UNFIRED
PRESSURE
VESSELS
RULE 1170
(1) “Unfired pressure vessels” shall mean any closed vessel other than a boiler constructed
to hold steam, hot water, gas or air, ordinarily supplied from an external source or from the
indirect application of heat. This definition shall not include portable cylinders for the storage
of compressed gases
(2) “Steam heated pressure vessels” shall mean an airtight vessel or an open pan or kettle,
which is steam jacketed or equipped with steam coil or steam supply piping and is used in
such operations as cooking, distilling, drying, evaporating and hardening.
(3) “Water pressure tank” “ shall mean a pressure vessel used for heating water by means of
live steam or steam coil, or for the storage of cold water to be dispersed by means of
pressure.
1171: DEFINITIONS
(4) “Air pressure tank” shall mean a pressure vessel used as primary and secondary tank in
connection with ordinary compression cycles, and receiving its air supply direct from the
compressor.
(5) “Refrigeration tank” shall mean a pressure vessel used in refrigeration system, excluding
the piping of such system.
(6) “Working pressure” shall mean a gauge pressure or pressure above the atmospheric
pressure in kg./cm2.
1171: DEFINITIONS
Application of this provision is provided under Rule 1162. The term pressure vessel shall be
used in lieu of boiler and the same is referred as “unfired pressure vessel” in the application
and usage of this RULE.
1172: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Application of this provision is provided under Rule 1162.01.
1172.01: STANDARD REQUIREMENT
(1) Pressure vessels construction procedural process, material, fittings and attachments shall
be in accordance with the standards requirements provided under Rule 1162.01.
(2) Pressure vessels shall be designed for their intended use and suitably to local condition.
(3) Every pressure vessel shall be accompanied by a certificate issued by the Manufacturer
showing the technical specifications to which the vessel has been constructed.
(4) Application for permit for locally fabricated pressure vessels shall be filed with the Bureau
or to the Regional Office (with available PME) accompanied by design and specification in
five (5) copies (white print).
1172.02: CONSTRUCTION
(1) Pressure vessels shall be installed in a way that all parts are readily accessible for
inspection.
(2) Safety valves of pressure vessels where pressure is supplied from an outside source
shall be connected to the vessels or system which are protected to prevent a rise in pressure
beyond the allowable maximum.
(3) Requirements in the preparation of pressure vessels installation plans including internal
combustion engine and other mechanical equipment shall be as provided under Rule 1168.
1172.03: INSTALLATION
The permissible working pressure vessel shall be reduced to maintain a factor of safety of
not less than five (5) or such other factor as may have been specified/fixed in the
specification when an inspection of the pressure vessel shows signs of deterioration unless
suitable repairs are done. It shall be reduced or de-rated in accordance to the provisions of
its design code based on the remaining thickness as determined by conducting thickness-
gauging measurement.
1172.04: FACTOR OF SAFETY
(1) Except for those types of pressure vessels where such inspection openings are
impracticable, pressure vessels shall be provided with:
a. suitable manhole, hand hole or other openings for inspection, examination and
cleaning or
b. removable heads or cover plates of a size not less than the required area of the
openings and located to provide adequate view of its interior.
(2) Provisions for manhole and handholes shall be as provided and specified under ASME
requirement based on vessel diameter.
(3) Handhole openings in pressure vessels shall be not less than 70 mm. (2 3
/4 in.) in size.
1172.05: ACCESS AND INSPECTION OPENINGS
Pressure vessels shall be protected by such safety and relief valves,
indicating and controlling devices to ensure their safe operation. The
appliances shall be constructed, located and installed to avoid any
mechanical damage
1172.06: SAFETY APPLIANCES
(1) Safety valves in pressure vessels shall have mechanical lifting devices to lift the valve disc from its seat
when testing. The safety valve shall be set within plus or minus ten percent (10%) of its designed pressure.
(2) Safety valves of pressure vessels where pressure is supplied from an outside source shall
be connected to the vessels or systems which are protected to prevent a rise in pressure
beyond the allowable maximum.
