The pressure equipment directive 2014/68/EU involves the harmonization of the laws of European member states on pressure equipment. Pressure equipment in the sense of the Directive includes vessels, pipelines and components with a maximum allowable pressure greater than 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure.

Classification according to hazard potential

The classification of the devices according to the pressure equipment directive takes place according to the hazard potential (medium/pressure/volume/nominal width) in the categories I to IV or article 4 paragraph 3. The following criteria are decisive for assessing the hazard potential; they are also listed in diagrams 1 to 4 and 6 to 9:

The fired or otherwise heated pressure equipment is listed separately in diagram 5.

Note

Liquid fluids according to article 4 are those liquids whose vapor pressure at the maximum permitted temperature is not more than 0.5 bar above the normal atmospheric pressure (1013 mbar).

The maximum permitted temperature for the utilized liquids is the maximum process temperature as specified by the user. It must be within the limits specified for the device.

Classification of the media (liquid/gas) into fluid groups*

"Fluids" are gases, liquids and vapors in pure phase as well as their mixtures; fluids can include a suspension of solid matter; fluids are classified into the following fluid groups according to article 13 of the pressure equipment directive 2014/68/EU.

Paragraph a

Group 1

Group 1 consisting of substances and mixtures, as defined in points 7 and 8 of article 2 of Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, that are classified as hazardous in accordance with the following physical or health hazard classes laid down in parts 2 and 3 of annex I to that Regulation:

i) unstable explosive substances/mixtures or explosive substances/ mixtures of divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5

ii) flammable gases, categories 1 and 2

iii) oxidizing gases, category 1

iv) flammable liquids, category 1 and 2

v) flammable liquids, category 3 where the maximum permissible temperature is above the flash point

vi) flammable solids, category 1 and 2

vii) self-reactive substances and mixtures, type A to F

viii) pyrophoric liquids, category 1

ix) pyrophoric solids, category 1

x) substances and mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases, category 1, 2 and 3

xi) oxidizing liquids, category 1, 2 and 3

xii) oxidizing solids, category 1, 2 and 3

xiii) organic peroxides, types A to F

xiv) acute oral toxicity, category 1 and 2

xv) acute dermal toxicity, category 1 and 2

xvi) acute inhalation toxicity, category 1, 2 and 3

xvii) specific target organ toxicity - single exposure, category 1

Group 1 comprises also substances and mixtures in pressure equipment with a maximum allowable temperature TS which exceeds the flash point of the fluid.

Paragraph b

Group 2

All fluids that are not included in Group 1.

* from: "Directive 2014/68/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of pressure equipment (recast)"

Conformity assessment

Pressure equipment of category I to IV must meet the safety requirements set out in annex II and carry a CE marking.

They must meet a conformity assessment procedure set out in annex III of the Directive.

Pressure equipment to article 4 paragraph 3 shall be designed and manufactured in accordance with the sound engineering practice of a Member State and must not have a CE marking (CE markings from other Directives are not affected).

Siemens has (as long as the device is not subject to article 4 paragraph 3) conducted a conformity assessment for its products, given a CE marking and provided a declaration of conformity.

Monitoring of the design, dimensioning, testing and production takes place according to module H (full quality assurance).

Notes

• Equipment designed for media with a high level of hazard (e.g. gases fluid group 1) may also be used for media with a lower hazard potential (e.g. gas of fluid group 2 or liquids of fluid group 1 and 2).
• According to article 1 paragraph 2, this directive shall not apply to equipment such as moveable offshore installations, ships, aircraft, networks for water and wastewater supply, nuclear plants, rockets and pipelines outside of industrial plants.

Diagrams

Pressure equipment directive diagram 1

• Gases fluid group 1
• Vessels in accordance with article 4 paragraph 1 letter a number i first dash
• Exception: Unstable gases of category I and II are to be classified in category III.

Pressure equipment directive diagram 2

• Gases fluid group 2
• Vessels in accordance with article 4 paragraph 1 letter a number i second dash
• Exception: Fire extinguishers and bottles for breathing apparatus: At least category III.

• Liquids fluid group 1
• Vessels in accordance with article 4 paragraph 1 letter a number ii first dash

• Liquids fluid group 2
• Vessels in accordance with article 4 paragraph 1 letter a number ii second dash
• Exception: Modules for generating warm water

• Fired or otherwise heated pressure equipment with the risk of overheating at temperatures higher than 110 °C.
• Pressure equipment in accordance with article 4 paragraph 1 letter b
• Exception: Pressure cookers, testing method at least according to category III.

• Gases fluid group 1
• Piping in accordance with article 4 paragraph 1 letter c number i first dash
• Exception: Unstable gases of category I and II are to be classified in category III.

• Gases fluid group 2
• Piping in accordance with article 4 paragraph 1 letter c number i second dash
• Exception: Fluids with temperatures > 350 °C of category II are to be classified in category III.

• Liquids fluid group 1
• Piping in accordance with article 4 paragraph 1 letter c number ii first dash

• Liquids fluid group 2
• Piping in accordance with article 4 paragraph 1 letter c number ii second dash