6 Maintenance and Safety Tips for Pressure Vessels

Storage of large amounts of material under pressure introduces an element of risk that can be minimized, if the staff members, or employees follow some basic safety procedures.

Here are 6 safety precautions and maintenance tips that are needed to be observed to avoid harm and tragedy when using pressure vessels:

Maximize Awareness: It is difficult to maintain a safe working environment if you do not have adequate understanding of the risks in your environment. For this purpose, it is essential that the staff members get a complete briefing on the contents of each pressure vessel. A training that covers what to do in the occurrence of a breach is also necessary.

Follow All Safety Protocols: Extra attention should be given during the maintenance cycle to ensure that all rules and protocols are followed. This takes into account the execution of follow up measures at the completion of the cycle. Furthermore, throughout the maintenance cycle, it is necessary to inspect and test all safety features of the equipment to ensure they are also in operational order.

Protective Device Installation: Installing protective devices helps ensure that the pressure vessel meets the challenges of daily use. Installing a valve shield, building a secure base, and ensuring that all metal surfaces are covered with the appropriate coating are all key protective steps.

Inspect It Anyway: It is essential for all pressure vessels to undergo inspection. Each inspection should be as systematic as possible. Even if the pressure vessel was just inspected, inspect it again. Pressure vessels function under dynamic conditions and loads. So, even if the previous inspection did not show any concerns, the situation may have changed.

Replace When Necessary: Pumps, valves, and other equipment that are connected should always go through periodic inspection to identify potential concerns. Some industries follow a “replace when needed”, whereas some follow a “replace when necessary” maintenance program. Initially, the difference might appear academic between the two types. Nevertheless, “replace when needed” program lets wear to exceed 75 percent before replacing the part, while a “replace when necessary” allows wear to be only 50 percent.

Install Safety Equipment: Along with saving costs in certain areas of business, it is equally essential to ensure that these cost cutting measures do not affect a secure work environment. Installing additional warning alarms, pressure gauges, and appropriate signage will all go a long way toward determining the workflow of the pressure vessel system and notifying people in the area about potential risks.

A good inspection procedure with a severe maintenance schedule will not only save your company money over the life of the pressure vessel, but also go a long way to decreasing any potential danger throughout the operation of a pressure vessel. For more information or to implant a personalized inspection and maintenance program, get in touch with the experts at Entreprises Larry.

Source: BEPeterson