Pressure vessel testing - do I need it?
Regulation 8 of Pressure Systems Safety is a 'Written Scheme of Examination (WSE).
It's a legal requirement that your company has a WSE for presure systems if they fall within the current guidelines.
In short, you must have a WSE in place (you'll need it for insurance purposes) if your pressure system has (and we'll keep this short):
- A rigid pressure vessel.
- A relevant fluid above 0.5 Bar
- Steam at any pressure
- All systems above 250 Bar litres require a WSE
If any of these apply to your operation your WSE should be in place before your system is operated. See how EDC Air Compressors can ensure you are 'air-tight' and ready for operation.
But there are exclusions. Systems which form part of a weapons system, are the subject of a research experiment, any tyre used on a vehicle, vessels which are part of fire extinguishers, used in navigation or any tool or appliance designed to be held in the hand which is a pressure vessel. Still not sure if there is a legal requirement for your company? See the list of exclusions: Pressure Systems Excepted from all Regulations.
Below is the chart from the HSE 'Safety of Pressure System 2000'. Note:
Note: This diagram only covers type (a) pressure systems, as defined in regulation 2(1) under
‘pressure system’, ‘one or more pressure vessels of rigid construction, any associated
pipework and protective devices.’
It does not cover a type (b) pressure system, ‘the pipework with its protective devices to
which a transportable pressure receptacle is, or is intended to be, connected,’ or a type (c)
pressure system, ‘a pipeline and its protective devices.’ If your pressure system is as defined
in (b) or (c), this diagram will not work.
