INTRODUCTION The Cameroonian regulation on pressure equipment (PE) is based on a set of official laws especially : Act N 98/020 dated 24/12/1998 regulating gas pressure operated equipments (APG) and water vapor pressure equipment (APE). Decree N 99/817/PM dated 9 November 1999 on the methods of construction, operation and control for gas pressure operated equipment (GAS) and vapor pressure equipment (VPE), as well as pipes; The enforcement of these regulations is under the control of MINIMIDT (Ministry of Industry, Mines and Technological Development).
1 General Provisions The Cameroonian regulation differentiates: two categories of equipment : (In-built, semi-in-built or mobile) pressure equipment. Pipes. the types of fluids contained: gas, Water vapor, Any liquid other than water, Vapor other than water vapor,
Equipments submitted and submission thresholds Submission thresholds depend on maximum allowable pressure (MAP). Any PV whose maximum service pressure (MSP) is higher than 1 actual Bar is submitted SP > 1 Bar Note: Unlike other regulations, the maximum allowable temperature (MAT), the volume (V), the nominal diameter (ND), or the combination of these parameters, and the fluid contained, do not affect submission.
Regulations relating to new equipments The development of a new equipment, regardless of its volume, should comply with the existing development codes and specifications in relation to: - the design - the manufacture - and equipment inspections The equipment should be delivered alongside technical product documentation.
Regulations relating to new equipments SAFETY DEVICES The regulation on in-built UPE, with cabinets or a group of related cabinets having the same operational maximum Pressure including pressure excess guarantee for one or many safety devices whose operation is maintained under operating conditions. No order has been issued in relation to the intervals of visits. At SONARA, all valves are subject to periodic monitoring : Valve setting: 3 years for suppression valves, 5 years for non-suppression valves Lifting testing: Every six months 6 for vapor valves.
Declaration on Start-up Equipment from abroad: Before starting up, the operator must declare it to the Office of Mines. The declaration file will consist of: The declaration of equipment operation, Product description (technical specifications) Development plans, Certificates of tests of origin Request of receipt. An acknowledgement of receipt for this declaration coupled with a certificate of performance test shall be issued by the Office of Mines within 15 days. Should this time limit be exceeded, this declaration shall be deemed to be existing.
Declaration on Start-up Equipment constructed in Cameroon : Before starting the equipment, the operator shall declare it to the Office of Mines. The declaration file is the same except as to: Certificates for original performance test
Precontrol to operation start-up Operational inspection is required by existing regulations. The inspection shall be carried out by the relevant staff of SONARA. It relates to : compliance with rules for equipment installation and operation, the operation of safety and regulatory supplies, Qualified personnel in charge of operations, existing safety rules.
PERIODIC INSPECTIONS Equipment under pressure will be subject to compulsory periodic inspection by sworn officers from the Office of Mines: - As often as required, - The interval between 2 inspections cannot exceed 6 months (semi-annual visits).
PERIODIC REQUALIFICATION Equipment under pressure will be subject to a compulsory periodic requalification by an inspector from the Office of Mines: Before operating any new equipment After a major repair At the behest of the Office in charge of pressure equipment
PERIODIC REQUALIFICATION This will include in principle : An in-house inspection, An outside inspection, Inspection of safety supplies Alternative equipment testing. NOTE: Periodic requalification entail the issuance of a certificate
REQUALIFICATION INTERVALS The interval between two requalifications should not exceed : Ten (10) years for : VPE GPE containing non-corrosive fluids specifically defined Copper containers of GPEs Five (5) years for all other GPEs; One (1) year in the case of GPEs, in-built or semi-in-built steel containers containing or having contained gas by way of solid fuel distillation; Two (2) years any equipment containing the following gases : Fluorine, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen sulphide, dinitrogen tetraoxide
TEST CONDITIONS GPE: Test Pressure TP = 1.5 X PMS (MSP : maximum service pressure). Special cases TP 60 bars for dissolved container acetylene, TP 200 bars for in-built or semi-in-built containers with fluorine, TP 20 bars for in-built or semi-in-built containers with phosgene.
TEST CONDITIONS VPE : TP = safe working pressure (PC) + overload (high or reduced) Condition of operation for high overload : Equipment undergoing the test for the first time, Equipment that has undergone major modifications or significant repairs ; These equipments whose test is imposed by the Authority in charge of PEs. Condition for operation of overloads : All conditions. High overloaded value: Safe working pressure if PC 6 6 bars if 6 bars PC 12 bars Half of safe working pressure if PC 12 bars Reduced overloaded value : equals one third of high overloaded values
TEST CONDITIONS NOTE : A test deferment may be granted by the Authority in charge of pressure equipment for a period that will not exceed one (1) year whenever it comes to production equipment (in good working order) where needed.
PIPING General regulations relating to the design and operation of piping systems are identical to cabinet under pressure : - Developed according to generally accepted practices, - Guarantees against pressure excess from safety devices, There are two (2) major categories of piping systems: Piping systems generally meant for plants and installed within the right-of-way of industrial concerns, Transmission lines (pipelines, gas pipeline, etc.), installed in the public domain.
PERIODIC INSPECTIONS Piping systems are inspected as often as required by the personnel of the Office of Mines without any compulsory interval, specifically before restarting any equipment following a prolonged period of idleness. The inspection of buried or heat-insulated piping systems involves checking some parts deemed to be vulnerable by means of boring.
PERIODIC REQUALIFICATION Piping is subject to an hydrostatic testing : At least once every ten (10) years. After a major modification or repair Test Pressure: 1,5 X maxi P service