Executive Decree No. 90-245 dated 18 August 1990 regulating gas pressure equipment, p. 998.

(Official
Gazette of the Republic of Algeria, No. 036, dated 22 August 1990)

The Head of the Government,

Based on a report by the Minister for Mines,

In light of the Constitution, and in particular Articles 81 and 118;

In light of Order No. 66-156 dated 8 June 1966, as amended and supplemented, establishing a Criminal
Code;

In light of Order No. 76-04 dated 20 February 1976 concerning safety rules to counter the risks of fire and
panic, and creating prevention and civil protection commissions;

In light of Act No. 83-03 dated 5 February 1983 concerning the protection of the environment;

In light of Decree No. 76-34 dated 20 February 1976 concerning hazardous, unhealthy or uncomfortable
establishments;

In light of Decree No. 84-105 dated 12 May 1984 establishing a protective perimeter around facilities and
infrastructure;

In light of Decree No. 85-59 dated 23 March 1985 defining the standard status of workers in public
institutions and government bodies;

In light of Decree No. 85-231 dated 25 August 1985 setting conditions and procedures for the
organisation and implementation of response and relief in the event of disasters;

In light of Decree No. 85-232 dated 25 August 1985 concerning the prevention of disaster risks;

In light of Decree No. 88-149 dated 26 July 1988 defining the regulations applicable to classified facilities
and establishing a naming convention;

In light of Presidential Decree No. 89-171 dated 9 September 1989 appointing the Head of the
Government;

In light of Presidential Decree No. 89-178 dated 16 September 1989, as amended, appointing the
members of the Government;

Hereby decrees:

Article 1

This Regulation lays down the requirements for the construction, installation and operation of gas
pressure equipment.

Article 2
Where it is intended for use on land, the equipment defined below is subject to all of the provisions of this
Regulation:

1. Equipment for the production, storage or use of compressed, liquefied or dissolved gases, of steam, or
of pressurised superheated liquids, where the following two conditions are simultaneously met:

The effective pressure of the gas phase could exceed four (4) bar; and
The product of the maximum effective pressure expressed in bar, multiplied by the capacity
expressed in litres, exceeds eighty (80).

This paragraph does not apply to compressors, pipes, fire extinguishers, generators or acetylene
receptacles.

The bodies of motors and pumps and the envelopes of pneumatic air chambers are not subject to this
Regulation.

2. Mobile equipment for the storage of compressed, liquefied or dissolved gases or pressurised steam,
where the following two (2) conditions are simultaneously met:

The effective pressure of the gas phase could exceed four (4) bar; and
The product of the maximum effective pressure expressed in bar, multiplied by the capacity
expressed in litres, exceeds ten (10) but does not exceed eighty (80).

3. Gas or steam compressors, other than those designed for water vapour, where the following two (2)
conditions are simultaneously met:

The effective pressure of the final stage discharge could exceed ten (10) bar; and
The product of the effective discharge pressure expressed in bar multiplied by the flow rate of the
liquid measured in the discharge conditions and expressed in cubic metres per minute, may
exceed fifty (50).

The above limits are reduced to four (4) bar and a product of twenty (20) for certain categories of liquids,
which will be listed in an Order of the Minister for Mines.

4. Gas or steam pipes (other than those for water vapour) and pipes for liquids other than water in which
the operating steam pressure could exceed one (1) bar, where the following three (3) conditions are
simultaneously met:

Internal diameter of more than eighty (80) millimetres;

Maximum effective operating pressure of greater than ten (10) bar; and
Product of the diameter multiplied by the maximum pressure, expressed in the above units,
greater than fifteen hundred (1500);

The above limits are reduced to four (4) bar and a product of one thousand (1000) for certain categories
of liquids, which will be listed in an Order of the Minister for Mines.

Pipelines for the transport of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons or hydrocarbons liquefied under pressure
are not subject to the provisions of this Regulation.

