NR-13 - BOILERS, PRESSURE VESSELS AND PIPES

Publications D.O.U.
Decree GM n. 3.214, 8th of June, 1978 06/07/78
Alterations/Updates D.O.U.
Decree SSMT n. 12, 06th of June 1983 14/06/83
Decree SSMT n. 02, 08th of Maye 1984 07/06/84
Decree SSST n. 23, 27th December 1994 Rep.: 26/04/95
Decree SIT n. 57, 19th of June 2008 24/06/08
Decree MTE n. 594, 28th April 2014 30/04/14
(Text provided by Decree MTE n. 594, 28th April 2014)

SUMMARY:
13.1. Introduction
13.2. Scope
13.3. General Provisions
13.4. Boilers
13.5. Pressure Vessels
13.6. Pipes
13.7. Glossary
Annex I - Training of Personnel.
Annex II - Requirements for Certification of Self Inspection Service of Equipment.

13.1. Introduction
13.1.1. This Norm - NR sets the minimum requirements for managing the structural integrity of steam boilers, pressure
vessels and their interconnecting pipes in aspects of installation, inspection, operation and maintenance, for the safety and
health of workers.
13.1.2. The owner is responsible for the adoption of certain steps in this Regulatory Standard.

13.2. Scope
13.2.1. This Regulatory Standard should be applied to the following equipment:

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

All equipment classified as boilers according to item 13.4.1.1;

Pressure vessels whose PV product exceeds eight (8), where P is the maximum operating pressure in kPa and V
the internal volume in m3;
Pressure vessels containing class A fluid, specified in section 13.5.1.2, paragraph "a", regardless the size and PV
products;
Mobile containers / vessels with a P.V above eight (8) or with Class A fluid specified in paragraph 13.5.1.2,
paragraph "a";
Pipes or piping systems connected to boilers or pressure vessels containing class A or B fluids as item 13.5.1.2,
paragraph "a" of this Regulatory Standard.

13.2.2. The equipment mentioned below must be subjected to inspections provided in codes and national or international
standards related to them, but shall be exempted from compliance with the other requirements of this Regulatory Standard;
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)

Transportable containers / vessels, pressure vessels used for the transportation of products, portable reservoirs of
compressed fluids and fire extinguishers;
Pressure vessels intended for human occupation;
Pressure vessels that are part of a package of fluid rotating machines or alternative party;
Ducts;
Furnaces and pipes for heat exchange;
Tanks and containers for the storage and stocking of fluids not included in standards and codes of the design
related to pressure vessels;
Pressure vessels with an internal diameter below 150mm for Class B, C and D fluids, as specified in section
13.5.1.2, paragraph "a";
Corrugated Plate Heat exchangers
Steam generators not covered in pressure vessels codes;
Instrumentation system tubes with rated 12.7 mm diameter;
Public network pipes for the purification and distribution of water, gas and sewage.

13.3. General Provisions

13.3.1. It constitutes a serious and imminent risk (RGI), the non-compliance of any item provided in this Regulatory
Standard that may cause an accident or occupational injury to the employee, with severe physical damages to the body,
especially when:
a)

b)
c)
d)
e)

f)

Operation of the equipment covered by this Regulatory Standard without safety devices fitted with set pressure at
or below the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) installed directly to the vessel or system, considering
the requirements of the design code for the staggered openings and calibration tolerances;
Delay in periodic safety inspection of boilers;
Unintentional locking of safety devices for boilers and pressure vessels, or intentional blockage without due
justification, based on codes, standards or formal procedures for equipment operation;
Lack of operating device for level control of boiler water;
Operation of the equipment covered in this Regulatory Standard when having attested to a deterioration and by a
recommendation for its removal from constant operation due to a conclusive safety inspection report, shall be in
accordance to the respective design code or fit for use;
Operation of boiler by employees not meeting the requirements of Annex I of this Regulatory Standard, or not
under supervision, monitoring or specific assistance from a qualified operator.

13.3.1.1. For reasons of force majeure and formal justification of the owner, accompanied by technical analysis and their
contingency measures to mitigate the risks elaborated by the Qualified Professional Analysis (A QP or a multidisciplinary
group coordinated by him) a postponement of six (6) months may occur for the deadline of periodic safety inspection of the
boiler.
13.3.1.1.1. The owner must inform the workers union with justification for the postponement of periodic safety inspection
of the boiler.
13.3.2. For the purpose of this Regulatory Standard; the Qualified Professional - (QP) is considered as the one who has legal
authority to pursue the profession of engineering activities related to construction designs, monitoring operation and
maintenance, inspection and supervision of boilers, pressured vessels and pipes, in accordance with the applicable
professional regulations in the country.
13.3.3. All repairs or modifications to the equipment covered by this Regulatory Standard must comply with their design
codes, post-construction and the manufacturers requirements with regards to its:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Materials;
Implementing procedures;
Procedures for quality control;
Qualification and certification of personnel.

13.3.4. When the design code is unknown, the original design of the pressure vessel, boiler or pipe must be respected, using
the procedures prescribed by the relevant control codes.

13.3.5. In accordance with the QPs criteria, other calculation techniques or advanced procedures can be used to replace
those provided by the design codes.
13.3.6. Alteration or repair designs PAR (ARD) must be designed in advance in the following situations:
a)
b)

Whenever the design conditions are changed;

Whenever repairs that may compromise safety are made.

13.3.7. The PAR (alteration or repair designs) must:

a)
b)
c)

Be designed or approved by a QP;

Be provided with the type of materials used, the implementation of the procedures, quality control and the
qualification of personnel performing the alteration / repair;
Be disclosed to employees of the establishment involved with the equipment.

13.3.8. Any maintenance work that may require welding or boring. Areas under pressure shall be subjected to examination
or tests for quality control with defined parameters set by the QP in accordance with rules or codes.
13.3.9. Control systems and safety of boilers and pressure vessels must undergo preventive or predictive maintenance.
13.3.10. The owner shall ensure that examinations and tests on boilers, pressure vessels and pipes run in safe conditions for
its operators and other workers that are involved.
13.3.11. The owner must notify the regional office of the Ministry of Labour & Employment and the labour union of the
prevailing professional category in the establishment, when there is an occurrence of a leakage, fire or explosion involving
equipment covered in this Regulatory Standard that may result in one of the following situations:
a)
b)
c)

Death of employee(s);
Accidents that resulted in the need for hospitalization of employee(s);
Events of a major proportion.

13.3.11.1. Notification shall be forwarded by the second business day, of any occurrence that may happen, and must contain:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Business name of the company, address, place, date and time of occurrence;
Description of the event;
Name and function(s) of victim(s);
Procedures adopted;
Copy of the last safety inspection report of the equipment involved;
Copy of the statement of work accidents (SWA).

