Regulations on safety supervision for the seven key aspects of pressure vessels

Thread Content

Regulations on safety supervision for the seven stages of pressure vessels I. Regulations on design The design unit shall be responsible for the safety and technical performance of the pressure vessels it designs, as well as for the quality of that design. Pressure vessel design firms must be qualified and obtain a certification as pressure vessel design entities. The general design drawing of the pressure vessel shall be stamped with the qualification seal for pressure vessel design (a photocopy of the seal is invalid). II. Relevant Provisions on Manufacturing Units that manufacture pressure vessels must possess the necessary equipment, technical expertise, inspection methods, and management systems to ensure product quality. Units that manufacture pressure vessels must undergo qualification review to obtain a pressure vessel manufacturing license. Product safety and quality supervision inspections for pressure vessels are carried out by authorized pressure vessel inspection agencies, which issue certificates of supervision inspection for the product safety of such vessels. When leaving the factory, pressure vessels must be accompanied by safety technical documents (including: drawings, product quality certificates, product safety and quality inspection certificates, etc.). III. Relevant Provisions on Sales: The selling entity shall be responsible for the legality of the pressure vessels it sells. Pressure vessels manufactured by units with the appropriate qualifications must be sold, and a system for inspecting and accepting such vessels upon purchase must be implemented, to verify the quality certificates of the products as well as other documents that are required according to **relevant regulations. Old equipment and scrapped equipment lacking documentation must not be sold under any circumstances. IV. Relevant Provisions on Installation: Professional installation units for pressure vessels must undergo qualification assessment and obtain an installation license. For the third category of pressure vessels, which includes those with a volume of 10 m3 or more, steam balls, pressure vessels installed as part of complete production units, liquefied petroleum gas storage containers, and medical oxygen chambers, the entity using such vessels or the installation party must go to the local boiler and pressure vessel safety supervision agency to complete the installation procedures. Otherwise, it must not be installed. The installation of pressure vessels must comply with the requirements of relevant specifications and standards to ensure the quality of the installation work. V. Relevant regulations on utilization: Units utilizing pressure vessels must register each vessel with the local boiler and pressure vessel safety supervision authority to obtain a certificate of use; only then can the pressure vessel equipment be put into operation. Units that use pressure vessels should pay close attention to their management, assign dedicated personnel to oversee the safety and technical aspects of these vessels, and establish comprehensive safety management systems to ensure the safe operation of such equipment. Pressure vessel operators must undergo safety and technical training and pass the assessment to obtain an operation certificate before they are allowed to work independently. VI. Provisions regarding repair or modification: Units that carry out the repair or modification of pressure vessels must possess the necessary tools, equipment, technical expertise, and inspection methods. They must be either units qualified to manufacture pressure vessels or specialized repair or modification units that have been approved through evaluation. Major repairs or modifications to the pressure-bearing components of pressure vessels must comply with the requirements of safety supervision regulations and relevant standards. The plans for such major repairs or modifications shall be approved by the original design unit or a design unit with the appropriate qualifications, and filed with the local boiler and pressure vessel safety supervision authority. Pressure vessels must pass inspection after repair and modification before they can be put into operation. VII. Provisions regarding regular inspections: Organizations that carry out inspections on pressure vessels must undergo qualification assessment and approval by the designated boiler and pressure vessel safety supervision authorities, and obtain inspection qualification certificates covering the relevant scope of work. Only then can one carry out regular inspections of pressure vessels at the corresponding level. Inspectors must, as required, undergo training and assessment to obtain an inspector qualification certificate before they can perform inspection tasks for the corresponding items within the permitted scope.   The inspection of pressure vessels is divided into external inspection (annual inspection), internal and external inspection (comprehensive inspection), and pressure test. External inspections may be conducted by qualified pressure vessel inspectors from inspection agencies, or by specialized pressure vessel personnel from user entities approved by safety supervision authorities. However, both internal and external inspections must be carried out by qualified pressure vessel inspectors from inspection agencies.   Periodic inspection schedule for pressure vessels: External inspections of pressure vessels in use must be carried out at least once a year ； For internal and external inspections of pressure vessels during shutdowns, when the working medium has no significant corrosive effect, inspections should be conducted at least once every six years for vessels rated as having a safety condition level of 1 or 2; for those rated at level 3, inspections must be carried out at least once every three years. In cases where the medium causes severe corrosion to the pressure vessel materials, when there are specific inspection requirements stipulated by the designer, under harsh operating conditions, when the pressure vessel is made of high-strength materials, when it has been in use for over 20 years, or when the working medium is frequently changed, the intervals between internal and external inspections should be appropriately shortened. Additionally, a pressure test of the pressure vessel must be performed at least once between every two internal and external inspections. Cylinders containing general gas media are inspected every three years, those containing inert gas media every five years, and those containing corrosive media every two years. Pressure vessels that have been out of use for more than a year and are to be put back into service must be inspected, as must those pressure vessels and gas cylinders for which serious defects are detected during operation or for which there are issues with their operating condition.