ES · Expiry & renewal tracking
Annual periodic review of APQ-1 storage in Spain
Storage of flammable and combustible liquids in fixed containers in Spain is reviewed every year, on top of the five-yearly check under Article 5 of the Regulation (ITC MIE APQ-1, Royal Decree 656/2017, Article 51.1). The review is done by the holder's own designated inspector or an inspection body, with a certificate.
For storage of flammable and combustible liquids in fixed containers (ITC MIE APQ-1 of Royal Decree 656/2017), in addition to the five-yearly check in Article 5 of the Regulation, the installations are reviewed every year (Article 51.1). The review covers cathodic protection, where present, and electrical continuity; the condition of bunds, foundations, fencing, drains, pumps and equipment; the walls of visible tanks and pipes, with thickness measurement if deterioration is seen; vents; and, where applicable, water and foam reserves, pumping, cooling, alarms, extinguishers and fireproofing, as well as hoses and couplings.
Reviews are carried out by the holder's own inspector or an inspection body, which issues the corresponding certificate (Article 51.3). The own inspector is competent technical staff designated by the holder, with knowledge and experience in inspecting storage installations, and the designation must be documented (ITC MIE APQ-0, Article 2, item 31).
Each storage installation also has its own review plan for safety equipment, with a record of checks: safety showers and eyewash at least once a week, personal protective equipment, fire protection and, for double-walled tanks, the leak detection system (Article 49.4). The inspection body's five-yearly certificate must state that the periodic reviews have been carried out (Article 5.1.d of the Regulation).
At a glance
| Scope | Flammable and combustible liquids in fixed containers (ITC MIE APQ-1, Article 2) |
|---|---|
| Periodic review | Annual (Article 51.1) |
| Who carries it out | Own inspector or inspection body, with certificate (Article 51.3) |
| Single-walled metal tanks | Internal visual inspection with thickness measurement every 15 years (Article 51.2) |
| Safety showers and eyewash | Tested at least once a week (Article 49.4.a) |
| Five-yearly certificate | Must confirm the periodic reviews were done (Article 5.1.d) |
Who is responsible?
The holder is responsible for complying with the regulation and its ITCs and for proper operation (Article 7.1); inspections and reviews do not release the holder from its upkeep duties (Article 7.3). Each company appoints a person responsible for the maintenance plan (ITC MIE APQ-1, Article 49.4).
If the deadline passes
Breaches are penalised under Title V of Industry Act 21/1992, and the regional authority may order a temporary total or partial shutdown of the activity until the deficiencies are corrected (Article 9.1 and 9.2).
Link with the five-year certificate
The annual review does not replace the inspection body's five-yearly certificate under Article 5, which among other things confirms that periodic reviews were done. Track both separately.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each storage installation with the date of the next annual review.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day itself. That leaves time for the own inspector or inspection body to schedule the visit.
- The inspector or inspection body can upload the certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the person in charge of the maintenance plan; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How often is APQ-1 storage reviewed?
- Every year, regardless of the five-yearly check in Article 5 of the Regulation (ITC MIE APQ-1, Article 51.1).
- Who can carry out the annual review?
- An own inspector, designated by the holder in writing, or an inspection body; a certificate is issued on the result (Article 51.3; ITC MIE APQ-0, Article 2.31).
- What other checks apply under APQ-1?
- Internal inspection of single-walled metal tanks every 15 years (Article 51.2) and the own review plan for showers, eyewash, protective equipment and fire protection (Article 49.4).
- Which storage is outside APQ-1?
- Among others, class C storage under 250 litres and storage integrated in process units on the terms of Article 2 of the ITC.
Sources
Last checked: Oct 1, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for annual flammable storage check (APQ) (Spain)
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Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each annual flammable storage check (APQ) (Spain) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each annual flammable storage check (APQ) (Spain) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.