API-510 impacts the design phase by setting forth design standards and criteria that incorporate safety, quality, and regulatory compliance from the outset. It requires that pressure vessels be designed considering the maximum allowable working pressure, temperature ranges, and the corrosive nature of the contents. API-510 also mandates that materials used must meet specific standards and that the design includes provisions for inspection openings, supports, and connections.
Design reviews and validations by certified engineers are required to ensure that all aspects of the code are met before construction, thus integrating safety and compliance into the very foundation of the vessel's construction.