UNFIRED

PRESSURE VESSELS
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & OPTOMETRY SAFETY

Belina, Estela Monnette

Dengay, Johndi Amor
Salvacion, Bianca Theresa
Zabala, Ana Patricia
DEFINITIONS
“Unfired Pressure Vessels”

shall mean any closed vessel other thana. boiler constructed to hold steam,
hot water, gas or air, ordinarily supplied from an external source or from the
indirect application of heat. This definition shall not include portable
cylinders for the storage of compressed gases.

“Steam Heated Pressure Vessels”

shall mean an airtight vessel or an open pan or kettle, which is steam

jacketed or equipped with steam coil or steam supply piping and is used in
such operations as cooking, distilling, drying, evaporating and hardening.
Unfired Pressure Vessels Steam Heated Pressure
Vessels
DEFINITIONS
“Air pressure tank”
shall mean a pressure vessel used as primary and secondary tank in
connection with ordinary compression cycles, and receiving its air supply
direct from the compressor.

“Water pressure tank”

shall mean a pressure vessel used for heating water by means of live steam
or steam coil, or for the storage of cold water to be dispersed by means of
pressure.

“Refrigeration tank”
shall mean a pressure vessel used in refrigeration system, excluding the
piping of such system
Water Pressure Tank Air Pressure Tank Refrigeration Tank
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Application of this provision is provided under Rule 1162. The term pressure
vessel shall be used in in lieu if boiler and the same is referred as “unfired
pressure vessel” in the application & usage of this rule.

CONSTRUCTION
Pressure vessels construction procedural process, material, fittings and
attachments shall be in accordance with the standards requirements
provided under Rule 1162.01.

Pressure vessels shall be designed for their intended use and suitably to local
condition.

Every pressure vessel shall be accompanied by a certificate issued by the

Manufacturer showing the technical specifications to which the vessel has
been constructed.
INSTALLATION
Pressure vessels shall be installed in a way that all parts are readily accessible
for inspection.

FACTOR OF SAFETY
The permissible working pressure vessel shall be
reduced to maintain a factor of safety of not less than
five or such other factor as may have been specified
when an inspection of the pressure vessel shows signs
of deterioration unless suitable repairs are done. It
shall be reduced or de-rated in accordance to the
provisions of its design code based on the remaining
thickness as determined by conducting thickness-
gauging measurement.
ACCESS & INSPECTION OPENINGS
Except for those types of pressure vessels where such inspection openings
are impracticable, pressure vessels shall be provided with:
a. suitable manhole, hand hole or other openings for inspection,
examination and cleaning or
b. removable heads or cover plates of a size not less than the
required area of the openings and located to provide adequate view of
its interior.

SAFETY APPLIANCES
Pressure vessels shall be protected by such safety and relief
valves, indicating and controlling devices to ensure their
safe operation. The appliances shall be constructed,
located and installed to avoid any mechanical damage
SAFETY VALVES
(1) Safety valves in pressure vessels shall have mechanical lifting devices to
lift the valve disc from its seat when testing. The safety valve shall be set
within plus or minus ten percent (10%) of its designed pressure.

(2) Safety valves of pressure vessels where pressure is supplied from an

outside source shall be connected to the vessels or systems which are
protected to prevent a rise in pressure beyond the allowable maximum

IDENTIFICATION OF CONTROL VALVES

Where .a battery of pressure vessels is operated, control valves
shall be plainly marked by numbering or by the use of a distinctive
color system. If the valve is located on the vessel, each vessel shall
carry a mark corresponding to that on its valve.
INSPECTION
(1) Pressure vessels shall be inspected, internally and externally,
by authorized and qualified industrial safety engineers:

(2) The manufacturer’s certificate and the records of inspection

shall be kept available for examination during the operating life
of the vessel.

(3) Pressure vessels found after inspection as unsafe for use, or

not provided with the fittings necessary for safe operations, or
which are improperly arranged, shall not be operated unless
the vessels and their fittings are in condition to ensure safe
operation.

(4) When pressure vessels are repaired, only materials similar to

those used in the original construction shall be utilized.
Liquefied Petroleum
Gas (LPG) Vessels &
Other Cylinders
INSPECTION
(1) Vessels containing or are used as containers for liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) shall be subjected to internal
inspection, including hydrostatic tests up to a pressure of not
less than one and one-half (1 1/2) times its working pressure.

(2) Internal inspection, prior to placing an LP Gas vessel in

service, shall be conducted where:
a. a new vessel is installed;
b. a vessel has contained materials other than
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG);
c. an existing vessel has been discontinued from
service, emptied, and purged;
d. a vessel is reinstalled in another location;
e. a vessel has been exposed to fire; and
f. a vessel has been damaged due to handling or
other similar exposure.
CYLINDER RECORDS
Every cylinder owner/user or person responsible for the
maintenance of the cylinder shall keep a cylinder
maintenance logbook/register which shall show the
corresponding dates of all tests, internal and/or external
inspection, cleaning and repairs undertaken. Such
logbook/register shall be made available upon request by the
inspection authority.

CYLINDER RECORDS
(1) Every cylinder shall be provided with a device that
prevents damage to the bottom of the gas cylinder.
(2) Only materials resistant to the contents of the cylinder shall
be used for parts of valves and fittings.
 MARKINGS & IDENTIFICATION
(1) Cylinders shall be legibly marked for the purpose of identifying the
content inside with:
a. chemical symbols - to be stamped on the metal at the
shoulder of the cylinder; and
b. chemical name and trade name - to be stenciled,
labeled or stamped and shall not be easily removed.

