HELP CENTER FOR DESIGN VERIFICATION

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Disclaimer:
The information provided above is intended for general information only and has been given to the best of our knowledge. Specific queries for vessel design verification and design registration should be directed to the relevant state authority.

FAQ - Design Verification: FAQ

1. WHAT IS PRESSURE VESSEL DESIGN REGISTRATION?

Registering the design of the pressure equipment with Worksafe, ideally this should be completed prior to the manufacture of the vessel. The design is represented by a set of engineering drawings which document the design conditions, general arrangement, material of construction, weld details, design code, contents, any external loading conditions (piping, wind, seismic) and mechanical design calculations. Once the design is verified by an independent third-party qualified person, Worksafe issue a unique design registration number for that design. Only one design registration number is required per design and it can be used for multiple plant. The design can be registered in any State or Territory of Australia and each State or Territory of Australia accept each other’s design registration numbers.

2. WHAT IS PRESSURE VESSEL PLANT REGISTRATION?

Pressure vessel plant registration is when the item of plant is registered with Worksafe. This must be completed in the State or Territory the plant is located and usually completed by the end user or owner. This can be done on line with WorkSafe and they will require the design registration number. Plant registration is for every plant manufactured within Hazard Level A to C. Victoria is the only state in Australia that has no requirement for plant registration.

3. WHICH PRESSURE VESSELS REQUIRE DESIGN REGISTRATION?

All pressure equipment including boilers, vessel with quick activating closures, fired heaters or convection banks, water heaters, compressed air containing vessels, static storage vessels, process vessels, auxiliary vessels, refrigerated and air-conditioning vessels, static low temperature vessels (below-10°C), steam pressure vessels, transportable vessels, buried or mounded pressure equipment with a Hazard Level A to D (in accordance with AS4343) require the design to be independently design verified by a qualified design verifier and design to be registered with Worksafe.

4. DOES THE DESIGN REGISTRATION NUMBER NEED TO BE STAMPED ON THE VESSEL OR A NAMEPLATE?

The design registration number provided by Worksafe must be stamped on each vessel or etched on a nameplate that is permanently attached to the vessel.

5. DO ALL STATES AND TERRITORIES IN AUSTRALIA HAVE THE SAME RULES FOR DESIGN REGISTRATION OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT?

No all States and Territories do not have the same rules. Western Australia only accept designs that are stated in AS1200. All other States will accept design codes published by recognised standards organisations if they have the equivalent level of safety as AS1210 as stated in AS1200.

6. WHO/WHAT IS A DESIGN VERIFIER?

A design verifier must be a qualified competent person who does not have any involvement in the design being verified and the design verifying body has an accredited quality system that meets the requirements of ISO 9001. The design verifier checks the design complies to the nominated design code.

7. DO ALL PRESSURE VESSELS NEED TO BE DESIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AUSTRALIAN PRESSURE VESSEL DESIGN CODE AS1210?

No, AS1200 states the pressure vessel can be designed in accordance with recognised standards organisations if they have the equivalent level of safety as AS1210.

8. DOES A PRESSURE VESSEL THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO ASME DIV 1 & 2 SECTION VIII REQUIRE A U-STAMP FOR USE IN AUSTRALIA?

Only Victoria will permit the plant to operate without having a U-stamp. All other States require the full compliance to the design and fabrication Code.

9. IF A DESIGN IS REGISTERED IN ONE STATE OR TERRITORY, WILL IT BE RECOGNISED BY ALL OTHER STATES AND TERRITORY?

Yes. Any pressure vessel design registered in any State or Territory will be recognised by all other States and Territories. However, when it comes to plant registration Western Australia will recognise the design registration but it will not allow plant registration if the design is not compliant to AS1200 or if the design is to ASME and it does carry the U stamp.

10. WHEN IS IT CONSIDERED AN ALTERATION TO PLANT AND THEREFORE NEED TO BE DESIGN REGISTERED AGAIN?

When an existing pressure equipment with an existing design verification number is altered in such a way it requires further design calculations, it constitutes a major change to the design. Therefore, the existing design registration becomes invalid and a new design registration number must be obtained from WorkSafe. The alteration needs to be designed and then design verified and re-registered with WorkSafe.
Some examples of major alterations include;
· An increase in design pressure or design temperature.
· A decrease in MDMT
· The addition of new nozzles or openings which require redesign
· Dimensional change of pressure equipment which affects stress calculations
· Change of material of a pressure retaining part in a pressure vessel
· Change of location and therefore update wind and seismic loads and support calculation.

11. DOES PRESSURE PIPING REQUIRE DESIGN REGISTRATION?

12. WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE DESIGN REGISTRATION?

A pressure vessel design registration is for an unlimited duration. However, if the design of a registered plant is altered, the altered design must be re-registered.

13. WHAT ARE MAJOR HAZARD FACILITIES (MHFS) AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOUR PRESSURE VESSEL?

Major hazard facilities store, handle or process large quantities of hazardous material for example chemical plants, oil refineries, gas processing plants, LPG and LNG facilities and other manufacturing and transport depots. Due to the higher level of risk to the pressure vessel due to its major hazard facility environment a factor of 3 is applied when calculating the hazard level, therefore increasing the hazard level of the pressure equipment.

14. CONFIDENTIALITY

CMIS keep all designs confidential and only disclose the main design information required to fill out the WorkSafe design registration form and an agreed general arrangement drawing to the regulatory authority.

15. IS THE REQUIREMENT DIFFERENT TO DESIGN VERIFY AND DESIGN REGISTER IN NZ TO AUSTRALIA?

Yes, it is different. In New Zealand there is no requirement to register the design with NZ WorkSafe, however there is a requirement for the design verifier to be part of a recognised inspection body on the NZ WorkSafe register for design verification.

16. IMPORTED VESSELS

If the pressure vessel is manufactured outside of Australia and imported, the importer becomes responsible and liable under the WHS Act as the manufacturer. Documentation records and inspections are required to prove materials and manufacturing of that pressure vessel is compliant with the registered design.