Notice of the General Office of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on Issues Concerning Safety Supervision of Pressure-Bearing Special Equipment** **AQSIQ General Office Special Equipment Letter [2017] No. 1336

To the Quality and Technical Supervision Bureaus (Market Regulation Departments) of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government:

In view of new circumstances and issues that have recently arisen in the safety supervision of pressure-bearing special equipment, including boilers, pressure vessels, and pressure pipelines, and in order to further improve safety supervision, the following opinions are hereby issued after study. Please implement them in accordance with actual circumstances.

I. Boilers

（1）Regarding the manufacture of boiler materials of foreign grades by domestic enterprises.

Domestic enterprises manufacturing boiler materials of foreign grades shall manufacture such materials in accordance with the technical requirements specified in Section 2.6.2 of the Boiler Safety Technical Supervision Regulation (TSG G0001-2012, hereinafter referred to as the "Boiler Regulation"). Technical review and approval in accordance with Section 1.6 of the Boiler Regulation are not required.

（2）Regarding low-water-level interlock protection devices for steam boilers.

The No. 1 Amendment to the Boiler Safety Technical Supervision Regulation explicitly requires all types of steam boilers to be equipped with low-water-level interlock protection devices. Users of steam boilers currently in service with a rated evaporation capacity of less than 2 t/h (excluding steam boilers with a normal design water-level volume of ≤50 L) shall install low-water-level interlock protection devices in accordance with the requirements of the No. 1 Amendment to the Boiler Regulation. Installation shall be completed within two external inspection cycles from the date of issuance of this document. The specific installation deadline shall be determined by the boiler periodic inspection institution based on the inspection schedule.

For steam boilers that have not completed installation of the above-mentioned interlock protection devices within the prescribed period, the inspection institution shall not issue a conclusion of compliance during periodic inspection. For once-through boilers without a fixed steam-water separation boundary, the water volume shall be calculated based on the total geometric volume within the inlet and outlet of the steam-water system.

（3）Regarding the manufacture, use, and inspection of waste heat boilers.

The design of waste heat boilers shall be carried out by the designer based on the specific structure of the product components and in accordance with the applicable boiler and pressure vessel safety technical regulations and standards. The steam drum (steam-water separator) may be designed either in accordance with pressure vessel standards or boiler standards. Heat-transfer components such as water walls and serpentine tubes may be designed with reference to boiler standards. Waste heat boilers used for power generation shall also comply with the relevant technical requirements applicable to utility boilers.

The complete waste heat boiler product shall be classified by the designer on the drawings as either a boiler or a pressure vessel according to the principal design basis. It shall be manufactured by an entity holding the corresponding level of boiler or pressure vessel manufacturing license, and installed by an entity holding the corresponding level of boiler or pressure vessel installation license or by the manufacturing entity itself. Registration for use and periodic inspection shall be carried out according to the classification of the complete product.

（4）Regarding boiler modification.

When the fuel of a boiler is changed, if the combustion method remains unchanged and neither the heat-transfer surfaces nor pressure-bearing components are modified, the change shall not be classified as a boiler modification. If the combustion method is changed (for example, from stoker firing to suspension firing), it shall be classified as a boiler modification.

Users changing the fuel of a boiler shall complete the change of use registration. The changes shall include the fuel type specified in the product data sheet and the product model specified in the use registration form. Changes involving retention of only the boiler support frame while replacing the main heat-transfer surfaces and other pressure-bearing components shall not be classified as modification, but shall be treated as new manufacture.

For boiler modifications that do not increase the rated working pressure but increase the rated working temperature by adjusting or replacing heat-transfer surfaces or replacing steam pipelines, no technical review is required. Other requirements for boiler modifications shall comply with the Boiler Regulation. Boiler users and modification entities shall reasonably determine the modification plan according to the boiler type and ensure the safe operation of the modified boiler.

（5）Regarding electrically heated steam generators.

Electrically heated steam generators that discharge steam externally and whose steam pressure and volume parameters fall within the scope of the Catalogue of Special Equipment may be designed and manufactured in accordance with the applicable standards and safety technical regulations for either boilers or pressure vessels.

