Compressor recievers and more? OH ROGER!!!

Wow, I don't know where your information about $8300 comes from but something is WAY out of whack with it. The difference between an ASME tank and a non-ASME tank of the same capacity is mostly with the quality assurance and documentation. The materials and actual fabrication would only be marginally more costly. The D55155 has a 4 gallon ASME tank with it and is "OHSA Recognized" unless DeWalt is misrepresenting the thing. That's unlikely. The tank should therefore have an ASME plate tack welded to it and you should not have to worry at all about any additional "certification", even under the OSHA regs. Unless I totally misunderstand your situation, you should do just fine with the D55155 if that is the model you prefer.

Rod

OSHA site offers nothing but reference to ASME. ASME site offers the following:
"PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION: The Complete 2001 International Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Order No. SX0230 $8,500.00 (order online)"

Yes, (at least some places I have worked) OSHA requires an initial air reciever inspection/certification and every 5 yrs thereafter. This inspection/certification is charged for and conducted by OSHA Pressure Vessels Unit. Fine$ are in order for neglecting to partake of this $ervice.
I'll contact my local OSHA pressure vessels unit this week and attempt to get the correct, applicable ASME info. Thanks again.

• ASME

Interesting discussion. I didn't know OSHA bureaucrats were into pressure vessel safety inspections :o). I know the US Navy requires (as a matter of policy) what is called "in service inspection and certification" of certain pressure vessels in their shore facilities. This is accomplished on a regularly scheduled basis by specially qualified inspectors, typically with commissions from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. Insurance companies would also probably have routine safety inspection requirements for certain pressure vessels under their policies. I would expect them to also use inspectors with National Board commissions as the National Board is the recognized inspection agency for both boilers and pressure vessels in the US.

The ASME B&PV Code is indeed expensive and it is updated on a quarterly basis. The $8500 sounds about right for that, including updates for about four years as I recall (the code is republished in full about every four years). It is a huge document covering about a dozen large volumes. Only a relatively small portion of it covers unfired pressure vessels (sectionVIII). The code ONLY covers design and construction of new vessels. It does NOT cover repair or any type of installation or inspection after construction. I don't believe you would find any information in it that would be helpful to you in that respect. Also trying to keep existing hardware up-to-date with a changing code is an exercise in futility, so you would want the edition required in the OSHA standard (1968) and not the most recent version.

I would be very interested in knowing to what extent OSHA requires continuing "certifications" of such relatively minor things as small, portable air compressor receivers used to supply nailers and similar functions in the construction industry. They certainly may, and it would not surprise me, but I cannot locate any reference to it on their site. Qualified inspections of such a specialized nature do not come cheaply. It could be less expensive to buy new every time rather than go through a recertification process. If you find out any particular details on this, could you please post back some followup information?

Thanks,
Rod

• CA Dept of Industrial Relations

After reading your link, I looked up the laws in my own state. Lo and behold, a similar periodic certification ("permit") process exists but is less restrictive, not surprisingly, than that in California. The exemption point here is 5 CF (37.4 gal) at pressures less than 250 psig.

I guess anyone using compressed air storage tanks, especially in a commercial situation, needs to check out their local laws in addition to everything else. They may not only need a coded tank to begin with but also need periodic "permits" from state bureaucrats to use it. They may be a criminal and not know it yet! Goes to reinforce my sympathies with the Libertarians :o).

You always learn something new on these boards. Thanks again Dave.

Rod

Chris

OSHA Standards, 29CFR 1910.169 and 1926.306; Air Receivers, requires all such tanks to be constructed to the standards of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Pressure Vessels, 1968 edition and adopts that code by reference. I don't have that version of the code available to me but the 1971 edition exempts (among others) vessels having an inside diameter of six inches or less with no limitation on pressure. That being the case, I don't think you will find ASME plates on the small, portable air tanks typically supplied with compressors used for nailers, etc in the construction industry. If they are over six inches however (plus over 15 psig), ASME compliance would be required (if OSHA applies in your situation) even if the local political jurisdiction (state or city) has not adopted the code by law for such tanks.

Caveat: This is a friendly opinion and is NOT a professional determination. Other requirements may apply.

Rod