, size and pressure range. When changes are
made in the design, the certification tests shall be
repeated and a new data sheet provided. A sample
data sheet appears in Appendix VII as Form N-4.
 SUBSECTION B
Requirements for Class B Vessels
ARTICLE 11
I ntrod uction

N-UIO N-UU The rules of Section VIII of the Code,

exclusive of Par. U-l(d) , (el and (h); Pars. UG-1l5
Subsection B covers rules for the materials,
thru UG-l20, Par. UW-2, and Parts UR, UB, UCI,
design, fabrication, inspection and testing, and
and UCN, shall apply to the materials, design,
certification of welded vessels classified as
fabrication, inspection and testing, and certifica-
Class B.
tion of Class B vessels, except as otherwise pro-
vided in the rules of this Subsection.

100