ES · Expiry & renewal tracking
Keep pressure equipment inspection deadlines under control
Pressure equipment of categories I to IV in Spain undergoes level A (installer), B and C (inspection body) inspections at maximum intervals of 1 to 12 years by type, category and fluid (Royal Decree 809/2021, Article 6 and Annex III). The user must order them; intervals run from manufacture or the previous inspection.
All pressure equipment of categories I to IV under Royal Decree 709/2015, or equivalent, undergoes periodic inspections and tests (Article 6.1 of Spain's Pressure Equipment Regulation, Royal Decree 809/2021). They are carried out by a pressure equipment installer or an authorised inspection body (Article 6.4), and the user must order them (Article 9.6).
There are three levels (Annex III, section 2): level A is an in-service inspection with a document check and a full visual inspection, carried out by an installer; level B is an out-of-service inspection with thickness checks and testing of safety accessories, carried out by an inspection body; and level C adds a hydrostatic pressure test to level B.
Intervals run from the date of manufacture or from the previous periodic inspection; if the manufacturing date is unknown, from the installation certificate or, where no installation is needed, from the year marked on the equipment. They are maximum intervals that the inspection body can shorten if the equipment's condition requires it (Article 6.5). The complementary technical instructions may set specific conditions for certain equipment (Article 10).
At a glance
| Equipment and category | Level A (installer) | Level B (inspection body) | Level C (inspection body) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vessels I-2 and II-2 | 4 years | 8 years | Not required |
| Vessels I-1, II-1, III-2 and IV-2 | 3 years | 6 years | 12 years |
| Vessels III-1 and IV-1 | 2 years | 4 years | 12 years |
| Fired or heated equipment (steam or superheated water), I to IV | 1 year | 3 years | 6 years |
| Piping I-2 and II-2 | — | 12 years | Not required |
| Piping III-2 | — | 6 years | Not required |
| Piping I-1, II-1 and III-1 | — | 6 years | 12 years |
Maximum intervals from Tables 1, 2 and 3 of Annex III, RD 809/2021. Fire extinguishers follow their own rule: level C only every five years and a service life of twenty years (note 1 to Table 1).
Who is responsible?
The user orders the periodic inspections (Article 9.6), provides the means and prepares the equipment so they can be done safely (Article 6.3) and keeps a register of category I to IV equipment with inspection and maintenance dates, repairs and modifications (Article 9.7). Inspections take place in the user's presence; the original certificate stays with the user (Article 6.6).
If the deadline passes
Breaches are penalised under Title V of Industry Act 21/1992, and the regional authority can order equipment or an installation to be shut down if there is a serious and imminent risk (Article 15). If the inspector detects a serious and imminent risk, it shuts the installation down and notifies the authority immediately (Article 6.10).
Plus an annual check by the user
Besides the periodic inspections, the user examines installations, equipment, safety accessories and control devices at least once a year: surface condition and insulation, anchoring, leaks, pressure gauges and thermometers, safety valves, condensate drains and plates (Article 9.5).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each item of equipment with its category and the next level A, B and C inspection dates as separate entries.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day itself.
- The installer 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 maintenance manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
- Also create an annual entry for the user's examination under Article 9.5.
Frequently asked questions
- How often is a pressure vessel inspected in Spain?
- It depends on its category and fluid group: level A every 2 to 4 years, level B every 4 to 8 years and level C every 12 years or not required (Annex III, Table 1, RD 809/2021).
- Who carries out each level?
- Level A is done by a pressure equipment installer; levels B and C by an authorised inspection body (Annex III, section 2).
- From when are the intervals counted?
- From the date of manufacture or from the previous periodic inspection (Article 6.5).
- Where are inspections recorded?
- Level B and C inspections are recorded on the equipment's installation and periodic inspection plate (Article 6.7 and Annex III, section 3).
Sources
Last checked: Sep 30, 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 pressure equipment periodic inspection (Spain)
A ready template for pressure equipment periodic inspection (Spain) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each pressure equipment periodic inspection (Spain) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each pressure equipment periodic inspection (Spain) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.