What is the purpose of Directive 2014/29 on simple pressure vessels?
Directive 2014/29 applies to simple pressure vessels with the following characteristics
- Welded containers intended to be exposed to an internal overpressure of more than 0.5 bar and containing air or nitrogen, and which are not intended to be fired.
- The parts and assemblies that contribute to the strength of the pressure vessel are either made of unalloyed quality steel or of unalloyed aluminum or unalloyed aluminum alloys.
- A cylindrical part with a circular cross-section, which is completed by outwardly directed flat ends.
- The maximum operating pressure of the container is not more than 30 bar and the product from this pressure and the capacity of the container (PS * V) is not more than 10,000 bar. L.
- The minimum working temperature is not below - 50°C and the maximum working temperature is not above 300°C for steel and 100°C for aluminium or aluminium alloy containers.
Where should the directive on simple pressure vessels not apply?
This policy does not apply to:
- Containers specially designed for use in the nuclear sector, the failure of which can lead to the release of radioactivity.
- Ships specifically designed for installation in or for propulsion of ships and aircraft.
- Fire extinguisher.
Who is the authorised representative?
"authorised representative" means any natural or legal person established in the Union who has received a written authorisation from a manufacturer to perform certain tasks on its behalf.
What tasks should the authorised representatives perform?
An authorised representative shall perform at least the following tasks specified by the manufacturer
- Keep the EU declaration of conformity and the technical documentation for 10 years after placing the device on the market.
- At the request of the competent national authority, you shall provide all the necessary information and documentation to demonstrate the conformity of the device.
- cooperation with the competent national authorities in all measures taken to eliminate the risk posed by the instrument.
What obligations do manufacturers have under Directive 2014/29?
The following are some of the manufacturers' obligations under Directive 2014/29
- When placing on the market their containers where the product of PS * V exceeds 50 bar. L exceeds, the manufacturers ensure that they have been designed and manufactured according to the basic safety requirements and the recognized rules of technology.
- For containers where the product of PS * V is more than 50 bar. L, manufacturers shall prepare the technical documentation and carry out the corresponding conformity assessment procedure.
- If the conformity of a container where the product of PS * V exceeds 50 bar. L, manufacturers issue an EU declaration of conformity and affix the CE marking.
- Manufacturers shall keep the technical documentation and the EU declaration of conformity for ten years after placing the container on the market.
- Manufacturers shall ensure that conformity with this Directive is maintained during series production. Changes to the design of the container or its characteristics, as well as changes to the harmonised standards or other technical specifications referred to in the declaration of conformity of a container, shall be taken into account appropriately.
- Manufacturers shall ensure that the containers they place on the market bear a type and serial number or a batch designation enabling their identification.
- Manufacturers shall indicate on the container their name, registered trade name or registered trademark and their postal address at which they can be contacted.
- Manufacturers shall ensure that the instructions, labelling and safety information which are visible and understandable to end users are attached to the container.
What are the conformity assessment procedures?
The conformity assessment procedures are described below,
- Containers in which the product of PS * V is more than 50 bar.
- Evaluation of the technical design of the vessel thorough examination of the technical documentation.
- The records and correspondence relating to conformity assessment procedures shall be drawn up in a language that is easy for Member States to understand.
- If the product made of PS * V is not more than 3,000 bar.L but more than 200 bar.L, at the choice of the manufacturer to one of the following values:
- Conformity with the design is based on an internal production control and a monitored container inspection.
- Conformity with the model is based on an internal production control as well as on random, monitored container controls.
What kind of material should be used for pressurized parts of containers?
The materials used to manufacture the pressurised parts of the tanks must be:
- can be welded.
- Ductile and tough, so that breaking at minimum working temperature does not lead to brittle fracture.
- No impairment due to aging.
What are the requirements for steel containers under Directive 2014/29?
Unalloyed quality steels must meet the following requirements:
- They must be supplied after a normalization treatment or in an equivalent condition.
- The carbon content per product shall be less than 0,25 % and the sulphur and phosphorus content less than 0,05 % respectively.
- They must have the following mechanical properties per product:
- The maximum tensile strength Rm, max must be less than 580 N/mm2.
- The average bending energy KCV for three elongated test pieces at minimum operating temperature shall not be less than 35 J/cm2.
What are the requirements for the material for aluminum container?
The following requirements shall be met
- Unalloyed aluminium must have an aluminium content of at least 99,5 %.
- They are delivered in annealed condition.
- They must have the following mechanical properties per product:
- The maximum tensile strength Rm, max must not be more than 350 N/mm2.
- The elongation after the break must be: - A 16 % if the test piece is taken in parallel to the rolling direction, - A 14 % if the test piece is taken in perpendicular to the rolling direction.
How should a manufacturer design containers?
Manufacturers must consider the following when designing containers
- The minimum working temperature "T min", the maximum working temperature "T max" and the maximum working pressure PS.
- It must be possible to inspect the inside of the containers.
- It must be possible to empty the containers.
- The mechanical properties shall be maintained throughout the life of the vessel for the intended purpose.
- The containers must be sufficiently protected against corrosion, taking into account the prescribed use.
- The containers must not be exposed to loads that may impair their operational safety.
- The internal pressure must not exceed the maximum operating pressure PS permanently, but it may be exceeded by up to 10% for a short time.
Which elements should the technical documentation contain at least?
A technical document shall contain at least
- A general description of the vessel.
- Design and manufacturing drawings as well as plans of components, etc.
- Descriptions and explanations are required for the understanding of these drawings and plans as well as for the operation of the ship.
- A list of fully or partially applied harmonised standards whose references have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- Results of design calculations, tests carried out, etc.
- Inspection reports
- The instructions and safety instructions.
- A document describing the selected materials and welding processes.
What is the CE marking?
"CE marking" means a marking indicating to the manufacturer that the device complies with the applicable requirements of the Union harmonisation legislation which provides for its affixing.
How can a manufacturer obtain the CE mark?
When the entire development and manufacturing process is complete and the product is ready for the market, a conformity assessment of the pressure vessels and the corresponding technical documentation must be prepared, containing all information on the pressure vessels and their components and their intended use and ensuring that they comply with the Simple Pressure Vessel Directive 2014/29/EU and harmonised standards.
What are the basic steps to be able to apply the CE marking to the product? complies with harmonized standards.
The following steps must be followed to obtain the CE mark for a product,
- Identify the applicable policy.
- State the applicable requirements of the directive.
- Identify the right path to compliance.
- Evaluation of product conformity.
- Compilation of technical documentation.
- Make a declaration and attach the CE marking.
What are the advantages of CE marking?
If your product is CE marked, it can be freely placed on the market in all Member States, as the CE marking can be considered as a kind of passport on the European market. Secondly, CE-marked products provide a high level of health and safety protection as they meet the requirements of the relevant directives and harmonised standards.
What are the rules and conditions for applying the CE marking?
The following are the rules and conditions for affixing the CE marking,
- The CE marking shall be clearly visible, legible and permanently affixed to the container or its data label.
- The CE marking shall be affixed before the container is placed on the market.
- Behind the CE marking is the identification number of the notified body that was active at the production control stage.
- The CE marking and the identification number of the notified body may be followed by any other sign indicating a particular hazard or use.
- Member States shall build on existing mechanisms to ensure the proper application of the CE marking scheme and take appropriate measures in the event of misuse of that marking.
