Background to BS 5500 and its use in the design of AGR plants

Abstract

BS 5500 is a British Standard to be applied during the design and construction of unfired fusion welded pressure vessels and was first published in 1976. This is a master pressure vessel standard whose requirements are constantly under review and reflect the general experience and technical developments in the pressure vessel industry and the relevant research in various academic establishments. The paper describes the format of the standard and the general requirements and shows how these have been applied to the Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors in the UK including an indication where additional requirements have been met to achieve the desired vessel integrity.