5. Fire extinguishers containing parts with a capacity of greater than five (5) litres, pressurised at the time
of operation, or permanently pressurised vessels where the following two conditions are simultaneously
met:
 The effective pressure could exceed four (4) bar; and
The product of the maximum effective pressure expressed in bar, multiplied by the capacity
expressed in litres, exceeds eighty (80) or, if the capacity is greater than one (1) litre, exceeds ten
(10).

6. Acetylene generators, excluding equipment intended for intermittent operation, with a calcium carbide
load equal to or greater than one (1) kilogram.

7. Acetylene receptacles and acetylene factory pipelines, in which the effective pressure may exceed one
and a half bar (1.5), regardless of the internal volume.

Article 3

Air compressors which do not fall within the criteria listed above, and which directly or indirectly supply
breathing apparatus, or which supply equipment located in confined spaces or in potentially explosive
atmospheres, are subject to the provisions of Articles 17, 22 and 23 below.

Equipment which does not fall within the criteria listed in Article 2 above because of its particular capacity,
dimensions or operating pressure, and is therefore not subject to the other provisions of this Regulation,
is still subject to Articles 4, 17 and 23.

Article 4

Gas pressure equipment must be constructed and repaired in such a way as to ensure safe operation in
all circumstances, and in particular:

The choice of materials used for the construction and repair of such equipment, their manner of
use, the construction of assemblies, and the selection of shape, size and thickness, are left to the
judgment of the manufacturer or repairer, under their responsibility, subject to the provisions set
out below and any provisions which may be enacted to implement this Regulation;
The materials used for the construction of pressure equipment must, by their nature, and in the
intended conditions of use, resist the chemical action of the substances they are expected to
contain. They must not be fragile at the operating or test temperature or pressure;
If the walls of the equipment are susceptible to weakening by corrosion or erosion, the
manufacturer must make the walls extra thick or use some other means of surface protection.

Article 5

For new equipment, the manufacturer will be responsible for setting the design pressure.

At the design pressure, the stress rate of the metal in the wall under pressure must be less than the
lesser of the following two values:

One-third (1/3) of the tensile strength of the metal at an ordinary temperature; or

Five-eighths (5/8) of the yield strength at 0.2% of the metal at the maximum operating
temperature.

If the operating conditions could cause metal creep, the stress rate must also be limited, under the
manufacturer's responsibility, according to the expected temperature and service life.
For certain categories of equipment, the Minister for Mines may stipulate a different stress rate, on
conditions defined in an Order.

The welding of equipment covered by the provisions of this Regulation will be subject to particular
requirements, to be defined in an Order by the Minister for Mines.

Article 6

For certain categories of equipment, the Minister for Mines may stipulate, in conditions defined in an
Order, that they must be fitted with the following:

A safety valve;
A liquid level indicator;
A manometer;
A thermometer;
A hatch for internal inspection and cleaning;
A device for bleeding and draining.

Article 7

The various chambers of all gas pressure equipment, not including the piping, must bear the following
identifying marks, either in the metal itself, or on a plate attached with solid rivets:

The name of the manufacturer, the place, year and order number of manufacture, the internal
volume of the equipment, the maximum operating pressure and the test pressure expressed in
bar;
The various service marks indicating the principal conditions to be observed during use of the
equipment should also be displayed.

These marks must be placed so as to be visible on the equipment at all times during operation; or, if this
is not possible, at a minimum to be visible during tests or checks and, for mobile receptacles, during
transport.

Article 8

The construction of any equipment subject to the provisions of this Regulation must be approved in
advance by the Mines Department on the basis of a technical dossier containing:

A description specifying the materials, shapes, dimensions, thicknesses and location, as well as
the welding procedures and the layout of all assemblies, with reference to an accompanying
drawing;
Design calculations supporting the construction parameters used.

Article 9

Any persons presenting equipment for the tests specified in Articles 11 and 13 of this Decree, are
required to produce a Verification Certificate attesting that the equipment has been checked in
preparation for the test, and describing the checks performed.

For new equipment, the checks should cover all parts of the equipment; both during construction, for
parts which will not be adequately visible later, and once construction is complete.
For equipment undergoing a new test following significant repairs, the checks should cover all visible
parts, after exposure of the surface and dismantling of all removable components, and in addition, both
during the repair work and after its completion, all parts affected by the repairs.

