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OSHA Pressure Vessel Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) utilizes several federal standards and national consensus standards to enforce pressure vessel safety. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) determine standards for the construction, testing and installation of boilers and pressure vessels. Additional OSHA requirements include handling, storage and fire protection.

  1. Inspection Program

    • OSHA requires periodic inspections of pressure vessels. The two likely vessel failures are complete rupture and leakage failure. Complete rupture can result in injuries from the blast effect of sudden release of pressure and from vessel shrapnel. A leakage failure can result in illness or injury from poisoning, fire or chemical burns.

      There are five non-destructive methods commonly used to conduct inspections. Visual examination, liquid penetrant testing and magnetic particle testing, known as surface examination, allow external crack detection. X-ray radiography and ultrasonic testing can detect internal cracks.

    General Industry

    • In addition to inspection requirements, OSHA provides general industry standards for pressure vessels containing compressed gases. Federal regulation 29 CFR 1910, Subpart H, Hazardous Materials, and Subpart M, Compressed Gas and Compressed Air Equipment, specify safety requirements for compressed gas cylinders and compressed air equipment, including safety relief valves.

    Shipyard Industry

    • Pressure vessel requirements specific to the shipyard industry include portable, unfired pressure vessels. ASME requires these vessels to be hydrostatic pressure tested to 150 percent of the working pressure when manufactured. For vessels manufactured prior to 1997, pressure tests have to be administered quarterly and hydrostatic pressure tested annually. OSHA requires these vessels be stored and used away from flame or other heat sources.

    Construction Industry

    • According to federal regulation 29 CFR 1910, Subpart C, pressure vessels and boilers used in the construction industry must be certified before installation. OSHA requires fire protection and prevention that includes firefighting equipment.

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