Inspection and Verification of Pressure Equipment
Our inspections are carried out under the order AT 498/2024.
Contact the service centre
Phone: +45 6043 9431
e-mail: forcedktryk@forcetechnology.com
The following activities shall be carried out when a company applies for inspection of pressure equipment or devices:
- The applicant (company) sends application to FORCE Certification A/S
- FORCE Certification A/S prepare a test program
- Prefered date for inspection
Inspection of pressure equipment involves many different activities.
Get an overview of the process of inspection or verification:
Inspection of the Installation
The performance of the installation control is a multisided-operation, encompassing not only the pressure vessel itself, but also a check of the installation site, the pressure vessel armament with necessary fittings and pipelines.
Concerning the inspected pressure part itself, the installation control usually consists of checking the pressure vessel’s identity (name plate), inspection for any damage and a check of the existence of the required documents for its preparation, and the pressure vessel is duly stamped.
Installation control is made pursuant to the Order Chapter 4 and Annex 3 point 1 and WEA guides.
Periodic Inspection
The periodic inspection must show that the equipment / device is installed, designed, equipped, maintained and cared for by local regulations, so that the operation can be done without risk to workers and the environment. By devices it must also be determined whether the protection measures against exceeding the allowable limits are functioning properly.
Periodic maintenance is carried out according to the Order Chapter 5, Annex 3 paragraph 2.1 and WEA guides.
When servicing units checked further by Order § 11 paragraph. 3 and 4.
Periodic Visual Inspection
The periodic inspection shall show that the pressure equipment and / or device is in such a condition that its continued operation can be done without risk to workers and the environment.
Prior to an inspection the equipment shall be prepared for the inspection, including cleaning (if applicable), removal of harmful deposits, such as scaling, and possibly vents, so the inspection can be carried out safely.
Pressure vessels and boilers are visual inspected inside and outsite, unless there are other rules for the individual devices referred to in Annex 5.
The periodic visual inspection follows the Order AT 498/2024 Chapter 5, 6 and 7, Annex 3 2.2.
Pressure Testing
The purpose of the pressure test is to determine if leaks or significant permanent deformation emerge under or after the test. In addition, the object – to some extent – is to remove tensions.
The pressure test is usually performed with water or other harmless liquid. It is not allowed to pressure test with liquids which are toxic or corrosive, or if the flash point is less than or equal to 55 oC. Pressure testing of liquids with a temperature higher than 40 oC are not accepted, unless special precautions.
The test pressure must be at least 1.3 times the set pressure, but shall be stipulated by the original construction approval or construction Norm.
The test pressure must be maintained for such a long time that the structure can be examined in full, however, at least 10 minutes. At the test pressure of 100 bar, the pressure is lowered to the set pressure before the visual inspection is carried out.
The periodic pressure test is carried out in accordance with Executive Order Chapters 5, 6 and 7, Annex 3 point 2.3 and WEA guidelines, where available.
Lifetime Examinations
Equipment designed with a limited lifetime due to fatigue stresses or creep stresses shall -at the latest- when half its lifetime is assessed determine a program of lifetime examination. The program will determine the nature, extent and timing of studies/tests necessary for continued safe operation and shall be submitted together with appropriate documentation to FORCE Certification for assessment.
The program shall be prepared and evaluated according to the Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA) Executive Order (AT 498/2024) Section 5, Annex 3, section 3.1 and Annex 4 point 4 .
Operational Capability
Equipment which related to an inspection or pressure test or an otherwise identified non-conformity shall be examined according to guidelines approved by the WEA in order to be kept in service (restricictions might be issued). The examination shall include a detailed risk analysis. The assessment is made by the owner / user and shall include a conclusion stating that an continued service of the equipment can be done in a safe and fully responsible manner.
This report, along with other relevant documentation shall be forwarded to FORCE Certification A/S for decision of possibility of the equipment’s continued service.
The examination shall be communicated to the user, and a decision of continued service shall include requirements stating the following:
- the allowed operational period of the equipment
- what specific tests to be performed
- when the special studies/tests shall to be carried out
- any restrictions in service or operation (pressure, temperature, individual access, etc.)
Steam boiler plant without constant monitoring
Assessment whether a steam boiler plants can be without the supervision of a boiler attendant in a given period, shall be based on the necessary information and tests on the steam boiler plant.
It is checked that in the steam boiler plant has a safety and control equipment installed, which is in accordance with the relevant harmonized standards and / or WEA specified guidelines. All necessary information shall be available to the inspection body – FORCE Certification A/S – to assess compliance.
Verification of the special safety and control equipment is performed with the steam boiler in operation.
A certificate of conformity is issued for the tests carried out containing unambiguous and clear information on the steam boiler and the special safety and control equipment.
If it is decided that the operation of the steam boiler system can be done in a safe and fully responsible manner, the user is notified with following information:
- The time period the steam boiler can be operated without constant supervision of a boiler suit (maximum 72 hours)
- the frequency of the overhauls of the special safety and control equipment must be carried out,
- that any change in the special safety and control equipment requires reassessment and,
- the certificate of conformity must be inserted in the equipment log.
Corporate own-control
After the Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA) Executive Order (AT 498/2024) § 16, the periodic inspection of pressure vessels, boilers, piping and assemblies of control class A and B, also can be performed by companies as self-control in accordance with the Executive Orders Annex 6.
FORCE Certification A/S is accredited by DANAK as a certification body to certify the companys quality system designed to own-control.
The certification is carried out by our department for Quality Management Systems..
For your information, the company’s quality system shall fulfill the requirements listed in AT 498/2024, Annex 6 at a level corresponding to the relevant requirements specified in ISO 9001. The parts of the company, which determine the performance of the periodic test in accordance with its requirements shall be subject to the quality system.
If the manufacturer’s system of periodic inspection has already been ISO 9001 certified by an accredited certification body, FORCE Certification A/S will take into account the available existing audit reports when planning the scope of its audit. The documentation for the reduced audit scope shall be stored at FORCE Certification A/S.
Application form for pressure equipment
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