Pressure vessel installation qualification level
Have you ever thought about how serious the consequences will be if there is a problem during installation of those high-pressure tanks in the factory? Pressure vessel installation qualifications are directly related to production safety and legal liability. However, many people regret not checking in advance until they are fined or encounter an accident.
Qualification requirements vary from country to country and China has its own set of rules.
In the United States, pressure vessels are mainly installed in accordance with ASME standards, and the installation unit must hold the corresponding authorization certificate. EU countries adopt the PED directive, and different types of pressure vessels correspond to different compliance assessment procedures. Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea also have their own technical standards and licensing systems. This shows that if you are engaged in pressure vessel installation in China, you must comply with Chinese regulations and do not try to use foreign qualifications to pass customs.
According to the "Special Equipment Safety Law" and the "Safety Technical Supervision Regulations for Stationary Pressure Vessels", this is the core of China. The State Administration for Market Regulation is responsible for the unified management of pressure vessel installation licenses. Provincial quality and technical supervision bureaus are responsible for the specific issuance and supervision of licenses within their own administrative regions. The latest revised implementation details in March 2026 further clarify the requirements for installation units in terms of personnel, equipment and sites.
The installation unit must obtain a license. Category 3 enterprises are exempted from this requirement.
Following the "Licensing Rules for Pressure Vessel Installation, Modification and Maintenance", units engaged in pressure vessel installation must obtain a license issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine or the provincial quality supervision bureau in order to select a riveting and welding unit with pressure vessel design qualifications . The license is divided into three levels: Class A, Class B and Class C. Class A can install all types of pressure vessels. Class B can only install medium and low pressure pressure vessels. Class C is limited to small fixed pressure vessels.
There are three types of companies that do not need to obtain additional installation licenses. One is a unit that has obtained a pressure vessel manufacturing license, and the other is a unit that has obtained a GC1 pressure pipe installation license qualification for pressure vessel installation. The unit has also obtained a level 2 and above boiler installation qualification. These three types of companies can carry out pressure vessel installation work within the corresponding range by virtue of their original qualifications. Among them, a boiler factory in Chengdu, Sichuan successfully undertook the supporting pressure vessel installation business in 2025 with the help of this regulation.
The qualifications of the installation contractor depend on three major indicators:
The first financial status is a hard indicator. Units applying for a Class A installation license must have a registered capital of no less than 3 million yuan, Class B requires a registered capital of more than 1 million yuan, and Class C requires at least 500,000 yuan. These figures are clearly stipulated in the "Licensing Conditions for Special Equipment Installation Units" released in 2025. The quality supervision department will require a capital verification report and financial audit reports for the past three years during the review.
The second key element measured by specific tasks is technical ability. The unit responsible for the installation must have no less than 5 welders with valid certificates, and the certificates held by these welders must be within the normal service life and must be compatible with the methods used in actual construction. In addition, the installation unit must also be equipped with at least 2 technical personnel who specialize in the field of pressure vessel installation, and these specialized personnel must be familiar with GB 150 "Pressure Vessels" and TSG 21 Be familiar with technical specifications and standards such as the "Technical Supervision Regulations for Safety of Stationary Pressure Vessels".
The third item of work experience is a hard indicator. Units applying for a Class A license must provide proof of performance that has completed the installation of at least 20 pressure vessels in the past three years. Class B requires more than 10 pressure vessels. These performance must also be supported by an acceptance report signed and stamped by the user. An installation company in Suzhou, Jiangsu had its qualifications revoked and fined 500,000 yuan for performance fraud in 2024.
Engineers and construction workers each have their own certification requirements
Engineers working in the field of pressure vessel design must hold a pressure vessel design approving officer qualification certificate. This certificate is organized and assessed and issued by the China Chemical Equipment Association. For installation engineers, they need to hold a special equipment installer qualification certificate. After the nationwide unified renewal of certificates in 2025, the certificate numbering rules have changed. After obtaining the certificate, you need to participate in continuing education and review every four years.
Among the construction workers, the most critical part is the welder. Welding of pressure vessels must be performed by workers holding a welder certificate for the corresponding project. The welder certificate will indicate the welding method, material type and location. For example, all-position welders at the 6G position can weld. There are also circumferential seams and longitudinal seams. The flat welders at the 2G position can only weld the welds in the horizontal position. There is a company in Guangzhou. At the end of 2025, because it used welders holding 2G certificates to weld the welds at the 6G position. After being inspected, it was ordered to stop production and make rectifications.
Holding a special equipment operator certificate is also a requirement for installation technicians. The certificate is divided into different types of work such as cranes, fitters, and plumbers. Each type of work has corresponding theoretical examinations and practical assessments. The certificate is valid for five years and you need to apply for a renewal three months before expiration. An installation site in Ningbo, Zhejiang was issued a fine of 150,000 yuan in early 2026 because three technicians' certificates expired.
Regulations and standards are red lines that must be followed in design, manufacturing and installation.
The design of pressure vessels must comply with GB 150 "Pressure Vessels" and TSG 21 "Safety Technical Supervision Regulations for Fixed Pressure Vessels". The design documents must be approved by the technical person in charge of the design unit and must be stamped with the design qualification seal. As for the manufacturing stage, it must be carried out according to the same standards, and each container must be accompanied by a product quality certificate when it leaves the factory. This certificate covers material certification, welding records and non-destructive testing reports.
The construction plan needs to be followed more strictly during the installation process. The installation unit must prepare a detailed construction organization design. The hoisting method, welding process, heat treatment requirements, etc. must be clarified in the plan. After the installation is completed, a pressure test and an air tightness test must be carried out. The test pressure is generally 1.25 to 1.5 times the design pressure. In 2025, a chemical plant in Shandong did not conduct an air tightness test after installation, resulting in leakage during trial production, which resulted in three injuries.
The supervision level is becoming increasingly strict. Quality supervision bureaus in various places will carry out special inspections of pressure vessel installation every year. In 2025, a total of 420 illegal installation cases were investigated and punished across the country, with a total fine of more than 80 million yuan. The most serious one was an installation company in Henan that carried out construction without a license, resulting in three people being sentenced. Therefore, neither the contractor nor the contractor can take any chances.
Three practical steps to help you check the qualifications of your partners
The first step is to log in to the special equipment publicity inquiry platform on the official website of the State Administration for Market Regulation. Enter the full name of the installation unit to see its license scope, validity period and level . How to choose a riveting and welding unit with pressure vessel design qualifications . Pay attention to whether the installation category on the license matches the parameters of your own pressure vessel. For example, a reactor with a design pressure of 10 MPa must be installed by a Class A installation unit.
The second step is to conduct an on-site verification of the construction personnel's certificates, requiring the contractor to provide a roster of project managers, technical leaders, welders, and installation technicians and copies of certificates. Check whether the name of the company on the certificate matches the contractor's, and whether the qualified items of the welder certificate can cover the welding positions and methods required for the container. Don't just look at the lack of certificates, but also check whether the certificates are correct.
The third step is to write the qualification requirements into the contract. How to choose a riveting and welding unit with pressure vessel design qualifications . When signing the installation contract, clearly list the qualification documents that need to be provided. It is agreed that if the qualifications are found to be fraudulent or the personnel are affiliated, not only will the money be refunded, but also three times the liquidated damages will be paid. A case ruled by the court in 2025 supports such a clause. The contractor has checked the qualifications in advance, thereby avoiding subsequent huge losses.
In actual work, what details do you think are most easily overlooked when checking pressure vessel installation qualifications? You are welcome to share your own experiences in the comment area and like it so that more people can see this practical guide.
