Periodic Inspection of Pressure Equipment – Guarantee of Safety and Service Life

Finspection | 1.12.2023 | Articles

Periodic / in-service inspection of pressure equipment is a necessary evil – or is it an investment in the lifecycle of your pressure equipment and the reliability of the plant?

The Finnish Pressure Equipment Law 1144/2016 requires the owner of registered pressure equipment to maintain, operate, and inspect it in such a way that it does not endanger anyone’s health, safety, or property. In practice, the owner performs their own inspections on the pressure equipment in use, but the Pressure Equipment Act requires the owner to ensure periodic inspections of the pressure equipment.

Periodic inspections start with the first periodic inspection, during which the pressure equipment subject to registration is registered as required by law. Subsequent periodic inspections are either operational inspections, internal inspections, or periodic pressure tests. Inspection bodies are inspection bodies approved by the supervisory authority, the Safety and Chemicals Agency (TUKES). Finspection Oy is an inspection body approved by Tukes, which can carry out periodical inspections of pressure equipment in accordance with the Pressure Equipment Act.

Five Tips for Pressure Equipment Owners

In this blog, we go through the steps to succeed in the periodic inspection of pressure equipment. We tell you how to make inspections smoother, remember deadlines, and avoid the eternal search for paper documents.

Article content step by step:

1. Plan the inspection with Finspection’s expert
2. Clean the pressure equipment
3. Ensure that the right people participate in the inspection
4. Bring out the documents of previous periodic inspections
5. Record observations for the next time

1. Plan the inspection with Finspection’s expert

Everything starts with preparation. Therefore, you should schedule the periodic inspection of your pressure equipment well in advance. When you contact us, we will review the current status of your pressure equipment inspections together. This initial survey can be conveniently done by phone or email. You can also directly order the inspection through our website, and our inspector will contact you regarding preparation and scheduling.

Book an inspection time

In the initial survey, we will find out:

• What pressure equipment do you have in use, and is there a need for several inspections for in the near future?
• What observations were made during the previous periodic inspection, and should special attention be paid to a certain point in the inspection?
• Have there been or will there be changes in the operating environment of the pressure equipment?
• Are scaffolding or other arrangements required for the inspection due to accessibility?
• How does the work permit process proceed at your premises, and how are other occupational safety issues, such as working in confined spaces, taken into account?
• What level of cleanliness is required for a reliable inspection result?

With this information, we prepare the periodic inspection.

Also, think in advance about what the periodic inspection of the pressure equipment will require in practice, for example, in terms of opening the equipment. The pressure equipment must be taken out of service for the inspection. Ensure the need to isolate the equipment from the process, possible blinding needs, and the disconnection of various electrical devices.

The duration of the periodic inspection varies greatly from case to case. The inspection of the simplest pressure equipment takes a couple of hours, but in more complex cases, the inspection can take several days. During the initial survey, we will estimate the duration of the inspection together with you so that you can prepare for it well in advance.

2. Clean the pressure equipment

The second step towards a successful periodic inspection is cleaning the pressure equipment. Cleaning the inside of the pressure equipment is important, but the external condition should also be checked during the inspection.

Since we want to ensure the reliability of the inspection, it is important that the equipment is clean. Careless or half-hearted cleaning can lead to the periodic inspection not being performed or the result not being reliable. The better the cleanliness level of the equipment, the more reliably and smoothly the inspection can be carried out.

Therefore, before the inspection, ensure that the pressure equipment and its accessories, devices, and systems are in inspection condition. It is the responsibility of the owner or possessor of the pressure equipment to ensure that the pressure equipment and parts of the related process are in a safe condition for the inspection.

3. Ensure that the right people participate

We recommend that at least the operation supervisor or the deputy operation supervisor participate in the periodic inspection of the pressure equipment. This way, we ensure together that there is sufficiently qualified personnel present.

Before the official inspection, you can independently perform the following preliminary inspections:

• External inspections: Check the external features of the equipment, such as visible damage, leaks, or other possible deficiencies. Also, check the connections, wires, and valves. Also, ensure the identification of the equipment on-site.
• Measurements: If necessary, perform various measurements, such as predictive thickness measurements, which can be used to assess the condition of the equipment and possible corrosion damage.
• The periodic inspection must be carried out by a qualified inspection body approved by Tukes, such as Finspection.

Before performing the tests, you can agree with us on what actions are necessary and which you can do yourself. If you perform measurements or tests in advance, please bring the documents of the results to the periodic inspection. Our inspector will review the results and verify their acceptability during the inspection.

4. Bring out the documents of previous periodic inspections

The next step is to ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready for the periodic inspection. These include certificates, reports, and technical data of previous inspections. When the inspector has the information available, the work proceeds smoothly.

Between periodic inspections, you may have had to replace parts of the pressure equipment, such as valves. During the inspection, we ensure the compliance of the replaced parts, so find the documentation of the replaced parts:

• Documentation
• Certificates and guarantees
• User manuals

A common problem faced by pressure equipment owners is that there are no records of prevoius periodic inspections, as well-maintained equipment may be older than the staff. Does this sound familiar? This can make the success of a new inspection difficult.

We noticed the same problem and decided to move the reports from paper to digital. This means that next time you don’t have to dig through paper archives for inspection information, as you can find them all in the Finspection App. In the app, you will find clearly archived inspection documents with observations and upcoming inspection types and due dates. We can also store all old inspection documents in the Finspection App, where they are available to the owner at any time.

With the Finspection App, you will also receive a reminder well in advance of the next periodic inspection. When you choose us as your inspector, we will remind you when your next inspection is due. The reminder will be sent to your email, from where you can order the inspection with a few clicks.

5. Record observations for the next time

Finally, remember to record your observations in the maintenance system. When you receive the inspection certificate for the periodic inspection of the pressure equipment, immediately start thinking about what needs to be done and considered next time. This is much easier when the observations are fresh in your memory! Is it necessary to prepare for the replacement or repair of parts or accessories, and what measurements or actions need to be taken next time?

Our inspector records all observations and actions performed in the inspection report. This report is an important part of the maintenance history and safety monitoring of the pressure equipment. We will send it to you via a secure link in an email. In addition to the report, we will send it directly to Tukes. This way, the authority also receives information about the inspection performed in their system.

When we perform inspections, we look far into the future on your behalf. Together with us, you can anticipate potential problems in advance so that they do not come as a big surprise and cause, for example, production interruptions. You can better prepare for the likely service life of the equipment and possible repair needs and plan your operations accordingly.

Are you considering a periodic inspection of your pressure equipment?

Pressure equipment inspection is not just a necessary evil, as it ensures that your equipment operates efficiently, safely, and economically. A good inspector identifies issues beyond the statutory requirements and helps you learn about the maintenance of your equipment.

Finspection as a Finnish inspection body offers you:

• Periodic inspections of pressure equipment cost-effectively by the best inspectors in the industry with extensive experience throughout Finland.
• Comprehensive service and proactive additional information during the periodic inspection
• A free app where you can find reports digitally
• Flexibility in scheduling

Contact us and let’s assess your needs! Contacting us does not commit you to anything.

Articles