Which rules apply to industrial manways? The answer depends on the tank’s purpose, design pressure, explosion risk, position and overall risk assessment. There is no single general requirement that makes the same manway suitable for every tank.
The manway is an important part of the tank construction. It must provide safe access and meet mechanical, hygienic and documentation requirements. Where an explosion or pressure shock is possible, particular attention is needed to the design and documented capacity of the closure.
Is there one legal requirement for all manways?
No universal requirement states that all industrial manways must withstand exactly the same pressure. Requirements depend on the installation. An atmospheric tank without explosion risk does not necessarily have the same requirements as pressure equipment or a system where an internal explosion may occur.
Distinguish between ordinary access and inspection openings, manways on pressure vessels, manways in processes with explosion risks, and hygienic manways for food, dairy and process applications.
EN 14460 and explosion pressure shock resistant equipment
EN 14460 concerns explosion resistant equipment. It provides a technical basis where equipment must withstand a specified internal explosion pressure without rupturing dangerously. It does not mean that every manway must automatically comply with EN 14460. Its relevance depends on the risk assessment and design requirements.
The required design pressure must be established for the installation. A rating such as 0.6 barg describes a documented load for a particular solution, rather than a general minimum requirement for all tanks.
ATEX, pressure equipment and other requirements
| Rule or standard | Subject | Relevance to the manway |
|---|---|---|
| EN 14460 | Explosion resistant equipment | May apply where a tank or equipment must withstand a specified internal explosion pressure. |
| ATEX 2014/34/EU | Equipment and protective systems for potentially explosive atmospheres | The responsible party must determine whether the product and installation fall within its scope. |
| Directive 1999/92/EC | Protection of workers in explosive atmospheres | Relevant to workplace risk assessment, zoning and protective measures. |
| PED 2014/68/EU | Pressure equipment | May apply depending on pressure, volume, medium and classification. |
| EN 13445 | Unfired pressure vessels | May form part of the design basis for the pressure vessel and its openings. |
These requirements must be applied in the correct context. A component cannot be assessed independently of the tank, process and complete construction.
What does 0.6 barg mean?
0.6 barg is a pressure of 0.6 bar above the surrounding atmospheric pressure. When a manway is tested and certified for this load, it describes the documented pressure shock resistance of that specific design and configuration.
The tank manufacturer must still ensure that the tank, welds, opening, fastenings and other components are designed as a complete construction. A strong manway cannot compensate for a tank that is not designed for the same load.
Documentation to clarify
- drawings and dimensions
- material specification and EN 10204 3.1 material certificate
- documentation of the specified pressure or pressure shock resistance
- the applicable standard and test basis
- welding and installation requirements
- seal and product-contact materials
- documents for the tank’s overall technical file
How to select an industrial manway
- Define the application: Which product, medium and process will the tank be used for?
- Clarify the pressure conditions: Is it atmospheric, pressurised or potentially exposed to pressure shock?
- Assess the explosion risk: Is an ATEX or other explosion risk assessment available?
- Determine hygiene requirements: Must the design be cleanable and suitable for food or process applications?
- Select the configuration: Size, hinge, material, seal, sliding components and any sight glass must suit the task.
- Check documentation: Ensure the solution can be incorporated into the tank’s complete documentation.
Leopold Parts explosion pressure shock resistant manways
Leopold Parts supplies stainless steel manways for industrial and hygienic process systems. Our EXPSR-HYG model is designed for installations with demanding safety, hygiene and documentation requirements. In its documented configuration, the model is tested and certified for an explosion pressure of up to 0.6 barg.
The manways can be configured with different sizes, hinge solutions, materials, seals, sliding components and sight glasses to match tank construction and process requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Must every industrial manway be explosion pressure shock resistant?
No. The requirement depends on the tank’s use and documented risk assessment. Where an internal explosion or pressure shock can occur, the responsible designer must establish the required resistance and documentation.
Is 0.6 barg a general legal requirement?
No. It is a documented capacity for a particular design. The correct design pressure must be determined for the actual tank and process.
What is the difference between EN 14460 and EN 13445?
EN 14460 concerns explosion resistant equipment. EN 13445 concerns unfired pressure vessels. Relevance depends on the tank’s function, risks and design basis.
Does a certified manway make the whole tank approved?
No. The manway is one component. The tank manufacturer or responsible designer must document the complete construction, joints and other components.
Which information does Leopold Parts need?
Usually the tank type, application, size, material, design pressure, possible explosion risks, preferred hinge, seal and documentation requirements.
Sources and technical basis
- Directive 2014/34/EU – ATEX equipment directive
- Directive 1999/92/EC – explosive atmospheres at work
- Directive 2014/68/EU – pressure equipment
- EN 14460 – explosion resistant equipment
- EN 13445 – unfired pressure vessels
Technical content prepared by Leopold Parts ApS based on our work with stainless steel components, manways and tank solutions. Each installation must be assessed by the responsible designer or tank manufacturer.
Need help selecting a manway?
Send us details of the tank, application, dimensions and documentation requirements. We will help you find the appropriate configuration.