NDT for Pressure Equipment per PED 2014/68/EU
Specialist non-destructive testing and inspection for pressure equipment in compliance with the European Pressure Equipment Directive — from design verification to CE marking support.
Inspection of Pressure Equipment under the PED
The Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU (PED) is the cornerstone of European legislation governing the safety of pressure equipment. It applies to the design, manufacture and conformity assessment of pressure equipment and assemblies with a maximum allowable pressure exceeding 0.5 bar, encompassing pressure vessels, piping, boilers, heat exchangers, safety accessories and pressure accessories. Compliance with the PED is a mandatory legal requirement for placing pressure equipment on the European market, and non-destructive testing plays a central role in demonstrating that the essential safety requirements of the directive are met.
LCNDTEST, headquartered in Nivelles, Belgium, is a specialist provider of NDT services for pressure equipment manufacturers, fabricators and end-users throughout Belgium and across Europe. Our experienced inspection team understands the specific requirements of the PED and its harmonised standards — EN 13445 for unfired pressure vessels, EN 13480 for metallic industrial piping, EN 12952 and EN 12953 for boilers — and applies this knowledge to deliver inspections that satisfy both the directive requirements and the expectations of Notified Bodies, insurers and regulatory authorities.
From the verification of material certificates and welding qualifications through to the final visual inspection and pressure test, LCNDTEST provides the complete range of NDT services required at every stage of the PED conformity assessment process. Our goal is to help manufacturers achieve CE marking efficiently and with confidence, while ensuring that the pressure equipment entering service in Belgian and European industrial installations meets the highest standards of safety and quality.
Adapted Inspection Methods
- Visual Testing (VT) as the mandatory baseline inspection of all pressure-retaining welds, verifying weld quality, dimensional conformity, surface condition and the absence of visible defects in accordance with EN ISO 17637
- Radiographic Testing (RT) for volumetric inspection of butt welds on pressure-retaining shells, heads, nozzles and piping, using film or digital radiography in accordance with EN ISO 17636-1 and EN ISO 17636-2
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT) including conventional, TOFD and Phased Array techniques for weld examination as an alternative or complement to radiographic testing, particularly for thick-walled components and materials where radiographic sensitivity is limited
- Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) for the detection of surface and near-surface cracks on ferritic steel pressure components, nozzle welds, attachment welds and areas subject to high stress
- Penetrant Testing (PT) for surface crack detection on austenitic stainless steel, duplex, nickel alloy and other non-ferromagnetic pressure equipment components
- Hydrostatic and Pneumatic Pressure Testing as the mandatory proof test required by the PED before the equipment is placed in service, performed with calibrated instruments and comprehensive documentation
- Positive Material Identification (PMI) to verify that the correct materials have been used in the construction of the pressure equipment, ensuring compliance with the material specifications in the design documentation
- Hardness Testing and Ferrite Measurement on welds and heat-affected zones to verify post-weld heat treatment compliance and microstructural integrity, as required by the material and fabrication code
Standards and Regulations
All inspections performed by LCNDTEST on pressure equipment are carried out in strict compliance with the Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU and its harmonised standards. The applicable design and fabrication codes — EN 13445 (unfired pressure vessels), EN 13480 (metallic industrial piping), EN 12952 (water-tube boilers), EN 12953 (shell boilers) and ASME Section VIII — define the specific NDT requirements including the methods to be applied, the extent of examination, the acceptance criteria and the qualification requirements for inspection personnel. Welding procedures are qualified in accordance with EN ISO 15614, and welders are qualified in accordance with EN ISO 9606. Our comprehensive understanding of the regulatory framework ensures that every inspection we perform contributes to a smooth and successful conformity assessment process.