13.3.11.2. The occurrence of accidents referred to, in item 13.3.11, the owner must notify the union representation of the
employees, predominant in the establishment, to compose a committee of investigation.
13.3.11.3. Workers, based on their training and experience, should stop their tasks, exercising the right to refuse, whenever
they find evidence of serious and imminent risk to their health and safety or others, informing the problems immediately to
his superior.
13.3.11.3.1. It is the duty of the owner:
a)
b)

To ensure that workers have the right to stop their activities, exercising the right of refusal in the situations
specified in item 13.3.11.3, and in accordance with item 9.6.3 of the NR9;
To take prompt action, where necessary, to control the risks.

13.3.11.4. The owner shall provide, when required by the competent authority of the regional office of the Ministry of
Labour & Employment, the documents mentioned in items 13.4.1.6, 13.5.1.6 e13.6.1.4.

13.4 Boilers
13.4.1. Steam boilers - general provisions
13.4.1.1. Steam boilers are devices intended to produce and accumulate steam under greater than atmospheric pressure, using
any energy source, designed according to relevant codes, running up re-boilers and similar.
13.4.1.2. For purposes of this Regulatory Standard, the boilers are classified into three (3) Categories, as follows:
a)
b)
c)

Category A boilers: Those whose pressure is greater than or equal to 1960kPA (19.98 kgf/cm2)
Category C boilers: Those whose pressure is equal to or less than 588 kPA (5.99 kgf/cm2) and the internal volume
is equal or less than 100 liters (one hundred liters);
Category B boilers: All boilers that do not fit the above Categories.

13.4.1.3. The boilers shall have the following items:

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Safety valve with set pressure of less than or equal to MAWP, taking into consideration the requirements of the
design code on the staggered opening and calibration tolerances;
Instrumentation fitted capable of indicating pressure of the accumulated steam;
Injector or supply water system independent of the main system that will avoid overheating due to flow
deficiencies above the design temperatures, from not atomized solid fuel boilers or with burning in suspension;
Dedicated system for rapid draining of water in alkali recovery boilers, with automatic actions after actuation by
the operator;
Automatic control system of the water level with interlock that prevents overheating due to poor liquid flow.

13.4.1.4. Every boiler must have fixed in its body an indelible/permanent identification plate, in a place easily accessible and
visible, with at least the following information:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)

Manufacturer's name;
Order number given by the manufacturer of the boiler;
Year of fabrication;
Maximum allowable working pressure (in kPa);
Hydrostatic Test Pressure (in kPa);
Capacity for steam production;
Heating surface area;
Design code and year of edition.

13.4.1.5. In addition to the nameplate, it shall state in a prominent place, the boiler Category, as defined in section 13.4.1.2
of this Regulatory Standard and its identification number or code.
13.4.1.6. Every boiler shall have, in the site it has been installed, the following records, duly updated:
a)

b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

A Boiler Dossier, supplied by its manufacturer, having the following information:

Design code and year of edition;
Materials specifications;
Procedures used during fabrication, assembly and final inspection;
Methods used to establish the MAWP;
Records of hydrostatic test executed by the manufacturer;
A set of drawings and other necessary data needed to follow the service life of the boiler;
Functioning characteristics;
Safety devices data;
Year of fabrication;
Boiler Category
A Safety Record Book, in accordance with paragraph 13.4.1.9;
Installation design in accordance with paragraph 13.4.2.1;
PAR (Alteration or repair designs) in accordance with the items 13.3.6 and 13.3.7;
Inspection reports, in accordance with paragraph 13.4.4.14;
Calibration certificates of safety devices.

13.4.1.7. When missing or misplaced, the Boiler Dossier shall be restored by the owner, under the technical responsibility
the manufacturer or the QP. It is indispensable the reconstitution of functional features, data of the safety devices and
procedures for calculating the MAWP devices.
13.4.1.8 When the boiler is sold or transferred to another establishment, the documents mentioned in paragraphs "a", "d" and
"e" of the item 13.4.1.6 shall accompany it.
13.4.1.9. The Safety Record Book shall be made up of a separate book with numbered pages, or other similar system with
equivalent reliability where the following will be recorded:
a)
b)

All the relevant events capable to influence on the boiler safety conditions;
The events of initial, periodic and extraordinary safety inspections, which must be accompanied with the boiler,
shall have the legible name and signature of the QP and the boiler operator during the time of inspection.

13.4.1.10. In an event where the boiler is deemed to be unsuitable for use, the Safety Record Book shall contain such
information and receive a formal closure.
13.4.1.11. The documentation referred to in Section 13.4.1.6 shall be at all times available for consultation by the operators,
the maintenance and inspection personnel and the representatives of the Internal Commission for Accident Prevention
(CIPA), and the owner must ensure full access to this documentation.
13.4.2. Installation of steam boilers.
13.4.2.1. The authorship of the installation of steam boiler design, as far as the Regulatory Standard is concern, is of the
responsibility of the QP, and shall conform to the safety, health and environment aspects foreseen in the regulatory
standards, convention and legal provisions.
13.4.2.2. The boilers of any establishment shall be installed in a boiler house or in a specific location for this purpose, called
Boiler Area.
13.4.2.3. When the boiler is installed in an open environment, the Boiler Area must meet the following requirements:
a)

b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Be spaced, at least, 3.0 metres from:

Other equipment and facilities
Storage fuel tanks, except tanks for the startup of the boiler up to 2000 litres in capacity;
From the border of third party properties;
From the border of public roads.
Provided with at least two wide exits permanently unobstructed with clear markings and are arranged in different
directions;
Provided with an easy and safe access, necessary to the boiler operation and maintenance taking into account the
railing gap dimensions to prevent from falling.
Provided with a catchment and discharge gas system for particulate matters from the combustion, to the outside
areas of the operation in accordance to the prevailing environmental standards;
Provided with illumination in accordance to the prevailing official standards;
Provided with emergency lighting system in case of night operations.

13.4.2.4. When the boiler is installed indoors, the boiler house must meet the following requirements:
a)

b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Constitute a separate building built with fire-resistant material and may only have a wall adjacent to the other
facilities, with the other remaining walls spaced apart with at least 3.0 metres from other installations and property,
public roads and walkways and fuel depots, with the exception of the tanks for startup, up to 2000 litres in
capacity;
Provided with at least two wide exits permanently unobstructed with clear markings and are arranged in different
directions;
Provided with permanent ventilation with air openings which cannot be blocked;
Provided with gas leakage detecting devices when the boiler source of heat is a gaseous fuel;
It shall not be used for any other purposes;
Provided with an easy and safe access, necessary to the boiler operation and maintenance taking into account the
railing gap dimensions to prevent from falling.
Provided with a catchment and discharge gas system for particulate matters from the combustion, to the outside
areas of the operation in accordance to the prevailing environmental standards;

h)

Provided with illumination with emergency lightings systems in accordance to the prevailing official standards;

13.4.2.5. When the establishment cannot meet the requirements of 13.4.2.3 and 13.4.2.4 items, an alternative installation
design should be developed with additional safety solutions that allow the mitigation of risks, and communicating with the
predominant union representation of workers within the establishment;
13.4.2.6. The boilers classified in Category A must have instrument panels installed in the control room, built in
accordance to the prevailing Regulatory Standards.
13.4.3 Safe operation of boilers
13.4.3.1. Every boiler shall have an updated operating manual, in Portuguese, within easy access to the operators containing
at least:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Procedures for startup and shut down;

Routine operational procedures and parameters;
Procedures for emergency situations;
General procedures for safety, health and environmental preservation.

