Annual Report for Fiscal 2014
(April 1, 2014 - March 31, 2015)

The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan (KHK)1. Business Environment and Overview of Operations
Regarding the Japanese economy in fiscal

and publishing. In 2014, we conducted2014, though business confidence wasintroductory seismic design seminars andunfavorable in the first half of the fiscal year

issued the relevant text “Easy-to-understandpartly because of the reaction against a

Seismic Design.” In addition, in view of thelast-minute rise in demand associated with thefacts that the administration and authority on

consumption tax hike, the government's

many matters related to high pressure gas

economic policy had some effect on the positive

safety have been transferred from prefectural

trend toward economic recovery observed ingovernments to municipal governments andthe latter half.

that inexperienced personnel in charge of highEnjoying the upward momentum of thepressure gas safety administration innational economy, the industrial areas of highprefectural governments are increasing, wepressure gas showed a sign of recovery in thecontinued to conduct seminars for thosetrend of equipment investment. In addition,

personnel that were initiated in the previous

the first commercial hydrogen station was

fiscal year in order to strengthen cooperation

opened in July 2014, and the release of fuelwith local governments and promote safety.

cell vehicles using hydrogen as a fuel in the

In the business field of National

market was announced in December 2014,

Examinations, since fiscal 2012, we reinforced

which was a significant initial step to realize athe processes of exam preparations andhydrogen society.

verification. As a result, while the number ofIn such circumstances, some businessapplicants was almost the same as in fiscal

environment of KHK turned up with the firm2013 and increased by about 130 to 58,365, nobusiness fields of Inspection and Investigation

problem in the examinations was found.

associated with the contracts of large-scale

In the business field of ISO Certification,commissioned projects related to seismic

introductory ISO study sessions were held indesign standards and technology to cover highsix places in Japan and nine times in total, andpressure hydrogen, as well as the trend of

KHK-ISO letters were issued on August 1,

equipment investment, though others were2014 (No. 2); November 1, 2014 (No. 3); andsluggish and the business field of Education

January 15, 2015 (No. 4), and distributed to all

was weak because of the dropped book sales onregistered companies for direct delivery of

the rebound of a last-minute rise in demand

important information as a part ofassociated with the consumption tax hike.

enhancement of communication with andIn the business environment as stated above,follow-up of the registered companies.

KHK took action to deal with accidents,

We also implemented various commissioned

including participation as experts on accident

projects for the high pressure gas safety, whichinvestigations in the investigation committee,

are related to important technical issues

which was organized outside KHK toconcerning Japan’s policy. Those projects

investigate serious accidents at industrial

included about how to secure earthquake proof

complexes, and to conduct investigations andperformance of equipment against theanalyses of the causes of the accidents.

damages suffered in the Great East Japan

In the business field of Education, we

Earthquake and expected future great

developed a system in 2012 to conduct newearthquakes, and about how to secure safetybusinesses, including on-site lectures tailoredon hydrogen, which is expected to be theto the needs of clients, brand-new seminars,

next-generation energy.

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Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan2. Overview of Financial Statements for Fiscal 2014
1) Balance Sheet (As of March 31, 2015)

AssetsCurrent assets
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Intangible fixed assets
Investments
Total

Liabilities/Capital
Current liabilities
Fixed liabilities
Reserve
Profit for the term
Total2) Statement of Profit and Loss
(April 1, 2014 - March 31, 2015)

2014

2013

Million Yen

Million Yen

2,016
6,018
445
208
5,365
8,034

1,914
6,023
442
217
5,364
7,937

Ordinary expenditure
Operating expenditure
Extraordinary loss
Corporate taxes, etc.
Profit for the term
Total

Income2014

2013

Million Yen

Million Yen

1,024
3,035
3,974
2
8,034

916
3,047
4,008
-35
7,937

Expenditure

Ordinary income
Operating income
Non-operating income
Extraordinary income
Total

2014

2013

Million Yen

Million Yen

4,875
4,875
2
4,877

4,613
4,613
-35
4,579

2014

2013

Million Yen

Million Yen

4,875
4,750
125
2
4,877

4,578
4,462
116
2
4,579

3. Overview of Each Activity
1) Development and Issue of Technical Standards
To promote safety in activities involving highCommittee organizations undertaking the
preparation of technical standards are aspressure gas production, sale, consumption,and transportation, KHK establishes technicalfollows:
standards such as KHK Standards (KHKS) as
well as reviews existing standards.