(3) Pressure vessels in which pressure is generated, shall be provided with safety valves and connected:
a. directly to the vessel or
b. if the contents of the vessels are likely to clog or cause interference with the operation, safety valves may
be connected to the pipe lines leading to the vessels.
(4) Safety valves having either the seat or the disc of cast iron shall not be used in pressure vessels.
(5) The discharge capacity of safety valves on pressure vessels shall be sufficient for the size
of the supply pipes and the pressure at which the vessels are operated.
1172.07: SAFETY VALVES
(6) Outlets of safety valves on pressure vessels shall be located or piped to avoid hazards to
persons.
(7) When two or more safety valves are fitted on a pressure vessel, all except one of the
valves shall be set to blow at a pressure slightly above but not more than ten percent (10%)
of the maximum permissible working pressure.
(8) When two or more safety valves are fitted on a pressure vessel, all except one of the
valves shall be set to blow at a pressure slightly above but not more than ten percent (10%)
of the maximum permissible working pressure.
(9) Safety valves on pressure vessels shall be provided with continuous drain.
1172.07: SAFETY VALVES
(1) Safety rupture discs, shall be made of suitable materials
which are:
a. uniform in thickness;
b. capable of withstanding any chemical action; and
c. durable enough to withstand the least possible change.
(2) Where safety rupture discs are used for additional
protection of pressure vessels, they
shall be designed to fail at a pressure above the safety valve
setting.
1172.08: RUPTURE DISCS
Where a battery of pressure vessels is operated, control valves shall be plainly marked by
numbering or by the use of a distinctive color system. If the valve is located on the vessel,
each vessel shall carry a mark corresponding to that on its valve.
1172.09: IDENTIFICATION OF CONTROL VALVES
indicating and recording devices on pressure vessels shall be protected against breakage or
clogging and clearly legible to the operators.
1172.10: INDICATING AND RECORDING DEVICES
Inspection proceedings for Pressure Vessels shall be the same as provided under Rule
1162.02
1172.11: INSPECTION
1) Vessels containing or are used as containers for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),
chemicals, catalyst and other corrosive gases shall be subjected to internal and/or external
inspection, including hydrostatic tests equal to 1.2 times the maximum working pressure at
intervals not exceeding two (2) years in the case of cylinders for corrosive gases and five (5)
years for other gas cylinders. However, internal inspection shall be conducted on such a
vessel at any time within this period if in the opinion of the competent authority, said
inspection is deemed necessary due to known or inspected defects.
(2) The result of the internal and/or external conduct of inspection on all pressure vessel
parts
and appliances, may upon the discretionary power/privilege of the inspection authority,
decide whether or not to subject the pressure vessel to a hydrostatic test.
(3) In lieu of hydrostatic test, radiographic, ultrasonic thickness gauging, magnetic particle,
liquid penetrant and/or other equivalent non-destructive test shall be performed on such
vessel.
1173: LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) VESSELS AND
OTHER CYLINDERS
Every cylinder owner/user or person responsible for the
maintenance of the cylinder shall keep a cylinder maintenance
logbook/register which shall show the corresponding dates of all
tests, internal and/or external inspection, cleaning and repairs
undertaken. Such logbook/register shall be made available upon
request by the inspection authority.
1173.01: CYLINDER RECORDS
1173.02: Fittings
(1) Every cylinder shall be provided with a device that prevents damage to the bottom of the
gas cylinder.
(2) Only materials resistant to the contents of the cylinder shall be used for parts of valves
and fittings.
(3) Copper and alloy containing copper shall not be used for parts or fittings on cylinders for
liquefied ammonia dissolve under pressure.
(4) All fittings of cylinders for oxygen and other oxidizing gases shall be kept free from
grease.
(5) For all flammable gases, the connection screw shall always be right handed except for
LPG cylinders.
1173.02: FITTINGS
1173.03: Markings and Identifications
(1) Cylinders shall be legibly marked for the purpose of identifying the content inside with:
a. chemical symbols - to be stamped on the metal at the shoulder of the cylinder; and
b. chemical name and trade name - to be stenciled, labeled or stamped and shall not
be easily removed.
(2) All markings shall be located on or near the shoulder of the cylinder.