13.4.3.2. Instruments and boiler controls shall be calibrated and maintained in good operating condition.
13.4.3.2.1. Temporary neutralization of instruments and controls may occur since it is not limited to operational safety and
which are included in the formal procedures of operation and maintenance, or formally justified and documented with
previous technical analysis and their contingency measures to mitigate the risks, elaborated by the technical manager of the
process, with consent of the QP.
13.4.3.3. Water quality shall be monitored and treatment shall be implemented when necessary, to adjust its physiochemical
properties with the operating parameters of the boiler. These treatments are mandatory for boilers classified in Category A,
as item 13.4.1.2 of this Regulatory Standard.
13.4.3.4. Every steam boiler must be under the operation and control of the boiler operator
13.4.3.5. The personnel will be considered as a boiler operator if he meets the requirements of Section A of Annex I of this
Regulatory Standard.
13.4.4. Safety inspection of boilers.
13.4.4.1. Boilers shall be submitted to initial, periodic and extraordinary safety inspections.
13.4.4.2. An initial safety inspection must be made on new boilers, prior to startup. This will be an on-site inspection, where
it will be subjected to an internal examination, followed by a tightness test and an external examination.
13.4.4.3. The boilers must be subjected to Hydrostatic Testing (HT) in its manufacturing phase, with evidence by an
inspection report signed by the QP, having taken the test pressure value and clearly marked on its nameplate.
13.4.4.3.1. In the absence of documentary proof that the Hydrostatic Test (HT) has been carried out at the manufacturing
phase, the provisions below shall be applied:
a)
b)

Equipment manufactured or imported from the validity of this Regulatory Standard, the HT must be done during
the initial safety inspection;
For equipment in operation prior to the validity of this Regulatory Standard; it is at the discretion of the QP, HT
shall be held during the next periodic safety inspection.

13.4.4.4. The periodic safety inspection, constituted by an internal and external examinations shall be performed by the
following deadlines:
a)
b)
c)

Twelve (12) months for boilers of Categories A, B and C;

Fifteen (15) months for alkalis recovery boilers of any Category;
24 (Twenty Four) months for Category A boilers, since the set pressure of the safety valves are tested within 12
(Twelve) months.

13.4.4.5. Establishments that have SPIE (Own Service of Equipment Inspection), as set out in Annex II, may extend their
periods between safety inspections, having compliant with the following deadlines:
a)
b)
c)
d)

24 (twenty four) months for alkalis recovery boilers;

24 (twenty four) months for Categories B and C boilers;
thirty (30) months for Category A boilers;
Forty (40) months for special boilers as defined in section 13.4.4.6.

13.4.4.6 Boilers that operate continuously and uses gas or waste from process units as its main fuel for heat recovery or for
environmental control can be considered special when all of these following conditions are met:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Are installed on establishments having SPIE (Own Service of Equipment Inspection) mentioned in Annex II;
Have been tested every twelve (12) months, the interlocking system and set pressure of each safety valve;
Does not present unexpected variations in the outlet temperature of the gases and steam during operation;
There is a periodic review and control of the water quality;
There is a control of the deterioration of materials that make up the main parts of the boiler;
There is a technical opinion from the QP basing the decision.

13.4.4.6.1. The owner must notify the regional office of the Ministry of Labour & Employment and the workers union of
the prevailing category in the establishment in advanced, the framework of the boiler as special.
13.4.4.7. After 25 (twenty five) years of use, in their following inspection, the boilers shall be subjected to a strict integrity
evaluation to determine its remaining life and new maximum inspection deadlines, in case it is still in conditions of use.
13.4.4.8. Safety valves installed in boilers shall be inspected periodically as follows:
a)
b)

at least once a month, by means of manual action in operation for Categories B and C boilers, excluding boilers
with vaporized thermal fluid working with treated water as provided in Section 13.4.3.3 ;
Flanged or threaded valves must be disassembled, inspected and tested on a bench. In the case that it is welded, it
shall be done in the field, in periods compatible with its operating history, but respecting as a maximum limit the
inspection periods established in paragraphs 13.4.4.4 and 13.4.4.5, if applicable, for Categories A and B boilers.

13.4.4.9. In addition to the tests prescribed in Section 13.4.4.8, the safety valves installed in boilers shall be subjected to
accumulation tests under discretion of the QP.
13.4.4.10. The extraordinary safety inspection shall be carried out should the following opportunities arises:
a)
b)
c)
d)

When the boiler is damaged by an accident or other occurrence that could affect its safety;
When the boiler is subjected to alteration or major repair that could change its safety conditions;
Prior to the boiler startup, when it has been idle for more than 6 (six) months;
When there is a change in the boiler installation site.

13.4.4.11. The safety inspection shall be carried out under the technical responsibility of the QP.
13.4.4.12. Once the boiler is inspected, an Inspection Report of its operating condition shall be noted and within sixty (60)
days, a report must be emitted, becoming part of the documentation which deadline could be extended for ninety (90) days in
case of general maintenance shutdown.
13.4.4.13. The owner shall inform the union representative of the prevailing professional category in the establishment, the
operating condition of the boiler, within a maximum of thirty (30) days after the safety inspection.
13.4.4.13.1. Upon receipt of a formal request, the owner must forward, a copy of the inspection report to the predominant
union representation in the establishment, within ten (10) days after its preparation.
13.4.4.13.2. The representing union of the professional category prevailing in the establishment may request the owner, a
copy of the safety inspection report of the boiler, to be sent in a regular basis, within thirty (30) days after its preparation,
relieving the owner to comply with the items 13.4.4.13 and 13.4.4.13.1.

13.4.4.14. The inspection report mentioned in section 13.4.1.6, paragraph "e", must be drafted into numbered pages
containing at least:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)

The recorded data on the identification plate of the boiler;

Boiler Category;
Type of boiler;
Type of inspection performed;
Date of commencement and completion of inspection;
Description of inspections, examinations and tests performed;
Photographic records of the internal examination of the boiler;
Results of the inspections and measures;
List of items of this Regulatory Standard that are not being complied;
Necessary recommendations and measured;
A conclusive report about the integrity of the boiler until the next inspection;
An expected date for the new safety inspection of the boiler;
A legible signature and registration number of the professional register card of the QP; and legible signature of the
technicians who have participated in the inspection.

