PRESSURE VESSEL AND PRESSURE SYSTEM INSPECTIONS

The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR) require pressure systems to be inspected in accordance with a Written Scheme of Examination.

The regulations apply to owners and users of relevant fluids including steam, gases under pressure and any fluid kept artificially under pressure and which becomes a gas when released to the atmosphere.

There is a legal requirement for thorough examination of pressure vessels and
receivers that contain steam and compressed air. Any pressure vessel containing
compressed gas over 250 bar / litres capacity requires inspection.

To establish whether a vessel requires inspections multiply the vessel operating
pressure (in bar units) by the vessel capacity (in Litres) i.e. 10 bar x 50 Litres = 500 bar / litres Capacity and therefore is above the 250 bar / litre threshold and requires an inspection with a written scheme of examination.

Safe Plant Inspections can provide written schemes of examination and statutory
inspections of pressure system equipment.

Typical types of pressurised systems that might require a written scheme of
examination include:-

Plant requiring examination to comply with PSSR:

Safe Plant Inspections aim to reduce the risk of failure of pressure systems and
equipment by helping you act upon some practical precautions that are contained
within the “Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR)”

Written Schemes of Examination (WSE)

A “Written Scheme of Examination (WSE)” is a document that details items within a pressure system that necessitate examination by a competent examiner / person. These items cover a wide range of products and pressure equipment that are installed into a pressure system. The following equipment may be considered for inclusions and are:

This is NOT an exhaustive list and a competent person must be employed to certify and establish items for inclusion to a written scheme.

The written scheme of examination specifies items for examination, a frequency for examination (eg. 6, 12, 24 months) and contain detail as to how the equipment is to be examined. If any special measures are required to prepare the system for safe examination then these would be included.

Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR)

If pressure equipment fails in use, it can seriously injure or kill people nearby and cause serious damage to property.

The regulations have the status of a statutory instrument (SI 128) and therefore are the law. Non compliance is a criminal offence.

We can help you comply with “The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000”.

• You must have a written scheme of examination before you can legally operate any pressure system.

Statutory Examinations and Inspection Reports

These come under PSSR No.9 (examination in accordance with the written scheme).

The pressure system has to be inspected in accordance with the written scheme, and suitable reports compiled and retained. This is done by the Competent Person(s) approved by the plant owner / user. Frequency of inspection is set by the written scheme of examination.

On-site inspection carried out by ourselves would, in most cases include the opening of the appropriate vessel for internal / thorough examination.

Inspection reports detail:-

• information from the identification plate or test certificate
• ultrasonic scan of the vessel wall thickness
• internal visual examination of internal wall condition and welds
• inspection of protective devices including pressure gauges, relief / safety valves
• check the safe operating limits
• and any additional safety issues relating to the vessel and its peripherals