For products designed as pressure vessels, the requirements for their safety accessories shall also comply with the Boiler Regulation. The manufacturing entity shall hold the corresponding level of boiler manufacturing license or pressure vessel manufacturing license. Electrically heated steam generators shall be registered for use as boilers.

（6）Regarding steam, water, and oil separators (collectors).

Steam, water, and oil separators (collectors) falling within the scope of boilers, including separators with a volume of less than 30 L or an internal diameter of less than 150 mm, shall comply with the relevant requirements applicable to boiler headers or pressure vessels with respect to design, manufacture, and inspection.

Steam, water, and oil separators (collectors) shall be manufactured by enterprises holding the corresponding boiler or pressure vessel manufacturing license and shall undergo manufacturing supervision and inspection. In general, they shall be registered for use and periodically inspected together with the boiler body.

Where they fall within the applicable scope of the Safety Technical Supervision Regulation for Stationary Pressure Vessels (TSG 21-2016, hereinafter referred to as the "Stationary Pressure Vessel Regulation"), they may also be independently designed and manufactured as pressure vessels and independently registered for use and subject to periodic inspection.

 

II. Pressure Vessels

（1）Regarding declarations of conformity with pressure vessel standards.

Where a pressure vessel is designed using standards other than the harmonized standards specified in Section 1.10 of the Stationary Pressure Vessel Regulation, the design entity shall provide the manufacturing entity with a declaration of conformity and a comparison table demonstrating that the design documents comply with the basic safety requirements of the Stationary Pressure Vessel Regulation. The manufacturing entity shall incorporate these documents into the product delivery documentation.

The specific format shall be developed by the design entity with reference to the format of the comparison table provided in the Announcement of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on Matters Concerning the Manufacturing Licensing of Pressure-Bearing Special Equipment (AQSIQ Announcement No. 151 of 2012).

The comparison shall cover the basic safety requirements of the Stationary Pressure Vessel Regulation relating to materials, design, and manufacture. For mass-produced products such as accumulators, refrigeration pressure vessels, and simple pressure vessels, where product standards other than the harmonized standards specified in Section 1.10 of the Stationary Pressure Vessel Regulation—including foreign standards, industry standards, association standards, and enterprise standards—are adopted for design and manufacture, a general declaration of conformity and comparison table may be prepared by product category according to the applicable ranges of design pressure and design temperature. In the "General Assembly Drawing No." field of the declaration of conformity, "General" shall be entered.

（2）Regarding information-based traceability identification of materials.

The specific information contained in the information-based traceability identification of materials specified in Section 2.1.1 (4) of the Stationary Pressure Vessel Regulation may be determined by the material manufacturer or pressure vessel manufacturer according to the actual circumstances of the materials or customer requirements. In general, such information shall include the name of the material manufacturer, material grade, specification, heat/lot number, delivery condition (heat treatment condition), production date (shipping date or date of issuance of the material quality certificate), and other relevant information.

（3）Regarding qualifications of personnel responsible for pressure vessel and pressure pipeline design approval.

Personnel engaged in the review and approval of pressure vessel designs and the review and authorization of pressure pipeline designs (hereinafter referred to as "design approval personnel"), as well as personnel engaged in analytical design of pressure vessels (hereinafter referred to as "analytical design personnel"), are no longer required to obtain the corresponding qualifications in accordance with Article 6 of the Regulation on Licensing for the Design of Pressure Vessels and Pressure Pipelines (TSG R1001-2008).

Pressure vessel design entities and pressure pipeline design entities (collectively referred to as "design entities") may independently conduct, or entrust third-party professional institutions to conduct, training and assessments for design approval personnel and analytical design personnel, so as to ensure that such personnel possess the required competencies.

During qualification appraisal and review, the appraisal and review institution shall assess the design approval personnel's and analytical design personnel's understanding of relevant standards and technical specifications and their professional knowledge through an on-site closed-book examination lasting no less than three hours (with examination papers generated from a question bank), as well as an on-site drawing analysis and defense lasting no less than one hour for each person. The institution shall also assess the analytical design personnel's ability to operate design software.

