Announcement No. 41, 2021 of the State Administration for Market Regulation regarding matters related to administrative licensing for special equipment

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Announcement by the State Administration for Market Regulation regarding matters related to administrative licensing for special equipment. To thoroughly implement the requirements of the State Council’s reform on “delegating power, improving regulation, and optimizing services” and to strengthen the safety supervision of special equipment, the State Administration for Market Regulation has, after soliciting extensive opinions, revised and adjusted the “Catalogue of Licenses for Special Equipment Manufacturing Entities”, “Classification and Items for Qualification Certification of Personnel Operating Special Equipment”, and “Items for Qualification Certification of Personnel Engaged in Inspection and Testing of Special Equipment” as stipulated in the “Announcement by the State Administration for Market Regulation regarding matters related to administrative licensing for special equipment” (No. 3, 2019). Additionally, a new document titled “Items for Approval of Inspection and Testing Institutions for Special Equipment” has been formulated. All these documents are hereby announced. The above catalog and items shall come into effect as of June 1, 2022; Announcement No. 3 of 2019 issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation shall be repealed simultaneously. Attachments:
1. Catalogue of permits for special equipment manufacturing units
2. Classification and items regarding the qualification certification of special equipment operators
3. Items regarding the qualification certification of special equipment inspection and testing personnel
4. Items subject to approval for special equipment inspection and testing institutions

State Administration for Market Regulation
November 30, 2021

Attachment 1: Catalogue of permits for special equipment manufacturing units

| Permit category | Items | Sub-items implemented by the State Administration | Sub-items implemented by provincial market regulation authorities upon authorization from the State Administration or by such authorities themselves | Remarks |
|-----------------|-------|---------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| Design | Unit permit | Design of pressure vessels<br>Analytical design of pressure vessels (SAD) | 1. Rule-based design of stationary pressure vessels<br>2. Rule-based design of mobile pressure vessels | 1. Pressure vessel manufacturing units may design pressure vessels intended for their own production without obtaining a separate design permit (including analytical design). The actual scope of design work must be specified in the manufacturing permit. | Pressure vessel manufacturing units without design capabilities shall subcontract the design to a design unit holding the corresponding design license. 2. Entities applying for a analysis and design permit must first obtain a rule design permit. Pressure pipeline design: None. 1. Long-distance pipelines (GA1, GA2); 2. Utility pipelines (GB1, GB2); 3. Industrial pipelines (GC1, GC2, GCD). The permissible parameter levels are specified in Note 1. Manufacturing Unit License: Boiler manufacturing (including installation (except for packaged boilers), repair, and modification). Boilers (A; no restrictions on specific product types). 1. Boilers (A; limited to Class A boiler components, hot water boilers, waste heat boilers, oilfield steam injection boilers, coil boilers, electric heating boilers, etc.). 2. Boilers (B). The permitted parameter levels are specified in Note 2. Pressure vessel manufacturing (including installation, repair, and modification):
1. Stationary pressure vessels
(1) Large high-pressure vessels (A1)
(2) Ultra-high-pressure vessels (A6)
2. Mobile pressure vessels: Railway tank cars (C1)
3. Hyperbaric chambers (A5)
4. Gas cylinders: Special gas cylinders (fiber-wrapped gas cylinders (B3))

1. Stationary pressure vessels
(1) Other high-pressure vessels (A2)
(2) Spherical tanks (A3)
(3) Non-metallic pressure vessels (A4)
(4) Medium- and low-pressure vessels (D)
2. Mobile pressure vessels
(1) Road tankers and tank containers (C2)
(2) Tube trailers and tube bundle containers (C3)
3. Gas cylinders
(1) Seamless gas cylinders (B1)
(2) Welded gas cylinders (B2)
(3) Special gas cylinders (cryogenic insulated gas cylinders (B4), gas cylinders with internal packing material (B5))

