20

December

Pressure systems

There are several fatal or serious injuries each year arising from somewhere in the order of 150 dangerous occurrences concerning the failure of pressure equipment in the workplace.

The rules are, fortunately, quite simple and straightforward, although a little wordy.

Under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000, users and owners of pressure systems are required to demonstrate that they are aware of the safe operating limits (such as pressure and temperature) of their pressure systems and that the systems are safe under these conditions. Further to this, they must ensure that a suitable written scheme of examination is in place before the system is operated and that the pressure system is examined in accordance with this scheme.

The general duty to carry out risk assessments, created by Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 creates a duty on the employer to assess all risks associated with the use of pressure systems, not only those considered by the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000.

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Under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000, there are three types of

pressure systems:

  • A system comprising of one or more pressure vessels of rigid construction, including all associated pipework and protective devices
  • Pipework and its protective devices, to which a transportable pressure receptacle (such as a gas cylinder), is or is intended to be connected. A transportable pressure receptacle on its own is not defined as a pressuresystem.
  • A pipeline and its protective devices, which contains or is liable to contain a relevant fluid, but does not include a transportable pressure receptacle.
  • Note: Pipework containing a relevant fluid (other than steam) at a pressure of 0.5 bar or lower is outside the scope of the regulations.

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A relevant fluid is one which either:

  • has a pressure greater than 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure (excluding steam). If pressure varies with time, the maximum pressure determines whether the fluid is a relevant one, or
  • is a fluid which should be a gas or gas mixture under conditions in the system, or is a liquid which would turn into a gas should the system fail.Examples include:
    • nitrogen
    • acetylene
    • hot water above its boiling point

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Examples of pressure systems and equipment include:

  • boilers and steam heating systems
  • pressurised process plant and piping
  • compressed air systems (including portable systems)
  • autoclaves
  • refrigeration plant and equipment
  • valves, steam traps and filters
  • pipework and hoses
  • pressure gauges and level indicators

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Any Questions? Please call us on 01509 550023 or email us.

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The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000

Under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 it is the duty of the employer (owner and/or user of the pressure systems) to ensure that:

  • the pressure system has been designed and constructed so as to ensure that it is fit for the purpose for which it is intended and complies with all applicable regulations
  • suitable and sufficient written information must be provided concerning the design, construction, examination, operation and maintenance of the pressure system
  • the information required under the regulations must be marked on any pressure vessels (including the safe working pressure) the installation of any pressure system must be carried out by a competent person(s) in such a way taht does not cause danger
  • the safe operating limits for the system must be determined and the limits clearly marked on the system a written scheme of examination must be provided and certified by a competent person and the parts of the system covered by the written scheme must be examined at the intervals specified
  • any serious defects identified under the written scheme of examination must be rectified and the system must not be used until the defects have been rectified
  • adequate and suitable instructions must be provided for the safe operation of the system, including action required in the event of an emergency
  • the pressure system (and all of its components) must be maintained and, where necessary, repaired properly
  • any modifications or repairs must be carried out in a way that does not impair the operation of any protective devices or inspection facilities
  • all records required under the regulations must be kept
  • the owner (often a hire company) of any transportable pressure receptacles, eg rented gas cylinders, must provide a written statement containing the information required under the regulations. Additionally, the safe operating limits must be marked on the vessel and the vessel must be periodically inspected.

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