(3) Metal stampings shall have a minimum height of 0.31 cm (1/8 in.).
(4) The height of lettering by printing, stenciling, labeling and paint or ink stamping shall
not be less than one over twenty five (1/25) of the diameter of the cylinder with a minimum
height of 0.62 cm. (1/4 in.).
1173.03: MARKINGS AND IDENTIFICATIONS
(1) Cylinders shall be adequately protected against excessive variations of temperature, direct rays of the sun and
continuous dampness.
(2) Storage of charged cylinders inside factory buildings shall be:
a. limited to such number as to be reasonably safe for the workers therein:
b. suitably placed and secured against their falling and rolling.
(3) Storage rooms containing charged cylinders should be appropriately marked on the outside with clearly visible danger
signs.
(4) Cylinders shall be segregated for storage by type of gas and empty cylinders shall be stored apart from charged
cylinders.
(5) Cylinders shall not be placed:
a. in or near gangways, stairways, elevator installations or other places where moving objects may strike or fall against them.
b. close to highly flammable substances; and
c. adjacent to air intake;
d. basement or cellar
1173.04: HANDLING AND STORAGE
(6) Storerooms shall:
a. be provided with adequate ventilation facilities to the outside air; and
b. have an adequate number of exits having regard to the quantity and nature of the
gas stored.
(7) Smoking in cylinder rooms is prohibited
1173.04: HANDLING AND STORAGE
(1) Cylinders shall be transported in a way that no part of the cylinders shall project beyond
the sides or ends of the vehicle.
(2) Adequate precaution shall be taken to prevent rough handling, excessive shocks or local
stress.
(3) No cylinder shall be moved by a lifting magnet.
(4) When cylinders are moved by a hoisting mechanism, a properly designed cradle with
suitable slings shall be used
1173.05: TRANSPORT
1174: Steam Heated Pressure Vessels
Where steam heated pressure vessel is operated at a
pressure less than that of the main steam supply line,
an effective reducing valve shall be properly secured
against any manipulations by an unauthorized person.
1174.01
Reducing valves and safety valves on steam lines for pressure vessels shall be tested
occasionally. Steam supply pipes for steam heated pressure vessels shall be placed in floor
trenches, where practicable, or covered with insulating materials within 2 m. from the floor or
working level to prevent excessive increase of temperature in the atmosphere of the
workroom.
1174.02
1175: Closed Steam Heated Pressure Vessels
(1) Closed steam heated pressure vessels equipped with bayonet-
joint covers shall be provided with interlocks or other effective
means for preventing:
a. the rise of pressure inside the vessel before the cover is in fully
locked position; and
b. the release of the cover from the locked position before the
pressure inside the
vessel has been reduced to atmospheric pressure.
1175.01: INTERLOCKS
Where the contents of the closed vertical pressure vessels are stirred by means of a live
steam, the vessel shall be provided with heavy coiled springs or other suitable shock
absorbers under their supports.
1175.02: STEAM AGITATION
(1) Pressure gauges and safety valves on revolving cylindrical steam heated pressure
vessels, such as revolving autoclaves, devulcanizers and rotary driers, shall be located on
the lines at the trunnions thru which steam is admitted into the vessels.
(2) Driving mechanisms of revolving steam heated pressure vessels shall be provided with:
a. appropriate locking device; and
b. safeguards in accordance with the requirements of Rule 1200.
1175.03: REVOLVING CLOSED VESSELS
(1) Autoclaves shall be provided with casings that shall:
a. prevent the contents from being forced out directly in the working spaces, and
b. extend down to the floor to prevent any person from walking under the vessel.
(2) Autoclaves containing liquids shall be installed over pits or in casings of light steel or other
suitable materials, tight at the bottom and capable of holding the charge or draining to a
suitable receiver.
(3) All electrical equipment in rooms where autoclaves containing flammable substances are
installed shall be:
a. effectively grounded; and
b. of approved explosion- proof type.
(4) Linings of autoclaves shall be examined, frequently for leaks and shall be renewed before
the shells are damaged.
