ASME B31.3 "Designer" requirements

[DSB123]

Hi All,
I just wanted people's interpretation of the ASME B31.3's competency requirements as regards "Designers". Do we take it that the term "Designer" refers to the Piping Engineer who signs off piping design documents? Does the Checker of the Document need to meet the competency requirements of ASME B31.3? I would like to "poll" peoples "take" on the ASME B31.3 requirements for a "Designer".

 

[XL83NL]

The person responsible for the overall design. To my understanding, a piping engineer can route all spools and furnish all iso's, but its still the mechanical engineer (or pipe stress engineer, depending on organization) who signs off and checks if the piping (i.e. Isometric) satisfies the Code.

 

[DSB123]

XL83NL,
Thanks for the response. So would you consider a "Senior Piping Engineer" (Name Only) who signs off isometrics and general arrangements and piping technical documents as requiring to meet the B31.3 competency for a "Designer"?

 

[XL83NL]

In terms of para 301.1 perhaps not. For example, I dont see the (senior) piping engineer as being the guy makes the line/pipe classes, and does the pipe stress calcs.

In our organization, we use ISO 9001 (amongst others to assure the proper people make and check document). Perhaps our organization would then be the designer, instead of a person.

 

[DSB123]

XL83NL,
Para 301.1 specifically says person(s) not "organisation". To me it means that the person(s) defined as the "designer" must meet the competence levels identified in a,b,c & d.

 

[XL83NL]

Correct, but review para 300.2, definition of designer

 

[DSB123]

I think the term "designer" in Para 300.2 is the organisation which produces the finished piping system whereas the "Designer" in 301.1 (being in the Design section) is the actual person(s) performing the detail design of the piping system. The Code admittedly is not clear on this point!!!