The qualification appraisal and review materials submitted by the appraisal and review institution shall include the on-site examination results of the design approval personnel or analytical design personnel and supporting documentation demonstrating their required competencies. Examination papers and defense records shall be retained by the appraisal and review institution.

Where the design entity submits evidence during the qualification appraisal and review that the above personnel have passed training and assessment conducted by a third-party professional institution, the appraisal and review institution shall verify the assessment content and results. Where the competency requirements are satisfied, the results of the third-party training and assessment may be accepted and included in the supporting materials of the qualification appraisal and review report.

（4）Regarding type testing of stationary vacuum-insulated cryogenic pressure vessels.

When a manufacturer produces a vacuum-insulated cryogenic vessel (including strain-hardened vessels) for the first time, it shall, in accordance with Section 4.1.2 of the Stationary Pressure Vessel Regulation, engage a type-testing institution approved by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to conduct type testing.

Type testing of stationary vacuum-insulated cryogenic pressure vessels shall, for the time being, be conducted by approved type-testing institutions qualified for the mobile pressure vessel (vacuum-insulated tank) category.

（5）Regarding surface non-destructive testing of pressure vessels for refrigeration and air-conditioning applications.

Considering the actual manufacturing and use of pressure vessels for refrigeration and air-conditioning applications, refrigeration pressure vessels manufactured in accordance with the Pressure Vessels for Refrigeration Equipment (NB/T 47012) may be exempted from the requirements of Section 3.2.10.2.2.4 (2) of the Stationary Pressure Vessel Regulation.

（6）Regarding manufacturing licensing requirements for underground gas storage wells.

Manufacturers of underground gas storage wells shall apply for pressure vessel manufacturing licenses according to the pressure class and product category of the gas storage wells.

The basic elements of the quality assurance system shall include processes such as drilling, steel pipe assembly, cementing, inspection, and testing. Steel pipe assembly, cementing, pressure testing, and leak-tightness testing shall not be subcontracted.

Personnel within the quality assurance system shall include those responsible for design, process engineering, materials, drilling, cementing, steel pipe assembly, pressure testing, leak-tightness testing, and final inspection. Personnel responsible for process engineering and cementing shall hold an engineer-level or higher professional title.

The number of technical personnel shall meet the requirements for the corresponding license level. Non-destructive testing personnel shall include at least one NDT technician holding an intermediate or higher qualification in UT and one holding an intermediate or higher qualification in RT.

Specialized operating personnel shall include personnel specialized in steel pipe assembly and cementing, with no fewer than eight persons in total. Specialized personnel for steel pipe assembly and cementing shall be present at the manufacturing site.

Production equipment shall include steel pipe assembly equipment meeting manufacturing requirements, including hydraulic power tongs (casing power tongs with a maximum torque of not less than 28 kN·m), power systems, clamps, and other equipment, as well as mud pumps required for cementing.

Inspection, measurement, and testing equipment shall include the necessary thickness, length, pressure, and torque measuring equipment, as well as pressure test pumps capable of achieving the maximum working pressure required for pressure testing.

（7）Regarding the designation of media.

"Mixed liquefied petroleum gas" as listed in Table 3-4 of the Safety Technical Supervision Regulation for Mobile Pressure Vessels (TSG R0005-2011, hereinafter referred to as the "Mobile Pressure Vessel Regulation") and "liquefied petroleum gas" under No. 1075 of GB 12268 List of Names of Dangerous Goods refer to the same medium. Design entities may use either of the above designations in their design documents.

However, where the medium is indicated as "Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane)" in the delivery documentation of a mobile pressure vessel, such as the product quality certificate and nameplate, this does not comply with the requirement of the Mobile Pressure Vessel Regulation that only one medium may be specified in quality certification documentation. "Liquefied petroleum gas" and "propane" shall be identified separately.

（8）Regarding safety supervision of mobile pressure vessels containing nitrogen trifluoride.