In all other cases, the checks should cover the parts which are visible after exposure of the surface and
after dismantling of all removable components.

Article 10

Testing of new equipment will be carried out at the request of the manufacturer on presentation of the
technical dossier and Verification Certificate described in Articles 8 and 9 above, together with certificates
relating to the materials used, and to any heat treatments and testing which may have been performed.

Testing after repairs will be carried out at the request of the repairer on presentation of the certificate
described in Article 9 above, accompanied by the technical repair dossier containing all documents
required to assess compliance.

Testing of equipment in operation will be carried out at the request of the operator on presentation of the
certificate described in Article 9 above.

Article 11

No equipment should be delivered or commissioned unless it has undergone hydraulic pressure testing.

This testing should be carried out at the manufacturer's plant. However, it may be done at the site where
the equipment will be used, with the agreement of the Mines Department, where, owing to the size of the
equipment, the assembly of the constituent parts cannot be performed at the manufacturer's plant.

The manufacturer will be responsible for setting the test pressure. It may not be less than one and a half
times the design pressure.

The test pressure may not be less than sixty (60) bar for dissolved acetylene receptacles, two hundred
(200) bar for mobile or semi-fixed receptacles containing fluorine, and twenty (20) bar for mobile or semi-
fixed receptacles containing phosgene.

For certain pieces or categories of equipment, the test pressure may be set at a level greater than one
and a half times the design pressure, by Order of the Minister for Mines.

The testing shall be performed in the presence and under the control of engineers from the Mines
Department. However, it may be performed under the control of other bodies authorised by the Minister
for Mines.

The various operations involved in the testing will be performed by the person who requested them.

Before the test, the Mines Engineer will examine the various parts of the equipment to verify their
compliance, and will carry out the various destructive tests and checks required, with reference to the
construction parameters. If he deems it necessary, he may perform additional tests and checks.

Pressurisation of the system will be performed in his presence and under his control.

The exterior wall of the equipment must be exposed in its entirety during the test, and pressure must be
maintained for at least as long as is necessary to carry out a complete examination of this wall.
The equipment will be deemed to have passed the test if it has withstood the test pressure without leaks
or permanent deformation.

Once a piece of equipment has passed a test, the Mines Engineer will affix the date on which the test was
performed and the punch mark of the Mines Department beside the mark indicating the test pressure. He
will also place the punch mark either beside the identifying marks, or over the rivets attaching the
identifying plate.

After the test a report will be drawn up in duplicate, one copy of which will be given to the person who
requested the test.

Article 12

Equipment manufactured overseas is subject to the prescriptions of this Regulation. At the time of the test
described in Article 11 above, the manufacturer must also present a Certificate of Conformity attesting
that the equipment was constructed to a standard which would allow it to be used in its country of origin.

Article 13

The test must be repeated at intervals of not more than:

ten (10) years, for fixed equipment;

five (5) years, for mobile equipment.

It must also be renewed whenever the equipment undergoes significant repairs.

The Mines Department may require the test to be repeated sooner where, because of the conditions in
which the equipment is operated, there are concerns regarding its strength.

The interval between two consecutive tests may be amended for certain categories of equipment or gas,
by Order of the Minister for Mines.

Article 14

Repetition of the test for a piece of equipment must be preceded by the completion of checks, as
evidenced by a Verification Certificate.

For equipment undergoing a new test following significant repairs, the checks should cover all visible
parts, after exposure of the surface and dismantling of all removable components, and in addition, both
during the repair work and after its completion, all parts affected by the repairs.

In all other cases, the checks should cover the parts which are visible after exposure of the surface and
after dismantling of all removable components.

Verification Certificates shall be drawn up, signed and dated by the person who carried out the checks;
they shall also be signed by the repairer or operator.

Article 15

The person responsible for inspecting equipment in accordance with Articles 9, 14 and 19, must be
sufficiently qualified to be able to recognise a fault and assess its seriousness.
This person may be selected from among the staff of the manufacturer, repairer or operator, if they have
a department dedicated exclusively to testing and inspections. If not, the inspection must be performed by
an independent inspection body which has the necessary competence and means to properly perform
this task.