13.4.4.15. Recommendations of the inspection shall be recorded and implemented by the owner, with deadlines and
responsibility for the implementation.
13.4.4.16. Whenever the inspection results determine changes in the design condition, the identification plate and the Boiler
Dossier documentation must be updated
13.5. Pressure Vessels
13.5.1. Pressure Vessels - General provisions.
13.5.1.1. Pressure vessels are equipment containing fluids under external or internal pressure other than atmospheric.
13.5.1.2. For purposes of this Regulatory Standard, pressure vessels are classified into Categories according to the class of
fluid and potential risks.
a)

b)
c)

The fluid contained in the pressure vessels are classified as follows:

Class A:
Flammable fluids;
Combustible fluids with a temperature greater than or equal to 200 C (two hundred degrees Celsius);
Toxic fluids with tolerance not exceeding twenty (20) parts per million (ppm);
Hydrogen;
Acetylene.
Class B:
Combustible fluids up to 200 C (two hundred degrees Celsius);
Toxic fluids upper tolerance limit to twenty (20) parts per million (ppm).
Class C:
Water vapor, simple asphyxiating gases or compressed air.
Class D:
Other fluids not mentioned above.
In the case of a mixture fluids; the fluid with the greater risk to workers and facilities, taking into account, its
toxicity, flammability and concentration; shall be considered for the fluid classification.
Pressure vessels are classified into groups of potential risk due to the PV product, where P is the Maximum
Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) in MPa and V its volume in m3, as follow:
Group 1 - P.V Equal or higher than 100;
Group 2 - P.V <100 and equal or higher than 30;
Group 3 - P.V <30 and equal or higher than 2.5;
Group 4 - P.V <2.5 and equal or higher than 1;
Group 5 - P.V <1

d)

Pressure vessels operating under the vacuum condition must fall into the following Categories:
Category I: for flammable or combustible fluids;
Category V: for other fluids.

e)

e) The following table classifies the pressure vessels into Categories according to the Potential Risk Groups and
the contained Fluid Class.
PRESSURE VESSELS CATEGORY
Potential Risk Group

Fluid Class

PV 100

PV < 100
PV 30

PV < 30 PV
2.5

PV < 2.5
PV 1

PV < 1

Categories
Class A

II

III

III

Class B

II

III

IV

IV

Class C

II

III

IV

Class D

II

III

IV

Notes:
a) Consider m in volume and pressure in MPa;
b) Consider 1 MPa corresponding to 10.197 kgf/cm.

13.5.1.3. Pressure vessels shall be equipped with the following items:

a)

b)
c)

valve or other safety device with set pressure of less than or equal to the MAWP, installed directly on the vessel or
in the system that includes it, considering the requirements of the design code on the staggered openings and
tolerances calibration;
A safety device against a blockage without warning of the valve when it is not installed directly on the vessel;
A device or instrument that indicates the operating pressure, installed directly on the vessel or the system that
contains it.

13.5.1.4. Every pressure vessel shall have attached on its body, a visible and of easy and accessible place, an indelible
identification plate with at least the following information:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Manufacturer;
Identification number;
Year of manufacture;
Maximum allowable working pressure;
Manufacturing hydrostatic test pressure;
Design code and year of edition.

13.5.1.5. In addition to the nameplate, there must also be; in a visible location, the Category of the vessel, as item 13.5.1.2,
and its number or identification code.

13.5.1.6. Every pressure vessel must have in the establishment where it is installed, the following documentation properly
updated:
a)

b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

A Pressure Vessel Dossier to be supplied by the manufacturer, containing the following information:
Design code and year of edition;
Material Specifications;
Procedures used in manufacturing, assembly and final inspection;
Methodology for establishing the MAWP;
Set of drawings and other information necessary for the monitoring of its service life;
Maximum operating pressure;
Documentary records of hydrostatic test;
Functioning characteristic to be updated whenever there are changes from its original;
Information of the safety devices to be updated whenever there are changes from its original;
Year of Manufacture;
Vessel Category to be updated whenever there are changes from its original
A Safety Record Book in accordance with paragraph 13.5.1.8;
Installation Design in accordance with 13.5.2.4 and 13.5.2.5 items;
Repair or Design Changes in accordance with 13.3.6 and 13.3.7 items;
Inspection Reports in accordance with paragraph 13.5.4.13;
Calibration Certificates of safety devices, where applicable.

13.5.1.7. When nonexistent or misplaced, the records of the pressure vessel shall be reconstituted by the owner with the
technical responsibility of the manufacturer or the QP being indispensable the rebuilding of the design characteristics, the
data from the safety devices and the determination of the MAWP.
13.5.1.8. The Safety Record Book shall consist of numbered pages, folders, or computerized system with similar reliability;
where the following will be recorded:
a)
b)

All the relevant events capable to influence the safety conditions of the pressure vessels;
The occurrence of periodic and extraordinary safety inspections, which must contain the operating condition of the
vessel.

13.5.1.9. The documentation referred to in Section 13.5.1.6 shall be at all times available for consultation by the operators,
the maintenance and inspection personnel and the representatives of the Internal Commission for Accident Prevention
(CIPA). The owner shall ensure full access to this documentation. Full access of the documentation shall also be available to
the union representatives of the professional category prevailing in the establishment, when it is formally requested.
13.5.2. Installation of pressure vessels.
13.5.2.1. Every pressure vessel shall be installed in a way that all drains, vents, manholes, level gauges, pressure gauges and
temperature gauges, where exist; are easily accessible.
13.5.2.2. When pressure vessels are installed indoors, the installation shall meet the following requirements:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Provided with at least two wide exits permanently unobstructed with clear markings and are arranged in different
directions;
Provided with an easy and safe access, necessary to the boiler operation and maintenance taking into account the
railing gap dimensions to prevent from falling.
Provided with permanent ventilation with air openings which cannot be blocked;
Provided with illumination in accordance to the prevailing official standards;
Provided with emergency lighting system.

13.5.2.3. When the pressure vessel is installed in an open environment, the installation shall comply with the letters "a", "b",
"d" and "e" of paragraph 13.5.2.2.
13.5.2.4. The classification of the pressure vessels of the installation into Categories I, II and III, as item 13.5.1.2, with
respects to the call of this Regulatory Standard, is the responsibility of the QP and shall conform to the aspects of safety,
health and environment provided in the Regulating Conventions and the applicable legal provisions.
13.5.2.5. The Installation Design must contain at least the general arrangement, with the position and Category of each
pressure vessel and the safety installations.

