Year-End Checklist: Is Your Compressed Air System Ready for 2026?
The production ramp-up in January is the worst time to discover a compliance issue or equipment failure. Use this checklist during the December shutdown to start 2026 in good shape.
Get a Quote1. Check SANS 347 Inspection Status on Every Receiver
Pull the inspection file for each air receiver on site. Confirm the date of the last periodic inspection and when the next inspection is due. If any vessel is approaching or past its inspection due date, schedule the inspection before production resumes. Operating an overdue vessel exposes your business to Labour Department compliance action and insurance risk. If documentation is missing or lost, contact a competent person or your receiver supplier to discuss recertification options.
2. Test Every Safety Relief Valve
With the system pressurised, test the safety/relief valve on each receiver by briefly lifting the test ring. The valve should lift and release cleanly. If it does not lift (seized), lifts at the wrong pressure, or fails to reseat (passes air continuously after releasing), it must be replaced before the system is returned to service. A malfunctioning safety valve is the most serious pressure vessel safety defect — it removes the only automatic protection against over-pressurisation.
3. Inspect All Drain Valves
Check manual drain valves for blockage, corrosion, and correct operation. Open each valve and confirm condensate (not just air) drains freely. A valve that has never been opened may be seized or blocked with solidified oil residue — use a wrench carefully rather than forcing it. Replace any drain valve that cannot be operated smoothly. Check auto-drain valves for correct cycling (listen for the timed drain cycle or test manually).
4. Visual Inspection of All Receivers
Walk the compressor room and inspect each receiver externally. Look for rust patches or blistering paint (indicating corrosion beneath), any weeping or leaking from welds or fittings, physical damage such as dents or impact marks, and any signs that the vessel has been modified or welded. Any vessel with external corrosion beyond surface rust, or with any structural concerns, must be formally inspected by a competent person before being returned to service.
5. Confirm Compressor + Receiver Documentation File is Complete and On-Site
Ensure the following documents are in the file for each pressure vessel on site: original Declaration of Conformity, pressure test certificate, most recent inspection report, and safety valve service records. This file must be accessible on-site at all times — not in an offsite office or on a laptop. Labour Department inspectors will request this documentation on any workplace visit, and its absence is a compliance offence.
Need a Compliant Air Receiver?
Every air receiver we supply is SANS 347 certified with full documentation. Fast lead times, nationwide delivery. Contact us for a quote.