PCI' PSM and RMP Digest

I don’t quote any code or regulation without using the code or regulation as a guide. I learned early in my career that as soon as I utter the words “the code says….” someone would actually open the book I was referring to and point out some mistake. Even today, with all of the talking and interpreting and consulting, I will find that when I read the actual text, I see words that put an entirely different spin or interpretation on the topic at hand.

Follow up:

For instance, one of things I notice during inspections is bolting that is not made up for the entire depth of the nut. In other words, the end of the bolt is below the edge of the nut. Now, I know that this is not good practice and I even know that “the Code” doesn’t allow this, but is it accurate to say that “the code doesn’t allow short bolts”. I often refer to this condition as “short-bolting” because if the bolt were just a little longer, the situation would not be found out of compliance.

Once, however, after writing a finding for “short bolting” on a number of bolted connections, the client challenged me show him the paragraph so he could use this as the justification to have the condition repaired. He wasn’t questioning my finding, only asking for the actual language to use in his work order request. EASY, I said, as I began flipping the pages of my trusty ASME B31.5. And I flipped. And I flipped. And I flipped. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was no reference to the condition anywhere in there. I could have sworn and everybody else knows, that short bolting is not allowed.

It took a while, but I was finally able to piece together the rules that cause prohibition of short bolting. No code expressly states “thou shalt not use bolting that is too short”, however, B31.5 refers to B16 point something which refers to ANSI whatchamacallit……

I hope you get my point. There are a few experts who can be trusted to recite the law or codes without error or omission, but the rest of us would be wise to open the book and read the text rather than trust our memory or understanding.