1. The pressure classification method for stationary pressure vessels shall be implemented in accordance with the “Safety Technical Inspection Regulations for Stationary Pressure Vessels”. 2. Large high-pressure vessels refer to high-pressure vessels with an inner diameter greater than or equal to 2 meters. 3. Ultra-large pressure vessels refer to those whose excessive diameter prevents them from being transported as a whole by road or rail. Units engaged in the on-site manufacturing of extra-large non-spherical medium- and low-pressure pressure vessels must obtain a pressure vessel manufacturing license at the appropriate level (the license certificate should indicate that it covers the on-site manufacturing of extra-large non-spherical medium- and low-pressure pressure vessels). Manufacturing units holding an A3-level pressure vessel manufacturing license are permitted to carry out such on-site manufacturing activities. 4. Special gas cylinders include fiber-wound gas cylinders (B3), cryogenic insulated gas cylinders (B4), and gas cylinders with internal fillers (B5). 5. Coverage relationship: Level A1 covers A2 and D; levels A2, C1, and C2 cover level D. 6. Entities holding a Class A5 pressure vessel manufacturing license may manufacture medium- and low-pressure pressure vessels that are compatible with their products. Manufacturing: Units permitted to manufacture safety accessories; manufacturing of rupture disc devices. 1. Safety valves (A, B) 2. Emergency shut-off valves (A, B) 3. Valves for gas cylinders (excluding valves for vehicle use). 1. The permissible parameter levels for safety valves and emergency shut-off valves are specified in Note 3. 2. Other gas cylinder valves only need to pass type testing. Pressure pipeline component manufacturing: None. 1. Pressure pipeline pipes (A, B); 2. Pressure pipeline valves (A1, A2, B); 3. Pressure pipeline fittings (seamless fittings (B1, B2), welded fittings (B1, B2), forged fittings, polyethylene fittings); 4. Pressure pipeline flanges (steel forged flanges); 5. Compensators (metal bellows expansion joints (B1, B2)); 6. Component assembly units. 1. For the same type of products, Grade A covers Grade B. 2. The permitted parameter levels for pressure pipeline components are given in Note 3. 3. Pressure pipeline components that only need to undergo type testing are described in Note 4. Manufacture of special equipment abroad: A manufacturing license system is in place for pressure-bearing special equipment manufactured overseas: 1. Boilers 2. Pressure vessels 3. Gas cylinders 4. Safety accessories (safety valves, burst disc devices, emergency shut-off valves, gas cylinder valves) 5. Components for pressure pipelines (pipes for pressure pipelines, valves for pressure pipelines). None. 1. The parameters and type-test requirements for licensing the manufacture of pressure-bearing special equipment overseas are the same as those in domestic settings. 2. Imported special mechanical and electrical equipment from abroad (elevators, lifting machinery, passenger cableways, large-scale amusement facilities, and specialized motor vehicles for use within sites or factories), as well as their components, must undergo type testing before being put into use. Elevator manufacturing (including installation, repair, and retrofitting). Traction-driven passenger elevators (including fireman elevators) (A1). 1. Traction-driven passenger elevators (including fireman elevators) (A2, B). 2. Traction-driven freight elevators and force-driven freight elevators (including freight elevators used in explosion-proof elevators). 3. Escalators and moving walkways. 4. Hydraulically driven elevators. 5. Service elevators (including service elevators used in explosion-proof elevators). The permissible parameter levels are specified in Note 5. Manufacturing of lifting machinery (including installation, repair, and modification): Bridge cranes and gantry cranes (A) 1. Bridge cranes and gantry cranes (B) 2. Mobile cranes (A, B) 3. Gantry cranes with foundations (A, B) 4. Mechanical parking equipment 5. Tower cranes and elevators 6. Cable cranes 7. Mast cranes. The permitted parameter levels are indicated in Note 6. Manufacturing units – Licensing for the manufacture of passenger cableways (including installation, repair, and modification): 1. Passenger aerial cableways (cableways with detachable grips, double-track reciprocating cableways, single-track cableways with fixed grips); 2. Passenger cable cars; 3. Passenger towed