Issuing body
BSI
Latest edition
2021
Region
UK, Europe
Equipment items
1
Scope
British pressure vessel code (formerly BS 5500); often used in Commonwealth countries.
Key requirements (7)
- British Standard for unfired fusion-welded pressure vessels (Cat 1 / Cat 2 / Cat 3).
- Cat 1 = full RT, Cat 2 = partial RT, Cat 3 = visual + limited NDT.
- Design factor f = lower of UTS/2.35 and Yield/1.5 at design temperature.
- Hydrotest: 1.25 × design pressure (Cat 1) or 1.5 × design pressure (Cat 2/3).
- Annex D: design by analysis (FEA) — alternative to formula-based design.
- Annex G: vessel-on-saddle stress analysis (Zick analysis).
- Used widely in UK, Middle East, India for non-nuclear vessels.
Related standards (2)
Applied to 1 equipment item
Pressure Vessels & Reactors