What Are Performance Test Codes?
By Philip M. Gerhart, Ph.D. and Same J. Korellis, P.E.

ASME Performance Test Codes (PTCs) provide rules and procedures for planning, preparing, executing and reporting performance tests. A performance test is an engineering evaluation whose results indicate how well the functions of equipment are accomplished.

Performance Test Codes originated as “Power Test Codes,” so the main emphasis has been on energy-conversion equipment. The first Code (of any type) issued by ASME was Rules for Conducting Boiler Tests, published in 1884. Today, nearly 50 PTCs are available, covering individual components (steam generators, turbines, pumps, compressors), systems (flue gas desulphurization, fuel cells) and complete plants (cogeneration plants). In addition to equipment codes, the supplements on Instruments and Apparatus cover measurement systems (temperature, pressure, flow) and techniques (uncertainty analysis) common to several codes.

For over a century, the philosophy of ASME has dictated that a PTC test provide results with the highest level of accuracy, based on current engineering knowledge and practices, and taking into account the costs of the test and the value of the information obtained. Codes are intended to be legal documents, written in a format suitable for citing in contracts as the method to determine if the equipment performs as guaranteed.

PTCs are used by equipment owners, equipment suppliers, and test engineers. ASME PTCs permit suppliers to compete fairly while protecting users from poorly-performing products. Purchase specifications are greatly strengthened by citing the results of tests dictated by PTCs. When acquiring new equipment, purchasers can specify that the equipment guarantee will be based on the results of a test conducted in accordance with a specific ASME PTC. Design engineers consult PTC documents to ensure that proper instrument connections will be available. Test engineers install the required instrumentation, and use the code’s procedures and calculation methods to conduct a test on the new equipment. Representatives of the now-numerous parties to the test ensure the test methods are in compliance with the code. Finally, the test results are compared to the performance criteria.

Sometimes, manufacturers and suppliers want to determine the exact performance of their equipment to better understand design margins or effects of manufacturing tolerances on performance. In this case, code tests are conducted outside of any performance guarantees.

Performance Test Codes fall under the jurisdiction of the ASME Council on Codes and Standards. Anyone identifying the need for a new code or a code revision communicates with ASME staff. The Board on Performance Test Codes (a group of volunteers) organizes a technical standards committee to develop a code or revision. The committee is a team of highly qualified and technically competent engineers, with expertise in some or all fields covered by the specific PTC. Committee membership is balanced between equipment users, equipment manufacturers, and general interest personnel. Through meetings and correspondence, this group prepares the code draft. Meetings are open to any interested party. A preliminary draft is sent to knowledgeable persons in industry for review. This review strengthens the document. Throughout the process, the focus is on building consensus. The completed draft is then approved by the technical committee and the Board on Performance Test Codes. The new code is sent to ANSI for their approval, and ASME publishes the document and sells it for barely more than the cost of the material, printing, paper, and handling!

All ASME codes are developed with balanced input from all types of parties who may be interested in the code and/or the associated equipment or process. In addition to codes currently available or under development, additional products and services are being evaluated to ensure that ASME PTCs best serve global industries as the preeminent provider of state-of-the-art standardized methods for performance testing, monitoring, and analysis of energy conversion and industrial processes, systems, and equipment.

Both authors serve on the ASME Council on Codes and Standards. Philip M. Gerhart is, vice president, Performance Test Codes, and Sam J. Korellis is vice chairman Performance Test Codes.

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