Fitness for Service Standards Committee

LPG Standards Committee

Technical Committee

Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
Standards Committee

The High Pressure Gas
Safety Institute of Japan
High Pressure Gas Standards Committee

Transportable Container Standards
Committee

Pressure Vessel Standards Committee

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Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

Each committee consists of committee
members appointed from among experts who
have relevant knowledge and experience inhigh pressure gas or LPG safety.
In response to requests from the president of
KHK, the technical committee decides basic
policies for establishing the technicalstandards.
The technical standards are then establishedby each standards committee section inaccordance with the basic policies, and thedevelopment and issue procedures maintainfairness and openness as the fundamental
rule.
During fiscal 2014, the following standards
were established or reviewed.

Tank (KHKS 0745)
・ Standard for Inspection of Accessories(KHKS 0746)
・ Standard for Inspection of Flexible Tubes(KHKS 0803)
・ Standard for Work prior to Inspection of
Bulk Storage Tank and Accessories (KHKS
0841)
・ Standard for Specifying the Time of Next
Inspection of Pressure Resistance andStrength based on Service Suitability
Evaluation of High Pressure Facilities(KHK/PAJ/JPCAS 0851)
・ Regular Voluntary Inspection Guideline (forLNG Receiving Stations) (KHK/KLK S
1850-7)① Newly Established Technical Standards
・ Standard for Designated Equipment with
Safety Factor 2.4 (KHKS 0224)
・ Technical Document on Application of theStandard for Ultra-high Pressure Gas
Equipment to High Pressure Hydrogen
Equipment (KHKTD 5201)
・ Technical Document on Composite Cylinders
and Tubes for Compressed Hydrogen
Stationary Storage (KHKTD 5202)
・ Technical Document related to Bedrock
Storage Stations of Liquefied Petroleum
Gas (KHK/JOGMEC TD 5800)

2) Inspection, Examination and Accreditation① Inspections for Pressure Equipment
The High Pressure Gas Safety Act stipulates
that the person who has manufactured/
imported a container or accessory shall apply
for the Container/Accessory Inspection. We at
KHK conduct these inspections.
In addition, for preventing explosions or otheraccidents, the act defines "equipment for highpressure gas production (including storage
tanks) “which particularly requires“inspections of its design, material quality, andthe process of its manufacturing", as"Designated Equipment." KHK undertakes
mandatory inspections of such DesignatedEquipment at each manufacturing process.
KHK undertakes technical assessments inadvance to obtain Ministerial special approval,
and also offers services for certification andexamination as a part of its optional activities.
In fiscal 2014, the number of application forinspection of containers increased by 2.4% andthat of accessory equipment increased by 9.8%
compared to the previous fiscal year
respectively. And the number of application forinspection of designated equipment increasedby 8.4%, while the number of application forhigh pressure gas equipment test decreased by
4.8%, compared to the previous fiscal year
respectively.

② Revised Technical Standards
・ Technical Standard for 70 MPa Compressed
Hydrogen Storage Containers for Vehicle
Fuel Systems (KHKS 0128)
・ High Pressure Gas Tank Trailer
Re-inspection Standard (KHKS 0150)
・ Standard for Welding of Pressure Vessels forRefrigeration (KHKS 0301)
・ Facility Standard for Refrigeration andAir-conditioning Equipment [Ammonia
Facility Part] (KHKS 0302-4)
・ Standard for Bulk Supply of Liquefied
Petroleum Gas (KHKS 0501)
・ Standard for Installation and Handling
Procedure of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Facilities (KHKS 0738)
・ Standard for Inspection of Bulk Storage

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Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

②

Number of Designated Equipment Inspections

Pre-Assessment
ssessment of Accredited
ccredited
Completion/
ompletion/ Safety Inspection
nspection Executor
xecutorThis pre-assessment
pre assessment undertaken by KHK ispart of the statutory service related to the
Ministerial approval
approv of accredited completion
inspection executor and safety inspection
executor.
Class 1 high pressure gas producers who
obtained Ministerial
Ministerial approval as a result of
this pre-assessment
pre assessment can replace completion
inspections or safety inspections that are
conducted by prefectural or municipal
governments with self–inspections
self inspections by theapproved producers themselves. When the
self-inspections
self inspections areare conducted, the results
shall be submitted to jurisdictional prefectural
or municipal governments.
Number of pre-assessments
pre assessments
2014
Accredited completion
inspection executor
Accredited safety
inspection executor③
Number of Container/Accessory inspections

2013

18

9

20

9

Safety Inspections
nspections of R
Refrigeration
efrigeration and
Air-Conditioning
Conditioning Facilities
Facilities

The number of inspections of refrigeration andair-conditioning
air conditioning facilities undertaken by KHK
2014
2013
Completion inspection ofrefrigeration andair-conditioning
conditioning facilities
Safety inspection ofrefrigeration andair-conditioning
conditioning facilities
Approval of specified
equipment (refrigerationequipment)
Transfer of specified
equipment (refrigerationequipment)
Testing of refrigeration
apparatus
Design strengthverification test, etc.

