Pressure equipment regulations - Storage and filling of liquefied petroleum gases

Pressure equipment is designed to contain fluids in an enclosure whose containment safety is ensured by the application of marketing and in-service monitoring rules.

In Europe, national requirements, derived from European directives, cover the conditions for marketing equipment containing liquids and gases. In-service monitoring regulations are national initiatives.

The field of pressure equipment is vast. It covers devices (and associated pressure and safety accessories) of all types, sizes and risks, such as :

• steam generators, from pressure cookers to boilers for thermoelectric power stations;

• containers, from mobile compressor air tanks to petrochemical industry reactors, and compressed or liquefied pressurized gas storage;

• piping, conveying a wide variety of fluids into the plant enclosure;

• transport pipelines.

Transportable pressure equipment (cylinders, road and rail tanks) is subject to specific regulations. They are not included in this analysis.

The objective, for an operator, a works manager or a third party, is to :

• be familiar with the regulations affecting the site's pressure equipment;

• list the equipment that is subject to it;

• know the requirements for commissioning new equipment ;

• be familiar with in-service inspection and maintenance requirements ;

• set up the organizations and procedures needed to comply with regulatory requirements and maintain pressure equipment in a safe condition.

The aim of this article is to provide a basis for a first approach to this objective.