What is PSSR 2000?

PSSR covers the safe design and use of pressure systems. Many types of pressure equipment are hazardous, such as steam boilers and associated pipework, hot water boilers, air compressors, autoclaves, and chemical reaction vessels. The aim of PSSR is to prevent serious injury from the hazard of pressure / stored energy, resulting from the failure of a pressure system or a part of it. 

The Regulations are concerned with steam at any pressure, gases exerting a pressure in excess of 0.5 bar (atmospheric pressure) and fluids (could be a mixture of liquids, gases, and vapour). PSSR does not deal with all of the hazards arising from pressure systems. Contents may be toxic and the plant part of a ‘major hazard’ site, which is subject to separate legislative requirements. Under PSSR, the stored contents’ properties are only of concern to the extent they cause the system to deteriorate and lead to failure.  

What do I need to do?

The user of an installed system and owner of a mobile system must not allow the system to be used in the absence of a ‘Written Scheme of Examination’ for periodic examination, drawn up by competent person. This means:

  • All protective devices. 
  • Every pressure vessel and pipeline in which a defect may give rise to danger. 
  • Parts of the pipework in which a defect may give rise to danger.

The competent person will determine the frequency of examinations.  

The scope of the written scheme is the responsibility of the user / owner, considering:

  • Inclusion of pressure vessels (generally). 
  • All protective devices. 
  • Pipework. 

What is in a written scheme?

  • The parts of the system to be examined, 
  • Identification of plant or equipment. 
  • Nature of examinations (for example, in line with original equipment manufacturer requirements or industry best practice). 
  • Preparatory work that may be needed. 
  • Maximum interval between examinations. 
  • Critical parts of the system which may require the scheme to be updated if modified. 
  • Name of competent person, and the date of the scheme. 

How is the period between examinations determined?

The competent person should consider:

  • Safety records and history of the system. 
  • Generic information available on the system type. 
  • Findings from recent examinations. 
  • Expected operating conditions. 

The HSEQ-360 approach to Written Schemes of Examination? 

HSEQ-360 has the competence to create Written Schemes of Examination for ‘minor’, ‘intermediate’ and ‘major’ systems, by having:

  • Chartered Engineers in relevant disciplines supported by technically qualified and experienced staff with knowledge of the law, codes of practice and examination and inspection techniques. 
  • Access to specialist services as required. 
  • Formal organisational structure. 

The authoring of Written Schemes of Examination is within the scope of HSEQ-360’s UKAS-accredited ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certification, as listed on the UKAS website:  

https://certcheck.ukas.com/certified-entity/e3d5fde9-8fe6-5df4-9d34-5b63a664a435 

For further information, please contact a member of the team on info@hseq-360.co.uk