13.5.2.6. When the establishment cannot meet the provisions of section 13.5.2.2, Alternative Installation Design shall be
elaborated, with complementary safety measures that enables risk mitigation.
13.5.3. Safe operation of pressure vessels.
13.5.3.1. Every pressure vessel classified as Categories I or II shall have its own Operation Manual or operation instructions
contained in the Operation Manual of the unit where it is installed; in Portuguese language, and are within easy access to the
operators; containing at least:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Procedures for startup and shut down;

Routine operational procedures and parameters;
Procedures for emergency situations;
General procedures for safety, health and environmental preservation.

13.5.3.2. Instruments and boiler controls shall be calibrated and maintained in good operating condition.
13.5.3.2.1. Temporary neutralization of instruments and controls may occur since it is not limited to operational safety and
which are included in the formal procedures of operation and maintenance, or formally justified and documented with
previous technical analysis and their contingency measures to mitigate the risks, elaborated by a QP.
13.5.3.3. The operating of units with pressure vessels of Category I or II shall only be performed by a trained professional as
item "B" in Appendix I of this Regulatory Standard.
13.5.4. Safety inspection of pressure vessels.
13.5.4.1. Pressure vessels must undergo initial, periodic and extraordinary safety inspections.
13.5.4.2. The initial safety inspection must be executed for new pressure vessels, before its commissioning, in the final
location of installation and shall comprise of external and internal examinations.
13.5.4.3. Pressure vessels must be subjected to Hydrostatic Testing (HT) in its manufacturing stage and with evidences and
signed by a QP. The pressure test value shall also be clearly marked on its identification plate.
13.5.4.3.1. In the absence of documentary proof that the Hydrostatic Testing (HT) was conducted at the manufacturing stage;
the following provisions below shall be applied:
a)
b)

For equipment manufactured or imported from the validity of this Regulatory Standard, the HT must be done
during the initial safety inspection;
To equipment in operation prior to the effect of this Regulatory Standard, HT shall be performed during the next
periodic safety inspection at the discretion of the QP,

13.5.4.4. Pressure vessels Categories IV or V of mass production, certified by the National Institute of Metrology, Quality
and Technology - INMETRO, have a safety valve calibrated at the factory. These pressure vessels are exempted from initial
inspection and documentation referred to in Section 13.5.1.6.(c); when installed according to the manufacturers
recommendations.
13.5.4.4.1. It shall be noted in the Safety Record Book the date of installation of the pressure vessel from which the start of
the periodic safety inspection schedule begins.
13.5.4.5. The periodic safety inspection, consisting of external and internal examinations must obey the following maximum
periods set forth below:
a)

To establishments that does not have SPIE (Own Service of Equipment Inspection), as mentioned in Annex II:
Category of the Vessel

External Inspection

Internal Inspection

1 year

3 years

II

2 years

4 years

III

3 years

6 years

IV

4 years

8 years

5 years

10 years

b)

To establishments having SPIE (Own Service of Equipment Inspection), as mentioned in Annex II, The tolerances
contained below shall be considered:
Category of the Vessel

External Inspection

Internal Inspection

3 years

6 years

II

4 years

8 years

III

5 years

10 years

IV

6 years

12 years

7 years

at the discretion of the QP

13.5.4.6. Pressure vessels that does not allow visual access to the internal and external examination due to physical
impossibilities shall be alternatively submitted to other non-destructive tests and methodologies for assessing the integrity, at
the discretion of the QP, based on standards and codes applicable to the identification of mechanisms of deterioration.
13.5.4.7. Pressure vessels with internal filling or catalyst may have its internal examination period extended to coincide with
the date of replacement of the fillers or the catalyst where the examination extend period is preceded by studies conducted by
the QP or multidisciplinary group coordinated by him, based on applicable standards and codes where alternative
technologies for the assessment of structural integrity are implemented.
13.5.4.8. Pressure vessels with operating temperature below 0C (zero degrees Celsius) and that are operating in conditions
on with which the experience show no occurrences of deterioration must undergo internal examination every twenty (20)
years and external examination every two (2) years.
13.5.4.9. The safety valves of pressure vessels shall be disassembled, inspected and calibrated respecting the appropriate
maintenance period, however it shall not be higher than the expected period for internal safety inspection of pressure vessels
protected by them.
13.5.4.10. The extraordinary safety inspection shall be carried out for the following opportunities:
a)
b)
c)
d)

At all times whenever the pressure vessel gets damaged by accident or other occurrence which endangers their
safety;
When the pressure vessel is subjected to repairs or important changes which may alter its safety condition;
Prior to the pressure vessel startup, when it has been inactive for more than twelve (12) months;
When there is a change in the location of the pressure vessel installation except for mobile vessels.

13.5.4.11. The safety inspection must be carried out under the technical responsibility of the QP.
13.5.4.12. Immediately after the inspection of the pressure vessel, the operating condition of the vessel must be noted in the
Safety Record Book, and in sixty (60) days, a report shall be issued to be part of the documentation. This term may be
extended for ninety (90) days in case of general maintenance shutdown.
13.5.4.13. The inspection report mentioned in section 13.5.1.6, paragraph "e" shall be drafted into numbered pages,
containing at least:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)

Identification of the pressure vessel;

Service Fluids and the Category of the pressure vessel;
The type of the pressure vessel;
Date of commencement and completion of inspection;
Type of inspection performed;
Description of the examinations and tests performed;
Results of the inspection and interventions performed;
A conclusive opinion about the integrity of the pressure vessel until the next inspection;
Necessary recommendations and actions required;
Expected date for the next inspection;
Legible name, signature and registration number in the professional council of the QP and legible name and
signature of the technicians whom have participated in the inspection.

13.5.4.14. Whenever the inspection results determine changes in the design condition, the identification plate and the
Pressure Vessel Dossier documentation must be updated.
13.5.4.15. The recommendations of the inspection shall be implemented by the owner with deadlines with the person
responsible for its execution.
13.6. Pipes
13.6.1. Pipes - General Provisions
13.6.1.1. Establishments that comes with pipes and piping systems that falls fit into this Regulatory Standard shall have a
program and an inspection plan that considers at least the variables, conditions and assumptions described below:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Transported fluids;
Working Pressure;
Working Temperature;
Assembly of mechanisms with potential damages;
The impact on the workers, the installation and the environment due to possible failure of the pipes.

13.6.1.2. Pipes or piping systems must have safety devices according to the criteria of the design code used, or in compliance
with the recommendations of the study analysis of scenario failures.
13.6.1.3. Pipes or piping systems must have an operating pressure indicator, as defined in the process and instrumentation
design.
13.6.1.4. Every establishment that has pipes, piping systems or pipelines shall have the following documentation properly
updated:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Specifications applicable to pipes or piping systems, necessary for the planning and execution of the inspection;
Engineering drawings/process chart with the identification of the line and its accessories;
PAR (alteration or repair designs) in accordance with the items 13.3.6 and 13.3.7;
Inspection Reports in accordance with paragraph 13.6.3.9.