For tube-type container units containing nitrogen trifluoride that have already been imported or put into use, where they have undergone import (port) safety and quality supervision inspection or periodic inspection and the inspection conclusion is qualified, local authorities may process their use registration and permit filling and use.

Relevant filling entities shall apply for a mobile pressure vessel filling license in accordance with the applicable licensing rules.

Local special equipment safety regulatory authorities at all levels shall urge users to strengthen safety management of in-service tube-type container units containing nitrogen trifluoride, properly maintain records, carry out routine maintenance, and conduct inspections and examinations on schedule, thereby effectively fulfilling their primary responsibility for operational safety.

When an inspection institution accepts an application for safety and quality supervision inspection of an imported mobile pressure vessel containing liquefied gas, the manufacturer or user shall submit the technical review and approval documentation specified in Section 1.7 of the Mobile Pressure Vessel Regulation. Only after such documentation has been submitted may the inspection institution conduct the safety and quality supervision inspection of the imported mobile pressure vessel.

（9）Regarding the quality of the pressure medium in pressure regulation systems for oxygen chambers.

The user of an oxygen chamber shall conduct routine inspections of the quality of the pressure medium in its pressure regulation system. During periodic inspection of the oxygen chamber, the inspection institution shall verify the user's inspection records and procedures.

If the user does not have the capability to inspect the quality of the pressure medium, it may entrust an oxygen chamber inspection institution or another qualified third-party institution to conduct the inspection.

 

III. Gas Cylinders

（1）Regarding safety supervision of gas cylinders or cylinder groups used at stations.

Gas cylinders or cylinder groups designed and manufactured in accordance with gas cylinder requirements and permanently installed for use within filling stations shall be registered for use and subject to periodic inspection as gas cylinders. The periodic inspection institution shall hold PD1 or RD8 qualifications.

For large-volume seamless gas cylinders and cylinder groups, the periodic inspection institution shall, in accordance with Large-Volume Steel Seamless Gas Cylinders (GB 33145-2016), add the relevant inspection requirements for large-volume seamless gas cylinders to the periodic inspection program.

When station-use gas cylinders or cylinder groups are permanently installed, their installation requirements shall also comply with national fire protection codes for building design and relevant fire safety regulations.

（2）Regarding the automatic recording function of hydraulic test equipment.

To achieve traceability of the safety and quality of gas cylinder products, Section 4.9 (3) of the Safety Technical Supervision Regulation for Gas Cylinders requires that "hydraulic test equipment shall be capable of automatically recording the cylinder number, time, and test results in real time."

The hydraulic test equipment used by manufacturers of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders shall be capable of simultaneously performing the following functions:

1. Automatically reading and recording cylinder numbers, with an identification accuracy of more than 95%;

2. Automatically recording the actual test pressure in real time;

3. Ensuring that the gas cylinder holding time under pressure is not less than 30 seconds;

4. Automatically recording test results and retaining the pressure-time curve for the hydraulic test of each gas cylinder tested at each station of the test equipment.

Where the manufacturer's hydraulic test equipment is unable to automatically read and record the stamped serial number of each individual gas cylinder, a permanent electronic identification mark (QR code or electronic tag) shall be installed on each gas cylinder to enable automatic identification and recording.

（3）Regarding certain provisions of the Gas Cylinder Filling Licensing Rules.

1. Circumstances in which a gas cylinder filling license is not required.

The filling of breathing apparatus gas cylinders used by firefighters and mine rescue personnel is not subject to the gas cylinder filling licensing requirements. The gas cylinders filled in this manner shall be for internal use only and shall not be used for external sales.

2. The applicable conditions for Article 5 (2) of the Gas Cylinder Filling Licensing Rules, which requires "approval from relevant government planning, fire protection, and other authorities," are as follows:

（1）Newly licensed and relocated filling stations shall possess a Planning Permit issued by the local government or relevant authority. Filling stations applying for license renewal shall possess either a Planning Permit issued by the local government or relevant authority or an administrative license proving lawful operation, such as a Hazardous Chemicals Business License or Gas Business License;

（2）In accordance with the requirements of the competent fire protection authority, the filling station shall obtain a qualified fire protection acceptance opinion or other relevant documentation after applying for and passing fire protection acceptance.

