Pressure vessel regulation

Pressure vessels — including boilers, storage tanks, and industrial process equipment — are indispensable to modern industry but carry inherent risks if improperly designed, maintained, or operated. Failures can result in catastrophic explosions, toxic releases, or widespread service disruptions, with serious consequences for worker safety, public health, and infrastructure resilience.

Regulation of pressure vessels is complex, involving strict design codes, inspection requirements, and operational standards. Regulators must ensure compliance across diverse industries such as energy, manufacturing, and transportation, while operators face significant liability and reputational risks if failures occur. Advances in materials and monitoring technologies create opportunities for improved safety, but also require regulatory systems to adapt.

Risk sciences provide tools to assess the probability and consequences of vessel failures, guide inspection regimes, and prioritize high-risk scenarios. Quantitative risk assessments and reliability modeling support decision-making, while structured risk communication helps ensure that operators, regulators, and the public understand safety requirements and expectations.

RSI is committed to supporting pressure vessel regulation, bringing expertise and experience to strengthen safety and trust in this high-stakes sector.