Safe Use of Pressure Systems and Gas Containers

Pressure Systems

Within the 'Pressure Systems Safety Regulations there is a requirement to keep a record of all pressure systems held at the University and to arrange for their periodic testing and inspection by a competent person. The University's Insurance Officer holds the University Register of pressure systems and arranges for their periodic inspection by a "Competent Engineer".

Examples of pressure systems are noted below to aid the identification process, further advice and assistance in identifying pressure systems can be obtained from Health and Safety.

The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations apply to:

  • All plant and equipment which contain a compressed gas (such as compressed air or liquified gas or any relevant fluid) at a pressure greater than 0.5bar (about 7 psi) above atmospheric.
  • All steam systems with a pressure vessel (inc. steam boilers and generators).
  • All pressure vessels.
  • All pipework and hoses that are used to convey a compressed gas or relevant fluid.
  • All protective devices, filters and regulators.
  • All pressure cookers (inc. Steam Jacket Pans), retorts and sterilisers.
  • All autoclaves.
  • All air compressor sets (fixed and portable).
  • All dewars (for example: liquid nitrogen storage vessels).
  • All air receivers.
  • Certain heat exchangers and refrigeration plant.
  • Pressure test vessels.
  • Certain steam hot plates and steam ovens.
  • Certain pressurised refiners and dryers.
  • Certain process plant and piping.
  • Certain pressure washers and all steam generators.

Note: all Pressure Systems must be labelled with their 'Safe Working Limit' and where appropriate a specific risk assessment should have been undertaken.

Gas Cylinders & Containers

In addition to the above, all 'Transportable Pressure Receptacles / Transportable Gas Containers', owned by the University, should also be notified to the University Insurance Officer.

These items are also subject to periodic testing and inspection but under a different set of regulations, the 'Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations'.

Transportable Pressure Receptacles would include gas cylinders such as oxygen bottles, special gas bottles, breathing gas bottles, fire extinguishing gas flooding bottles, helium bottles and all other gas storage bottles that can contain a pressure greater than 0.5 bar.

If such items are owned by the School / Department consideration should be given to disposing of the vessel / receptacle, and replacing with rented vessels, as this would alleviate a considerable legislative and monitory burden upon the School / Department and the University.

Please note, those distribution companies such as BOC and Air Products are responsible for the periodic testing and inspection of Transportable Pressure Receptacles that are owned by them and it is not necessary to notify the Insurance Officer of these.

The use and storage of all cylinders should be risk assessed in accordance with other relevant legislation such as the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.

If you have any doubts whether an item of equipment is included within the scope of the regulations please include these on the list for assessment by the Insurance Inspector or contact Health and Safety for further advice.

Further Information