This landmark standard clarifies many misconceptions regarding the issue of the margin between available net positive suction head (NPSHA) and required net positive suction head (NPSHR) to avoid excessive noise, vibration, and possible cavitation erosion and seal damage. The standard clarifies misconceptions with concepts of suction energy and NPSH margin and provides practical guidance for appropriate margin to avoid cavitation damage and other serious operations problems.

This standard was reaffirmed in 2000 and subsequently withdrawn by HI on 1 December 2003.