Stainless steel tanks are designed for the safe and hygienic storage and transport of liquids and substances (even dangerous). They are therefore an important component in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical and beverage industries.
To ensure the quality and compliance of stainless steel tanks, it is essential that they are certified according to international standards. Certifications for stainless steel tanks are essential to demonstrate that they have been designed and built in accordance with the requirements of safety, quality and durability for use. There are several organizations and certification institutes that are responsible for setting standards and verifying the conformity of production also of stainless steel tanks.
ISO 9001 COMPANY CERTIFICATION, AND CE CERTIFICATION
One of the most important certifications that manufacturing companies can obtain is ISO 9001, which certifies that the quality management system implemented in the company complies with international standards. This certification is a fundamental requirement for many companies, especially those operating in the food and pharmaceutical sector where quality and safety are priorities.
In addition to ISO 9001, there are also other specific certifications that manufacturers, including stainless steel accessories and tanks, can request. For example, CE certification is compulsory for products sold in the European Union and certifies that the product complies with the safety and health requirements of European legislation.
At the following link you can view our certifications: Certifications Veneta Acciai
In addition to the certificates of conformity, it is also important that stainless steel tanks and accessories for their fitting are subjected by the user to periodic checks and tests of operation, to verify that they maintain the safety requirements even after some cycles of use and contact with chemical or aggressive substances. These checks may cover structural strength, chemical and corrosion resistance, sealing and safety systems, and other aspects relevant to the quality and safety of the entire system.
PED CERTIFICATION
The PED certification (Pressure Equipment Directive) certifies the conformity of the product with the 2014/68/EU Directive issued by the European Community, and which regulates the design, production, installation and use of equipment and containers under pressure.
This directive requires pressure vessel manufacturers to carry out rigorous tests on these products in order to assess them and obtain a hazard statement. The level of hazard of installations, equipments, tanks, reservoirs and pressure vessels is calculated by considering the size of the equipment, the maximum pressure reached and the type of fluid that will be contained in it.
The accessories for the container must also be PED certified. Some examples of articles for the fitting out of tanks and PED tanks are the stainless steel oval manway door inwards opening PED, stainless steel PED big size round manhole, stainless steel PED safety valves.
ADR CERTIFICATION
Special attention should also be paid to the ADR regulation, the international agreement on the transport of dangerous goods by road. The acronym ADR stands for Agreement for transport of dangerous goods by road. The objective of the ADR agreement is to harmonise safety rules concerning international transport of dangerous goods by road and to ensure a good level of safety for such transport. ADR regulations must be respected by all operators involved in the transport and handling of dangerous goods (packers, shippers, chargers, transporters, unloaders, consignees, and also those who fill and manage containers and transport tanks or mobile tankers). All these operators must take the measures provided for, depending on the nature of the product, its quantity and the associated hazard risks. The aim is to avoid accidents during the movement of hazardous materials and, if they occur, to minimise their possible consequences.
Stainless steel accessories used for the fitting of dangerous goods tanks must also be ADR certified. In the Veneta Acciai catalogue you can see photos and technical specifications of our ADR hatches, ADR wash-out valves, ADR ball valves and ADR bottom valves.
ATEX CERTIFICATION
Another important certification for stainless steel tanks and accessories is the ATEX certification, which certifies that the product complies with European safety regulations for installations in potentially explosive atmospheres. This certification is particularly important for tanks used in high-risk environments, such as the chemical and oil industries, but also in flour processing industries (the flour particles in the air are highly flammable) or where alcohol is produced. The regulation classifies ATEX zones according to the type of fuel present (gas or dust) and the frequency or duration during which an explosive atmosphere is likely to form. In compliance with this regulation, in this type of production cycle it is therefore necessary to install accessories, both for stainless steel plants and for storage or transport tanks, which are ATEX certified. Some examples are provided by ATEX valves, ATEX actuators, and ATEX fittings.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the certifications for stainless steel tanks are essential to maintain product quality, ensure safety during every phase of its use (transport and handling included) and ensure compliance with international regulations.
Companies producing storage or transport tanks should ensure that they obtain the necessary certifications, and user companies should instead ensure that they choose a good design and workmanship product when purchasing, and above all certified.
As already explained above, the user must also ensure that proper maintenance is carried out in order to ensure that stainless steel tanks and fittings comply with the standards required by the regulations of the industrial sector in which they are used, even after first uses.
Only with a constant commitment by both the producers of storage and transport tanks and their users will be possible to guarantee in the production cycles the health and safety of operators and the surrounding environment.