4

57

64

1,877

1,925

150

185

1

1

274

292

233

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Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan3) Education① Statutory T
Training
raining
By the High Pressure Gas Safety Act, highpressure gas producers are required toestablish a safety management teamconsisting of members with a designated highpressure gas production safety management
certificate, depending on the type and scale ofprocessing
ssing equipment and the type andvolume of gas produced. To train certified
personnel, KHK offers lectures on eachcertificate type, and retraining for existing
members of safety management teams.
In addition, KHK also provides training
courses for the fol
following
lowing certificates: highpressure gas sales safety chiefs required at
specified high pressure gas dealers,
transportation supervisors required fortransportation of specified amount of specified
high pressure gas, and specific high pressure
gas operation safety chiefs required for storage
and consumption of specified high pressuregas beyond the designated capacity.
As for the LPG Law
Law-related
related activities, KHK
offers the following courses: training andretraining of LPG installation engineers for
LPG piping facilities used for general
consumption, retraining of retail operation
chiefs, training and retraining of LPG filling
operators, as well as training of safety
operators and inspectors of facilities designed
to consume LPG.

Number of applicants for statutory training
Among the statutory training, while there
was a decrease in the number of the5qualification training from 44,
44,316 in fiscal
2013
201 to 43,554,, the number of applicants forthe re-training
re training (compulsory training)decre
creased from 51,334 to 47,477 in fiscal 2014
and the total number of applicants of thestatutory training also decreased
creased from 95,650
to 91,031.
91,031② Other Trainings
During fiscal 2014,
201 , KHK held periodical
seminars including basic lectures on highpressure gas safety (15( types at 47 locations),
and organized 12 on-sitesite lectures oon
n voluntary
safety activities depending on the needs ofeach business facility.
③ Publications
KHK publishes books related to highpressure gas
gas safety such as high pressure gas
safetysafety act, technical standards, and textbooks
for training. During fiscal 201
2014,, KHK
published 138 types of books, accounting for a
total of 147,675.
147,6754) Qualifying Examination
The High Pressure Gas Safety Act and LPG
Law stipulates that the Minister of Economy,
Trade and Industry or prefectural governors
must be responsible for con
conducting
ducting the highpressure gas production safety management
examination, the high pressure gas sales
safety chief examination,
examination, and the LPG
installation engineer examination, dependingon the classification of examinations.
However, the actual implementation of suchexaminations was transferred to KHK from
the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
and prefectural governors.
The total number of applicants for suchexaminations in fiscal 2014 was 58,365 andremained almost the same as the previous
fiscal year of 58,231.
Furthermore, we maintained the system ofverification procedures to check exam
reinforced significantly in fiscal 2012.

Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japanexperience by practice.
practice. It is also aim
aimed
ed to
study and determine the criteria to evaluate
availability of materials in hydrogen stations,
including test types, conditions, evaluation
methods and the like,
like and standardize thesetechniques and widen the range of usable
materials.
②

Number of applicants for qualifying
examinations

5) Research and D
Development
evelopment
The Research and Development Center at
KHK owns testing machines such as
tensile/fatigue tests of materials, as well as
hydraulic fatigue/explosion tests of pressure
equipment including transportable containers,
undertaking research and development toenhance high pressure gas safety. In addition,
KHK are working on researches commissionedby the government and incorporated
administrative agencies.
In fiscal 2013, KHK conducted four
researches commissioned by the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry as well as by the
New Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organization (NEDO). The
following is the overview of the researchcommissioned by NEDO.
“Investigation
Investigation and Research on Fuel Cell
Vehicles and the Optimization of Domestic
Regulations and International Harmonizationand Standardization of Hydrogen Supply
Infrastructure”①

