pv and psv inspection frequency

Pressure Vessel Inspection Frequency Table

a Reference: NYS Boiler Code

b Reference: NBIC NB-22 Part 2

Note 1: Low Pressure Boilers have safety valves set a pressures not exceding 15 psig.

Note 2: External ultrasonic inspections may be used to replace internal inspections for unfired pressure vessels not subject to internal corrosion, and must be used to supplement all other external inspections. A base line ultrasonic inspection must be performed or scheduled on all new vessels prior to placing in service.

Note 3: At the discretion of the inspector, the inspection interval may be extended where construction will permit, to provide for longer periods between inspections. Data used in assessing inspection intervals must be evaluated every 5 years, when a change of operation occurs or after discovery of new and/or altered damage mechanisms.

Inspection Exemptions

z Unfired pressure vessels that are used for transportation and storage of compressed gases when constructed and maintained in compliance with the specifications of the U.S. Department of

Management System: Worker Safety and Health

Subject Area: Pressure Safety

Pressure Vessel and Relief Valve Inspection Frequency Table Effective Date: Nov 06, 2008

Type of Vessel (Note 1)

Internal External (Note 2)

Low Pressure Steam Boilersa

3 years 2 years

Low Pressure Hot Water Boilersa

5 years 2 years

High Pressure Steam Boilersa

1 year 1 year (approximately 6 months after internal inspections)

High Pressure Hot Water Boilersa

3 years (annual if equipped with manholes and handholes)

1 year (approximately 6 months after internal inspections)

Unfired pressure vesselb (Note 3)

1/2 of the estimated remaining service life (10 years maximum)

1/4 of the estimated remaining service life or 5 years (lesser of)

Page 1 of 3Pressure Safety -- Pressure Vessel and Relief Valve Inspection Frequency Table

4/14/2010https://sbms.bnl.gov/sbmsearch/subjarea/171/171_exh2.cfm?ExhibitID=7147

Transportation (49 CFR Parts 171-179 and 49 CFR 173.34, "Qualification, Maintenance and Use of Cylinders").

z Boilers and unfired pressure vessels that are removed from service for indefinite periods of time; if the out-of-service period exceeds the normal inspection frequency, then an inspection is required before returning the vessel to service (see the section Operating and Maintaining a Pressure Vessel or System).

z Unfired pressure vessels that are operated at a pressure not exceeding 15 psig differential, in a nonpublic location.

z Hot water heaters of 120 gallons or less and a heat input of 200,000 Btu/h (58.6 kW) or less, and used at pressures of 150 psig or less and temperatures of 210F or less.

z Vessels located in high radiation areas with no staff access while the vessel is pressurized. z Pressure vessels that contain liquefied petroleum gases, when constructed in compliance with the

National Fire Code (NFPA 58). z Certain other vessels may be exempted from inspection with the approval of the third party

inspector (NBIC-23).

Pressure Relief Valve Inspection Frequency Table

a Reference: NYS Boiler Code

b Reference: NBIC NB-22 Part 2

Note 1: If required for personnel or equipment safety, pressure relief devices with either the ASME or National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (V or VR) stamp are to be used.

Note 2: Manual tests are the responsibility of the equipment owner. If a valve is found to be stuck during manual testing, it must be reported immediately to the ESH Coordinator and must be subjected to pressure testing. Stuck valves are a serious condition indicating problems that must be corrected before operation is continued. Pressure tests are performed by qualified inspectors or at qualified test facilities. Stamped valve repairs must be made by VR Qualified/Certified repair facilities.

Equipment (Note 1) Type of Test (Note 2) Inspection Interval (Note 3)

Power boilers (400 psig or less) and water/steam heating boilers

Manual 1 montha

Pressure 1 yearab

Power boilers (over 400 psig) Pressure 1 yeara

Pressure vessels and piping (steam service) Pressure 1 yearb

Pressure vessels and piping (air/dry gas service)

Pressure 3 yearsb

Pressure vessels and piping (propane, refrigerant service)

Pressure 5 yearsb

Pressure vessels and piping (services not listed)

Pressure Per inspection historyb

Pressure vessels and piping (pressure relief valves in combination with rupture disks)

Pressure 5 yearsb



Note 3: Inspection intervals must be shortened if inspections discover defective or damaged components. At the discretion of the inspector, the interval may be extended, dependant of service (i.e., inert gas vs. corrosive gas), using the considerations listed in section 2.5.8 (g) of NBIC NB-22 Part 2.

Legacy Systems

The Department Chair/Division Manager or designee establishes a program to test unstamped (ASME or NB) pressure relief devices (PRDs) as described in either section 9 of Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Standard S-1.3, Pressure Relief Device Standards Part 3, "Stationary Storage Containers for Compressed Gases":

z Reclosing Pressure Relief Valves - examine and test every 5 years unless the container is provided with a buckling pin device.

z Buckling pin devices - inspect annually for seal integrity, corrosion and freedom of piston movement (the device need not be actuated during inspections).

Pressure Regulators

When pressure regulators are required to protect lower pressure rated components from supply pressure, the Department Chair/Division Manager or designee a maintenance program to inspect and test pressure regulators per CGA E4 requirements. Regulators must be tested within the first six years of service and then retest them every five years (if no additional guidance is provided by the manufacturer).

z Test in accordance with the manufacturers procedure (Note: Test more frequently if regulator is subjected to caustic fluids or harsh [unprotected] environments.);

z Mark the regulators to identify the particular regulator, test date, and test organization.

The only official copy of this file is the one on-line in SBMS.

Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the most current version by checking the effective date.

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