CE MARKING IN
SIMPLE PRESSURE VESSELS
The Simple Pressure Vessels Directive 2014/29/EU (SPV) was adopted into all European national pressure equipment codes and ordinances, and represents one uniform law for simple pressure vessels being sold in the European Community. The SPV applies to simple pressure vessels manufactured in series. A “simple pressure vessel” means any welded vessel subjected to an internal pressure greater than 0,5 bar, which is intended to contain air or nitrogen and which is not intended to be fired.
The parts and assemblies contributing to the strength of the vessel under pressure must be made either of non-alloy quality steel or of non-alloy aluminium or non-age hardening aluminium alloys. The maximum working pressure of the vessel must not exceed 30 bar and the product of the maximum working pressure (PS) and the capacity of the vessel (V) shall not exceed 10 000 bar/liter.
The Simple Pressure Vessels Directive 2014/29/EU covers essential requirements just like other directives, but does not give specifics on design, material, manufacturing and testing. These questions can be answered through application of accepted national codes and standards.
Vessels where PSxV exceeds 50 bar/liter must satisfy the essential safety requirements set out in Annex I of the Directive and must undergo a notified body assessment. Depending upon the type of equipment – its pressure rating x volume or the manufacturing standard used – manufacturers may select a procedure from a range of conformity modules.
The Directive categorises vessels according to their stored energy, expressed in terms of the product of maximum working pressure in bar and its capacity in liters (PS.V). Different provisions apply to each vessel category.
- Category A consists of vessels with a PS.V of more than 50 bar.litres, and is divided into:
- Category A.1, consisting of vessels with a PS.V of more than 3,000 but not more than 10,000 bar.liters,
- Category A.2, consisting of vessels with a PS.V of more than 200 but not more than 3,000 bar.liters, and
- Category A.3, consisting of vessels with a PS.V of more than 50 but not more than 200 bar.liters.
- Category B consists of vessels with a PS.V of 50 bar.liters or less.
