Gents, with all due respect, I agree and disagree.
Codes do NOT expire, Code Cases do expire.
It may be possible that you don't hold the latest edition of the Code but that doesn't invalidate that Code Edition. However, as Gerald points out, if your Contract documents require latest edition and you held an earlier edition you would be out of compliance with the Contract; but the Code you held would remain a good and valid document, just not applicable to your contract.
From my experience, "Latest Edition" is intended to be construed as that edition in effect at the award of Contract (unless otherwise stipulated). From a managerial perspective, imagine how difficult it might become to revise programs, procedures, etc., for a long term project? The Front Matter of ASME Codes explains this nicely stating (paraphrased) that "this edition is not intended to be applied retroactively" and other similar verbiage.
That said, ASME considers use of a new Code Edition mandatory within 6 months from issue date. What that means is, if in January 2007 a new ASME Code is issued and a contract let in a Code State or Country in July 2007, the latest edition of the Code (2007) should be applied to NEW contracts.
Chime in folks!
Jon,
With all due respect, you need to look up the recent information on the various code cases.
A quote from the heading of code case 2235-9
"The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Standards Committee took action to
eliminate Code Case expiration dates effective March 11, 2005. This means that
all Code Cases listed in this Supplement and beyond will remain available for
use until annulled by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Standards Committee."
They no longer expire at least for the referenced supplement.
As you stated, ASME considers it mandatory within 6 months from date of issue for new edition of the code. Therefore, unless stipulated by contract documents, the previous edition expires for validity within that 6 months. I did mention that the edition considered valid is the edition and addenda at contract signing date.
Regards,
Gerald
Cool, I learn something every day!!! Thanks Gerald!
It depends on when the contract was signed and what the contract stipluates. If a contract was signed in 2004, well then that was the code that was considered in the bid.
If a new edition of the code comes out prior to the start of work, that does not necessarily mean it applies. If it has changed and the new code requirements will cost the contractor additional money well they deserve a change order to compensate them.
I believe we all agreed on that, and yes, if someone trys to institute a new year code not yet out at the time of contract, then that is a change order as you say.
Step lightly in this mine field gentlemen.
There are differences between different code bodies and the philosophy of their "thought process".
In the case of AWS structural welding codes, the latest edition is not automatically applicable. In the case of a new construction, the applicable building code mandated by the state or municipality may be several years behind in adopting a structural welding code. For instance, the state legislature may adopt a specific edition of the IBC which list the specific edition of AWS D1.1 to be used as the basis of design, fabrication, and erection. However, the same state may have an addenda that is only published on a "as needed basis" and may be several years old (read decade or more) that modifies the edition of the structural welding code to be used.
The edition of AWS D1.1 that is listed in the Thirteenth Edition of the AISC Steel Construction Manual (most recent) is AWS D1.1-2004. The inspector has no right to impose the requirements of a later edition of AWS D1.1 unless a more recent edition is referenced in the contract/project specifications.
I typically ask the engineer of record (in writing) which edition of the structural welding code is applicable. It is amazing to me how many inspectors fail to ask this simple question and attempt to use the wrong edition of the code. The fabricator has every right to run the third party inspector off the site in that case.
The situation is similar when inspecting existing structures. I always ask the engineer which AWS code is to be utilized for the inspection of existing welds. It is common to have existing welds that do not meet the requirements of newer codes. They may have been acceptable at the time they were fabricated and erected or they may not have been inspected when the structure was erected or the engineer may want to "upgrade" the existing steel before installing new work. In any event it is best to ask the engineer what edition of the structural welding code is to be used to evaluate the existing work.
Don't be surprised if the engineer hesitates in his response! You may have asked a question he hadn't thought about!
I just did a little digging and this is what I can come up with;
The applicable IBC for my state is the 2003 edition
It referes to the 9th edition of the AISC steel construction manual for Allowable Stress Design. In turn AISC refers to AWS D1.1-88
It refers to the 1999 edition of the AISC SCM for LRFD, which D1.1 applies is up in the air, none of my projects involved LRFD and I don't have a copy of that AISC on my desk.
It refers to AISC HSS 2000 for tubular steel which gets me to AWS D1.1-2000.
However, the EOR can specify a later edition of AISC or AWS Structural Welding Codes for work where he is permitted by the client to do so.
Do codes ever expire? Apparently they do only when the state in which you reside adopts a more recent version of its building code.
That should clarify things to the point it is as clear as mud!
Best regards - Al
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