Precautions and Safety for Compressed Air Receiver Vessels

December 3, 2015

Air receiver vessels are front and centre on the design calendar today. A dominant outline in countless industrial and commercial settings, the vessels store energy in the form of air. Popular everywhere, you'll find them powering air tools in garages. They store pressurized air for pneumatic valves, sand blasting shops and tyre repair workshops, sticking to this accomplished task when installed in mines and a hundred other hard working locations. A motorized compressor is working flat out in each scenario, pumping pressurized air into a robust vessel, but are they working safely? Adopt a safe operating strategy and take every precaution when installing, operating, and maintaining these super-popular products.

Maximum Air Pressure Concerns VS. Non-Toxic Contents

Air is what we breathe, so, unlike fuels and corrosive chemicals, you know compressed air receiver vessels won't leak a hazardous gas into your work area. Regardless of this piece of good news, the vessel is rated for a maximum design pressure, and this air is far from pure. Oils, water infiltrating agents, and other pollutants can enter the system. The first precaution, therefore, is to account for these pollutants by fitting safety valves and filters. Remember, air is inherently safe to breathe, but compressed air can still cause an explosion, and this potentially explosive situation worsens when pollutants block hoses and pipes. Filtration is an essential task here, which means a scheduled maintenance plan should be incorporated, one that deals with blocked filters before they become part of the problem.

Banish Hazards by Obeying Safety Regulations

You hear "follow regulations" tips all too often, but there's a good reason for the endless repetition. Safety regulations, as applied to compressed air receiver vessels, keep you on the straight and narrow. Follow guidelines to the letter and adopt a safe operation mindset. This can begin by simply ensuring all pipes and hoses are labelled, by tidying cable and hose runs so they're not strewn dangerously across access points, or even by taking this mindset all the way back to the design stage to ensure all vessel valves and vessel specifications are up to code. Hydrostatic tests represent the higher end of this system evaluation spectrum, but common sense also has its place. Never exceed the maximum pressure. Keep pressure gauges visible and employ trained professionals when considering that important maintenance option.

High-end engineering practices guarantee the surety of compressed air receiver vessels, and automated electronic features partner with mechanical spring-loaded valves to reinforce safe operation, but nothing should ever be taken for granted. Apply conscious precautionary measures when dealing with deceptively dangerous pressure storage solutions. Air compression may sound relatively innocuous on the surface, but, even without a toxic gas, explosive scenarios can occur. Stop these events by adopting a safety-centric handling mentality.

Contact Details

Fusion - Weld Engineering Pty Ltd
ABN 98 068 987619

1865 Frankston Flinders Road,
Hastings, VIC 3915

Ph: (03) 5909 8218

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