What is PSSR 2000?
PSSR 2000 replaces the Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Containers Regulations 1989 which has been revoked. PSSR 2000 does not cover transportable gas cylinders or tanks which are covered by separate legislation. To comply with the European Community Pressure Equipment Directive, Great Britain has implemented the Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999 (PER 1999) and the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR 2000). PER 1999 is primarily concerned with the design, manufacture and installation of pressure systems. PSSR2000 is primarily concerned with the risks created by a release of stored energy through system failure.
It is not concerned with hazardous nature of the system contents with the exception of the scalding effects of steam. The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 is concerned with steam at any pressure, gases which exert a pressure in excess of 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure and fluids which may be mixtures of liquids, gases and vapours where the gas or vapour phase may exert a pressure in excess of 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure.
What Equipment is Covered by PSSR 2000?
Generally, pressure systems and equipment operating in excess of 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure where the combined pressure times volume exceeds 250 bl where “b” is the pressure in bars (1 bar is approximately 14.5 p.s.i. above atmospheric pressure) and “I” is the volume in litres. Examples are:-
- Boilers and steam heating systems
- Pressurised process plant and piping
- Compressed air systems
- Pressure cookers, autoclaves and retorts
- Heat exchangers and refrigeration plant
- Valves, steam traps and filters
Pressure gauges and level indicators Self contained breathing apparatus sets Installed systems are the responsibility of the owner except where the owner does not have a place of business or agent in Great Britain when the responsibility rests with the user.
What the Main Causes of Pressure System Failure?
- Unsuitable equipment and/or system design
- Poor installation
- Poor maintenance of the system or equipment
- Poor training of operators and operator error
- Inadequate repairs or modifications
What are the risks associated with system or equipment failure?
- Personal injury from impact of the blast of an explosion or release of compressed liquid or gas
- Personal injury from impact of parts of equipment from such a blast
- Damage to equipment and/or buildings from blast or impact
- Contact with released gas or liquids and especially steam
- Fire resulting from a blast or from escaping liquids or gases
Do the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 apply to me?
As an employer or self employed person you have a duty to provide a safe workplace and safe work equipment (Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998). The aim of PSSR 2000 is to prevent serious injury from the hazard of stored energy as a result of the failure of a pressure system or one of its component parts. You have a duty, therefore, to ensure that the system is properly designed, properly installed, operated safely, properly maintained, properly repaired or modified and that the operators have been properly trained. The regulation also places duties on designers, manufacturers and persons who supply equipment or components intended to be part of a pressure system to ensure that it is fit for the purpose. For more information pressure system inspections and testing please visit our dedicated pages
10 Steps to Achieving PSSR 200 Compliance
- Provide a safe and suitable system and equipment which complies with the Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999 and the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000
- Ensure that the system and equipment has been designed and manufactured from suitable materials
- Take care when repairing or modifying the system
Know the operating conditions including temperature, pressure, type of gas or fluid being stored and the safe operating limits of the system - Ensure that employees have full access to operating instructions and are properly trained in the operation and use of the system
- Ensure that the system is fitted with adequate protective devices and that such devices have been adjusted to the correct settings
- Ensure that the protective devices are kept in good working order at all times and that they cannot be altered except by an authorised person
- Carry out regular and suitable maintenance programme for the system There should be a maintenance programme for the system which takes into account the system and equipment age, its usage and the environment
- A Written Scheme of Examination is mandatory for most pressure systems as a requirement of the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 – The Written Scheme of Examination must be prepared (or certified as suitable) by a competent person before the pressure system is operated. The Written Scheme of Examination must cover all protective devices, vessels and pipework which, if they fail, may give rise to danger. The Written Scheme of Examination must specify the nature and frequency of examinations and include any special measures that may be needed to prepare a system for a safe examination. The pressure system must be examined in accordance with the Written Scheme of Examination by a competent person.
- Choose a Competent Person – You must select a competent person and satisfy yourself that the competent person has the necessary knowledge, experience and independence to undertake the functions required. The competent person carrying out the examinations under the Written Scheme of Examination does not necessarily need to be the same one who prepared or certified the scheme as suitable. The Competent Person may be :-
An individual person (e.g. self employed)
An organisation providing independent inspection services
A company’s in-house inspection department The level of expertise needed by the competent person depends on the size and complexity of the system as defined in PSSR 2000 as minor, intermediate and major systems - Keep proper records – Remember that generally, Installed systems are the responsibility of the user. Mobile systems are the responsibility of the owner.