3. The "commissioning of the filling line" referred to in Article 9 of the Gas Cylinder Filling Licensing Rules, which states that "the applicant may conduct commissioning of the gas cylinder filling line," refers to the overall commissioning of the special equipment and gas cylinder filling line at the filling station, as well as trial filling of gas cylinders. Before obtaining the filling license, the filling station shall not conduct business with external customers.

4. The provision in A5.3 of the Gas Cylinder Filling Licensing Rules stating that "filling safety facilities shall comply with the requirements for safety facilities specified in the following standards" lists four standards (GB 17264-1998, GB 17265-1998, GB 17266-1998, and GB 17267-1998). These standards have been replaced by Safety Technical Conditions for Gas Cylinder Filling Stations (GB/T 27550-2011). After GB/T 27550 came into effect, applicants for new gas cylinder filling licenses and entities applying for license renewal shall comply with the safety facility requirements of this standard.

（4）Regarding liquefied petroleum gas cylinders in designated colors.

Where the owner of gas cylinders applies to use liquefied petroleum gas cylinders in designated colors, the following conditions shall be met:

1. The quality and technical supervision department responsible for gas cylinder use registration shall approve the application.

2. Permanent electronic identification marks (QR codes or electronic tags) shall be installed on the gas cylinders, and a gas cylinder traceability system shall be established.

3. The ownership identification of the owner shall be permanently embossed on the convex head of the gas cylinder (excluding cylinders already in service).

（5）Regarding gas cylinders for export.

Gas cylinders manufactured in accordance with national standards for export shall be stamped with the "CK" identification at the location designated for the manufacturing supervision inspection stamp. The words "出口" or the corresponding Chinese Pinyin shall be indicated on the certificate of conformity.

Gas cylinders for export are not subject to manufacturing supervision inspection and shall not be used within China.

（6）Regarding temporarily imported gas cylinders.

Temporarily imported gas cylinders are limited to cylinders that are alternately filled overseas for use in China and filled domestically for use overseas. Cylinders that cannot be used in such an alternating manner shall not be managed or used as temporarily imported gas cylinders.

IV. Pressure Pipelines

（1）Regarding pressure pipelines located within long-distance pipeline stations.

For pressure pipelines within long-distance pipeline stations that are designed as industrial pipelines, the manufacture of their components, installation, inspection and testing, and use registration shall be carried out in accordance with the relevant requirements applicable to industrial pipelines.

（2）Regarding periodic inspection of oil and gas pipelines.

1. Inspection institutions shall conduct periodic inspection of oil and gas pipelines in accordance with the Regulation on Periodic Inspection of Pressure Pipelines — Long-Distance (Oil and Gas) Pipelines (TSG D7003), and shall comply with the following requirements:

（1）Periodic inspection of oil and gas pipelines shall include internal inspection using inspection tools (except for pipelines that do not have conditions suitable for internal inspection) and external inspection of the condition of external anti-corrosion (insulation) layers and cathodic protection systems;

（2）For oil and gas pipelines that do not have conditions suitable for internal inspection, applicable external inspection methods may be selected according to the principal damage mechanisms of the pipeline;

（3）Where neither internal nor external inspection can be performed, or where inspectors have doubts about the safety condition of the pipeline, a pressure (hydrostatic) test shall be conducted.

2. Institutions conducting periodic inspection of oil and gas pipelines shall obtain DD1-level inspection qualifications. Institutions with internal inspection capabilities shall have such capability indicated on their certificates. Institutions conducting magnetic flux leakage (MFL) internal inspection shall also obtain MFL inspection qualifications.

（3）Regarding periodic inspection of skid-mounted pressure-bearing equipment systems or mechanical equipment systems (collectively referred to as "equipment systems").

Pressure vessels and pressure pipelines within an "equipment system" shall be periodically inspected separately by institutions holding the corresponding qualifications for periodic inspection of pressure vessels or pressure pipelines.

 

 

General Office of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine

November 1, 2017