CODES, STANDARDS, AND SPECIFICATIONS
Abhishek Singh
Founder | SCOOTOID Learning & Development | Upskilling Mechanical Engineers | Static Equipment Design Services |
In the intricate and multifaceted world of Engineering, Codes, Standards, and Specifications serve as the backbone of the industry, providing a reliable and comprehensive set of guidelines and regulations to govern the countless systems and structures that we rely on in our daily lives. By establishing a standardized approach to design, construction, and operation, these essential tools not only ensure the safety and reliability of the end product but also promote sustainability, innovation, and efficiency.
Codes:
Codes are regulations that are developed by authorized Organizations, which specify the minimum requirements for the Design, Construction, and Operation of various Structures and Systems. The purpose of Codes is to ensure Safety, Reliability, and Efficiency. They provide guidance and rules for Engineers, Architects, and Builders to follow so that Structures and Systems are Designed and Constructed to meet minimum requirements and operate safely and efficiently.
Codes are designed to make our lives simpler, by providing guidelines that ensure Safety, Reliability, and Efficiency. Without Codes, it would be difficult to ensure that structures and systems are safe and reliable. Therefore, we can say that Codes are essential for our well-being.
Why Codes are required?
??????????????One example of the importance of Codes can be seen in the Design of Cylindrical Shells. If we have to Design a Cylindrical Shell, we need to consider various factors such as the thickness of the Shell, Welding, Joint Efficiency, Stress Intensification, and Allowable Stress. The PD/2t formula, which we studied in Engineering, may not be sufficient to ensure the Safety and Reliability of a Cylindrical Shell. The formula does not consider the Welding Part, which is crucial in ensuring the Structural Integrity of the Shell. Also, it calculates?the stresses accurately for thin cylinders.?Therefore, if we use the PD/2t formula, we may miss out on essential aspects of the design that are critical for ensuring the safety and reliability of the Vessel.
??????????????Also if use PD/2t for formula for stress, in place of stress what allowable stress shall be considered to find thickness will become matter of choice. Several deferent approaches can be adopted for that.
First approach: Taking tensile strength from material test certificate and consider it as allowable stress. However, using tensile stress as the allowable stress value is allowing the vessel to plastically deform, which is not acceptable.
Second approach: Taking yield strength, but it also allows the vessel to deform permanently. which is not acceptable.
Third approach: Taking suitable factor of safety over yield strength and tensile strength so that vessel remains in elastic zone, this seems to be a better approach. But we need to find a suitable factor of safety to ensure that the vessel can withstand unexpected load variations and other stress factors such as stress concentrations. If everyone takes different factor of safety the design can never be standardized. So code comes to our rescue where it form basis for suitable allowable stress to be taken.
???????????????Therefore, it is essential to follow the Codes while designing and constructing Cylindrical Shells or any other Structures.
Standards:
Standards are technical Definitions and Guidelines that instruct how to do something properly so that other people will understand without any Confusion. Standards are created to ensure Consistency, Quality, and Safety in the Design and Production of Products and Structures. They provide a framework for how to do things right the first time and avoid costly mistakes and rework.
??????????????Let’s discuss the difference between Standards and Codes, why Standards are Important, and how they help Maintaining Consistency and ease in the Manufacturing Process. We will also cover some examples to help understand the concept of Standards and why they are essential in Engineering.Top of Form
Why Standards are Important:
??????????????Let’s take the example of Ram and Tia, Travelling the same distance from a Red point to a Green point. Ram covers the distance in 90 steps, while Tia covers it in 100 steps. When we ask them about the distance between these two points without a Standard unit of Measurement, Ram said, he covered it in 90 steps, and Tia said 100 steps. However, if someone is Taller or Shorter, the number of steps may vary for them. In the early stages, Standards were made, but the flaw was that they were not Consistent. We need a consistent Standard, like a consistent unit of Length or Weight, which can be understood globally.
