CASE

CASES OF ASME BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE

2523

Approval Date: October 11, 2005

The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Standards Committee took action to
eliminate Code Case expiration dates effective March 11, 2005. This means that
all Code Cases listed in this Supplement and beyond will remain available for

Case 2523
Use of Metric Units
Sections I; IV; V; VIII, Divisions 1, 2, and 3; IX; X;
and XII
Inquiry: Under what conditions may a Manufacturer
use a mixed system of units (e.g. a combination of U.S.
Customary units, SI units and / or local customary units)
to demonstrate compliance with all of the requirements
of Sections I; IV; V; VIII, Divisions 1, 2, and 3; IX; X;
and XII of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code?
Reply: It is the opinion of the Committee that a Manufacturer may use a mixed system of units (e.g., a combination of U.S. Customary Units, SI units, and/or local
customary units) to demonstrate compliance with all the
requirements of Sections under the following conditions:
(a) For any single equation, all variables must be
expressed in a single system of units. In general, it is
expected that a single system of units shall be used for all
aspects of design except where infeasible or impractical.
When components are manufactured at different locations
where local customary units are different than those used
for the general design, the local units may be used for
the design and documentation of that component. Similarly, for proprietary components or those uniquely associated with a system of units different than that used for
the general design, the alternate units may be used for
the design and documentation of that component.
(b) When separate equations are provided for U.S.
Customary and SI units, those equations must be executed
using variables in the units associated with the specific
equation. Data expressed in other units shall be converted
to U.S. Customary or SI units for use in these equations.
The result obtained from execution of these equations
may be converted to other units.

(c) Production, measurement and test equipment,

drawings, welding procedure specifications, welding procedure and performance qualifications, and other fabrication documents may be in U.S. Customary, SI, or local
customary units in accordance with the fabricators practice. When values shown in calculations and analysis,
fabrication documents, or measurement and test equipment are in different units, any conversions necessary for
verification of Code compliance shall be in accordance
with paras. (g) and (h).
(d) Material that has been manufactured and certified
to either the U.S. Customary or SI material specification
(e.g., SA-516 or SA-516M) may be used regardless of
the unit system used in design.
(e) Standard fittings (e.g., flanges, elbows, etc.) that
have been certified to either U.S. Customary units or SI
units may be used regardless of the units system used in
design.
(f) Conversion of units, using the precision specified
in paras. (g) and (h) shall be performed to assure that
dimensional consistency is maintained. Conversion factors between U.S. Customary and SI units may be found
in the Nonmandatory Appendix, Guidance for the Use
of U.S. Customary and SI Units in the ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code. Whenever local customary units
are used the Manufacturer shall provide the source of the
conversion factors that shall be subject to verification
and acceptance by the Authorized Inspector or Certified
Individual.
(g) Conversion factors shall be accurate to at least four
significant figures.
(h) The results of conversions of units shall be
expressed to a minimum of three significant figures.
(i) All entries on a Manufacturers Data Report shall
be in units consistent with the fabrication drawings for the
component using U.S. Customary, SI, or local customary
units. It is acceptable to show alternate units parenthetically. Users of this Case are cautioned that the receiving

The Committees function is to establish rules of safety, relating only to pressure integrity, governing the construction of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks
and nuclear components, and inservice inspection for pressure integrity of nuclear components and transport tanks, and to interpret these rules when questions arise
regarding their intent. This Code does not address other safety issues relating to the construction of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks and nuclear components,
and the inservice inspection of nuclear components and transport tanks. The user of the Code should refer to other pertinent codes, standards, laws, regulations or
other relevant documents.

1 (2523)

Copyright ASME International

Provided by IHS under license with ASME
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS

Licensee=Technip/5931917100
Not for Resale, 03/08/2007 03:04:47 MST

SUPP. 7 BPV

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use until annulled by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Standards Committee.

--````,,,,,`,`````,,,,,``,```-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

CASE (continued)

2523

CASES OF ASME BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE

Jurisdiction should be contacted to ensure the units are

acceptable.
(j) U.S. Customary, SI, or local customary units may
be used for the Code required nameplate marking consistent with the units used on the Manufacturers Data Report.
It is acceptable to show alternate units parenthetically.

SUPP. 7 BPV

Copyright ASME International

Provided by IHS under license with ASME
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS

Users of this Case are cautioned that the receiving Jurisdiction should be contacted to ensure the units are
acceptable.
(k) This Case number shall be shown on the Manufacturers Data Report.

2 (2523)

Licensee=Technip/5931917100
Not for Resale, 03/08/2007 03:04:47 MST