ASCE Skirt Buckling Check Uses Division 2 Rules

Are you performing the required ASCE skirt buckling check for your skirt supported vessel?

Many designers believe that since the ASCE skirt buckling check references the ASME Division 2 Code rules that it is not required for equipment designed per ASME Division 1 Code. This is not true! These Division 2 rules do apply to Division 1 skirts.

I review many specification sheets and calculations for new skirt-supported ASME Division 1 equipment that require ASCE Seismic evaluations. I rarely see the skirt buckling calculation included. This means many modern support skirts are missing the required Division 2 skirt buckling check!