ASME Valve Standards

Valves have been used in industry since the steam revolution in the 19th century. Over ensuing generations, organizations like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) have sought to ensure quality, safety, reliability and consistency through industrial standards.

Identification

• National standards for valves set forth by the ASME are found within many different industries and for all types of valves. Regulations apply to such diverse contexts as marine use, water services, steam services and gas.

History

• The need for valve oversight began with steam power, an energy source that 19th century shipping and locomotive sectors used to the hilt. The first ASME code for boilers was handed down in 1915. With World War II and its previously unsurpassed industrial output, increased regulations would blossom for decades. Today the ASME in particular provides coding for every conceivable aspect of the valve industry and its commercially and industrially-localized presence.

Features

• ASME standards are seemingly infinite in number. However, they can be distilled down into focuses on valve design, inspection, functionality and testing, along with the requisite documentation which accompanies each process. As a result, industry experts must be acquainted with a veritable ocean of specifications and minute differences in procedure, manufacturing, quality assurance and safety issues.