Hi,

As part of our wider business operations we own a joinery manufacturing business that uses 4 small compressors to power panel pin guns and other air powered tools.

Our smallest compressor is 50l with a max. safe pressure of 8 bar
Our biggest is 200l with a max. safe pressure of 10bar with 2 others in between

Last week I arranged for a gentleman from a reputable compressed air specialist to come and have a look at our equipment with a view to quoting for annual inspections and any subsequent maintenance.

Firstly, while I am in no way an expert in this area (not even close) I have read the Pressure Systems Regs. I was under the impression that any Compressor with a Bar / Litre value above 250 would require a written scheme of examination setting out the required maintenance and frequency.

My guy stated this was not the case.

Have I got it wrong ?

Secondly, this guy was talking about talking about testing the thickness of the metal and the possibility of filling the receivers with water under pressure to test them and while I haven't had his quote back yet, this all sounds fairly expensive.

My question being, is this sort of thing required on small systems such as these.
I think the most expensive of our systems was £300.00 give or take.
It's sounding possible that it would be cheaper to buy new compressors every couple of years than to pay for maintenance.

Any advice greatly appreciated.
As I said this is not our core business and as such my experience is very limited

Thanks

Andy

Jane,


Thanks for you response.
All the compressors have the required info you stated attached

I've just re-read the relevant bits of HSG39 but it seems mainly aimed at much larger installations and its difficult to pick out the bits that are pertinent to these smaller devices.

Do you know of any other documents or info that is more directed at these smaller devices.

Thanks


Andy

Hi Jane,

Yes, read L122 as well - all very interesting but, as you say, quite in depth.

Thanks anyway

Fiesta, I think possibly you need to ask someone else. I would suggest contacting your insurers and they can appoint a suitably competent person to carry out statutory inspections for you.