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CE Certifying Existing Pressure Tank

CE Certifying Existing Pressure Tank

CE Certifying Existing Pressure Tank

(OP)
My company manufactures two small (1L and 5L) cast aluminum tanks that we are looking to sell in Europe.  One tank is SEP while the other is a Category 1.

First, is there anybody out there that can hand-hold us through the process of certifying these tanks? (I know the SEP tank cannot bear the CE mark).  To prepare a technical file for the Cat.1 tank, what calculations and testing must I perform?  Basically, if possible, I want to give my two tank designs to an outside firm and have them provide me with the appropriate calculations and test data to sell these tanks in Europe.  

Second, supposing we do eventually start selling the tanks in Europe, am I required to maintain a current copy of EN13445 in-house?

Thanks,

-Mike

RE: CE Certifying Existing Pressure Tank

Hi Mike, I will be happy to introduce you to someone with signature rights for Pressure Vessels for the EU, Please contact me as I cannot leave his information on this site.

Christopher Caserta
ccaserta@us.tuv.com
Ph:904-225-0360

RE: CE Certifying Existing Pressure Tank

You can do it yourself. You had to build a technical file and join it to the product. The importer is the responsble of the tank. He had to keep the file for 10 years. This is valid if you apply module A.
If yo apply higher module. You don't need to send the technical file if the module concern the QA.
Note that ASME is applicable. You had only to take into account some PED rqt.

RE: CE Certifying Existing Pressure Tank

Vidaman,

You don't need to use EN13445 (as mentioned by abbver), you can use any design code you wish as long as you can match the essential sefety requirements of annex 1.

The manufacturer or their agent in Europe (at least on of these must be in a member state) is responsible for the vessel and PED compliance.

If you get somebody else to peform the calculations you must still satisfy yourself that all the requirements of Annex 1 have been fulfilled.

When using aluminium you will have to assess the materials suitability for use in a pressure vessel and provide a particular material appraisal. If you take a look at the FAQs you will find a link to a list of harmonised standards for use with the PED, this is probably the best way to progress with this. Otherwise it will depend where you are and what specification you use.

If the vessel is Category I then, as mentioned by Abbver, you can use module A and you don't need to involve a notified body. It may be to your advantage to contact one so that you can keep yourselves upto date with progress and interpretation of the standard.

If you take a look at the FAQs you will also see a link to the PED official site, here you will find a number of guidelines on how to apply the requirements and also a link to a list of notified bodies.

RE: CE Certifying Existing Pressure Tank

Vidaman,

I've seen your post in Boiler & Pressure Vessel, and I've added a little more information, a copy is below:

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You do not have to use a design code at all.

The important thing with the Pressure Equipment Directive is that you fulfil the Essential safety requirements of Annex 1.

Within these requirements it is considered acceptable to design by experimentation, hence, if you are unsure about using a design code then you should construct some tests that show compliance with the Essential Safety Requirements of the directive.

Regarding SEP, you CANNOT CE mark a vessel considered to fall into Sound Engineering Practice as defined in Article 3 Paragraph 3. Howevere, if you check out the definition of Sound Engineering Practice on the PED web site (see FAQs in the CEN forum) you'll come to the same conclusion that we have that, to cover risk you should design the vessel along the same lines as a CE marked vessel.

Therefore, it would be prudent to find a notified body and to get them to aid you in performing your tests. This would cover you against all consumer protection legislation in Europe (in Europe a worker/operator is considered to be a consumer and falls within this legislation, this means that in the UK the Consumer Protection Act is more important than the Health & Safety at Work Act).

I notice that a similar post has been placed in the CEN forum so I'll copy this post.

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