62. Pressure vessels or plant.
(1) Interpretation.- In this rule -
(a) "design pressure" means the maximum pressure that a pressure vessel or plant is designed to
withstand safely when operating
normally;
(b) "maximum permissible working pressure" means the maximum pressure at which a pressure vessel or
plant is permitted to be operated or used under this rule and is determined by the technical requirements
of the process;
(c) "plant" means a system of piping that is connected to a pressure vessel and is used to contain a gas
vapour or liquid under pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure, and includes the pressure vessel;
(d) "pressure vessel" means a vessel that may be used for containing, storing, distributing, transferring,
distilling, processing or otherwise handling any gas, vapour or liquid under pressure greater than the
atmospheric pressure and includes any pipeline fitting or other equipment attached thereto or used in
connection therewith; and
(e) "competent person" means a person who is, in the opinion of the Chief Inspector, capable by virtue of
his qualifications, training and experience, of conducting a thorough examination and pressure tests, as
required, on a pressure vessel or plant, and of making a full report on its condition.
(2) Exceptions.- Nothing in this rule shall apply to -
(a) x x x x x x x
(b) vessels made of ferrous materials having an internal operating pressure not exceeding 1 kilogram per
square centimetre;
(c) steam boilers, steam and feed pipes and their fittings coming under the purview of Indian Boilers Act,
1923;
(d) metal bottles or cylinders used for storage or transport of compressed gases or liquified or dissolved
gases under pressure covered by the Gas Cylinder Rules, 1981 framed under the Indian Explosives Act,
1984;
(e) vessels in which internal pressure is due solely to the static head of liquid;
(f) vessels with a nominal water capacity not exceeding 500 litres connected in a water-pumping system
containing air that is compressed to serve as cushion;
(g) vessels for nuclear energy application;
(h) refrigeration plant having a capacity of 3 tons or less of refrigeration in 24 hours; and
(i) working cylinders of steam engines or prime movers, food pumps and steam traps; turbine casings;
compressor cylinders; steam separators or dryers; steam strainers; steam de-super-heaters; oil
separators; air receivers for fire sprinkler installations; air receivers of monotype machines provided the
maximum working pressure of the air receiver does not exceed 1.33 kilograms per square centimetre and
the capacity 85 litres; air receivers of electrical relays; air vessels on pumps, pipe coils, accessories of
instruments and appliances such as cylinders and piston assemblies used for operating realys and
interlocking type of guards; vessels with liquids subjected to static head only; and hydraulically operating
cylinders other than any cylinder communicating with an air loaded accumulator.
(3) Design and construction.- Every pressure vessel or plant used in a factory -
(a) shall be properly designed on sound engineering practice;
(b) shall be ofgood construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from any patent defects; and
(c) shall be properly maintained in a safe condtion:
Provided that the pressure vessel or plant in respect of the design and construction of which there is an
Indian standard or a standard of the country of manufacture or any other law or regulation in force, shall
be designed and constructed in accordance with the said standard, law or regulation, as the case may be,
and a certificate thereof shall be obtained from the manufacturer or from the competent person which
shall be kept and produced on demand by an Inspector.
(4) Safety devices.- Every pressure shall be fitted with -
(a) a suitable safety valve or other effective pressure relieving device of adequate capacity to ensure that
the maximum permissible working pressure of the pressure vessel shall not be exceeded. It shall be set
to operate at a pressure not exceeding the maximum permissible working pressure and when more than
one protective device is provided, only one of the devices need be set to operate at the maximum
permissible working pressure and the additional device shall be set to discharge at a pressure not more
than 5 per cent in excess of the maximum permissible working pressure;
(b) a suitable pressure gauge with a dial range not less than 1.5 times the maximum permissible working
pressure, easily visible and designed to show at all times the correct internal pressure and marked with a
prominent rod mark at the maximum permissible working pressure of the pressure vessel;
(c) a suitable nipple and globe valve connected for the exclusive purpose of attaching a test pressure
gauge for checking the accuracy of the pressure gauge referred to in clause (b) of this sub-rule;
(d) a suitable stop valve or valve by which the pressure vessel may isolated from other presure vessels or
plant or source of supply of pressure. Such a stop valve or valves shall be located as close to the
pressure vessel as possible and shall be easily accessible; and
(e) a suitable drain cock or valve at the lowest part of the pressure vessel for the discharge of the liquid or
other substances that may collect in the pressure vessel:
Provided that it shall be sufficient for the purpose of this sub-rule if the safety valve or pressure relieving
device, the pressure gauge and the stop valve are mounted on a pipeline immediately adjacent to the
pressure vessel and where there is a range of two or more similar pressure vessels served by the same
pressure lead, only one set of such mountings need be fitted on the pressure lead immediately adjacent
to the range of pressure vessels, provided they cannot be isolated.
