This specification establishes standards of performance and quality for the design, manufacture, and fabrication of marine drilling riser equipment used in conjunction with a subsea blowout preventer (BOP) stack. This specification applies to all riser system components that are in the primary load path during operation, running, and retrieval, including but not limited to riser couplings, riser main tube, riser adapters, riser external lines when used for load sharing, riser tensioner rings, telescopic joints, flex/ball joints, and special riser joints.