cableways. None. Manufacturing of specialized motor vehicles for use on sites/industrial premises (including repair and modification): None. 1. Industrial motor vehicles (forklifts); 2. Non-road vehicles for tourism and sightseeing (sightseeing cars, sightseeing trains). Sightseeing cars: rated capacity (including the driver) of 6–23 passengers, with a maximum operating speed of ≤30 km/h; sightseeing trains: rated capacity (including the driver and safety officer) of ≤72 passengers, with a maximum operating speed of ≤20 km/h. Manufacture of large amusement rides (including installation, repair, and modification): None. 1. Sliding and rotating types (including ride vehicles and non-powered types) (A, B); 2. Ride vehicles and non-powered types; 3. Water-based amusement rides. The license parameter levels are specified in Note 7. Installation, renovation, and repair. Unit licensing for the installation, repair, and renovation of pressure-bearing special equipment. Installation of long-distance pipelines (including repair and renovation) (GA1). 1. Boiler installation (including repair and renovation) (A, B). 2. Installation of long-distance pipelines (including repair and renovation) (GA2). 3. Installation of utility pipelines (GB1, GB2). 4. Installation of industrial pipelines (GC1, GC2, GCD). 1. For the parameter levels related to boiler installation licensing, please refer to Note 2. 2. The parameter levels for the installation permit of pressure pipelines are shown in Note 1. 3. The installation of stationary pressure vessels does not require a separate permit; the installation of various types of vehicle gas cylinders also does not require a permit. 4. The qualification requirements for production units that can engage in the installation of pressure vessels and pressure pipelines are specified in Note 8. 5. The modification and major repair of pressure vessels shall be carried out by units that hold the corresponding manufacturing license, and no separate license is required ； Pressure vessel manufacturing units at Level A2 may repair and modify large high-pressure vessels at Level A1. 6. The renovation and major repairs of utility pipelines and industrial pipelines shall be carried out by units holding the corresponding level of installation permits; no separate permits are issued for such work. Elevator installation (including repair): None. 1. Traction-driven passenger elevators (including firefighter elevators) (A1, A2, B). 2. Traction-driven freight elevators and forced-drive freight elevators (including freight elevators in explosion-proof elevators). 3. Escalators and moving walkways. 4. Hydraulically driven elevators. 5. Service elevators (including service elevators in explosion-proof elevators). The permitted parameter levels are specified in Note 5. Installation of lifting machinery (including repair) None 1. Bridge and gantry cranes (A, B) 2. Mobile cranes (A, B) 3. Gantry cranes (A, B) 4. Mechanical parking equipment 5. Tower cranes and elevators 6. Cable cranes 7. Mast cranes. The license parameter levels are specified in Note 6. Installation of passenger cableways (including repairs): None. 1. Passenger aerial cableways (cableways with detachable grips, double-track reciprocating cableways, single-track cableways with fixed grips). 2. Passenger cable cars. 3. Passenger tow rope cableways. Installation of large-scale amusement facilities (including repairs): None. 1. Sliding and rotating types (including amusement vehicles and non-powered devices) (A, B). 2. Amusement vehicles and non-powered devices. 3. Water-based amusement facilities. The permitted parameter levels are indicated in Note 7. Repair of specialized motor vehicles used on site (factory premises): None. 1. Industrial motor vehicles (forklifts). 2. Non-road tourist vehicles (tour buses, sightseeing trains). Tour buses: rated passenger capacity (including the driver) of 6–23 people, with a maximum speed of ≤30 km/h; sightseeing trains: rated passenger capacity (including the driver and safety officer) of ≤72 people, with a maximum speed of ≤20 km/h. Filling – Unit licensing: Filling of mobile pressure vessels and gas cylinders. None. All. Note 1: Parameters and levels for licensing in the design and installation of pressure pipelines. Licensing level, scope of licensing, remarks. GA1: Long-distance oil and gas transmission pipelines with a design pressure greater than 4.0 MPa (gauge pressure; same below). The GA1 level encompasses the GA2 level. GA2: Other