(5) Pressure reducing devices.-
(a) Every pressure vessel which is designed for a working pressure less than the pressure at the source
of supply, or less than the pressure which can be obtained in the pipe connecting the pressure vessel with
any other source of supply, shall be fitted with a suitable pressure reducing valve or other suitable
automatic device to prevent the maximum permissible working pressure of the pressure vessel being
exceeded.
(b) To further protect the pressure vessel in the event of failure of the reducing valve or device, at least
one safety valve having a capacity sufficient to release all the steam, vapour or gas without undue
pressure rise as determined by the pressure at the source of supply and the size of the pipe connecting
the source of supply, shall be fitted on the low pressure side of the reducing valve.
(6) Pressure vessel or plant being taken into use.-
(a) No new pressure vessel or plant shall be taken into use in the factory after coming into force of this
rule unless it has been hydrostatically tested by a competent person at a pressure at least 1.3 times the
design pressure, and no pressure vessel or plant which has been previously used or has remained
isolated or idle for a period exceeding 2 months or which has undergone alterations or repairs shall be
taken into use in a factory unless it has been thoroughly examined by a competent person externally and
internally, if practicable, and has been hydrostatically tested by the competent person at a pressure which
shall be 1.5 times the maximum permissible working pressure :
Provided, however, that the pressure vessel or plant which is so designed and constructed that it cannot
be safely filled with water or liquid or is used in service when even some traces of water cannot be
tolerated, shall be pneumatically tested at a pressure not less than the design pressure or the maximum
permissible working pressure as the case may be.
Provided further that the pressure vessel or plant which is lined with glass shall be tested hydrostatically
or pneumatically as required at a pressure not less than the design pressure or maximum permissible
working pressure as the case may be.
Design pressure shall be not less than the maximum permissible working pressure and shall take into
account the possible fluctuations of pressure during actual operation.
(b) No pressure vessel or plant shall be used in a factory unless there has been obtained from the maker
of the pressure vessel or plant or from the competent person a certificate specifying the design pressure
or maximum permissible working pressure thereof, and stating the nature of tests to which the pressure
vessel or plant and its fittings (if any) have been subjected, and every pressure vessel or plant so used in
a factory shall be marked pressure so as to enable it to be identified as to be the pressure vessel or plant
to which the certificate relates and the certificate shall be kept available for perusal by the Inspector.
(c) No pressure vessel or plant shall be permitted to be operated or used at a pressure higher than its
design pressure, or the maximum permissible working pressure as shown in the certificate.
*7) In-service test and examinations.-
a) Every pressure vessel or plant in service shall be thoroughly examined by a competent person -
(i) externally, once in every period of six months;
(ii) internally, once in every period of twelve months :
Provided that if by reason of the construction of a pressure vessel or plant, a thorough internal
examination is not possible, this examination may be replaced by a hydrostatic test which shall be carried
out once in every period of two years.
Provided further that for a pressure vessel or plant in continuous process which cannot be frequently
opened, the period of internal examination may be extended to four years; and
(iii) hydrostatically tested once in every period of four years :
Provided that in respect of a pressure vessel or plant with thin walls, such as sizing cylinder made of
copper or any other non- ferrous metal, periodic hydrostatic test may be dispensed with subject to the
condition that the requirements laid down in sub- rule (8) are fulfilled.
Provided further that when it is impracticable to carry out thorough external examination of any pressure
vessel or plant every six months as required in sub-clause (i) of this clause, or if owing to its construction
and use a pressure vessel or
plant cannot be hydrostatically tested as required in sub-clause (ii) and (iii) of this clause, a thorough
external examination of the pressure vessel or plant shall be carried out at least once in every period of
two years, and non-destructive test like ultrasonic test for metal thickness or other defects of all parts the
failure of which might lead to eventual rupture of the pressure vessel or plant shall be carried out.
(b) The pressure for the hydrostatic test to be carried out for the purpose of this sub-rule shall be 1.25
times the design pressure or 1.5 times the maximum permissible working pressure, whichever is less.
