Pressure equipment you can put back into service with confidence.
Independent inspection and non-destructive examination for pressure equipment across South Africa — statutory inspections, shutdown support, condition assessment, and reporting you can act on.
Independent inspection, backed by 65+ years of engineering heritage.
Vessel Inspection Services is a division of Rand Building Machinery (Pty) Ltd, established in 1959. We deliver multi-disciplinary inspection and testing services for pressure equipment, supporting compliance, safety, and asset reliability across South African industry.
Vessel Inspection Services collaborates closely with Approved Inspection Authorities, while providing trained and experienced turnkey inspection, certification and testing services.
- Ethically delivered inspection, examination, testing and certification — grounded in integrity and impartiality.
- Fair, reasonable rates that support sustainable continuity and growth for our people and clients alike.
- Competitive through continuous improvement, modern technology adoption, and ongoing training.
- Supporting natural resource conservation through operational improvements and responsible delivery.
- Leading the market by setting and upholding industry standards through example.
Findings you can act on, certification you can rely on.
Our inspections and certifications are performed by accredited, qualified, registered personnel, in line with the Pressure Equipment Regulations (PER) and, for mining clients, the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA).
What is the PER, in plain terms?
The Pressure Equipment Regulations (PER) are the South African law — made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 — that governs pressure vessels, steam generators and related equipment. In practice, it means most pressure equipment must be checked regularly by an accredited inspector: looked over inside and out, pressure-tested, and signed off before it goes back into service. The goal is simple — catch weaknesses like corrosion or cracking before they turn into a failure.
Where MHSA applies
Pressure equipment used on a mine falls under the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) rather than — or in addition to — the OHS Act, and mines typically apply their own, often more frequent, inspection regime. We align our inspection and testing schedule to whichever regulatory regime governs your site, and confirm the exact interval with you and your AIA up front.
Every 36 months
Internal and external inspection plus a hydraulic test to 1.25× design pressure, carried out by an Approved Inspection Authority (AIA).
User-inspected
Lower-risk equipment categorised as Category I under SANS 347 may be inspected and tested by the user rather than an AIA.
Risk-based inspection (RBI)
Interval set by a formal risk assessment and condition history rather than a fixed calendar cycle, within regulatory limits.
Pressure tests, inspections & assessment
- Internal & external inspection reports with clear findings
- Hydraulic and pneumatic pressure test records
- Condition and risk assessments to support an RBI programme
- Certificates, issued as applicable to the equipment category
Industries we serve
The full lifecycle of pressure equipment compliance.
From preparation and statutory inspection through to advanced NDE, testing and certification — delivered on-site with disciplined safety practices and practical, decision-ready reporting. Our scope covers air receivers, accumulators, boilers, condensers, digesters, heat exchangers, autoclaves, deaerators, steam-jacketed vessels, reactors, industrial pressure cookers and related equipment falling within the applicable Acts and regulations.
Typical shutdown sequence, by equipment type.
Boilers (fired pressure vessels)
Preparation through recommissioningDecarbonise and clean tube plates, tubes and flues; expose weld sections; remove covers and fittings for access.
Complete statutory inspection requirements; conduct hydrostatic testing where applicable.
Issue a full report and certification documentation covering the work performed.
Reassemble components, float and set the relief valve, and provide standby support during start-up.
Pressure vessels (unfired)
Isolation through standby supportDismantle piping, blank openings, lock and seal relief valves, and red-line gauges at maximum permissible working pressure.
Remove manhole and inspection covers; arrange chemical cleaning if contamination is identified.
Complete statutory inspection requirements and hydrostatic testing where applicable, with full reporting.
Reassemble equipment and provide standby support during vessel pressurisation.
A core team, scaled for shutdowns and peak workloads.
Structured oversight across operational, technical and inspection management, with vetted temporary personnel brought in for large shutdowns under the site management and quality oversight of our permanent technicians.
Accredited, qualified, registered inspectors leading examination and certification.
Multi-skilled crews for preparation, access, inspection support and reinstatement.
Dedicated coordination of quoting, scheduling, documentation and certification packs.
Vetted contract personnel scaled to peak workloads, under permanent site oversight.
Request a quote or ask about an upcoming shutdown.
- Head office
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Coverage
- Nationwide, with shutdown teams deployed on-site
- Phone
- +27 11 462 7610
- info@savessel.co.za