Pressure Vessel Inspections

Pressure Vessel Inspections & Compliance

Pressure vessels, including compressed air receivers, are legally required to undergo periodic inspection to ensure safe operation and regulatory compliance across Australia. CompressorTech provides professional pressure vessel inspection services in accordance with AS/NZS 3788:2006 (In-Service Inspection of Pressure Equipment) and all relevant state and territory WorkSafe regulations.

Why Pressure Vessel Inspections Are Essential

Air receivers and pressure vessels operate under significant internal pressure, typically 700–1,400 kPa (100–200 psi). Over time, corrosion, fatigue, and environmental factors can compromise vessel integrity, creating potentially catastrophic failure risks. Regular professional inspection is not optional — it is a legal requirement under Australian workplace health and safety legislation.

Failure to maintain current pressure vessel inspections can result in:

• Heavy fines from WorkSafe inspectors — penalties can exceed $50,000
• Insurance voiding if a non-compliant vessel is involved in an incident
• Prosecution of company directors and officers under WHS duty-of-care obligations
• Forced shutdowns until compliance is achieved
• Catastrophic failure risk — a ruptured pressure vessel releases stored energy with explosive force

Our Inspection Services

CompressorTech provides a comprehensive range of pressure vessel inspection services:

External Visual Inspection — Detailed external examination of the vessel shell, heads, nozzles, flanges, supports, and fittings. We check for corrosion, mechanical damage, leaks, weld defects, and condition of safety devices including pressure relief valves and pressure gauges.

Internal Inspection — Where access is possible, we conduct internal visual inspection of vessel surfaces, checking for corrosion (general, pitting, and crevice), erosion, cracking, and any internal deposits or build-up. Internal inspections are typically required at least every 6 years for compressed air receivers.

Thickness Testing — Using calibrated ultrasonic thickness gauges, we measure wall thickness at critical points to verify the vessel retains adequate material for safe operation at its rated pressure. Results are compared against minimum wall thickness calculations per AS/NZS 3788.

Pressure Relief Valve Testing — Safety valves are tested to confirm they operate at their correct set pressure and reseat properly. Faulty relief valves are the most common compliance failure we encounter.

Hydrostatic Testing — Where required (typically for new vessels, after repairs, or when re-rating), we perform hydrostatic pressure tests to verify vessel integrity at 1.5 times the design pressure rating.

What Gets Inspected

Our inspection service covers all types of compressed air pressure vessels:

• Main compressed air receiver tanks (vertical and horizontal)
• After-cooler separators and moisture separators
• Refrigerated dryer pressure vessels
• Desiccant dryer towers
• Point-of-use receiver tanks
• Oil/water separators
• Air treatment filter housings (where classified as pressure vessels)
• Any other pressure equipment operating above 50 kPa

Compliance Documentation

After every inspection, you receive complete compliance documentation including:

• Formal inspection report with findings and condition assessment
• Compliance certificate confirming the vessel meets regulatory requirements
• Updated vessel registration details
• Next inspection due date clearly stated
• Recommendations for any repairs or maintenance required
• Photographic evidence of vessel condition

Inspection Frequencies

Under AS/NZS 3788, typical inspection intervals for compressed air receivers are:

• External inspection: Every 3 years (or as specified by risk assessment)
• Internal inspection: Every 6 years
• Safety valve testing: Every 3 years (or annually for critical applications)

CompressorTech maintains a database of all vessels we inspect and will proactively notify you when your next inspection is due — so you never miss a compliance deadline.

Nationwide Coverage

We provide pressure vessel inspection services across all Australian states and territories, covering metropolitan, regional, and remote locations. Our inspectors hold all required qualifications and are registered with relevant state authorities.

Don’t risk non-compliance. Contact CompressorTech on 0493 631 786 to schedule your pressure vessel inspection today.