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Air Compressor Tanks
Self Inspection Checklist


Guidelines: This checklist covers regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA under General Industry standard 29 CFR 1910.169. It applies to air compressor tanks (compressed air receivers used to store compressed air generated by an air compressor), and other equipment used in providing and using compressed air for operations such as cleaning, drilling, hoisting, and chipping. The regulations cited apply only to private employers and their employees, unless adopted by a state agency and applied to other groups such as public employees.

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  1. Do all new and existing air compressor tanks installed
    after 1971 meet applicable design codes?
    [29 CFR 1910.169(a)(2)]

    Note: Equipment purchased from reputable dealers can be
    assumed to meet applicable codes if the equipment was
    designed as an air receiver; otherwise, the product literature
    will have to be consulted. The tank should have an American
    Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) label.
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  
  1. Are air compressor tanks installed such that all drains,
    handholes, and manholes are easily accessible?
    [29 CFR 1910.169(b)(1)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  
  1. Are air compressor tanks installed above ground and
    in an accessible location?
    [29 CFR 1910.169(b)(1)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  
  1. Is a drain pipe and valve installed at the lowest point of
    every air compressor tank so accumulated oil and
    water can be removed?
    [29 CFR 1910.169(b)(2)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  
  1. Is the air compressor tank drained frequently (either
    manually or by an automatic drain valve) to prevent
    the accumulation of excessive amounts of liquid
    in the tank? [29 CFR 1910.169(b)(2)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  
  1. Is every air compressor tank equipped with a readily
    visible pressure gauge and with one or more
    spring-loaded safety valves?
    [29 CFR 1910.169(b)(3)]

    Note: The total relieving capacity of this safety valve
    shall be enough to prevent pressure in the receiver from
    exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure of
    the receiver by more than 10 percent.
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  
  1. Is the design such that no valve is located between the
    air compressor tank and the safety valve(s)?
    [29 CFR 1910.169(b)(3)(ii)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  
  1. Are safety valves located and installed so that they cannot
    easily be made inoperative by any means, including the
    elements? [29 CFR 1910.169(b)(3)(iii)]
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 
  
  1. Are safety valves tested frequently and at regular intervals
    to determine whether they are in good condition?
    [29 CFR 1910.169(b)(3)(iv)
 Y   N   N/A   ?? 


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National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health