(8) Thin walled pressure vessel or plant.-
(a) In respect of any pressure vessel or plant of thin walls such as
sizing cylinder made of copper or any other non-ferrous metal, the maximum permissible working
pressure shall be reduced at the rate of 5 percent of the original maximum permissible working pressure
for every year and its use after the first five years and no such cylinder shall be allowed to continue to be
used for more than twenty years after it was first taken into use.
(b) If any information as to the date of construction, thickness of walls, or maximum permissible working
pressure is not available, the age of such pressure vessel or plant shall be determined by the competent
person in consultation with the Chief Inspector from the other particulars available with the manager.
(c) Every new and second hand pressure vessel or plant of thin walls to which repairs likely to affect its
strength or safety have been carried out, shall be tested before use to at least 1.5
times its maximum permissible working pressure.
(9) Report by competent person.-
(a) If during any examination any doubt arises as to the ability of the pressure vessel or plant to work
safely until the next prescribed examination, the competent person shall enter in the prescribed register
his observations, findings and conclusions with other relevant remarks with reasons and may authorize
the pressure vessel or plant to be used and kept in operation subject to a lowering of maximum
permissible working pressure, to to more frequent or special examination or test, or subject to both of
these conditions.
(b) A report of every examination or test carried out shall be completed in Form 11 and shall be signed by
the person making the examination or test, and shall be kept available for perusal by the Inspector at all
hours when the factory or any part thereof is working.
(c) Where the report of any examination under this rule specified any condition for securing the safe
working of any pressure vessel or plant, the pressure vessel or plant shall not be used unless the
specified condition is fulfilled.
(d) The competent person making report of any examination under this rule, shall within seven days of the
completion of the examination, send to the Inspector a copy of the report in every case where the
maximum permissible working pressure is reduced or the examination shows that the pressure vessel or
plant or any part thereof cannot continue to be used with safety unless certain repairs are carried out or
unless any other safety
measure is taken.
(10) Application of other laws.-
(a) The requirements of this rule shall be in addition to and without any prejudice to not in derogation of
the requirements of any other law in force.
(b) Certificates or reports of any examination, or test of any pressure vessel or plant to which sub-rules (7)
to (9) do not apply, conducted or required to be conducted under any other law in force and other relevant
record relating to such pressure vessel or plant, shall be properly maintained as required under the said
law and shall be produced on demand by the Inspector.
(1) the expression "gasholder" means a water-sealed gasholder which has a storage capacity of not less
than 141.5 cubic meters.
(2) Every gasholder shall be of adequate material and strength, sound construction and properly
maintained.
(3) Where there is more than one gasholder in a factory, every gasholder shall be marked in a
conspicuous position with a distinguishing number or letter.
(4) Every gasholder shall be thoroughly examined externally by a competent person at least once in a
period of 12 months.
(5) In the case of gasholder of which any lift has been in use for more than 10 years, the internal state of
the sheeting shall, within one year of the coming into operation of these rules and thereafter at least once
in every period of four years, be examined by a competent person by means of electronic or other
accurate devices:
Provided that if the Chief Inspector is satisfied that such electronic or other accurate devices are not
available, he may permit the cutting of samples from the crown and the sides of the holder.
Provided further that if the above examination raises a doubt, an internal visual examination shall be
made.
(6) All possible steps shall be taken to prevent or minimize ingress of impurities in the gasholder.
(7) No gasholder shall be repaired or demolished except under the direct supervision of a person who, by
his training, experience and knowledge of the necessary precautions against risks of explosion and of
persons being overcome by gas, is competent to supervise such work.
(8) (a) All sample discs cut under sub-rule (5) above shall not be kept readily available for inspection.
(b) A permanent register in Form 12 duly signed by the occupier or manager shall be maintained.
(c) The results of examinations by the competent person carried out as required under sub-rules (4) and
(5) shall be recorded in Form 13.
(d) A copy of the report in Form 13 shall be kept in the register in Form 12 and both the register and the
report shall be readily available for inspection.
(9) The Inspector of Factories shall inspect the gasholder at least once in a period of 12 months.
64. Excessive weights.-
1) No woman or young person shall, unaided by another person, lift, Rulepresc- carry or move by hand or
on head, any material, article, tool or ribedunder appliance exceeding the maximum limit in weight set out
in the sub-section following schedule :-(2) of section