(5) The heating of oil for oil-jacketed autoclaves shall be performed at points remote from the
vessels
1175.04: AUTOCLAVES
(1) Digesters used for the cooking of wood chips shall be equipped with piping of corrosion
resistant materials and of adequate thickness, particularly between the blow-off and blow-pits.
(2) Blow-off valves on digesters shall be so arranged that they can be operated from a location
outside the digester room or from protected point remote from the valves.
(3) Openings of blow-pits shall be so constructed as small as possible with raised sides or
guarded by standard railings of not less than 1.25 m. (48 in.) in height.
(4) Openings of blow-pits shall be preferably on the sides of the pits.
(5) Ladders for access to blow-pits shall be constructed that the doors of the blow-pits cannot
be closed when the ladders are in place.
(6) An effective warning system consisting of bells, whistles or other signaling devices, shall
be installed in digesters and blow-pits rooms, to be sounded or operated before and while
digesters are being blown.
1175.05: DIGESTERS
(7) Before opening blow-off valves to discharge the contents, the following procedures shall
be observed:
a. the blow-pit shall be free from stock and water;
b. precautions shall be taken to ensure that all workers are out of the blow-pit;
c. the door of the blow-pit shall be securely fastened; and
d. workers in the digesters and blow-pit rooms shall be warned by signals that the blow-off
valve is to be opened.
1175.05: DIGESTERS
(8) Blow-off valves on digesters shall be opened slowly.
(9) Head covers on digesters shall not be loosened while any pressure is indicated on the
steam gauge.
(10) Persons not directly concerned shall not be permitted in digester buildings while
digesters are being blown.
(11) Each floor of digester buildings shall be provided with not less than two (2) unobstructed
means of egress.
1175.05: DIGESTERS
(1) Stills shall be equipped with duplicate pressure gauges, safety valves and recording
thermometers or pyrometers.
(2) Charging vapor and steam lines on stills shall be:
a. fitted with dual valves, with a bleeder between them, and
b. provided with arrangements for disconnecting and blanking the lines.
(3) Convenient and safe access for quick manipulation of overhead valves on stills shall be
provided.
(4) Where horizontal shell stills are mounted at varying heights to allow gravity flow, the
manhole ladders shall be of different lengths to fit the front manhole of each still at the
proper angle.
(5) When preparing apparatus used in distilling flammable, corrosive or toxic fluids for cleaning
or repairs, the following procedure shall be observed:
a. steam inlet valves shall be locked in close position;
b. all charging fluid shall be pumped out;
c. all inlet lines shall be disconnected and blanked or the inlet valves shall be locked in position; and
d. the stills shall be blown through with live steam admitted through a top connection
1175.06: DISTILLING APPARATUS
(6) When stills are to be charged with cold liquids, they shall first be filled with steam until all
the air has been expelled and steam shows at the safety and vacuum relief valves.
(7) When stills are charged with hot liquids, they shall be steamed progressively from the stills
through the tower and condensing equipment to a try cock on the gas line.
1175.06: DISTILLING APPARATUS
Where hot liquids, such as solutions of caustic soda, lime or sulphuric
acid are used in circulating kiers coiling out textile materials or in similar
closed pressure vessels, the liquids:
a. shall be prepared in separate vessel or tanks, and
b. shall not be admitted to the pressure vessels until loading of the
materials to be
processed has been completed.
1175.07: KIERS
(1) Vulcanizer and devulcanizer door fastenings shall be of ample strength, properly spaced and carefully secured.
(2) Vulcanizers and devulcanizers shall be installed above the floors high enough to permit piping valves and traps on
the same floors as the vessels. This requirement shall not apply where it is necessary to install bottoms of horizontal
vulcanizers below floor levels in order to place the car tracts on the vulcanizers on the same level as the floor tracks.
(3) Periodic and through internal and external inspections shall be made of vulcanizers including all attachments and
connecting equipment, at intervals not exceeding three (3) months.
