The discussion on the Australian 3801 got me to thinking about the differences between the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and other standards from around the world. The comment was made that the 3801 boiler would not pass muster if constructed to ASME Section I rules. I have to believe the Australian boiler must meet the requirements of the Australian boiler code (AS/NZS 1200 and AS 1228) and if this is true, there may be some significant differences. Is anyone aware of some of the differences between boiler codes in different parts of the world?

I can't recall a lot of the technical differences, but I have read parts of the British Code, the Indian Code (based on the British code), and the English translations of some European codes (German/French).

The most striking differences are they are much thinner volumes, and they are generally more instructive about just what must be done. There wasn't a lot of A(ways)S(ometimes)M(aybe)E(cept). They appeared to me to be much more user friendly, and didn't give on the idea that a room full of agendas, egos, and habits created them.

I was almost run out of a training session once when I said that the Code seemed written to obfuscate rather than illuminate. I would likely had been shot at sunrise by my superiors except there was a vice president of engineering from a major international boiler manufacturer there who agreed and went on rather an explanation of how much simpler the European Codes were, and was of the opinion others made engineering a more expensive proposition.

I would expect the Australian code would be heavily influenced by the British Standards. But for what its worth, a section One boiler built ignoring the FRA requirements wouldn't be legal to use here in any but insular service.