AD2000 Regulations

AD2000 Merkblaetter represents the generally accepted rules of technology regarding pressure vessels and contains safety requirements for

• Equipment, installation, and marking
• Design
• Manufacture and testing
• Materials

With a self-contained concept, it ensures satisfactory design, manufacturing and operation of pressure vessels. AD2000 Merkblaetter is compiled by the pressure vessel society called "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Druckbehaelter" (AD).

There are seven associations that represent the society:

1. Fachverband Dampfkessel-, Behälter-, und Rohrleitungsbau e.V. (FDBR), Düsseldorf
2. Hauptverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften e.V. Sankt Augustin
3. Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V. (VCI), Frankfurt/Main
4. Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V. (VDMA), Frankfurt
5. Fachgemeinschaft Verfahrenstechnische Maschinen und Apparate, Frankfurt/Mai
6. VGB PowerTech e.V. Essen
7. Verband der Technischen Überwachungs-Vereine e.V. (VdTÜV), Essen

VdTÜV is the responsible organization for AD and takes on the task of head quarters. By bringing knowledge and experience from different personnel in the pressure vessel field, AD is constantly in line with the state of the art.

AD2000 Merkblaetter are mostly based on the German DIN standards. An overview of the structure is as follows:

The W series apply to metallic materials for use in different product forms for the manufacture of pressure bearing components of pressure vessels. It regulates the application and the requirements of various product forms such as plates, strips or tubes including chemical composition, mechanical properties, testing conditions and design characteristics.

Following the principles for materials, the HP Series deal with rules concerning the design and manufacture of pressure vessels and pressure vessel components that are wholly or predominantly under static load and their joining with non-pressure parts such as by welding. It specifies tests to be performed before, during and after manufacture either by a third party or by the manufacturer. When a vessel is composed of several chambers, it shall be classified in the highest category applicable to the individual chambers. Similarly, if a chamber contains several fluids, classification shall be based on the fluid which requires the highest category.