The testing and inspection department of the manufacturer, repairer or operator and the independent
inspection body shall be authorised by the Minister for Mines under conditions to be defined in an Order.

The Mines Department may reject an inspector if he or she does not meet the conditions set out in the
preceding paragraphs.

Article 16

Where it is apparent from findings made by the Mines Department, particularly following an accident, that
due to its specifications a type of equipment is manifestly unsafe, the Minister for Mines may prohibit any
piece of equipment with the same specifications from remaining in operation, even if that piece of
equipment has not breached current regulations.

The Minister may also prescribe further conditions of construction, checks, testing, maintenance and use
of such equipment in order to remedy the detected hazard.

In all cases, the manufacturer or importer may be required to take all measures in their power to inform
the users of the equipment, and in particular to undertake any publicity which may be required.

Article 17

Any person who starts operating fixed gas pressure equipment is required to declare this fact to the
Mines Department office with territorial jurisdiction.

Article 18

For each fixed piece of equipment, the operator must keep a maintenance register in which must be
noted, with dates, all tests, interior and exterior inspections, cleaning and repairs.

The pages of this register must be numbered continuously from 1. As soon as the register is started, the
number of pages it contains must be written at the top. The register shall be presented whenever required
by the Mines Department.

Article 19

In order to identify the condition of each fixed piece of equipment and its accessories, the operator must
carry out a complete inspection of both the interior and exterior, as often as is necessary; the interval
between two successive full inspections must not be greater than 3 years, unless the equipment is not in
use. If this is the case, the equipment cannot be returned to service until it has undergone a full
inspection, if the previous inspection was more than 3 years ago.

In the event that the interval for checks stipulated by the manufacturer is less than 3 years, that interval
shall be followed instead.

Where certain parts are not accessible for inspection, the necessary steps must be taken to check their
condition, by unblocking certain parts or by any other appropriate measures, as often as necessary.
Article 20

Gas pressure equipment which falls under the provisions of this Regulation is subject to monitoring by the
Mines Department.

Mines Engineers shall have free access to all areas in which such equipment is installed.

Mines Engineers and engineers of delegated bodies are bound by professional secrecy, except in relation
to administrative and judicial authorities, for all facts or information of which they become aware while
performing their tasks.

Breaches of professional secrecy shall be sanctioned under Section 302 of the aforementioned Act No.
66-156 dated 8 June 1966.

Article 21

In the event of an accidental rupture of equipment, the operator must warn the Mines Department, without
delay and regardless of whether any injuries or damage were caused, so that an inquiry can immediately
be initiated.

The provisions of the previous paragraph also apply in the event of an accident caused by pressure
equipment which leads to the death of a person or causes serious injuries.

Before the official inquiry, no change must be made to the state of the site where the accident occurred,
other than to prevent greater damage and to assist the victims.

The inquiry report drawn up by the Mines Department will be submitted to the Wali and to the Minister for
Mines. Unless it is found that regulations have been breached, in all cases of death or serious injury the
Mines Department will send the Public Prosecutor a report of its findings, attaching a copy of its opinion
on where responsibility lies.

Article 22

The Minister for Mines may issue an exemption from all or part of the requirements of this Regulation
where it is acknowledged that such an exemption would have no disadvantages.

The Minister may also prescribe, by Order, particular measures for certain categories of equipment which
are subject either to all of the provisions of this Regulation, or only to certain provisions.

Article 23

Where required for the safety of the operation, gas pressure equipment which is already in operation on
the date on which this Decree takes effect must be altered so that it meets the requirements of this
Regulation. In such cases, delays of up to three years may be permitted by the Minister for Mines in order
for the necessary alterations to be made.

The declaration to the Mines Department, concerning fixed equipment already in operation prior to the
taking effect of this Regulation, must be made within a period of not more than one year.

Article 24

This Decree will be published in the Official Gazette of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.
Issued in Algiers, 18 August 1990.

Mouloud HAMROUCHE.