long-distance pipelines excluding those under GA1. — GB1: Gas pipelines. — GB2: Thermal pipelines. — GC1: 1. Process pipelines used for transporting substances classified as acute toxicity category 1 or category 2 gases according to the “Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals”, as well as liquid substances of acute toxicity category 2 whose operating temperature exceeds their standard boiling point ； 2. Process pipelines that transport flammable gases classified as Class A or B, or flammable liquids classified as Class A (including liquefied hydrocarbons), as specified in GB 50160 “Code for Fire Protection Design of Petrochemical Enterprises” and GB 50016 “Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings”, and whose design pressure is greater than or equal to 4.0 MPa ； 3. Process pipelines that transport fluid media, with a design pressure of 10.0 MPa or more, or a design pressure of 4.0 MPa or more along with a design temperature of 400°C or higher. Grade GC1 and Grade GCD cover Grade GC2. GC2: 1. Process pipelines other than those of Grade GC1; 2. Refrigeration pipelines – GCD. Power pipelines – Note 2: License parameter grades for boiler manufacturing and installation. License parameter grade, License scope (Note), Remarks: A. Steam and hot water boilers with a rated outlet pressure greater than 2.5 MPa. Grade A covers Grade B. B Steam and hot water boilers with a rated outlet pressure of 2.5 MPa or less ； Organic heat carrier boiler. Note: 1. The scope of the manufacturing license for Class A boilers also includes boiler drums, header tanks, serpentine tubes, membrane walls, pipes and pipe fittings within the boiler area, as well as finned economizers. The manufacturing of other Class A pressure-bearing components is covered by the aforementioned manufacturing license, and no separate license is required. 2. The pressure-bearing components of boilers within the scope of Class B licensing are manufactured by units holding a boiler manufacturing license, and no separate licensing is required. 3. Boiler manufacturers may install the boilers they produce (except bulk boilers). 4. Boiler modifications and repairs shall be carried out by units with the corresponding boiler installation qualifications or units with the corresponding boiler manufacturing qualifications, and no separate licensing is required. 5. The pipelines within the boiler area can be designed by the boiler manufacturer, or by a unit that holds a design license for pressure pipelines of the GCD class ； The fitting and component assemblies used in the pipes within the boiler area (temperature and pressure reduction devices, flow meters (housings), prefabricated pipe sections) are manufactured by boiler manufacturers of the appropriate class or by units that hold permits for manufacturing pressure pipeline components ； Pressure pipeline components such as pipes, valves, and compensators used in the pipelines within the boiler area are manufactured by units that hold the appropriate manufacturing permits for such components. Note 3: Parameters for licensing the manufacture of safety valves, emergency shut-off valves, and pressure pipeline components. Equipment category (type): Licensing parameter level (for the same type, except for emergency shut-off valves, Level A covers Level B). Level A Level B Safety valves: 1. Safety valves with a nominal pressure of 10 MPa or higher and a nominal diameter of 100 mm or higher ； 2. Safety valves with a nominal pressure of 4.0 MPa or higher and a design temperature of -101°C or lower; other safety valves; emergency shut-off valves; emergency shut-off valves used on mobile pressure vessels; other emergency shut-off valves. Pressure pipeline pipes (seamless steel pipes, welded steel pipes, pipes made of non-metallic materials): 1. Seamless steel pipes with a nominal diameter of 150 mm or larger and a nominal pressure of 10 MPa or higher, used in pressure pipelines; 2. Welded steel pipes with a nominal diameter of 800 mm or larger, used for transporting petroleum and natural gas; 3. Polyethylene pipes with a nominal diameter of 450 mm or larger, used for transporting gas. Other seamless steel pipes, welded steel pipes, and polyethylene pipes other than those of grade A ； Other non-metallic material pipes in non-metallic material pipes. Valves for pressure pipelines (metal valves)
A1: Metal valves with a nominal pressure greater than or equal to 10 MPa and a nominal diameter greater than or equal to 300 mm.
