2010 SECTION VIII, DIVISION 2
4-129
4.5.16 Inspection Openings
4.5.16.1 All pressure vessels for use with compressed air and those subject to internal corrosion or having
parts subject to erosion or mechanical abrasion (see paragraph 4.1.4), except as permitted otherwise in this
paragraph, shall be provided with a suitable manhole, handhole, or other inspection opening(s) for
examination and cleaning. Compressed air as used in this paragraph is not intended to include air which has
had moisture removed to provide an atmospheric dew point of -46°C (-50°F) or less.
4.5.16.2 Inspection openings maybe omitted in the shell side of fixed tubesheet heat exchangers. When
inspection openings are not provided, the Manufacturer's Data Report shall include one of the following
notations under remarks:
a) “Paragraph 4.5.16.2” when inspection openings are omitted in fixed tubesheet heat exchangers;
b) “Paragraph 4.5.16.3”, “Paragraph 4.5.16.4”, “Paragraph 4.5.16.5” when provision for inspection is made
in accordance with one of these paragraphs;
c) The statement "for noncorrosive service.”
4.5.16.3 Vessels over 300 mm (12 in.) inside diameter under air pressure which also contain, as an
inherent requirement of their operation, other substances which will prevent corrosion need not have
openings for inspection only, provided the vessel contains suitable openings through which inspection can be
made conveniently, and provided such openings are equivalent in size and number to the requirements for
inspection openings in paragraph 4.5.16.6.
4.5.16.4 For vessels 300 mm (12 in.) or less in inside diameter, openings for inspection only may be
omitted if there are at least two removable pipe connections not less than DN 20 (NPS ¾).
4.5.16.5 Vessels less than 400 mm (16 in.) and over 300 mm (12 in.) inside diameter shall have at least
two handholes or two threaded pipe plug inspection openings of not less than DN 40 (NPS 1-1/2) except as
permitted by the following: when vessels less than 400 mm (16 in.) and over 300 mm (12 in.) inside diameter
are to be installed so that inspection cannot be made without removing the vessel from the assembly,
openings for inspection only may be omitted provided there are at least two removable pipe connections of
not less than DN 40 (NPS 1-1/2).
4.5.16.6 Vessels that require access or inspection openings shall be equipped as follows:
a) All vessels less than 450 mm (18 in.) and over 300 mm (12 in.) inside diameter shall have at least two
handholes or two plugged, threaded inspection openings of not less than DN 40 (NPS 1-1/2);
b) All vessels 450 mm (18 in.) to 900 mm (36 in.), inclusive, inside diameter shall have a manhole or at
least two handholes or two plugged, threaded inspection openings of not less than DN 50 (NPS 2);
c) All vessels over 900 mm (36 in.) inside diameter shall have a manhole, except that those whose shape
or use makes one impracticable shall have at least two handholes 100 mm x 150 mm (4 in. x 6 in.) or
two equal openings of equivalent area;
d) When handholes or pipe plug openings are permitted for inspection openings in place of a manhole, one
handhole or one pipe plug opening shall be in each head or in the shell near each head service;
e) Openings with removable heads or cover plates intended for other purposes may be used in place of the
required inspection openings provided they are equal at least to the size of the required inspection
openings;
f) A single opening with removable head or cover plate may be used in place of all the smaller inspection
openings provided it is of such size and location as to afford at least an equal view of the interior;
g) Flanged and/or threaded connections from which piping, instruments, or similar attachments can be
removed may be used in place of the required inspection openings provided that:
1) The connections are at least equal to the size of the required openings; and