What goes into a pressure vessel data book

A pressure vessel data book is the file of records that shows the vessel was made from the specified materials, welded to qualified procedures, inspected, tested and built to the approved drawings. It normally holds the certificate of conformity, the quality certificate, mill test reports, welding procedure records, NDT reports, the pressure test report, any heat-treatment chart, as-built drawings and the packing list.

The documents and what each one shows

Certificate of conformity

States that the vessel was manufactured and inspected to the design and the applicable code. It identifies the vessel by its product number and is signed by the manufacturer.

Quality certificate

Summarises the key data: design conditions, materials of the main pressure parts, NDT results, heat treatment and pressure test. An inspector usually reads this first.

Mill test reports

Material test reports from the mill show the chemical composition and mechanical properties of each heat of plate, pipe and forging. They are matched to the parts by heat number, which is how material traceability is checked from incoming steel to the finished vessel.

WPS and PQR records

The welding procedure specification (WPS) sets out how each joint is welded. The procedure qualification record (PQR) shows that the procedure was tested and passed. Together they show that each weld was made by a qualified method.

NDT reports

Results of radiographic (RT), ultrasonic (UT), magnetic particle (MT) and penetrant (PT) testing, with the extent and acceptance level required by the design.

Hydrostatic test report

Records the test pressure, hold time, test medium and result, with the signatures of the people who carried out and inspected the test.

Heat-treatment chart

Where the design calls for post-weld heat treatment, the time-temperature chart shows that the specified cycle was followed.

As-built drawings and packing list

The as-built drawings show the vessel as delivered, including any approved changes. The packing list ties the shipment to the vessel, its loose parts and its documents.

How to specify it

• List the required documents in the purchase order, not after delivery.
• Agree the inspection and test plan, with any witness points, before fabrication starts.
• State the language and format you need, and whether you want copies before shipment.
• Ask for an index so your inspector can check that nothing is missing.

How Wanlong handles it

Each pressure vessel we deliver comes with these documents: certificate of conformity, quality certificate, as-built drawings, MTRs, WPS/PQR welding records, NDT reports, hydrostatic test report, heat-treatment chart where applicable, and packing list. Incoming plate is checked against its mill test report before cutting. Radiography is done in our own RT room. Hydrostatic tests run at 1.25 × design pressure with a 30-minute hold. Vessels are built under licence TS2236612-2027 for Class D fixed pressure vessels.