Many companies use compressed air tanks to store compressed air. Because these compressed air systems are under pressure, they pose certain risks. Corrosion or a defective safety valve can have serious consequences for people, the environment, and business continuity. To ensure safety and comply with environmental regulations, companies in Belgium must have their compressed air tanks inspected. However, the specific requirements vary by region: Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia each have their own regulations. This article provides a clear overview of the most important requirements and key considerations in the three regions.
A compressed air receiver often seems like a self-evident part of a compressed air system. Yet it is a pressure-containing vessel that must be properly monitored. Inspections are not only necessary to comply with regulations, but above all to ensure safety and business continuity.
Specifically, periodic inspections help monitor the following areas, among others:
For prevention advisors, facility managers, technical managers, and HSE officers, it’s not just about “having an inspection performed.” It’s about demonstrable safety, clear reporting, and the assurance that critical systems are being properly monitored.
The inspection requirement depends on the region where the industrial compressed air system is located. The rules differ for Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia. In addition, the technical characteristics of the compressed air system, the environmental permit, and previous inspection reports may also play a role.
Therefore, it is important to consider not only the volume of the tank but also the permitted pressure, the compressor, the permit, and the system’s history.
In Flanders, VLAREM sets forth the environmental regulations that companies must comply with. These regulations include, among other things, requirements regarding compressed air systems that pose a risk to people and the environment, such as compressed air vessels.
In Flanders, a compressed air vessel is subject to inspection as soon as the product of the rated pressure and volume exceeds 3,000 bar-liters, provided that the rated pressure is more than 4 bar higher than atmospheric pressure.
Before commissioning, a certified environmental expert—usually affiliated with an EDTC—must approve the compressed air system, including the compressed air tank.
This initial inspection is important to demonstrate that the system can be put into service correctly and safely.
Periodic inspections remain mandatory even after the system is put into service. The periodic inspection includes an internal and external inspection. The company must have these inspections performed every 5 years.
In addition, depending on the condition or type of the system, the inspection authority may require an additional water pressure test or hydrostatic test.
In addition, the safety valve that protects the pressure vessel must be recalibrated every 10 years. During this process, the correct opening pressure and operation are checked.
If irregularities are found during the inspection of the compressed air system, the certified environmental expert and/or the inspection authority may impose a shorter interval than the legally required five years.
For the Brussels-Capital Region, the operating conditions specified in the environmental permit determine which inspections are required.
In Brussels, a compressed air vessel requires a permit if it has a capacity of 300 liters or more, or if the air compressor’s power exceeds 2 kW.
When a compressed air vessel requires a permit, the inspection frequencies and additional requirements are explicitly stated in the facility’s environmental permit.
In the Brussels-Capital Region, periodic inspections are mandated and confirmed through the permit. This involves a 5-year internal and external inspection, with a possible additional hydrostatic test at the expert’s request.
For organizations with multiple sites in Brussels, it is therefore important to carefully monitor not only the installation itself but also the permit and operating conditions.
The Walloon Region applies a simple threshold. A compressed air system with a storage tank is subject to inspection starting at 150 liters.
Periodic inspections include an internal and external examination.
Companies must have these inspections performed every 3 years. In addition, the accredited body may require an additional hydrostatic test in cases of corrosion and/or loss of wall thickness.
In addition, a qualified expert must perform an external inspection annually. This is a supplementary requirement in addition to the triennial full inspection by an EDTC.
For companies operating in different regions, this can quickly become complex. An industrial compressed air system in Flanders, Brussels, or Wallonia may be subject to different deadlines and conditions, even if it is technically a comparable system.
During the inspection of a compressed air storage tank, the technical condition, safety features, installation and surroundings, and available documentation are examined.
Key points of attention include:
The inspection includes checks for corrosion, wear, damage, and anchor points.
Safety valves, pressure gauges, manometers, and drain valves are also important points of attention.
A safe installation also requires proper setup, good accessibility, and sufficient cleanliness around the installation.
Administrative documentation is at least as important as the technical inspection. Examples include:
With a complete file, it is easier to demonstrate during inspections that the compressed air receiver is being used safely and in compliance with regulations.
Schedule your inspection in advance
Ensure inspections are scheduled well in advance and take the necessary steps to ensure the internal inspection proceeds efficiently, so that business operations are not disrupted.
Ensure regular maintenance
In addition, regular maintenance helps ensure the installation remains safe and reliable for continued use.
Keep certificates and reports in a central location
Furthermore, it is best to store all certificates and reports in one central location so that, during inspections, you can demonstrate that the compressed air tank is being used safely and in compliance with regulations.
Actively monitor changes or expansions
Finally, in the event of modifications or expansions, a recommissioning inspection is mandatory and must be performed by a certified environmental expert and/or a certified inspection body, such as an EDTC, in accordance with regional regulations.
Consider each site and each region separately
Does your organization have multiple locations? If so, check which regulations apply to each site. The requirements may vary depending on the location of the compressed air system.
For organizations with multiple compressed air systems, sites, or regional requirements, tracking compressed air tanks can quickly become fragmented. Deadlines vary, documents are scattered, and internal teams often have to keep track themselves of when each inspection is due.
Would you like to know which requirements apply to your compressed air tanks?
Contact Normec BTV. Our experts will help you clearly identify which inspections are required, when they need to be performed, and how to monitor your systems safely and efficiently.
Request your inspection or have a Normec BTV expert assess your situation.
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Yes. Compressed air vessels are pressure-retaining systems and must be inspected, depending on the region and the technical characteristics of the system. The rules differ between Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia.
That depends on the region. In Flanders, periodic inspections are conducted every 5 years. In Brussels, the inspection intervals are determined by the environmental permit. In Wallonia, a full inspection is conducted every 3 years, supplemented by an annual external inspection by a qualified expert.
In Flanders, a compressed air cylinder is subject to inspection as soon as the product of the rated pressure and the volume exceeds 3,000 bar-liters, provided that the rated pressure is more than 4 bar higher than atmospheric pressure.
In Brussels, a compressed air storage tank requires a permit if it has a capacity of 300 liters or more, or if the air compressor’s power exceeds 2 kW. The specific inspection requirements are included in the environmental permit.
In Wallonia, a compressed air system with a storage tank is subject to inspection if its capacity is 150 liters or more.
A water pressure test, also known as a hydrostatic test, is an additional test that may be required by the inspection authority, expert, or accredited body, depending on the condition or type of installation.
Important documents include the EC Declaration of Conformity (CE certificate), documents related to commissioning or recommissioning, previous inspection reports, and, if applicable, the environmental or operating permit.
A compressed air system is the complete system that generates, treats, and distributes compressed air (including the compressor, filters, and piping), while a compressed air receiver (also called a tank) is just one specific component of that system.