A2: Metal valves with a nominal pressure greater than 4.0 MPa and a design temperature less than or equal to -101°C. Other metal valves with a nominal pressure greater than 4.0 MPa and a nominal diameter greater than or equal to 50 mm. Pressure pipeline fittings (seamless fittings, welded fittings, forged fittings, polyethylene fittings). Forged fittings and polyethylene fittings are not classified. – B1: Seamless fittings with a nominal diameter of 300 mm or more and a minimum standard tensile strength of 540 MPa, as well as welded fittings with a minimum standard tensile strength of 540 MPa ； B2: Other seamless pipe fittings, welded pipe fittings. Compensator (metal bellows expansion joint) — B1: Metal bellows expansion joints with a nominal pressure of 4.0 MPa or higher and a nominal diameter of 500 mm or higher ； B2: Other metal bellows expansion joints. Flanges (steel forged flanges): Steel forged flanges, ungraded; component assemblies that require a manufacturing license. Factory-prepared pipe sections used in gas pressure regulating devices, temperature and pressure reducing devices, flow meters (housings), as well as in pipes within boilers and in long-distance oil and gas pipelines. Note: 1. A component assembly device refers to a device that is formed by combining pressure pipeline components such as pipes, pipe fittings, valves, flanges, compensators, and sealing elements (through welding, flange connection, etc.) to achieve a certain function. This includes wellhead devices and production trees, throttling and well control manifolds, gas pressure regulating devices, temperature and pressure reducing devices, flame arresters, flow meters (housings), and prefabricated pipe sections manufactured in factories. Component assembly devices that do not require a manufacturing license still need to undergo manufacturing supervision inspections or type tests. 2. Factory-prepared pipe sections refer to pipe component products that are welded and assembled into a complete unit by manufacturers in factories based on the construction design drawings, before being shipped out; these include manifolds, filters, separators, condensate (gas) tanks, dirt removers, mixers, buffers, ball receiving and sending cylinders, dip pipes, etc., but do not include pipe prefabrication carried out at the construction site. Note 4: Pressure pipeline components that only require type testing
Equipment category | Equipment types (products) that require type testing
Pressure pipeline pipes | Seamless steel pipes (heat-expanded), non-ferrous metal pipes, ductile iron pipes, composite pipes
Pressure pipeline fittings | Composite fittings, non-metallic fittings (excluding polyethylene fittings)
Pressure pipeline valves | Metal valves (nominal pressure ≤ 4.0 MPa), non-metallic valves, compensators, rotary compensators, non-metallic expansion joints
Pressure pipeline sealing elements | Metal sealing elements, non-metallic sealing elements
Special pressure pipeline elements | Anti-corrosion pipeline elements, special pressure pipeline elements (component assemblies), wellhead devices and Christmas trees, throttle and kill manifolds, flame arresters

Note 5: Elevator permission parameter levels
Equipment category | Permission parameter level | Remarks
A1 | A2 | B
Traction-driven passenger elevators (including fire elevator) | Nominal speed > 6.0 m/s, 2.5 m/s < nominal speed ≤ 6.0 m/s, Nominal speed ≤ 2.5 m/s
Level A1 covers levels A2 and B, while level A2 covers level B. Traction-driven freight elevators and forced-drive freight elevators (including freight elevators in explosion-proof elevators) are not classified. Escalators and moving walkways are not classified either. Hydraulic-driven elevators are not classified. Service elevators (including service elevators in explosion-proof elevators) are not classified. Note 6: License parameter levels for lifting machinery – Equipment category, License parameter level, Remarks: A, B. Bridge cranes and gantry cranes: over 200t, 200t and below (Note): Level A covers Level B; quay cranes and loading/unloading bridges fall under Level A licensing. Mobile cranes: Over 100t, 100t and below (Note): Grade A covers Grade B. Gantry cranes: Over 40t, 40t and below (Note): Grade A covers Grade B. Mechanical parking equipment: No grading. Tower cranes, elevators, Cable cranes, Boom cranes. Note: “t” refers to the rated lifting capacity in tons. Note 7: License parameter grades for large amusement facilities. Equipment category, License parameter grade, Remarks: A, B. Sliding and rotating types (including ride vehicles and non-powered types): 1. Sliding vehicles: Operating speed ≥ 50 km/h, or track height ≥ 10 m. 2. Aerial ride vehicles: Track height ≥ 10 m, or capacity per vehicle (train) ≥ 40 people. 3. Slide types: Length ≥ 800 m. 4. Observation vehicles: Height ≥ 50 m, or capacity per cabin ≥ 38 people. 5. Gyro type: Tilt angle ≥ 70°, or rotation diameter ≥ 12 m. 6. Flying tower type: Operating height ≥ 30 m, or capacity ≥ 40 people. 7. Carousel type: Rotation diameter ≥ 14 m, or capacity ≥ 90 people. 