Six key standards apply to the operation of a compressor in the Czech Republic: ČSN EN 1012-1 (air compressors with a pressure above 0.5 bar), ČSN EN 1012-2 (vacuum pumps), ČSN EN 1012-3 (process compressors and gases), ČSN 10 5004 (stationary and portable air compressors, safety regulations), ČSN EN ISO 10439-1 (axial and centrifugal compressors in petrochemistry and the gas industry) and EN ISO 12100 (general principles of machinery safety). The Czech versions are published by the Czech Office for Standards, Metrology and Testing (ÚNMZ).
A brief overview of the scope of each standard:
- ČSN EN 1012-1 covers the design, installation, operation, maintenance and dismantling of air compressors; it also applies to nitrogen and inert gases.
- ČSN EN 1012-2 lays down the safety requirements for vacuum pumps.
- ČSN EN 1012-3 relates exclusively to process compressors; it has applied since July 2014 and is a type C standard under EN ISO 12100. Separating it from part 1 makes it possible to change the requirements for process gases without interfering with the rules for air compressors.
- ČSN 10 5004 covers installation, operation, maintenance, the organisation of work and noise criteria; approved in July 1988, effective from 1 August 1989.
- ČSN EN ISO 10439-1 and parts 2–4 apply to heavy industrial applications (petrochemistry, the gas industry); effective from 1 September 2015.
- EN ISO 12100 forms the basis of machinery safety and the other standards refer to it as the superior type A standard.
Professional tip: Before applying a standard, always check its current validity in the ÚNMZ catalogue. The older version of ČSN EN 1012-1 from 1998 was withdrawn and replaced by the version effective from 1 May 2011. Using a withdrawn version during an inspection is a direct cause of non-conformity.
Key findings
Conformity with the standards for compressors rests on three pillars: the right standard for the given type of equipment, up-to-date inspection records and demonstrable training of the operating staff.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Choosing the right standard | ČSN EN 1012-1 for air above 0.5 bar; ČSN EN 1012-3 for process gases. |
| Validity of the standard | Always check the date of effect in the ÚNMZ catalogue; the older version from 1998 no longer applies. |
| Organisational requirements | Keeping operating records, training the operating staff and having inspection reports available are mandatory. |
| Heavy industry | For petrochemistry and the gas industry, ČSN EN ISO 10439-1 and parts 2–4 apply. |
| Kompresory-vzduchotechnika | Supply of pressure vessels, distribution lines and service support for meeting the requirements of the standards. |
Contents
- Where the practical implementation of standards most often fails
- How Kompresory-vzduchotechnika helps you meet the requirements of the standards
- Useful sources for studying and checking the standards
- Frequently asked questions
Where the practical implementation of standards most often fails
The technical condition of the machine is usually in order. The problem arises with the organisational requirements: missing inspection records, insufficient training of the operating staff and unavailable operating documentation. The operator must demonstrably familiarise the staff with the operating manual and the local safety instructions; this is a standard checkpoint during inspections of pressure vessels.
During a conformity audit it proves useful to sort the checkpoints according to the life cycle of the equipment: design, installation, operation, maintenance, dismantling. Such sorting simplifies the writing of records and makes preparing for the inspection easier. Kompresory-vzduchotechnika offers technical consultations for assessing the conformity of the operation with the applicable standards.
How Kompresory-vzduchotechnika helps you meet the requirements of the standards
Meeting the requirements of the standards for air compressors calls for correctly designed distribution lines, certified pressure vessels and documented maintenance.
Kompresory-vzduchotechnika provides the concrete steps towards conformity: the design and installation of compressed air distribution lines, the supply of pressure vessels with a volume of 725 l and larger industrial capacities, the installation of air treatment units (filtration, water separation) and regular service contracts. To have the conformity of a particular operation assessed, contact the technical department via the website kompresory-vzduchotechnika.cz.
Useful sources for studying and checking the standards
Where to find the standards and check their validity in the Czech Republic:
- ÚNMZ / ČSN online — (csnonline.agentura-cas.cz): the official catalogue of valid ČSN standards, including dates of effect and replacements; here you can check whether a standard still applies.
- seznam.normy.biz — the ČSN classification index; class 10 covers compressors, vacuum technology and pneumatic equipment (groups 1050, 1051 and others).
- shop.normy.biz — purchase of the texts of ČSN EN 1012-1, ČSN EN 1012-3, ČSN 10 5004 and ČSN EN ISO 10439-1 in Czech.
- MZK catalogue — checking the publisher and the harmonisation of ČSN EN 1012-1 with the European standard EN 1012.
- Guide to caring for a compressor vessel: practical information on inspections of pressure vessels in compliance with the standards.
- Basic requirements for a compressor room: a guide to designing the space for a compressor according to the installation requirements of the standards.
Frequently asked questions
Which standards apply to an ordinary air compressor in a workshop?
For stationary and portable air compressors, ČSN EN 1012-1 (pressure above 0.5 bar) and ČSN 10 5004 apply. Both standards cover installation, operation and maintenance.
What are the main compressor parameters monitored during an inspection?
The inspection monitors the working pressure, the condition of the pressure vessel, the function of the safety valves and the availability of the operating documentation, including the record of the staff training.
What is the intake capacity of a compressor and how do the standards take it into account?
The intake capacity (the flow of intake air in m³/min) is a key parameter for sizing; the standards ČSN EN 1012-1 and ČSN EN ISO 10439-1 lay down how this parameter is measured and stated in the technical documentation.
When to use ČSN EN ISO 10439 instead of ČSN EN 1012?
ČSN EN ISO 10439-1 and its parts 2–4 apply to axial and centrifugal process compressors in the petrochemical and gas industries. For ordinary air compressors, ČSN EN 1012-1 is sufficient.
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