NBBI NB23-2023 Part 3

It is the purpose of the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) to maintain the integrity of pressure-retaining items by providing rules for post-construction activities including installation, and by providing rules for post-installation activities including inspections, repairs, and alterations, thereby ensuring the safety of the pressure-retaining items’ continued use.

The NBIC is intended to provide rules, information, and guidance to manufacturers, jurisdictions, Inspectors, owner-users, installers, contractors, and other individuals and organizations performing or involved in post-construction activities, thereby encouraging the uniform administration of rules pertaining to pressure retaining items.

The NBIC recognizes four important areas of post-construction activities where information, understanding, and following specific requirements will promote public and personal safety. These areas include:

• Installation
• Inspection
• Repairs and Alterations
• Testing of Pressure Relief Devices

The NBIC provides rules, information, and guidance for post-construction activities, but does not provide details for all conditions involving pressure-retaining items. Where complete details are not provided in this Code, the Code user is advised to seek guidance from the applicable jurisdiction or other technical sources.

The NBIC is organized into four parts to coincide with specific post-construction activities involving pressure-retaining items. Each part provides general and specific rules, information, and guidance within each applicable post-construction activity. Individual NBIC parts or other published standards may contain additional information or requirements needed to meet the rules of the NBIC. Each part provides specific references to direct the user where to find this additional information.

• Part 3, Repairs and Alterations – This part provides requirements and guidance to perform, verify, and document acceptable repairs or alterations to pressure-retaining items regardless of code of construction. Alternative methods for examination, testing, heat treatment, etc., are provided when the original code of construction requirements cannot be met. Specific acceptable and proven repair methods are also provided.