Quality assurance system applied to manufacturing of high pressure vessel at JSW

Pressure vessels have been playing a very important role in the development of industry and human society since the 19th century. Accordingly the safety of pressure vessels has become to be also very important to mankind. In order to prevent boiler explosions and maintain the safety of pressure vessels, TUeV was founded as an inspection authority in Europa and the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes (ASME Code) were established in the U.S.A. In Japan, the regulations such as the High Pressure Gas Control Law were established by the Japanese Government and have been used. However the ASME Codes design philosophy is also referred to and used most often, and the quality control system provided in the ASME Code has been introduced to many fabricators of pressure vessel in Japan. JSW is one of high pressure vessel manufacturers in Japan, and the implementation status of the actual quality assurance measures applied by JSW is reviewed as a typical example in Japan. Recently, the application of ISO 9000 series has been discussed also in Japan. Comparing the ASME Code requirement for quality control system with ISO 9000 series requirement for quality system, some kind of mutual recognition of both requirements is considered to be preferable. (orig.)