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1 Is a gas storage tank considered a special type of equipment? According to the \"Catalogue of Special Equipment\" (No. 114, 2014), gas storage tanks are classified as fixed-pressure vessels and thus fall under the category of special equipment. 2 Do all gas storage tanks need to be inspected regularly? No, gas storage tanks, which are considered simple pressure vessels, do not require a registration certificate for use as special equipment, nor do they need to undergo regular inspections during their design lifespan. For pressure vessels among the gas storage tanks, a registration certificate must be obtained before use or within 30 days after they come into operation, and regular inspections are required. (Note: The pressure gauges and safety valves of all gas storage tanks’ safety accessories must be inspected regularly) ； Safety valves must be inspected once a year, and pressure gauges must be inspected every six months. In cases where no specified design service life exists, it is assumed that the service life is 20 years. According to the \"Regulations on Safety Supervision of Fixed Pressure Vessels\" TSG-2016, Article 7.1.7 states: 7.1.7 Pressure vessels that have reached their design service life (those for which no design service life has been specified, but which have been in use for more than 20 years are considered to have reached their design service life) – if they are to continue to be used, the user entity must commission a special equipment inspection agency with the appropriate qualifications to conduct inspections in accordance with the relevant regulations for periodic inspections. If necessary, a safety assessment (usefulness evaluation) must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of Article 8.9 of these regulations. Only after approval by the person in charge of the user entity can changes to the registration certificate for use be processed, allowing the vessel to continue to be used. What is a simple pressure vessel? Appendix A2.3 of the \"Safety Technical Inspection Regulations for Fixed Pressure Vessels\" TSG-2016 – Simple pressure vessels ； A pressure vessel that meets the following conditions is referred to as a simple pressure vessel: (1) The pressure vessel consists of a cylinder together with a flat cover and a convex head (excluding hemispherical heads), or it is composed of two convex heads ； (2) The materials for the main pressure-bearing components such as the cylinder body, head, and nozzles are carbon steel, austenitic stainless steel, or Q345R; (3) The design pressure is less than or equal to 1.6 MPa; (≤1.6); (4) The volume is less than or equal to 1 m³; (≤1); (5) The product of the operating pressure and volume is less than or equal to 1 MPa·m³ ； (P·V≤1) (6) The medium is air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, inert gases, steam generated by the evaporation of medical distilled water, or a mixture of the aforementioned gases ； It allows the presence in the medium of components such as oil that are not sufficient to alter the properties of the medium, without affecting the compatibility between the medium and the materials; (7) The design temperature is greater than or equal to -20°C, and the maximum operating temperature is less than or equal to 150°C℃ ； (8) Welded pressure vessels not directly heated by flame (flat cover bolt connections are permitted when the inner diameter is 550 mm or less). Hazardous chemical packaging, fire extinguishers, and quick-opening pressure vessels are not included in the category of simple pressure vessels. Note A: Simple pressure vessels are generally produced in batches. When a small quantity is involved and batch production is not carried out, it shall be designed and manufactured in accordance with GB 150 (no type testing is required), and its use shall be managed in accordance with 7.1.11 of these regulations. 3. How to determine whether a gas storage tank is a simple pressure vessel: 1. The factory nameplate will indicate the words “simple” or “simple pressure vessel” ； 2. Design pressure ≤ 1.6 MPa, volume ≤ 1 m³, working pressure × volume ≤ 1 MPa·m³. Summary: 1. Common air storage tanks are pressure vessels, and they belong to the category of fixed-pressure vessels. 2. Air storage tanks are of two types: one is a simple pressure vessel, and the other is a pressure vessel (Category II, Category III); both fall under the category of special equipment. 3. The tank body of simple pressure vessels does not require regular inspection during its designed service life (20 years). After reaching this design life, inspection is necessary if the vessel is to continue to be used. Safety accessories require regular inspection; safety valves are inspected annually, and under certain conditions, the inspection interval can be extended to 3 or 5 years. The pressure gauge should be inspected every six months. 4. Pressure vessels need to be managed in accordance with the regulations for general special equipment and undergo regular inspections. 5. Simple pressure vessels do not require registration for use. Pressure vessels require registration for use; a \"Use Registration Certificate\" must be obtained either before they are put into use or within 30 days after that.