13.6.1.5. The documentation referred to in section 13.6.1.4, when missing or misplaced, shall be restored by the owner,
under the technical responsibility of the QP.
13.6.1.6. The documentation referred to in Section 13.6.1.4 shall be at all times available for consultation by the competent
authority or the regional office of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, and for consultation by the operators, the
maintenance and inspection personnel and the representatives of the Internal Commission for Accident Prevention (CIPA).
The owner also has to ensure access to this documentation to the union representatives of the professional category
prevailing in the establishment whenever required.
13.6.2. Safety in pipeline operation
13.6.2.1. Instruments or other devices of pressure indication of pipelines must be kept in good operating condition.
13.6.2.2. Steam pipelines and its accessories shall be kept in good operating conditions in accordance to a maintenance plan
elaborated by the establishment.
13.6.2.3. Pipes and pipeline system shall be identified according to the standards formally instituted by the establishment,
and shall be marked in accordance to NR26.
13.6.3. Periodic inspection of pipelines
13.6.3.1. Initial safety inspection shall be performed on the pipes.
13.6.3.2. The pipelines shall also be subjected to periodic safety inspection.
13.6.3.3. The intervals of pipeline inspection shall meet the deadlines of the most critical internal inspection of pressure
vessels and boilers connected to them and may be extended by the inspection program as elaborated by the QP, based on the
technical justifications related to the damaged mechanism and the criticality of the system. The intervals between the
inspections and tests since this extension, does not exceed the maximum interval of 100% (one hundred percent) of the term
of the internal inspection and is limited to 10 (ten) years.

13.6.3.4. The intervals between the periodic inspections of pipelines must not exceed the limits established in its inspection
program, in consideration with the tolerances permitted for companies with SPIE (Own Service of Equipment Inspection).
13.6.3.5. The inspection program can be prepared for pipes, pipelines or piping systems, at the discretion of the QP and in
case of programming by a system, the interval to be adopted shall match its most critical line.
13.6.3.6. Periodic inspection of pipelines shall consist of examinations and tests defined by the QP that allows an evaluation
of its structural integrity in accordance to the applicable standards and codes.
13.6.3.6.1. In cases where there will be risks to health or causes personal injuries to the workers who is involved in the
execution of the inspection, the pipeline shall be removed from its service.
13.6.3.7. Extraordinary inspection shall be performed in the following situations:
a)
b)
c)

Whenever the pipeline is damaged by an accident or other events that will endanger the safety of the workers;
When the pipeline is subjected to temporary repairs or any significant changes, capable of changing its capacity to
contain fluid;
Before the pipeline is put back in operation when inactive for more than 24 (twenty four) months.

13.6.3.8. Periodic inspection of pipes must be held under the responsibility of the QP.
13.6.3.9. After the inspection of each pipe, piping system or pipeline, an inspection report with numbered pages must be
issued, being part of the documentation containing at least:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)

Identification of the pipeline(s) or piping system;

Service Fluid of the pipe, with the respective temperature and pressure of operation;
Date of commencement and completion of inspection;
Type of inspection performed;
Description of the examinations and tests performed;
Results of the inspection and interventions performed;
A conclusive opinion about the integrity of pipes, piping systems or pipelines until the next inspection;
Necessary recommendations and actions required;
Expected date for the next inspection;
Legible name, signature and registration number in the professional council of the QP and legible name and
signature of the technicians whom have participated in the inspection.

13.6.3.9.1. The deadline for this report is thirty (30) days for individual lines and up to ninety (90) days for the piping
systems.
13.6.3.10. The recommendations of the inspection shall be implemented by the owner with deadlines with the person
responsible for its execution.

13.7 Glossary
Scaled opening of safety valves calibration condition for the opening pressure of multiple safety valves, foreseen in the
code related to the equipment protected by them, where opening values can be configured above the PMTA, considering the
necessary flows to relieve the overpressure in distinct scenarios.
Use adequacy engineering multidisciplinary conceptual study based on codes and norms such as API 579- 1/ASME
FFS-1 - Fitness - for - Service, used to determine whether a piece of equipment with known wear and tear is good to safely
operate for a certain amount of time.
Alteration change in the manufacturers original project that promotes the structural alteration or significant operational
parameters defined by the PH, or that affects the capacity to retain pressure or can jeopardize the safety of boilers, pressure
vessels and pipelines.
Assessment of integrity inspection set of strategies and techniques used in the detailed assessment of the physical
conditions of a piece of equipment.
Thermal fluid boiler boiler used to heat one fluid in the liquid state, called thermal fluid, without vaporizing it.
Alkali recovery Boilers steam boilers that use as main fuel the black liquid resulting from the cellulose fabrication
process, performing chemical recovery and power generation.
Project code set of norms and rules which determine the requirements for a project, construction, assembly, fabrication
quality control and equipment inspection.
Post-construction codes consists of the norms or practical recommendations to assess the structural integrity of equipment
during their life cycle.
Construction process that includes the design, material specification, fabrication, inspection, examining, testing and
conformity assessment of boilers, pressure vessels and piping.
Quality Control set of actions to verify and confirm the conformity of boilers, pressure vessels and its interconnecting
pipes at the fabrication, assembly or maintenance phases. The actions encompass follow up on the welding, materials used
and performance of exams and tests such as: penetrating liquid, magnetic particles, ultrasound, visual, pressure testing,
radiography, acoustic emission and parasitic current.
Devices against inadvertent blockage - DCBI means used to prevent that inadvertent blockages impede the actuation of
the safety devices.
Safety devices devices or parts that protect a piece of equipment against manometric overpressure, regardless of the
operators action and the activation by an external power source.
Duct piping designed for specific codes, to transfer the fluids between industrial units and industrial establishments,
different or not, occupying third party areas.
Employer individual or collective company that taking the risks of the economic activity, hires, pays and directs the
provision of services; similar to the employer are independent professionals, charity institutions, recreational associations or
other non-profit institutions that admit workers as employees.
Internal filling materials inserted inside pressure vessels with specific goals and a determined useful life cycle, like
catalyst, molecular sieve and activated coal. Trays and internal accessories are not considered internal filling.
Piping specification alphanumeric code that defines the pressure class and the materials of the pipes and piping
accessories.
Exam activity performed by the PH or qualified or certified technicians when requested by codes or norms, to assess
whether certain products, processes or services are in conformity with determined criteria.
External exam exam of the surface and the external parts of a piece of equipment, and can be done while in operation in
order to assess its structural integrity.
Internal exam exam of the internal surface and internal parts of a piece of equipment, executed visually with the use of
tests that are appropriate to assess the structural integrity.
Manufacturer company responsible for constructing boilers, pressure vessels or piping.
Engineering flowchart (P&ID) diagram showing the process flow with the equipment, pipes and its accessories and the
instrumentation control grids.

