Standards Development

Scope

The standard provides guidelines for periodic inspections of manual gas equipment for welding, cutting and allied processes placed after the cylinder’s valve or, in case of centralized distribution, of movable equipment after the points of use, since commissioning

Purpose

The manual equipment for gas welding, cutting and allied processes, hereinafter equipment, are constituted by different components that allow the required functionality such as for example, but not limited, to: gas sealing, to heat, to mechanical stress, permit and regulate the flow of gases and mixtures, etc.

The utilization rate of use and the conditions under which these equipment are subjected during use are extremely variable.

Generally, the manufacturer should give precise information about the type of maintenance and periodic checks to be done.

The European and International product standards for such equipment, do not give clear guidance on the matter for which manufacturers are not required to give precise and detailed indications on periodic testing and maintenance.

The row materials adopted on some components of this equipment, or at least some of them, in particular non­metallic, have limited durations and their performance in time are subject to degrade.

The purpose of the NWI l is to give a clear guidance about the type of maintenance and the periodic checks to be done.

The justification is to enable users and employers, to work in a more secure globally way and eventually give a reference to comply with current legislations that indicate general criteria on safety and maintenance.