| The inspection prior to commissioning and periodic inspections of compressed air receivers are subject to national law. Inspection prior to commissioning is described in § 9 of the German pressure receiver rules, § 10 covers periodic inspections.
Inspection prior to commissioning §9
(1) A compressed air receiver of Groups III, IV and VII may only be commissioned after an expert has carried out the initial inspection and certified that the receiver is in a serviceable condition.
(2) A compressed air receiver of Group I, if used for combustible, caustic or toxic gas, steam or liquid, or of Group II, may only be commissioned,
- if the maker has subjected the receiver to a pressure test and has issued a certificate that it is properly made and that it meets the appropriate requirements according to the result of the test, and
- after a proficient person has inspected the receiver and certified that it meets the requirements of the inspection.
(3) The initial inspection comprises preliminary inspection, structural inspection and pressure test. The final inspection comprises serviceability test, equipment inspection and installation inspection.
Periodic inspections § 10
(1) A compressed air receiver of Groups IV and VII must be inspected by an expert at the intervals specified in paragraph 4.
(2) A compressed air receiver of Group I, if used for combustible, caustic or toxic gas, steam or liquid, or of Groups II, III and IV is to be inspected periodically at intervals defined by the operator based on experience with the mode of operation and the medium.
(3) Periodic inspections consist of internal inspections and pressure tests. If the receiver is heated by fire, exhaust emission or electricity the periodic inspection must also include external inspections usually carried out on the tank while it is in operation. Internal inspections according to sentence 1 must be augmented or replaced by pressure tests or other suitable tests is the internal inspections can not be performed to the required extent. Pressure tests according to sentence 1 must be replaced by non-destructive tests if the pressure tests serve no useful purpose due to the construction or operating mode of the tank.
(4) Internal inspections must be carried out on compressed air tanks of Groups IV and VII every five years, pressure tests every 10 years, and external tests every 2 years. The authorities responsible may
- extend these periods if safety is guaranteed by other means,
- shorten them if this is necessary for the safety of staff and
(10) A compressed air receiver of Group IV or VII may only be used after expiry of the time for periodic inspections if the inspections have been carried out within the assigned period and if the expert has certified that according to the results of the inspection the receiver meets the appropriate requirements.
(11) If the expert finds that the compressed air receiver is not in a serviceable condition the authority responsible will pass decision upon application. |