(2) All markings shall be located on or near the shoulder of the

cylinder.

(3) Metal stampings shall have a minimum height of 0.31cm

(4) The height of lettering by printing, stenciling, labeling and paint or

ink stamping shall not be less than one over twenty five (1/25) of the
diameter of the cylinder with a minimum height of 0.62 cm. (1/4 in.)
 HANDLING & STORAGE
(1) Cylinders shall be adequately protected against excessive
variations of temperature, direct rays of the sun and continuous
dampness.
(2) Storage of charged cylinders inside factory buildings shall be:
a. limited to such number as to be reasonably safe for
the workers therein:
b. suitably placed and secured against their falling and
rolling.
(3) Storage rooms containing charged cylinders should be
appropriately marked on the outside with clearly visible danger
signs.

(4) Cylinders shall be segregated for storage by type of gas and

empty cylinders shall be stored apart from charged cylinders.
 HANDLING & STORAGE
(5) Cylinders shall not be placed:
a. in or near gangways, stairways, elevator installations or
other places where moving objects may strike or fall against them.
b. close to highly flammable substances; and
c. adjacent to air intake;
d. basement or cellar

(6) Storerooms shall:

a. be provided with adequate ventilation facilities to the
outside air; and
b. have an adequate number of exits having regard to
the quantity and nature of the gas stored.

(7) Smoking in cylinder rooms is prohibited.

TRANSPORT

(1) Cylinders shall be transported in a way that no part of the

cylinders shall project beyond the sides or ends of the vehicle.

(2) Adequate precaution shall be taken to prevent rough

handling, excessive shocks or local stress.

(3) No cylinder shall be moved by a lifting magnet.

(4) When cylinders are moved by a hoisting mechanism, a

properly designed cradle with suitable slings shall be used.
Open Jacketed Kettles
OPEN JACKETED KETTLES
(1) Jackets of steam jacketed cooking or
tenderizing kettle shall be thoroughly drained
before the steam supply valves are open.

(2) When admitting steam to cold steam jacketed

kettles, the steam supply valves shall be opened
slowly.

(3) Wooden scrapers should be provided and used

for removing semi-solid or sticky finished products
from steam jacketed pivoted kettles or kettles with
side discharged doors.

(4) Workers around open steam jacketed kettles

shall be provided with, and used suitable
protective clothing
Water and Air Pressure
Tanks
GENERAL PROVISIONS
The water supplied to water pressure tanks shall be
free from suspended solids and sedimentary matters.
HOT WATER PRESSURE TANKS
(1) Hot water pressure tanks shall be designed to
withstand full boiler pressure.
(2) Every hot water pressure tank not designed to
withstand full boiler pressure shall be equipped
with:
a. a reducing valve located between the
steam stop valve and the tank; and
b. one or more relief or safety valves on
the low pressure side of the reducing valve.
(3) Every hot pressure tank should be equipped
with automatic temperature regulator set to
prevent the generation of steam.
(4) Pressure gauges for hot water pressure tanks
shall be installed between the reducing valves and
the relief safety valves.
HOT WATER PRESSURE TANKS

(5) Steam and hot water piping for hot water

pressure tanks shall be adequately insulated
where it is exposed to contact.

(6) Hot water tanks shall be examined frequently for

leaks of steam or water, which shall include
hydrostatic tests when deemed necessary by the
Safety Engineer of the Regional Labor Office or
authorized representative
COLD WATER PRESSURE TANKS
(1) Pressure gauges for cold-water pressure tanks for
sprinkler system shall be provided with separate
shut-off valves with arrangements for draining.

(2) Discharge valves on cold water pressure tanks

for sprinkler system shall be locked or sealed in the
open position and shall be inspected frequently to
make sure that they are open.

(3) Cold water pressure system shall be provided

with one or more pressure relief valves adjusted to
release over the maximum air pressure of the
system.
AIR RECEIVER TANKS
(1) Air receivers shall be:
a. protected from the weather; and
b. accessible for external and internal
inspection.

(2) Air receivers shall be provided with suitable openings

for inspection and cleaning.

(3) Where two or more receivers are served by one

compressor, the air supply piping for each tank shall be
equipped with a stop valve and with a safety valve
between the stop valve and the compressor.

(4) Safety valves for air receiver shall be proportional to

the maximum quantity of free air that can be supplied.
Refrigeration Tanks
REFRIGERATION ROOMS
(1) Factory rooms in which refrigeration
tanks and other parts of refrigeration
systems are permanently installed and
operated shall:
a. be provided with tight-fitting
doors;
b. have no partitions or openings
that will permit the passage of refrigerants
to other parts of buildings; and
c. be provided with mechanical
means of ventilation.

Not more than two (2) refrigeration tanks

shall be located one above the other
within the same area between floor and
ceiling
OPEN FLAMES
All electrical equipment shall be of the approved
explosion proof type. No flame producing devices or
hot surfaces shall be permitted in rooms where
refrigeration tanks are installed.

MATERIALS
All materials used in the construction and installation of
refrigeration tanks shall be capable of withstanding the
chemical action.
INSTALLATION
All compressors shall be installed on firm foundations and
securely fastened in place.

MACHINE GUARDING
All moving parts of air compressors shall be safeguarded

SPEED GOVERNORS
Unloaded air compressor or governor controls of engines
shall be inspected frequently and regularly and maintained
in good working conditions.

LUBRICATION
Air compressor cylinder shall be lubricated with just sufficient
oil to avoid excess oil from flowing into the intercoolers,
receivers and other parts of the system.