EN 12952 and EN 12953 are two important sets of standards for industrial boilers. Each of these standards focuses on specific aspects of boilers and provides detailed guidelines for the design, manufacture, inspection, and safe operation.
1.What is the EN Standard?
The EN Standard (European Norm) is a set of technical standards established by European standardization organizations such as CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation), CENELEC (Comité Européen de Normalisation Électrotechnique), and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). The EN standards are widely recognized and applied across various industrial sectors throughout Europe to ensure the safety, efficiency, and compatibility of products and services.
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2. Overview of the EN 12952 and EN 12953 Standards
2.1. EN 12952 Standard
This European Standard applies to water-tube boilers with a capacity exceeding 2 liters, designed to generate steam and/or hot water at a permissible pressure greater than 0.5 bar and a temperature exceeding 110°C, as well as auxiliary installations (other plant equipment).
Main content:
Design and calculation: Provides regulations on structural design, materials used, and strength calculations.
Manufacturing and installation: Detailed guidance on the manufacturing, installation, and quality inspection processes.
Inspection and maintenance: Specifies methods for inspection, maintenance, and repair to ensure the boiler operates safely and efficiently.
Safety requirements: Necessary safety measures during the operation and maintenance of the boiler.
The objective of this European Standard is to minimize the risks associated with the operation of water-tube boilers and to provide adequate protection against the remaining hazards present during boiler operation. This protection is ensured through the correct implementation of design, manufacturing, testing, and inspection methods and techniques outlined in various parts of this European Standard. Additionally, appropriate warnings regarding residual hazards and potential misuse are provided in training and operational instructions, as well as on-site equipment (refer to prEN 12952‑8, prEN 12952‑9, and prEN 12952‑16).
For the purpose of this standard, the boiler assembly encompasses:
a) The water-tube boiler, including all pressure components from the feedwater inlet (including the inlet valve) up to and including the steam and/or hot water outlet (including the outlet valve, or if absent, the first circumferential weld or flange downstream of the outlet header). This includes superheaters, reheaters, economizers, associated safety devices, and connecting tubing that cannot be isolated from the main system by shut-off valves. Also, it covers tubing connected to the boiler for draining, venting, desuperheating, etc., up to and including the first isolating valve downstream of the boiler.
b) Isolatable superheaters, reheaters, economizers, and related connecting tubing.
c) The heat supply or firing system.
d) Fuel preparation and feeding systems, including control systems.
e) Feedwater supply systems, including control systems.
f) Pressure expansion vessels and tanks for hot water generating plants.
Additionally, it includes:
a) Structural steelwork supporting the boiler, thermal insulation and/or brickwork, and casing.
b) Air supply systems for the boiler, including forced draught fans and air pre-heaters heated by combustion gases.
c) Equipment for directing flue gases through the boiler up to the stack inlet, such as induced draught fans and air pollution reduction equipment.
d) Any other equipment essential for boiler plant operation.
For a detailed description of operating systems used in water-tube boiler plants, refer to prEN 12952‑7.
This European Standard excludes the following types of boiler plants:
a) Boilers other than stationary boilers.
b) Shell-type boilers, including electric boilers.
c) Nuclear primary circuits, failure of which can result in radioactive emissions.
2.2. EN – 12953 Standard
This Standard outlines the design, construction, equipment, operational, and water treatment requirements aimed at ensuring the operational safety of new stationary shell boiler plants. It includes guidelines to prevent overheating and excessive pressurization.
Key areas covered by this Standard include:
The shell boiler, incorporating all pressure components from the feed water inlet (including the inlet valve) to the steam and/or hot water outlet (including the outlet valve). This also encompasses economisers, superheaters, and associated connecting pipes heated by flue gas, provided they are not isolated from the main system by shut-off devices. Additionally, it covers any piping connecting the boiler to the first isolating valve.
- Isolated economisers, superheaters, and associated connecting pipes.
- Expansion vessels and/or expansion tanks for hot water production plants.
- Thermal insulation and/or refractory and cladding.
- Installations for heat supply and heating.
- Installations for processing and feeding fuel into the boiler.
- Installations for the air supply of the boiler, including fans.
- Installations for the feedwater supply of the boiler.
- All control and safety systems.
