Pneumatic Pressure & Leak Test — Stored Energy & Safe Distance Calculator

ASME PCC-2-2022 · Article 501 · Mandatory Appendix 501-II & 501-III  |  ASME B31.3-2024 · §345.5

Rev 1.0 · 2025
System Configuration
Pressure Vessel
Piping System
Both in Series
Pressure Test
Purge / Inert
General
Test Medium
Pressures
Reference only — used for passive test pressure check against code bounds.
Default 1.01325 bar. Adjust for site elevation if required.
Volume
For vessels: total internal volume. For piping: use helper below (8D rule) or enter directly.

Configure inputs and press Calculate

STEP 1 Stored Energy
Absolute Test Pressure (Pat) bar abs
Atmospheric Pressure (Pa) bar abs
Volume (V)
κ (ratio of specific heats)
Stored Energy (E) J
Stored Energy (E) MJ
STEP 2 TNT Equivalent
Stored Energy (E) J
TNT Equivalent kg
STEP 3 Safe Distance Calculations
metres
Code Minimum
m
Blast Wave Distance
m
Fragment Throw Distance
m
Blast Consequence Thresholds — Rscaled Reference Table
Rscaled (m/kg1/3) Biological Effect Structural Failure Distance (m)
ℹ️
Fragment distances are for random vessel/piping fragments per Table 501-III-2-1 (IME SLP-2-2011), unbarricaded inhabited buildings — conservative for open industrial sites. For unrestrained pipe sections or blind flange ejection, separate projectile trajectory analysis is required.
⚠ Scope & Limitations — Read Before Use
1. Conservative upper bound: Assumes instantaneous total failure releasing 100% of stored energy. Actual release depends on failure mode, material ductility, restraint, and geometry. Results are a conservative screening estimate only.

2. System design not considered: Vessel geometry, nozzle orientation, pipe support/restraint, connected volume, and pressure regulation are not accounted for in the stored energy calculation.

3. Fragment table basis: Table 501-III-2-1 is based on the American Table of Distances (IME SLP-2-2011) for unbarricaded inhabited buildings. Conservative for open industrial sites.

4. Not a substitute for QRA: Where stored energy is significant, a detailed QRA and formal Hazard Analysis per PCC-2 §501-6.2(g) and Mandatory Appendix 501-IV must be performed by a competent process safety engineer.

Reference: ASME PCC-2-2022 Article 501, Mandatory Appendix 501-II & 501-III. ASME B31.3-2024 §345.5.

Exclusion Zone Map

Leaflet · OpenStreetMap · Free

Run calculation first, then enter coordinates
and press Plot Zones.

Governing Exclusion Zone
Blast Wave Distance
Fragment Throw Distance
Code Minimum (30 m)30 m
⚠ Map is for orientation and visualisation only. Exclusion zone boundaries must be physically marked on site using calibrated survey equipment. Not a substitute for a formal site safety plan or PTW exclusion zone drawing. Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.