STANDARD by Standards Australia, 01/01/2014
PREFACE
This AS 4343:2014 Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New ZealandCommittee ME-001, Pressure Equipment, to supersede AS 4343—2005.After consultation with stakeholders in both countries, Standards Australia and StandardsNew Zealand decided to develop this Standard as an Australian Standard rather than anAustralian/New Zealand Standard.The objective of this revision is to include improvements suggested by users of thisStandard.
Significant changes are as follows:(a) Adoption of the numerical method of calculating hazard level. This has been done toremove the inconsistencies that arise when calculating modified PV values andremove the unneeded conservatism in the hazard level.(b) Clarification of parameters used to calculate hazard levels—removal of someinconsistency between design and operating parameters.(c) Revision of fluid criteria to remove anomalies and remove contradictory requirementsin the Standard.(d) Identifying the role of purchasers and owners in determining hazard levels.In determining and allocating the hazard level values, input has been received fromregulatory authorities and users, and the practices adopted in industrialized countries andthose in the European Union Pressure Equipment Directive have been taken into account.
The impact of this revision is expected to be negligible, except to resolve a number ofissues raised in the use of the Standard, and to facilitate its use. Specifically, the adoptionof the calculation method for determining hazard level simplifies and enhances theautomation of hazard level calculation.The basis for hazard level in this Standard is the maximum amount of stored energy thatcould be released in 5–10 seconds and the level of exposure. For boilers and pressurevessels, calculation involves pressure and volume, while for piping, pressure and diameterare used similarly to that in EU-PED for ease of use.