RG3 Edition 3 July 2010 - The United Kingdom Accreditation Service

Accreditation for In -Service Inspection of Transportable Pressure Receptacles (TPRs) RG3 | EDITION 3 | July 2010
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 This publication has been produced by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service
(UKAS) in conjunction with the UKAS Technical Advisory Committee for Engineering
Inspection. It provides guidance to those requirements in ISO/IEC 17020 that need
interpretation when applied by inspection bodies carrying out in-service inspection of
TPRs. It does not cover all of the requirements of ISO/IEC 17020 and inspection
bodies are reminded of the need to comply with all of the requirements in this
publication. Cross-reference is made to relevant clauses of ISO/IEC 17020. In cases
of difference of interpretation, ISO/IEC 17020, (as applied by UKAS in accordance
with IAF/ILAC-A4:2004) is the authoritative publication and UKAS, through the
nominated member of the technical staff will, in the first instance, adjudicate on
unresolved matters. Appeals concerning interpretation will be considered in
accordance with the UKAS Appeals Procedure. Other UKAS publications are
referred to where relevant.
1.2 Accreditation against the requirements of ISO/IEC 17020 and this document is
intended to give confidence in the services provided by test stations who perform
in-service inspections of TPRs such as those required to comply with The Carriage of
Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009,
SI 2009 No 1348.
Note. All persons performing periodic inspections of TPRs for UK use are required to
be appointed by the Department for Transport for that purpose. Appointments are
made by DfT following assessment and, if appropriate, recommendation for
appointment by UKAS. Assessment by UKAS will broadly follow the requirements of
this publication but readers should note that a voluntary accreditation alone is
insufficient to meet legal requirements. The relevant regulations and Guidelines for
appointment are referenced in Appendix A.
1.3 For the purposes of this publication the term ‘inspection body’ shall be taken to mean
an accredited inspection body. Other requirements may apply to inspection bodies
approved under the Carriage Regulations.
2 INSPECTION SERVICES COVERED BY RG3 (ISO/IEC 17020
CLAUSE 3.3)
2.1 This publication covers the accreditation of in-service inspection at test stations
(which may form part of a larger facility) that undertake the periodic inspection, testing
and maintenance of TPRs, including dissolved acetylene containers.
2.2 This document also covers the examination of other items, for example, cylinder
valves, level/contents gauges, fusible plugs, and permanently attached fittings where
these are included in the TPR periodic inspection standard but not items such as
regulators or other equipment downstream of the valve.
2.3 The services provided by an inspection body accredited under this publication shall
include: -
(a)
Verification that the TPR and, where appropriate, its fittings/accessories
comply with the requirements of the standards (or where applicable
United Kingdom Accreditation Service, 21-47 High Street, Feltham, Middlesex, TW13 4UN
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