Background
The Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016 were notified by the Government of India to regulate the manufacture, storage, import, transport, and use of pressure vessels containing compressed gases. These Rules replaced earlier regulations to align safety requirements with modern industrial practices and technological advancements. Their primary objective is to prevent accidents arising from improper design, fabrication, operation, or maintenance of pressure vessels. The Rules prescribe mandatory approvals, inspections, and licensing under the supervision of the Chief Controller of Explosives. Overall, they aim to ensure public safety, worker protection, and uniform enforcement of safety standards across industries handling compressed gases.
Applicability
The Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016 apply to all static and mobile pressure vessels intended for the storage, transport, or handling of compressed gases in India. These Rules are applicable to manufacturers, fabricators, importers, repairers, owners, and users of such pressure vessels and their fittings. They cover activities including design, manufacture, fabrication, import, installation, operation, testing, modification, and repair of unfired pressure vessels. The Rules apply to both industrial and commercial establishments where compressed gases are filled, stored, or transported. However, nothing in these rules shall apply to vessel(s) which form part of a processing plant.
Compliance Requirements under the Rules
Application for License shall be made in Form AS-1.
For obtaining license to store any compressed gas in vessel, specifications & plans (in triplicate) shall be submitted to Chief Controller/other authorised person along with applicable fee. Chief Controller, after scrutiny of documents, shall provide his approval for specifications & plan.
Specifications and Plans must be clearly indicating:
(a) Manner in which the rules shall be complied,
(b) Surrounding area within 100 metres from the edge of all facilities, However, for major installations of flammable/toxic gases including LNG exceeding total capacity of product 50 metric tons or 100 m3 water capacity of each vessel, whichever is less, area lying within 500 metres along with Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) study and a risk analysis report prepared by reputed agency;
(c) the position, capacity, materials of construction and ground and elevation views of all vessels, all valves and fittings, filling and discharge pumps and fire-fighting facilities where provided and all other facilities forming part of the premises to be licensed,
(d) piping and instrumentation diagram for the vessels, equipments and system to be installed,
(e) any other documents specified by the Chief Controller or Controller; and
(f) Scrutiny fee as specified in clause (B) of the Schedule I
Applicant shall also apply for NOC, to the District Authority with 2 copies of site plan showing the location of the premises proposed to be licensed. District authority shall grant NOC or convey his refusal for granting NOC with reasons in writing to the applicant within maximum period of 2 months from the date of receipt application.
Application for License shall be made in Form AS-2.
Exemption: License shall not be required for transport of compressed gas filled in a vessel by a railway administration.
Any alteration in licensed premises cannot be carried out without prior approval of the “Plan” showing such alteration. Approval shall be granted by Chief Controller or Controller authorised by him. Also, Licensee shall apply for the amendment of the licence in such case.
For approval, Licensee shall submit following documents to Chief Controller:
(i) 3 copies of a properly drawn plan of the licensed premises showing in distinct colours the proposed alteration with reasons
(ii) piping and instrumentation diagram for the vessels, equipments & system proposed to be installed
(iii) any other documents specified by the Chief Controller or Controller and
(iv) a scrutiny fee as specified in clause (B) of the Schedule I.
Any licence granted under SPMV Rules may be amended by the Chief Controller or Controller authorised by him, when licensee submits application alongwith all the requisite documents to him.
Requisite Documents are as under:
Any licence granted under SPMV Rules may be transferred by the Licensing Authority after submission of an application with all the requisite documents.
Requisite Documents are as under:
Licensee shall:
In case of closure of a unit due to any reasons, Licensee shall dispose off the hazardous gas stored by him within the period and in the manner as may be specified by the District Authority, in consultation with the licensing authority (if deemed necessary by him).
If a Licence is lost or accidentally destroyed, an application for duplicate license can be submitted along with:
In Licensed Premises, following shall be clearly displayed:
Licensee shall produce the licence or its authenticated copy whenever called upon by any of the authority.
License holder of the licence shall execute the repairs within such periods as may be specified in the notice. Licensing Authority sends notice to execute any repairs in the licensed premises.
Penalty & Punishment
In case of Contravention, Vessel License may be suspended or cancelled by licensing authority. Further, authority can also impose civil and criminal penalty under section 9B of Explosives Act, 1884
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