Reference Clauses of the Act : Arts. 1, 5, 9, 10-2, and 13
It means an act of not producing a new substance but artificially producing a high pressure gaseous state as set forth in the following items, in general.
(1) An act of changing the pressure of a gas:
(i) changing a non-high pressure gas to a high pressure gas:
a. pressurization by compressing with a compressor;
b. pressurization by increasing the temperature; and
c. pressurization through a chemical reaction;
(ii) changing a high pressure gas to a high pressure gas with much higher pressure;
a. pressurization by compressing with a compressor;
b. pressurization by increasing the temperature; and
c. pressurization through a chemical reaction;
(iii) changing a high pressure gas to a high pressure gas with low pressure;
a. pressure reduction with a reducing valve; and
b. pressure reduction by cooling with a refrigeration equipment or the like.
(2) An act of changing the pressure of liquid gas:
a. pressurization by sending out liquefied gas with a pump; and
b. pressurization with a pressuring vaporizer.
(3) An act of changing the state of gas:
(i) changing a gas to a liquefied gas, which is a high pressure gas:
a. liquefaction with a condenser; and
b. liquefaction with a heat exchanger;
(ii) changing a liquefied gas (including those which are not high pressure gas) to a high pressure gas by vaporizing with a vaporizer.
(4) An act of filling a container with high pressure gas
It is provided that production of high pressure gas shall include filling a container (which means a container in a broad sense, which is a receptacle for high pressure gas, such as a storage vessel/storage tank or container for transport) with high pressure gas (Article 5, paragraph (1), item (i) of the Act). Therefore, filling an empty container with high pressure gas by using a pressure difference by connecting with a full container should be included in production.
(5) Acts not falling into the category of production
Producing high pressure gas instantly by consuming explosives without storing high pressure gas should not fall into the category of production of high pressure gas.
Persons who produce high pressure gas are classified into the following three Producers according to their scale and mode for regulation.
(i) Class 1 Producer (the permission of the prefectural governor; including Designated Production Place to which the Industrial Complex Safety Ordinance applies);
(ii) Class 2 Producer (a notification report to the prefectural governor); and
(iii) Other Producer (it does not need to go through a procedure for permission or a notification report but shall produce high pressure gas in accordance with the established technical standards).
ref. Class 1 Producer and Class 2 Producer