The Importance of Consistency:
Consistency is crucial in Engineering. If we have a Standard Pipe as a Shell, it is easier to Manufacture and Purchase compared to a fabricated Shell. If we have a Standard Pipe, we know the OD, Length, and Thickness. Everything becomes fixed, and we can select the Pipe or Flange directly from the Manufacturer and use it. However, if we don't have a Standard Flange, the Procurement process becomes complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. Therefore, Consistency is essential in Engineering, and Standards help maintain it.
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Types of Standards
There are many different types of Standards used in the field of Mechanical Engineering. The most commonly used Standards are:
Difference between Standards and Codes:
While Standards and Codes are similar in that they provide guidelines for how to do things, there are some key differences between the two. A Code is a legal document in many countries. For example, if you say that you are following ASME section VIII division 1 and sign the design report, you are responsible for anything that happens to that vessel. If a mistake happens, legal action may be taken for that. Codes are mandatory and must be followed.
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Standards, on the other hand, are not legal documents. They are voluntary and are used to make our lives easier. They provide guidelines for how to do things right the first time and avoid costly mistakes and rework.
Standards are reason-based, whereas Codes are Mandatory requirements. Codes are followed across the board, but different Countries may have different Codes. Standards differ from Company to Company, and they help Maintain Consistency in Manufacturing and ease in Procurement.
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Specifications:
Specifications are important documents prepared by Engineers that are specific to a client or project. They are created based on the practices of the client and are completely related to the specific project at hand. These documents may change from project to project as they are based on the client's specific requirements.
If the Engineer wants to pass on guidelines based on their Engineering judgment and experience with the product, and they are not already included in the Codes and Standards, then they will create specifications for these guidelines. Specifications are important because they allow Engineers to ensure that the quality of the project meets the requirements of the client.
The Engineer takes into consideration their personal experience, the customer or client, and the organization. They make sure that the job is specific to the client's requirements.
For example, when building a structure, the Engineer may specify the brand of the materials that the client should use and may state that the client should use one of these three brands. This becomes a specification. Similarly, for cement, the Engineer may specify the quality and if there is a need for additional requirements, such as a specific company name, then these will be part of the specifications.
Specifications provide specific or additional requirements for a material that is definitely beyond what is included in the Code and Standards. Normally, the specifications are created by the specific organization that is giving the order. If the Engineer is working as a client, they will be creating the specifications on behalf of their organization. This is important to ensure that the project meets the requirements of the client and that the quality of the project is up to standard.
In conclusion, specifications are documents that are specific to a client or project and are based on the practices of the client. They provide specific or additional requirements for material that are beyond what is included in the Code and Standards. They are important to ensure that the quality of the project meets the requirements of the client. Specifications are normally created by the specific organization that is giving the order, and if the Engineer is working as a client, they will be creating the specifications on behalf of their organization.
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Comparison:
Let’s see the comparison between Code, Standard, and specification. Code is enforced by law and covers all aspects of a project, from procurement to supply, design, and fabrication. Standards are globally accepted norms that provide guidelines for ease of fabrication and cost. They are usually written by public or government organizations with a controlling body to ensure worldwide applicability. Specifications, on the other hand, are very specific to a client or project and are written by the organization ordering the project.
It is important to note that specifications can be more stringent than Code or standard requirements and may include additional requirements based on personal experience or specific client practices. For example, when constructing a building, a specification may include the brand of reinforcement and cement required. It is also important to note that some specifications may be included in the Code or standard requirements, and in such cases, reference to the relevant Code or standard is sufficient.
In conclusion, understanding the differences between Codes, Standards, and Specifications is important in the Engineering Industry as it helps to ensure Quality, Safety, and Standardization in Projects. While Code provides legal requirements, Standards offer globally accepted norms, and Specifications are specific to a Client or Project. Knowing when to refer to each of these documents is essential in meeting the needs of the Client and ensuring that Projects are completed on time and required quality is met.
?Thank You……...
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