8. Autonomous flight vehicles: Rotation diameter ≥ 14 m, or capacity ≥ 40 people. Other sliding and rotating type large amusement facilities other than those in Grade A. Grade A covers Grade B; permits for gliding and rotating rides can cover permits for ride vehicles and non-powered large amusement rides. Amusement vehicles, as well as powerless racing cars, toy trains, bumper cars, and powerless large-scale amusement facilities, are not classified. Water amusement facilities – No classification required. Note 8: Regulations regarding the qualifications of production units that can engage in the installation of pressure vessels and pressure pipelines. Licenses held: License to install pressure vessels; License to install pressure pipelines; License to install boilers. It is possible to install pressure vessels (except oxygen chambers), without any restrictions based on grade. It is also possible to install pressure pipelines that are directly connected to the installed boilers. Pressure vessel manufacturing license: Allows for the installation of pressure vessels within the scope specified by the corresponding manufacturing license grade. It is also possible to install pressure pipelines that are directly connected to the installed pressure vessels. Pressure pipeline installation license: Allows for the installation of pressure vessels (except oxygen chambers), without any restrictions based on grade. It is possible to install pressure pipelines within the scope covered by the license. Appendix 2: Classification and items for qualification assessment of special equipment operators. Sequence number, Type, Operation item, Item code: 1. Special equipment safety management – Special equipment safety management A. 2. Boiler operations – Industrial boiler operators G1; Power plant boiler operators (Note 1) G2; Boiler water treatment G3. 3. Pressure vessel operations – Operation of quick-opening pressure vessels R1; Filling of mobile pressure vessels R2; Maintenance of oxygen chambers R3. 4. Gas cylinder operations – Filling of gas cylinders P. 5. Elevator operations – Elevator repair (Note 2) T. 6. Crane operations – Crane operators Q1; Crane drivers (Note 3) Q2. 7. Passenger cable car operations – Repair of passenger cable cars S1; Passenger cable car drivers S2. 8. Large-scale amusement facility operations – Repair of large-scale amusement facilities Y1; Operation of large-scale amusement facilities Y2. 9. Operations of specialized motor vehicles in factories/industries – Forklift drivers N1; Drivers of sightseeing vehicles and trains N2. 10. Maintenance of safety accessories – Calibration of safety valves F. 11. Welding operations on special equipment – Metal welding operations (Note 4); Non-metal welding operations. Note: 1. The scope of qualification assessment applies to power plant boiler operators with capacities of 300MW or less (excluding 300MW). For power plant boiler operators with capacities of 300MW or more, skill training is carried out by the employing unit in accordance with industry standards in the power sector. 2. Elevator repair tasks include repair and maintenance work. 3. Restrictions can be imposed based on the application requirements of the applicants; specifically, the restricted categories are bridge crane operators, gantry crane operators, tower crane operators, portal crane operators, cable crane operators, mobile crane operators, and elevator operators. Such as “Crane Operator (limited to bridge cranes”), etc. 4. The codes for welders of special equipment shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the \"Rules for Assessing Welders of Special Equipment\". Appendix 3: Qualification Assessment Items for Inspectors and Testers of Special Equipment
License Category | Item | Sub-items Implemented by the General Administration | Sub-items Authorized by the General Administration to be Implemented by Provincial Market Regulation Departments | Remarks
Qualification assessment for inspectors and testers of special equipment | Qualification assessment for special equipment inspectors | Senior Inspector | Inspector | Inspector (limited to those responsible for boiler efficiency testing, boiler water (medium) quality inspection, inspection of large-scale amusement facilities, and passenger cableways) | Inspector (excluding those responsible for boiler efficiency testing, boiler water (medium) quality inspection, inspection of large-scale amusement facilities, and passenger cableways)
Qualification assessment for non-destructive testing personnel of special equipment | Level III | Level II (excluding RT, UT, MT, PT) | Level II (limited to RT, UT, MT, PT) | Level I

Appendix 4: Approval Items for Inspection and Testing Institutions of Special Equipment
License Category | Item | Sub-items Implemented by the General Administration | Sub-items Authorized by the General Administration to be Implemented by Provincial Market Regulation Departments | Remarks
Approval of inspection and testing institutions for special equipment | Approval of special equipment inspection institutions | Class A Inspection Institution, Level A1 | Class A Inspection Institution, Level A2 | Class A Inspection Institution, Level B1 (limited to those established in provincial-level cities and sub-provincial cities) | Class A Inspection Institution, Level B1 (excluding those approved by the State Administration for Market Regulation) | Class A Inspection Institution, Level B2 | Class B Inspection Institution | Class C Inspection Institution
Approval of special equipment testing institutions | None | Special equipment testing institutions (for non-destructive testing, elevator testing, and safety valve calibration)