This Standard applies to both directly fired and electrically heated boilers, including low pressure boilers (LPB) and waste-heat boilers with a gas-side pressure not exceeding 0.5 bar, of cylindrical design, constructed from carbon or carbon manganese steels by fusion welding, and a design pressure not exceeding 40 bar.
The boilers addressed by this Standard are intended for land use for providing steam or hot water. If a boiler combines shell and water-tube design, the water-tube standard series BS EN 12952 should also be applied in addition to this standard.
The Standard covers the boiler proper, from the feed-water inlet connection to the steam outlet connection, and all other connections including valves and steam and water fittings. For welded ends, the requirements start or end at the weld where flanges would typically be fitted, if used.
It applies to boilers with a capacity greater than 2 liters, a maximum allowable pressure greater than 0.5 bar, and a maximum design temperature exceeding 110°C.
The boiler plant includes, in addition to the boiler proper, all necessary equipment for its intended operation, as specified in the various parts of this Standard.
This Standard does not apply to water-tube boilers, boilers for railway locomotives, or marine boilers. It also does not cover brickwork setting and insulation.
2.3. Distinguishing Between EN 12952 and EN 12953 Standards
Common Characteristics:
Both standards set stringent requirements for the design, manufacture, inspection, and operation of boilers to ensure safety and efficiency.
Both standards require the use of high-quality materials and adherence to strict testing procedures to ensure product quality.
Main Differences:
Type of Boiler:
- EN 12952: Applies to water-tube boilers.
- EN 12953: Applies to fire-tube boilers.
Design and Structure:
- EN 12952: Designed with water-filled tubes and the flame outside the tubes.
- EN 12953: Designed with fire and hot gases running through tubes within a large water tank.
Applications:
- EN 12952: Commonly used in large industrial plants requiring high efficiency and high pressure tolerance.
- EN 12953: Typically used in medium and small industrial applications, known for ease of operation and maintenance.
3. Industrial Boiler Assessment Process According to EN Standards
The assessment process for industrial boilers according to EN standards includes a series of inspections and monitoring steps to ensure that the boiler meets strict technical and safety requirements.
Step 1: Design Assessment
- Design Drawings and Documentation Check: Verify that the design drawings and technical documents comply with EN standards.
- Technical Analysis: Perform technical calculations to ensure the design meets standards for strength, safety, and performance.
Step 2: Material Inspection
- Material Selection: Ensure that the materials used meet quality and durability standards.
- Material Quality Testing: Conduct non-destructive testing (NDT) such as ultrasound, X-ray, and magnetic testing to determine material quality.
Step 3: Production Process Monitoring
- Production Process Inspection: Ensure that the production process adheres to EN standard requirements.
- Quality Control Monitoring: Perform quality checks at critical stages of production to ensure the product meets standards.
Step 4: Inspection and Testing
- Pressure Testing: Conduct pressure tests to ensure the boiler can withstand maximum operating pressure.
- Performance Testing: Evaluate the operational performance of the boiler to ensure it meets technical requirements.
Step 5: Final Assessment and Certification
- Comprehensive Inspection: Conduct a thorough inspection of the boiler before commissioning.
- Certification: Issue a certificate confirming the boiler meets EN standards after completing all inspection and testing steps.
4. Prebecc’s Boiler Fabrication Assessment and Supervision Services
Prebecc is proud to be one of the leading providers of boiler fabrication assessment and supervision services according to EN standards. We are committed to delivering the highest quality services to ensure that your industrial boilers always meet safety and performance standards.
Assessment Services
- Design Evaluation: We offer boiler design evaluation services, including the review of design drawings and technical documents to ensure compliance with EN standards.
- Technical Analysis: Our team of engineers will perform detailed technical analyses to ensure that the design meets requirements for strength and safety.
Inspection and Supervision Services
- Material Inspection: We provide material quality inspection services, including non-destructive testing to determine the quality and durability of the materials used.
- Production Process Supervision: We closely monitor the boiler fabrication process from cutting, assembling, to combining, ensuring that all production stages comply with EN standard requirements.
- Product Quality Inspection: Conduct quality checks at critical stages of production to ensure the product meets standards.
Testing Services
- Pressure Testing: We conduct pressure tests to ensure that the boiler can withstand maximum operating pressure.
- Performance Testing: Evaluate the operational performance of the boiler to ensure it meets technical requirements.