The design of a complex pressure containment system involves much more than the application of Barlow's formula. For example, in 100 countries the ASME BPVCcode stipulates the requirements for design and testing of pressure vessels.
The formula is also common in the pipeline industry to verify that pipe used for gathering, transmission, and distribution lines can safely withstand operating pressures. The design factor is multiplied by the resulting pressure which gives the maximum operating pressure (MAOP) for the pipeline. In the United States, this design factor is dependent on Class locations which are defined in DOT Part 192. There are four class locations corresponding to four design factors: