DIN EN 13445-5:2026-12

Inspecting and testing unfired pressure vessels in accordance with the standard

DIN EN 13445-5 specifies requirements for the inspection and testing of unfired steel pressure vessels. It describes testing during and after manufacture and helps manufacturers and inspection bodies provide traceable evidence of compliance in design, materials, manufacture and testing. The standard is part of the DIN EN 13445 series and is closely linked to the European Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU.

What is DIN EN 13445-5 about?

The standard defines requirements for the inspection, non-destructive and destructive testing, and final assessment of individually and serially produced pressure vessels. It focuses on testing groups and the extent of testing for welded joints, technical documentation, material traceability, calibration of testing equipment, and pressure testing and visual inspection. The standard also covers specific requirements for pressure vessels subject to cyclic loading and components operating in the creep range.

Topics covered

• Inspection and testing of unfired pressure vessels
• Non-destructive testing of welded joints
• Testing groups and determination of the extent of testing
• Destructive testing and heat treatment
• Material traceability and technical documentation
• Calibration of measuring and testing equipment
• Visual inspection, dimensional checks, leak testing and pressure testing
• Testing of serially produced pressure vessels and pressure vessels subject to cyclic loading
• Testing for operation in the creep range
• Marking and manufacturer's declaration

Practical relevance

Testing is essential to demonstrate that a pressure vessel meets the specified safety and quality requirements. DIN EN 13445-5 helps manufacturers and inspection bodies systematically define the extent of testing, test methods and compliance documentation.

The standard is particularly relevant to quality assurance during manufacture and the final assessment of pressure vessels. It provides clear requirements for test planning and acceptance, thereby supporting traceable conformity assessment.

Changes compared with DIN EN 13445-5:2024-11

No major technical changes have been made compared with the immediately preceding edition. The 2026 edition includes:

• Updated normative references
• An editorial revision of the document

The current edition also incorporates the previously published technical revisions of EN 13445-5:2021+A1:2024.

Target audience

• Manufacturers of unfired pressure vessels
• Testing and inspection bodies
• Welding engineers and welding coordination personnel
• Non-destructive testing (NDT) professionals
• Quality managers
• Mechanical and process engineers
• Pressure equipment experts
• Pressure equipment conformity specialists

Conclusion

DIN EN 13445-5 provides the core basis for the inspection and testing of unfired steel pressure vessels. It helps manufacturers and inspection bodies provide traceable evidence of compliance with the requirements of the standard and the European Pressure Equipment Directive.

This document replaces DIN EN 13445-5:2024-11 .