Special Equipment Use Registration and Periodic Inspection Compliance Guide

Special equipment involves life safety and high risk; its use registration and periodic inspection are mandatory legal obligations. Enterprises must strictly comply or face administrative penalties and even criminal liability.

1. Scope of Special Equipment

Special equipment includes: boilers, pressure vessels (including gas cylinders), pressure pipelines, elevators, lifting machinery, passenger ropeways, large amusement facilities, and special motor vehicles for use within premises (factories). The specific scope follows the "Catalogue of Special Equipment." Enterprises should verify against the catalogue whether equipment in use qualifies as special equipment.

2. Use Registration Requirements

Before putting special equipment into use, or within 30 days after putting it into use, the user must register with the special equipment safety supervision department of a municipality directly under the central government or a city divided into districts, obtaining a use registration certificate. The registration mark must be placed in a conspicuous position on the equipment. Users must establish special equipment safety technical files.

3. Periodic Inspection Cycles

Inspection cycles vary by equipment: elevators once annually; lifting machinery once annually (some every 2 years); pressure vessels every 3–6 years based on safety condition grade; boilers undergo external inspection annually and internal inspection every 2 years; special motor vehicles for premises use once annually. Users must request periodic inspection from the inspection body one month before the validity of the previous inspection expires.

4. Operators and Safety Management

Special equipment operators (including safety managers and inspectors) must obtain corresponding qualifications per national regulations before engaging in relevant work. Users must establish safety management systems for post responsibilities, hazard treatment, and emergency rescue, develop operating procedures, and provide safety education and skills training to operators. Use of uninspected or inspection-failed special equipment is strictly prohibited.