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Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)

Regulations

Pressure Equipment Regulations, 2009

11. Inspection and test

 

(1) Subject to the requirements of the relevant health and safety standard incorporated into these Regulations under section 44 of the Act, the user shall cause—
(a) steam generators or pressure vessels, including pressure and safety accessories, after they are installed or reinstalled and before they are commissioned, to be subjected to a witnessed internal and external inspection of a hydraulic pressure test to 1,25 times the design pressure by an approved inspection authority: Provided that Category I equipment as categorized in terms of SANS 347 may be inspected, tested and witnessed by the user: Provided further that the user may, subject to the written approval of an approved inspection authority, dispense with the internal inspection and hydraulic pressure test where it could have an adverse effect on the operation or integrity of the pressure equipment;
(b) piping to be inspected and tested by the manufacturer after manufacture, installation, modification or repair and before commissioning in accordance with the relevant health and safety standard incorporated into these Regulations under section 44 of the Act, and, where applicable, to be witnessed by an approved inspection authority: Provided that Category I equipment as categorized in terms of SANS 347 may be inspected, tested and witnessed by the user;
(c) every fire-tube steam generator to be subjected to an external inspection every 12 months and a witnessed hydraulic test and crack detection of critical welds every 36 months, by an approved inspection authority for in-service inspection appointed by the user in writing;
(d) every pressure vessel and steam generator, excluding those referred to in subregulation (3), to be subjected to an internal and external inspection and a hydraulic test to a pressure of 1,25 times the design pressure by an approved inspection authority for in-service inspection appointed by the user in writing, at intervals not exceeding 36 months: Provided that Category I equipment as categorized in terms of SANS 347 may be inspected and tested by the user: Provided further that where the pressure equipment is not subject to deterioration processes, the user may dispense with the internal inspection and hydraulic pressure test, subject to a maximum period of nine years for that pressure vessel or steam generator and written approval by an approved inspection authority: Provided further that the chief inspector may require a specific steam generator or pressure vessel to be inspected or tested more frequently; and
(e) all piping and pipelines to be inspected and tested in accordance with the relevant in-service health and safety standard: Provided that where the health and safety standard does not prescribe in-service inspections and test intervals, such intervals shall be determined by a risk-based inspection applying sound engineering practice: Provided further that such inspection and test for Category II equipment and higher as categorized in terms of SANS 347 shall be performed by a competent person referred to in regulation 1 of the General Machinery Regulations, 1988.

 

(2) Where it is impracticable to use a liquid for the hydraulic pressure test referred to in subregulation (1)(d) or (e), the test may, subject to the prior written approval of an approved inspection authority, be carried out with an inert gas to a pressure of 1,1 times the design pressure: Provided that, where reasonably practicable, the test shall be preceded by an internal inspection and any conditions and precautionary measures determined by the user and approved by the approved inspection authority.

 

(3) Where an inspection or test carried out in terms of subregulation (1)(c), (d) and (e) reveals any weakness or defect whereby the safety of persons may be endangered, the weakness or defect shall be reported forthwith to the user by the person carrying out the inspection or test and the user shall forthwith cease the use of the pressure equipment until such weakness or defect has been rectified to the satisfaction of the person who carried out the inspection and the approved inspection authority concerned in cases of modifications or repairs, as the case may be, or the steam generator, pressure vessel or storage vessel has been re-rated to the satisfaction of the approved inspection authority.