Process flowchart diagram of schematic representation of the process industrial plants showing the path or trajectory of
the fluids.
Force majeure all inevitable events to the employers will and which happened without the employers direct or indirect
interference. The employers negligence is not deemed force majeure.
Steam generator equipment used to produce steam under pressure higher than the atmospheric, with no accumulation and
not classified in pressure vessel codes.
Inspection of extraordinary safety inspection performed due to events that can affect the equipments physical condition,
such as prolonged hibernation, change in location, appearance of unexpected deformations, mechanical chocks of great
impact or leaks, amongst others, involving boilers, pressure vessels and piping with coverage defined by PH.
Inspection of initial safety inspection performed in new equipment, assembled in the final installation location and before
they start operating.
Inspection of periodic safety inspections performed during the useful life of the equipment, with the criteria and
periodicity determined by the PH, respecting the maximum intervals determined by this Norm.
Monitoring or control instruments devices to monitor or control the equipments operational variables from the control
room or the equipment itself.
Structural integrity set of properties and physical characteristics needed so that a piece of equipment or items perform the
functions to which they were designed, safely and efficiently.
PipeLine part of piping between two defined points and that follows only one material specification, transported products,
design pressure and temperature.
Predictive maintenance maintenance with emphasis on predicting the fault and on actions based on the conditions of the
equipment to prevent its fault or degradation.
Preventive maintenance maintenance performed at pre-determined intervals or in accordance with the prescribed criteria,
designed to reduce the probability of fault or the functional degradation of a component.
Fluid machines the ones whose main function is to interchange energy with fluid that passes through them.
Damage mechanisms set of factors that cause degradation in equipment and components.
Machine package set of equipment and devices part of the fluid machine auxiliary system for the purpose of cooling,
lubrication or sealing.
Qualified personnel professional with knowledge and skills that allow that certain tasks are exceeded, and certified when
demanded by code or norm.
Identification tag tag containing equipment data according to the requirements determined in this NR affixed in a visible
location.
Inspection Plan description of activities, including the exams and tests to be done, necessary to assess the physical
conditions of boilers, pressure vessels and piping, considering the history of equipment and the foreseeable damage
mechanisms.
Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP/PMTA) is the highest pressure value to which one piece of equipment
may be continuously submitted to according to the project code, the resistance of the materials used, equipment dimensions
and its operational parameters.
Inspection Program schedule with all data, inspection dates for the periodic safety inspections to be carried out.
Alteration or repair Projects - PAR project prepared at the time of repair or alteration involving structural intervention or
significant change in boilers, pressure vessels and piping.
Alternative Installation Project project designed to minimize the safety impacts on the worker when the installations do
not meet the established in this NR.
Installation Project project that has the location of equipment and safety systems within the facilities and when
applicable, accesses to their accessories (vents, drain, instruments). Part of the installation project has the inventory with all
the safety valves with the corresponding DCBI and protected equipment.
Data sheet set of documents and records on the construction design, fabrication, assembly, inspection and maintenance of
the equipment.

Mobile recipients pressure vessels that can be moved within the facility or between facilities and that cannot be classified
as transportable.
Transportable recipients recipients designed and built to be transported pressurized.
Safety record record of the inspections or abnormalities during the operation of boilers and pressure vessels performed by
the PH or by operations, inspection or maintenance personnel directly involved with the events causing factor.
Inspection reports formal record of the results of the inspections performed in the equipment with conclusive report.
Repair intervention performed to correct damaged, defective or malfunctioning equipment and its parts in order to restore
it to the construction project condition.
Emergency lighting system system used to provide the necessary lighting to safely access equipment or facilities, in case
the systems designed for this purpose are inoperative.
Boiler interlocking system management system of the activities of two or more devices or protection instruments
monitored by a safety interface.
Piping system integrated set of lines and pipes that perform a process function, or that are grouped for the purpose of
inspection, with similar technical features and process.
SPIE Own Equipment Inspection Service
Water tightness test type of pressure test performed with the purpose to confirm fluid retaining capacity, with no leaks,
on equipment, pipes and their connections before they start or restart operation.
Hydrostatic Test HT/TH type of pressure test with incompressible fluid, done with the purpose to assess equipments
structural integrity and the rearranging of possible residual tensions, according to the project code.
Piping set of lines, including their accessories, designed by specific codes to transport fluid among pieces of equipment in
one same unit at a company with boilers or pressure vessels.
Process Units set of equipment and interconnections of a factory unit with the objective to transform raw materials into
products.
Pressure vessels are reservoirs designed to safely resist to internal pressures different from atmospheric pressure or
submitted to external pressure, therefore complying with the basic function of the process in which they are inserted; for the
purpose of this NR, the following are included:
a)
b)
c)
d)

heat exchangers, evaporators and similar equipment;

pressure vessels or parts subject to naked flame that are not within the scope of another NR, and items 13.2.2 and
13.2.1, line a) of this NR;
jacketed pressure vessels including reboiler and reactors;
autoclaves and thermal fluid boilers.

Remaining life - estimated period of time of a piece of equipment or accessory, executed during the integrity assessments, at
pre-determined periods.
Useful life life period estimated in the design phase for equipment or accessory.
Volume useful internal volume of the pressure vessel, excluding the volume of internal accessories fillings or catalysts.

ANNEX I
PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION
A: Boilers
A1 General Conditions
A1.1 For the purpose of this NR, a boiler operator is considered the person who meets any of the following conditions:
a) has a Safety Training certificate in Boiler Operation and proof of practical training as per item A1.5 of this
attachment;
b) has a Safety training certificate in Boiler Operation foreseen in NR 13 approved by Ordinance SSMT n. 02, 8th
May 1984 or Ordinance SSST n. 23, 27th December 1994.
A1.2 The minimum pre-requirement to participate as a student in the Safety training on Boiler Operation is the certificate of
completion of primary education.
A1.3 The safety training on Boiler Operation shall compulsorily:
a) be technically supervised by the PH;
b) be offered by qualified professionals for this purpose;
c) comply with, as a minimum, with the syllabus proposed in item A2 of this attachment.
A1.4 The ones responsible for promoting the Safety training on Boilers operation are subject to being prevented from
teaching new courses as well as to the other applicable legal sanctions, in case the provisions of item A1.3 of this annex are
not complied with.
A1.5 All boiler operators shall comply with a practice period operating its own boilers that will operate, which shall be
supervised, documented and have minimum length of:
a) boilers in Category A: 80 (eighty) hours;
b) boilers in Category A: B: 60 (sixty) hours;
c) boilers in Category A: C: 40 (forty) hours.
A1.6 The establishment where the practice training is done and supervised as foreseen in this NR shall inform when
requested by the union representative of the main professional category of the establishment:
a) training period;
b) entity, employer or professional responsible by the Safety Training on Boiler Operation or process unit;
c) list of the training participants.
A1.7 Refresher courses must be taken by the employees involved directly or indirectly with the facilities operation whenever
significant changes occur in the operation of pressurized equipment or changes in methods, processes and work organization.
A2 minimum Syllabus for Safety training on Boiler Operations.
1.

