tank/boiler ratings
tank/boiler ratings
(OP)
My boss ordered two tanks that have no plates on them indicating their ratings (MAWP, temps, jacket ratings, etc.). They were purchased used in Nevada and the guy he bought them from doesn't have the paperwork as to where he got them, what they were used for, or what the ratings were on them.
One of them appears to be pressure/vacuum rated, and we need to pull a vacuum of -7 to -4 psig. But I don't want to proceed until I know what the ratings are on that tank, even though it's a fairly low pressure low vacuum application. It is currently used as a mildly heated, vented settling tank.
What legal rights do we have in terms of getting documentation for these used vessels? We bought it in NV but we use it in CA.
Thanks!
One of them appears to be pressure/vacuum rated, and we need to pull a vacuum of -7 to -4 psig. But I don't want to proceed until I know what the ratings are on that tank, even though it's a fairly low pressure low vacuum application. It is currently used as a mildly heated, vented settling tank.
What legal rights do we have in terms of getting documentation for these used vessels? We bought it in NV but we use it in CA.
Thanks!





RE: tank/boiler ratings
How do you know this if you mentioned in your post If these are storage tanks and they were purchased with no bid specification as to materials of construction, you have no legal right for anything other than the tanks themselves. You could do your own evaluation for suitability for service or you can convert them into planters.
RE: tank/boiler ratings
Maybe someone from CA will step in as CA did have some very stringent requirements on used process equipment. It isn't any easy task to evaluate any equipment for a specific set of conditions. If you have to use this equipment I would retain someone well versed in the design and evaluation of pressure vessels.
A number of years ago it took almost a year to get a high pressure gas cooler approved for use and we had the paper work.
RE: tank/boiler ratings
http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/460.html
The (relatively) painless method to get direction on this is to talk to the folks at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/pressure.html. I don't work for them - but on occasion I have vigorous discussioins with them and have found them to be well intentioned and intelligent folks. They aren't "out to get you" but are willing to help you work towards a safer workplace and won't come after you for coming to them for guidance on how to resolve this potential issue.
jt
RE: tank/boiler ratings
That is well and good if they will work with on such a project.
RE: tank/boiler ratings
Quote:
One of them appears to be pressure/vacuum rated, and we need to pull a vacuum of -7 to -4 psig.
How do you know this if you mentioned in your post "
Uh that was the point of the entire post. I want to use this tank to pull this vacuum, but I don't know if I can b/c I don't have the ratings (I said it "appears" to be, not the same thing as know). I want to use this tank for a certain application (low vacuum), but I don't know what the rating of the tank is, and the used salesman would not release information on this. I want to know if he is legally obligated to.
I don't know if you know this or not, but a lot of states require vendors to release boiler and tank properties and I'm trying to find out if NV or CA does this or not.
RE: tank/boiler ratings
I can't imagine why a vendor would have information on a used product and not be willing to pass it along. Most likely, he bought the things for scrap or at a bankruptcy auction or something like that, and doesn't have any information, either. I'm not aware of any law that requires this, though, I would just assume it was prudence on the part of the buyer.
RE: tank/boiler ratings
RE: tank/boiler ratings
RE: tank/boiler ratings
You really need to establish whether your intended application for this equipment qualifies (legally) as a pressure vessel in California or if it is simply a low pressure tank. Huge difference in what your restrictions are depending on how it is classified. I suspect what you intend to do with this equipment would lean towards "not a pressure vessel" which makes your life far easier. Until you know, you are literally wasting your time.
Call the folks I referred you to yesterday and over the phone they will most likely tell you that they are not interested in this tank. At that point you can use good engineering judgement and perhaps consult with an expert on how to establish ratings for the tank.
As far as I'm aware, California has no laws relating to selling used or scrap equipment.
RE: tank/boiler ratings
Problem solved !!!
RE: tank/boiler ratings
For peace of mind regarding use of these vessels for your intended purpose, you might have a U stamp holder (or even a R stamp holder if they can perform alterations/calculations) perform design calculations on the vessels (if you have enough info on the materials and construction) to determine their Maximum Allowable External Working Pressure (MAEWP) for inormation only.