Does the safety valve fall within the scope of mandatory state verification?
A safety valve is a pressure-bearing component.Special equipmentIt is a critical safety protection device in equipment such as boilers, pressure vessels, and pressurized pipelines. When the system pressure exceeds the set value, the safety valve automatically opens to discharge the medium, thereby preventing serious accidents caused by overpressure. According to China’s relevant safety technical inspection regulations for special equipment, safety valves, as safety accessories of special equipment, are subject to explicit mandatory requirements for verification and testing. Consequently, the periodic inspection of safety valves falls under the strict regulatory oversight of national laws and regulations, and enterprises must comply with these provisions to ensure the safe operation of their equipment.
Periodic inspection interval for safety valves
AboutSafety valveof/’sPeriodic inspectionFor the cycle, the relevant technical specifications typically include the following basic requirements:
- Routine inspection cycleIn general, safety valves should be inspected and calibrated at least once per year. For equipment operating under certain specific conditions or handling special media, the inspection and calibration intervals may be subject to more stringent requirements.
- After new installation and maintenanceBefore a newly installed safety valve is put into service, and after equipment has undergone major overhauls or the safety valve has been disassembled and repaired, it must be re‑verified; only upon passing verification may it be put into operation.
- Conditions for Postponing VerificationUnder specific conditions—such as clean process media, sound operating status, and the availability of reliable online monitoring—and following assessment and approval by the relevant technical authorities, the inspection interval for certain safety valves may be appropriately extended; however, this requires strict adherence to the prescribed approval procedures.
Inspection Requirements for Safety Valves in Air Compressor Systems
In industrial production, air compressor systems are widely employed, and the storage tank, as a typical pressure vessel, relies on its safety valve as a critical component.Air compressor parts. The safety valves of the air compressor system must also be strictly compliant.National mandatory inspectionand the provisions for periodic inspections. Due to the frequent start‑stop cycles and significant pressure fluctuations in air compressor systems, the internal components of safety valves are prone to fatigue or aging. Therefore, the user organization must include the air compressor receiver tank’s safety valve in the annual inspection plan to ensure that it responds promptly and reliably in the event of overpressure.
How can enterprises implement compliant management of safety valves?
To ensure production safety and comply with national regulatory requirements, enterprises should implement the following measures in their day-to-day operations:
- Establish an equipment ledgerAll special equipment and its safety valves shall be registered and cataloged, with detailed records kept of their specifications, set pressures, installation locations, and the dates of all previous inspections.
- File and undergo inspection on schedule: Before the safety valve’s inspection validity period expires, proactively submit a verification application to a legally qualified special equipment inspection agency; the use of expired valves is strictly prohibited.
- Standardize lead seal managementAfter the safety valve has passed verification, the inspection agency shall affix a lead seal. During routine operation, the user organization shall not arbitrarily adjust the set pressure or break the lead seal.
- Strengthen daily patrolsOperators shall regularly inspect the appearance of safety valves, their discharge lines, and associated condensate drainage devices, and promptly report and address any abnormalities such as leaks or corrosion.