Notion on physical magnitudes and units. Number of hours: 4 (four) hours

1.1. Pressure
1.1.1. Atmospheric Pressure
1.1.2. Internal pressure of a vessel
1.1.3. Manometric pressure, relative pressure and absolute pressure
1.1.4. Pressure Units
1.2. Heat and temperature
1.2.1. General notions: what is heat, what is temperature
1.2.2. Ways to transfer heat
1.2.3. Specific heat and sensible heat
1.2.4. Heat transfer at constant temperature
1.2.5. Saturated steam and superheated steam
1.2.6. Saturated steam table

2.

Boilers general considerations. Course length: 8 (eight) hours

2.1. Types of boilers and their use
2.2. Parts of a boiler
2.2.1. Flamotubular boilers
2.2.2. Aquatubular boilers
2.2.3. Electrical boilers
2.2.4. Solid fuel fired boilers
2.2.5. Liquid fuel fired boilers
2.2.6. Gas boilers
2.2.7. Burners
2.3. Instruments and devices to control boilers
2.3.1. Feeding device
2.3.2. Level display
2.3.3. Level control system
2.3.4. Pressure Indicators
2.3.5. Safety devices
2.3.6. Auxiliary devices
2.3.7. Valves ad piping
2.3.8. Smoke circulation

3.

Boiler Operation. Course length: 12 (twelve) hours

3.1. Start-up and shutdown
3.2. Adjustment and control
3.2.1. temperature
3.2.2. pressure
3.2.3. power supply
3.2.4. light water
3.2.5. pollutants
3.3. Operational faults, causes and actions
3.4. Guide for daily inspection
3.5. Operation of a system with various boilers
3.6. Procedures in emergency situations

4.

Water treatment and boiler maintenance. Course length 8 (eight) hours

4.1. Water impurities and its consequences
4.2. Water treatment
4.3. Boiler maintenance

5.

Explosion prevention and other risks. Course length: 4 (fours) hours

5.1. General accident risks and health risks
5.2. Explosion risks

6.

Legislation and normalization. Course length: 4 (four) hours

6.1. Regulation Standards
6.2. Regulation Standard 13 - NR-13

B. Pressure Vessels
B1 General Conditions
B1.1 The operation of the process units that have pressure vessels of categories I or II shall be performed by a professional
with training on the Safety of the operation of Process Units.
B1.2 For the purpose of this NR, a person will be considered professional with training on safety of the operation of
Process Units the one who meets one of the following conditions:
a)
b)

Have a certificate on the Safety training for the Operation of Process units issued by competent training institution;
Have proven experience in the operation of pressure vessels of categories I or II of at least 2 (two) years before the
enforcement of NR13 approved by Ordinance SSST n 23, 27th December 1994.

B1.3 The minimum pre-requirement to participate as a student in the Safety training on the Operation of Process Units is the
certificate of completion of basic education.
B1.4 The safety training on the operation of process units shall compulsorily:
a)
b)
c)

Be technically supervised by the PH;

Be taught by professional qualified for this purpose;
Comply with, as a minimum, with the syllabus proposed in item B2 of this Annex.

B1.5 the ones responsible for promoting the safety raining on the operation of process units will be subject are subject to
being prevented from teaching new courses as well as to the other applicable legal sanctions, in case the provisions of item
B1.4 of this annex are not complied with.
B1.6 all professionals with Safety training on the Operation of Process units must attend a practical supervised training on
the operation of pressure vessels of 300 (three hundred) hours for the set of all pressure vessels of categories I or II.
B2 Minimum syllabus for the Safety raining on the operation of Process Units.
1.

Notion on physical magnitudes and units. Course length: 4 (four) hours

1.1. Pressure
1.1.1. Atmospheric pressure
1.1.2. Internal pressure of the vessel
1.1.3. Manometric pressure, relative pressure and absolute pressure
1.1.4. Pressure units
1.2. Heat and temperature
1.2.1. General notions: what is heat, what is temperature
1.2.2. Ways to transfer heat
1.2.3. Specific heat and sensible heat
1.2.4. Heat transfer at constant temperature
1.2.5. Saturated steam and superheated steam

2.

Process equipment. Course length determined in accordance with the complexity of the unit, with the minimum of 4
(four) hours per item, where applicable
2.1. Heat exchangers
2.2. Piping, valves and accessories
2.3. Pumps
2.4. Turbines and ejectors
2.5. Compressors
2.6. Towers, vessels, tanks and reactors
2.7. Furnaces
2.8. Boilers
Electricity. Course length: 4 (four) hours
Instrumentation. Course length: 8 (eight) hours
Unit operation. Course length: according to the complexity of the unit
5.1. Process description
5.2. Start-up and shutdown
5.3. Emergency procedures
5.4. Disposal of chemical products and environment preservation
5.5. Assessment and control of risks related to the process
5.6. Prevention against deterioration, explosion and other risks

3.
4.
5.

6.
7.

First aids. Course length: 8 (eight) hours

Legislation and normalization. Course length: 4 (four) hours

ANNEX II

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF THE OWN EQUIPMENT INSPECTION SERVICE SPIE

Prior to put in practice the special periods between inspections, established in items 13.4.4.5 e 13.5.4.5, line b) of this NR,
the "Own equipment inspection services" of the company organized per sector, section, department, division or equivalent
shall be certified by Product Certification Bodies - OCP accredited by INMETRO, which will be verified by audits
scheduled to meet the following minimum requirements expressed in lines a to h.
a)

b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)

the existence of enterprise's own personnel where the boiler or pressure vessel is installed, with exclusive
dedication to inspection, integrity and residual life evaluation activities, with compatible background, qualification
and training with the required activity of ensuring safety;
contracted labor to nondestructive testing, certified in accordance with prevailing regulation, and to other
eventual services, selected and evaluated in accordance with similar criteria used with its own labor;
equipment inspection service shall have someone responsible for its management, formally designated for this
position;
existence of at least one "Qualified Professional"(PH);
existence of conditions to maintain an updated technical file, necessary to consider this Regulation Standard, as
well as means to divulge information when required;
existence of written procedures to the main activities performed;
existence of the correct equipment to perform the proposed activities;
minimal compliance with inspection program.

The SPIE certification and its maintenance are subject to INMETROS specific Regulation