Posted By Max Bancroft
We intend to purchase a steam iron which, although quite large, is portable and is supplied for the domestic market. It operates at 5 bar and, of course, it produces steam. The volume is 085 litre.
My reading of the Pressure Equipment and the Pressure Systems Regulations suggests that it falls within the above regulations and will require a written system of examination and inspection by a competent person.
Anybody more expert than me in the above regs care to comment?

Posted By Konstanty Budkiewicz
Max,

Based upon the information provided, I agree in principle that the Code of Practice requires a scheme of examination to be raised.

You may find the Code of Practice heavy going whilst resolving your position. May I suggest that the HSE's leaflet Pressure Systems - Safety and You (available on the web site)provides, at Page 7, simple guidance and sources of further advice on this matter.

However, before you contact those sources, you may wish to confirm the following;

a. what is the Bar/volume figure?
- do you make it only 4.25? This would make it a Minor system (Code of Practice, Page 525, Para 105 a-b refers).
- this figure is important as it could affect what level of academic qualification is reqired to provide(Para 107 refers), and execute the scheme of examination (Page 57, Schedule 1 decision tree, refers).

b. is the iron, "a tool to be held in the hand", as described in Page 53,Exception 25? Or is it like a steam stripper?

Kon CMIOSH