NBIC NB-23 Part2-2025 PDF

Full title and description

St NBIC NB-23 Part 2 — National Board Inspection Code (NBIC), NB-23: Part 2 — Inspection, 2025 Edition. This document provides the authoritative rules, guidance, and recommended practices for the inspection and in-service assessment of pressure-retaining items and associated pressure-relief devices following the National Board's NB-23 framework. It is intended for use by inspectors, owners, repair organizations, and regulatory authorities to establish consistent post-construction inspection practices and documentation.

Abstract

Part 2 of NB-23 (NBIC) focuses on inspection procedures, personnel safety, non-destructive examination (NDE) requirements, testing, fitness-for-service considerations, inspection intervals, and reporting/documentation for boilers, pressure vessels, piping, and related pressure-retaining equipment. The 2025 edition updates guidance and clarifies procedures to reflect contemporary inspection technologies and risk-informed assessment approaches.

General information

• Status: Current.
• Publication date: July 1, 2025.
• Publisher: The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (National Board / NBBI).
• ICS / categories: 13.200 (Accident and disaster control); 27.060.30 (Boilers and heat exchangers); general standards/terminology classifications.
• Edition / version: 2025 Edition (NB-23 Part 2:2025).
• Number of pages: Approximately 384 pages (print edition).

Scope

NB-23 Part 2 (2025) establishes requirements and guidance for performing and documenting inspections of pressure-retaining items, including boilers, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, piping, valves, fittings, and pressure-relief devices. The scope covers initial and subsequent inspections, personnel safety, NDE methods and acceptance, hydrostatic and leak testing, fitness-for-service assessments, risk-based inspection principles, inspection intervals, recordkeeping, and interaction with jurisdictional requirements. The Part is intended for post-construction activities and does not replace original construction codes but complements them for in-service activities.

Key topics and requirements

• Personnel safety and site-specific safety coordination for inspectors.
• Visual examination procedures (external and internal) and defined inspection intervals.
• Non-destructive examination (NDE) methods, personnel qualifications, and acceptance criteria (UT, PT, MT, RT where applicable).
• Hydrostatic, leak, and performance testing requirements and documentation.
• Fitness-for-service evaluation guidance and procedures for assessing remaining life and MAWP considerations.
• Risk-based inspection concepts and guidance for prioritizing inspection scope and frequency.
• Inspection reporting, documentation formats, and jurisdictional coordination (use of NB Forms where applicable).
• Guidance for inspection of associated components: piping, valves, manways, and pressure-relief devices.

Typical use and users

Primary users include National Board and jurisdictional inspectors, Authorized Inspection Agencies (AIAs), accredited repair organizations, in-service inspection teams, mechanical and inspection engineers, facility owners/operators, and regulatory authorities responsible for enforcing pressure equipment safety. The standard is used to develop inspection programs, perform in-service assessments, support repair and alteration decisions, and to meet jurisdictional compliance where NBIC is adopted or referenced.

Related standards

NB-23 Part 2 is used alongside related documents such as: the other NBIC parts (Part 1 — Installation, Part 3 — Repairs and Alterations, Part 4 — Testing of Pressure Relief Devices), the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME BPVC), jurisdictional regulations that adopt NBIC provisions, applicable ISO/EN standards for NDE and fitness-for-service, and National Board procedures and forms used for reporting and accreditation.

Keywords

NBIC, NB-23, National Board Inspection Code, inspection, boilers, pressure vessels, NDE, hydrostatic test, fitness-for-service, risk-based inspection, pressure-relief devices, in-service inspection, 2025 edition.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: This is NB-23 Part 2 of the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC), the 2025 edition, which provides rules and guidance for inspection and in-service assessment of pressure-retaining equipment.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers inspection planning and execution, personnel safety, visual and NDE examinations, testing (hydrostatic/leak), fitness-for-service guidance, inspection intervals, documentation/reporting, and coordination with jurisdictional requirements for boilers, pressure vessels, piping, and pressure-relief devices.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: National Board and jurisdictional inspectors, Authorized Inspection Agencies, repair and alteration organizations, inspection engineers, facility owners/operators, and regulatory bodies that reference or adopt the NBIC for in-service requirements.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The NB-23 Part 2:2025 edition is the current edition published July 1, 2025, and supersedes the NB-23 Part 2:2023 edition. Users should confirm the edition required by their jurisdiction.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — NB-23 is organized into multiple Parts (Parts 1–4) addressing installation, inspection, repairs/alterations, and testing of pressure-relief devices; Part 2 is the Inspection portion of that series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: NBIC, NB-23, inspection, NDE, hydrostatic test, fitness-for-service, pressure vessel, boiler, pressure-relief device, in-service inspection, National Board.