KGS Certified Refrigerated Air Dryers — Manufacturing Registration under the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act

KGS Certification (KG Certification) for Refrigerated Air Dryers: Units of 3 Rated Refrigeration Tons or More Must Pass Product Inspection

A refrigerated air dryer with a rated refrigeration capacity of 3 tons (RT) or more falls under Korea's High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act.

Before shipment it must pass a "product inspection" by a nationally accredited inspection body,

and only a manufacturer that has completed refrigeration unit manufacturing registration with the local government can apply for that inspection.

As a manufacturer registered for refrigeration units and specified equipment, GENEQ ships every medium and large refrigerated dryer of 3 RT or more only after an on-site product inspection by the Korea Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Safety Management Institute (KRASI).

Requirements by rated refrigeration tons

※ The notification and permit thresholds apply to industrial equipment using non-flammable refrigerants such as R-134a.

What "KGS certification (KG certification)" means

A refrigerated air dryer contains a refrigeration unit and pressure vessels (condenser, evaporator, receiver tank), so it is regulated under the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act. What the market calls "KGS certification" or "KG certification" is not a single certificate but the combination of the following two.

1. Refrigeration unit manufacturing registration — the manufacturer registers with the head of the local government and receives a Refrigeration Unit Manufacturing Registration Certificate

2. Product inspection before shipment — a nationally accredited inspection body inspects each refrigeration unit of 3 RT or more and attaches a product inspection seal

Product inspections of refrigeration units and refrigeration specified equipment are carried out by the nationally accredited inspection body, the Korea Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Safety Management Institute (KRASI).

KRASI conducts product inspections of refrigeration units and specified equipment, facility inspections of refrigeration manufacturing sites, and performance checks of safety valves.

The Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS) handles follow-up management of refrigeration manufacturing facilities of 20 RT or more.

So if you are looking for a "KGS certified dryer", check two things: whether the manufacturer is registered for refrigeration units and specified equipment,

and whether units of 3 RT or more ship with an accredited inspection body's inspection seal attached.

GENEQ registrations — refrigeration units and specified equipment

The GENEQ Gimhae plant completed two manufacturing registrations under the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act on 17 February 2025.

• Refrigeration Unit Manufacturing Registration — packaged water-cooled and air-cooled refrigeration units. This qualifies GENEQ to build the refrigeration unit of its refrigerated air dryers in-house.

• Specified Equipment Manufacturing Registration — refrigeration specified equipment (condensers, evaporators and pressure vessels).

The original certificates can also be viewed on the Certifications page under About.

GENEQ's shipping procedure — 3 RT or more always goes through product inspection

1. Rated refrigeration tons are calculated when the specification is fixed → if 3 RT or more, the inspection date is built into the delivery schedule

2. Refrigeration unit and heat exchangers designed and built in-house at the Gimhae plant

3. Hydrostatic test (TP), leak test and trial run

4. On-site product inspection by a KRASI inspector

5. Inspection seal attached and nameplate completed, then shipped

The nameplate shows the refrigerant (R-134a), rated refrigeration tons, hydrostatic test pressure (TP), design pressure (DP), pressure test pass date and the inspection body (KRASI).

Why medium and large dryers of 3 RT to under 20 RT work in the user's favour

• The equipment has passed a demanding product inspection by a nationally accredited body, so it can be trusted.

• There is no legal exposure.

• Being under 20 RT, it is not subject to KGS follow-up management, so no extra paperwork with authorities is added.

• GENEQ, as the manufacturer, handles the inspection documents.

Why buy from a registered manufacturer

• For 3 RT or more, only a registered manufacturer can obtain product inspection. Products from an unregistered company cannot be inspected at all.

• Inspection is handled in one place. Design, fabrication and inspection paperwork stay with the same company, so the buyer chases fewer documents.

• Faster delivery and specification changes. Because the refrigeration unit is not outsourced, capacity, dew point and cooling-water options are adjusted directly.

• The company that built the dryer also services it and supplies parts. Fault diagnosis is quick and parts always fit.

Frequently asked questions

Do dryers under 3 RT need inspection?
Units under 3 rated refrigeration tons are exempt from the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act. GENEQ nevertheless tests hydrostatic strength, leak tightness and dew point performance in-house before shipping, regardless of tonnage.

How do I know whether my dryer is 3 RT or more?
Check the REFRIGERATION TON entry on the nameplate. For a new purchase, tell us the air flow and specification and we will calculate the rated refrigeration tons for you.

Who performs the inspection?
Product inspections of refrigeration units and refrigeration specified equipment of 3 RT or more are carried out at the manufacturing stage by the nationally accredited body, KRASI. As a registered manufacturer, GENEQ handles design, fabrication and the inspection together, so the buyer has nothing extra to prepare. Notification and permit procedures for sites of 20 RT or more are explained during consultation.

What is the difference between refrigerated and desiccant air dryers?
A refrigerated dryer cools the compressed air to condense moisture, reaching a pressure dew point of 4–10 °C, with a simple design and no consumables such as desiccant or purge air. A desiccant dryer adsorbs moisture to reach sub-zero dew points (−40 °C and below). General processes that need condensation control suit a refrigerated dryer; precision and low-temperature processes suit a desiccant dryer.

Which processes can use a 4–10 °C pressure dew point?
General plant air where the goal is to stop condensation and rust in piping: painting, assembly and packaging lines, and utility air in shipyards, automotive and food plants. Instrumentation, semiconductor and pharmaceutical processes that need sub-zero dew points should use a desiccant or combination system.

Which model suits a site without chilled water?
The SR series, cooled directly by refrigerant. Plants that already have chilled water (or brine) benefit from the indirect SH series, which keeps dew point variation small and suits large capacities.

Can you replace an existing dryer?
Yes. We handle removal of the old unit, fabrication, installation and commissioning, and GENEQ then provides maintenance and parts.

KGS certified refrigerated air dryer products

• Refrigerated Air Dryers — direct-expansion and indirect overview

• SR Series direct-expansion refrigerated air dryer — dew point 4–10 °C, EEV and flooded evaporator options

• SH Series indirect refrigerated air dryer — 30,000 Nm³/h class

Sales inquiries

Tell us your capacity, required dew point and whether chilled water is available, and we will propose the right SR or SH specification, the rated refrigeration tons,

and a delivery schedule that includes the inspection date.

Use the Contact button in the right sidebar or at the top of the page to send an online inquiry and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.