(4) Before allowing workers to enter vulcanizers or devulcanizers for the purpose of releasing jammed or derailed
vulcanizer cars or for any other necessary operation, the following shall be observed:
a. steam valves and other supply valves shall be locked in closed position;
b. the blow-down valves on the individual vessel and on any other vessel using the same drain shall be locked in
closed position;
c. the vessels shall be free of hazardous fumes or vapor; and
d. the vessels shall be cooled sufficiently to prevent workers from being burned or over exposed to heat
1175.08: VULCANIZERS AND DEVULCANIZERS
(5) Safety valves for vulcanizers and open-steam type devulcanizers shall be attached directly to the shells of the
vessels.
(6) Vulcanizers and open-steam type devulcanizers equipped with bolted doors shall be provided with hinged type
door belts securely attached to lugs on the shell rings.
(7) Before any attempt is made to open the doors of vulcanizers or open-steam type devulcanizers, the following shall
be observed:
a. the steam supply valves shall be closed;
b. the blow-down and telltale valves shall be opened until the telltale valve indicates
that all internal pressure has been relieved; and
c. the drain valves shall be opened.
(8) Vulcanizers and open-steam type devulcanizers shall be equip
1175.08: VULCANIZERS AND DEVULCANIZERS
(9) Horizontal vulcanizers and open type devulcanizers shall be equipped with:
a. a drain valve at the bottom near the front of the vessel for draining condensed or cooling water from the vessels and
to avoid scalding of workers when the doors are opened, and
b. an additional drain valve near the center, when the vessel is more than 0.75 m. (2. 5 ft.) in length.
(10) Vertical vulcanizers and devulcanizers shall be provided with suitable platforms equipped with standard railings
and toeboards and arranged to make all working areas accessible
1175.08: VULCANIZERS AND DEVULCANIZERS
(1) Doors on vulcanizers shall be of quick opening type, with fastening and locking arrangements
in full sight of the operators.
(2) Quick opening vulcanizers doors shall be equipped with automatic interlocks that will prevent
doors from being opened until all pressure has been relieved.
(3) Power-operated vulcanizer doors running in vertical guides shall be equipped with automatic
latches in the guides to prevent the doors from falling in the event of failure of the hoisting
mechanism.
(4) Vulcanizers shall be equipped with telltale valves, preferably located on the vulcanizer doors,
for reducing the pressure inside to atmospheric level before the doors can be opened.
1175.09: VULCANIZERS
(5) Where bottoms of horizontal vulcanizers extend below the floor levels, the pits shall be
guarded at the sides by standard railings and toeboards, and at the ends by removable
rails or by chain carrying warning signs.
(6) Where vulcanizers cars are used, car stops shall be provided in the rear part of the vulcanizer
to prevent the cars from striking workers when rolled in.
(7) Plates over spiders on top of hydraulic rams on vertical type vulcanizers shall be perforated
and provided with center holes large enough to prevent the accumulation of steam within
the rams and the blowing out of the moulds or plates upon removal of the covers.
(8) Vertical type vulcanizers shall be provided with overflow pipes of the water operating the
hydraulic rams, with a capacity not less than that of the water inlet pipes, inserted through
the cylinder wall at the limit of travel necessary for the ram.
1175.09: VULCANIZERS
(1) Where safety valves on alkali devulcanizers may be clogged by rubber or other foreign materials from the contents
of the vessels, safety rupture discs should be substituted.
(2) Alkali devulcanizers shall be provided with baffles directly on the inner shells at the entrance to the safety valves,
steam gauges, and blow-down lines.
(3) Workers exposed to splashes from caustic liquids used in alkali devulcanizers shall be provided with suitable
personal protective equipment conforming to the requirement of Rule 1080.
(4) Discharge pipes and closed dump tanks for stationary alkali devulcanizers shall be designed to withstand
devulcanizers’ pressure in the event the lines are opened under high pressure.
(5) Revolving spherical alkali devulcanizers shall be provided with:
a. individual motor drives or effective means of locking the driver to prevent the possibility of accidental starting;
b. remote power controls, beyond the reach of persons standing in front of the manhole; and
c. automatic interlocking devices which will prevent starting the driving mechanism until the manhole covers are closed
and locked except when the operators keep their hands on the power controls.
1175.10: ALKALI DEVULCANIZERS
