This guide provides information abut the requirements of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR 2000) abd gives advice on minimizing the risks when working with systems or equipment containing a liquid or gas under pressure.

It gives a general indication of the main requirements of the regulations but you should familiarize yourself with your duties by referring to PSSR 2000 and the accompanying Approved Code of Practice L122.

PSSR 2000 replaces the Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Containers Regulations 1989 which has been revoked.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 Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR 2000).

PER 1999 is primarily concerned with the design, manufacture and installation of pressure systems. PSSR 2000 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 exception to 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.

Generally, pressure systems and equipment operating in excess of 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure where 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 l is the volume in litres.

Examples are:

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.

As an employer or self-employed person you have a duty to provide a safe workplace and safe work equipment (Health & Safety at Work 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 of designers, manufacturer and persons who supply equipment or components intended to be part of a pressure system to ensure that it is fit for purpose.

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 pipe work 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.

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:

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.

Remember that generally, installed systems are the responsibility of the user.

Mobile systems are the responsibility of the owner.