Posted By Andrew I. Butler
Good Afternoon Colleagues

Can anyone confirm for me whether all pressure vessels are subject to statutory inspection or whether there are exemptions?
if so what are they?
For example would a pressure vessel that had no access door still be subject to a statute inspection and added to the written scheme?

Thank you for your support

Andy

Posted By Jane Blunt
Dear Andrew
As the last response indicated, whether or not a pressure system requires statutory inspection depends at least in part on its pressure and volume. What this means in practice is that a system will require a written scheme of examination which will define the inspection programme - how often it is done and what is done.

Two questions:

1. Is the system for steam? If so, then it will always require a written scheme of examination.


2. If it is not steam, then is the gas at a pressure above 0.5 bar? If so, then it will require a written scheme if the product of the volume and pressure exceeds 250 bar litres. The process of multiplying the pressure by the volume gives you a measure of the stored energy within the vessel.

There are a number of exemptions.

For further details you need to read L122, 'Safety of Pressure Systems' which takes you through the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000. You will find that, although formal written schemes are only required for the systems that emerge from the filter above, there are safety requirements that apply to ALL pressure systems.

It's not a particularly easy read, and you may find it simpler to talk to an engineer from your insurance company and get them to explain it to you and give you an opinion on the system you have in mind.

Regards

Jane