Research and Development on the
Diversification of the Types of Metal
Materials for Hydrogen Fueling Stations
In preparation for the advent of the hydrogensociety, it is intended to build up anenvironment
environment, which will allow the selection ofreasonablereasonable,, easy and convenient materials at
temperatures and pressures desired for theconstruction of a hydrogen station,
station , and gain

6

Research and Development on theStandardization
zation of Composite Cylinders
and Tubes for Stationary Storage
In the testing of composite cylinders andtubes which are used in hydrogen stations,
there is a big gap between an ambient
temperature pressure cycling test, one of theevaluation methods, and actual use conditions.
A further sophistication of the evaluation
methods,
methods including the fatigue design ofcomposite cylinders and tubes
tubes, is desired.
desiredUnder the circumstances, it is aim
aimed toimprove and sophisticate (1) the evaluation
techniques of Composite Cylinders and Tubes
for Stationary Storage,
Storage, (2) the evaluation
techniques of CFRP, (3) the fatigue design
methods of Composite Cylinders and Tubes for
Stationary Storage and (4) the safety
inspection techniques of composite cylinders
and tubes,
tubes inn order to contribute to theresearch and development for the
standardization of composite cylinders andtubes for hydrogen stations.

6) Measures to Promote LPG Consumer
Safetyafety①

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety
Commission
The commission operates with contcontributions
ributionsfrom 17 LPG-related
LPG related organizations and KHK.
In partnership with the Gas Safety Office at
METI Commerce, Distribution and Industrial
Safety Policy Group, the commission
performed the following safety campaigns
during fiscal
f
2014.
201
LPG Consumer
onsumer Safety
afety Campaign
ampaign
Prepared and distributed LPG safety guides

Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

and posters, and advertised in magazines,
while provided assistance to safety activities
undertaken by prefectural LPG associations.
LPG Consumer Safety Promotion
Conference
At the event, the commission offeredcommendations for LPG retailers and related
operators (including individuals) with the‘METI Minister's Secretariat, Director-General
for Commerce, Distribution and Industrial
Safety Policy Award,' 'KHK President's Award,'and 'Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety
Commission President's Award,' respectively.
② Examination
During fiscal 2014, the following examination
activities were undertaken.
Examination activities
2014
2013
LPG leak alarm
examination

2,826,648

2,802,656

LPG incomplete
combustion alarm
examination

28,51023,400LPG sensor
examination

2,130

2,470

7) Collection and Offering of Information,
Technical Exchanges① Collection of Accident Information
Acting on a commission by METI, KHK
compiles a database of high pressure gas and
LPG-related accidents and conduct astatistical analysis. See reference at the end of
this brochure.
②

Organization of Various Conferences andConventions
The notable conferences and conventions
KHK organized during fiscal 2014 includes thefollowing:Grand Conference of National
Association of General High Pressure
Gas Safety Organizations (Tokyo, July2014)
The conference was organized for the purpose

7of fostering cooperation and discussions among
general high pressure gas safety organizations
established in prefectures. KHK acted as theadministrative department for the conference.
Seminar on Lessons from Accidents andSafety Management Technology (Tokyo
and Osaka, July and August 2014)< Part of Safety Management Technology >This seminar is for the accredited completionand safety inspection executors and thepersonnel of three management divisions(equipment, operation, and safety), including
those at headquarters management level, ofhigh pressure gas producers at industrial
complexes, and it is organized to provide aplace of information provision, informationexchange, and discussions related to highpressure gas producing equipment, theiroperations, and safety management activities.
< Part of Lessons from Accidents and Safety
Measures >The high pressure gas producers that
actually caused accidents explained theirexperience and post-accident efforts on safetymeasures so that seminar participants could
make use of the information that would be
helpful for their future voluntary safety
activities, including lessons from accidents andpreventive measures.
National Conference of High Pressure
Gas Safety (Tokyo, October 2014)
The conference, which takes place every
October, is organized as a part of the annual
high pressure gas safety promotion week,
hosted by METI in conjunction with KHK.
Each year, top-rated plants of safety, persons
who have rendered distinguished safety
service and excellent production safety
managers are awarded in honor of theircontinuing hard work, support, and resulting
outcomes in preventing high pressure
gas-related accidents.
High Pressure Gas Equipment Manager
Meeting (Tokyo, October 2014)
The meeting is organized annually for the
purpose of informing high pressure gas
equipment personnel (applicants for
Designated Equipment Inspection) of question

Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

and answers about material, design, welding,and structure
structure-related
related issues in order toachieve consistent applications across varying
issues.
General Research Presentation (Tokyo,
November 2014)
201
The presentation is hosted annually todisseminate information on the findings fromthe investigative research undertaken by the
Research and Development Center at KHK.
③ International Technical Exchange
KHK sends a delegdelegate
ate to the boiler andpressure vessel standards committee and thepost-construction
construction standards committee of theAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers(ASME), and also has established good
relations with Korea Gas Safety Corporation
and Industrial Safety and Health Associationof the R.O.C.

withdrawals) stands at 1,7
1,779.. The number ofregistrations stands at 945 in fiscal 2014.
201② Assessment and Registration ofEnvironmental Management Systems
For assessment and registration ofenvironmental management systems(ISO14001), the center became a JAB
JAB-accredited certification
certification body in 1996, and as ofthe end of fiscal 2014,, it operates registration
screenings in 34 out of 39 JAB
JAB-accredited
accreditedclasses (class 1-39).
1
As of the end of fiscal 201
2014,, the accumulated
registered number (including 367 registration
withdrawals)
withdrawals) stands at 957
957.. The number ofregistrations stands at 590 in fiscal 2014.
2018) Assessment and Registration System① Assessment and Registration of Quality
Management Systems
Since being accredited by the Japan
Accreditation Board (JAB) as a quality
management system certification body in
1994, KHK ISO Registration Center(KHK-ISOISO Center) handles registration ofquality management systems for operators inaccordance with the IS
ISO9000
O9000 series standards,
and manages registration and publication ofregistered organizations. As of the end of fiscal
2014,, it operates registration in 30 out of 39
class JAB accredited (class 1
1-39).
39).
As of the end of fiscal 2014,, the accumulated
registered number (including 834 registration

8

Change in the total number of registrations(Quality and Environment)③ Other Assessment and Registration
As of the end of fiscal 201
2014,, the total numberof occupational health and safety management
system (OHSMS) registrations was 41(including 12 withdrawals). And the total
number of food safety management system(ISO22000) registrations was six (including 2
registration withdrawals),
withdrawals) the total number of
FSSC22000 series was five
five.

Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan4. Organization
1) Organization Chart
Compliance Promotion Office
General Planning Department
Board of Councilors
General Affairs Department
Information Services & Research Department
Board of Directors
High Pressure Gas Safety Department
LPG Industrial & Consumer Safety Department

President

Inspection & Certification Department
Education & Publication Department
AuditorVice President
Examination Center
Directors

ISO Registration Center (KHK-ISO center)Research & Development Center

Seven Branch Offices

2) Membership Status
Types

9

March 31, 2015

March 31, 2014

Companies

900

912

Organizations

192

192

Individuals

91

93

Supporters

31

31

Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of JapanReference: Overvi
Overview of Accidents
ccidents in R
Recent Years
ears
Under the commission of METI, KHK records statistics of high pressure gasgas - and LPG-related
relatedaccidents, based on the number of reports submitted in accordance with the regulatory
requirements of the High Pressure Gas Safety Act and the LPG Law.
Law
The number ooff highpressure gas
gas-related
relatedaccidents has been
increasing in recent years,
and 2011 in particular saw a
sharp rise in the number as aresult of the Great East
Japan Earthquake. Althoughdecreased in comparison to2013,, the number ofaccidents in 201
2014 has stillsremained relatively high.
Particularly, major accidents
involving explosions at
industrial complexes haveoccurred in recent years, anandfurther strengthening andrevisions of operations aredemanded in our aim ofeliminating high pressure
gas-related
related accidents.

Similarly, the number of
LPG-related
related accidents has
also remained high in recent
years, at around 200 per
year. Particularly, accidents
involving commercial kitchenequipment are showing an
increasing trend, and a risein the number of accidents
caused by deterioration due
to corrosion or CO poisoning
has also been recorded. Inorder to prevent such
accidents from occurring, it isincreasingly essential toprovide effective information
to LPG users, facility owners
and possessors.

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Number of high pressure gas-related
gas related accidents

Number of LPG-related
LPG related accidents

Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

＜Contact for inquiries related to this document＞

The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan (KHK)
Information Services & Research Department
International Affairs Office
4-3-13 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8447
TEL: +81-3-3436-2201 FAX: +81-3-3438-4163
Web: http://www.khk.or.jp/english/index.html
MAIL: oversea@khk.or.jp

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Copyright© The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan