Table of Contents
Scope of Directive 2014/29/EC for Simple Pressure Vessels
The directive applies to mass-produced simple pressure vessels with the following characteristics:
- Welded vessels for air or nitrogen (not intended to be fired)
- Designed for an internal gauge pressure greater than 0,5 bar
- Made of non-alloy quality steel or of non-alloy aluminium or non-age hardening aluminium alloys
- Consisting of:
- a cylindrical section with dished and/or flat ends, or
- two dished ends with the same axis of rotation
- Maximum operating pressure ≤ 30 bar
- PS × V ≤ 10,000 bar.l
- Temperature range:
- minimum –50 °C
- maximum 300 °C (steel) or 100 °C (aluminium or aluminium alloy)
Examples of products covered by Directive 2014/29/EC include:
- Air receivers / compressed air vessels
- Pressure vessels in compressors
- Storage tanks for compressed air or nitrogen
- Pressure vessels in pneumatic systems
What the Directive States Regarding Documentation
The Simple Pressure Vessels Directive states, among other things, the following about the manual:
Note: Always read the full directive to ensure complete understanding and to review all relevant
| Article 6(7) | Manufacturers shall ensure that the vessel is accompanied by the instructions and safety information referred to in point 2 of Annex III, in a language which can be easily understood by end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned. Such instructions and safety information, as well as any labelling, shall be clear, understandable and intelligible. |
| Article 8(4) | Importers shall ensure that the vessel is accompanied by the instructions and safety information referred to in point 2 of Annex III, in a language which can be easily understood by end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned. |
| Article 9(2) | Before making available on the market a vessel of which the product of PS × V exceeds 50 bar.L, distributors shall verify that the vessel bears the CE marking and the inscriptions provided for in point 1 of Annex III, that it is accompanied by the required documents and by instructions and safety information referred to in point 2 of Annex III in a language which can be easily understood by end-users in the Member State in which the vessel is to be made available on the market, and that the manufacturer and the importer have complied with the requirements set out in Article 6(5) and (6) and Article 8(3) respectively. Where a distributor considers or has reason to believe that a vessel of which the product of PS × V exceeds 50 bar.L is not in conformity with the essential safety requirements set out in Annex I, he shall not make the vessel available on the market until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the vessel presents a risk, the distributor shall inform the manufacturer or the importer to that effect as well as the market surveillance authorities.Before making available on the market a vessel of which the product of PS × V is 50 bar.L or less, distributors shall verify that the vessel bears the inscriptions provided for in point 1.2 of Annex III and is accompanied by the instructions and safety information referred to in point 2 of Annex III in a language which can be easily understood by end-users in the Member State in which the vessel is to be made available on the market, and that the manufacturer and the importer have complied with the requirements set out in Article 6(5) and (6) and Article 8(3) respectively. |
| ANNEX III | 1.2. Vessels or their data plates shall bear at least the following information: (a) the maximum working pressure (PS in bar); (b) the maximum working temperature (Tmax in °C); (c) the minimum working temperature (Tmin in °C); (d) the capacity of the vessel (V in L); (e) the name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the address of the manufacturer; (f) the type and serial or batch identification of the vessel. 2. Instructions and safety informationThe instructions shall contain the following information: a) the particulars given in point 1.2 except for the vessel’s serial or batch identification; b) the intended use of the vessel; c) the maintenance and installation requirements for vessel safety. |
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