Pressure Vessel Testing (PVT)

The Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Containers Regulations 1989, which came into force on 1 July 1994, made it a statutory requirement for users and owners of pressure systems to demonstrate that they know the operating pressure of their pressure systems and that those pressure systems are safe at those pressures.

The above regulations were re-enacted in The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 which modified and extended the provisions for sending, keeping and passing on in electronic form reports of examinations.

The regulations apply to plant and equipment, which form a pressure system, operate under pressure and contain a 'relevant fluid'. The term relevant fluid is defined in the Regulations and covers compressed or liquefied gas including air above 0.5 bar pressure (approx 7 psi), pressurised hot water above 110ºC and steam at any pressure.

It is the responsibility of the user of the piece of equipment to decide whether it falls within the scope of the regulations, but the following items are likely to be included:

• A compressed air receiver and associated pipe-work where the product of the pressure times the internal capacity of the receiver is greater than 250 bar litres.
• A steam sterilising autoclave and associated pipe-work and protective devices.
• A pressure cooker.
• A gas loaded hydraulic accumulator.
• A portable hot water / steam cleaning unit.
• A vapour compression refrigeration system where the installed power exceeds 25 kW.
• A narrow gauge steam locomotive.
• The components of self-contained Breathing Apparatus Sets (excluding the gas container).
• A fixed LPG storage system supplying fuel for heating in a workplace.
• A steam boiler and associated pipe-work and protective devices.

BES Consulting specialise in the pressure equipment found in retail catering premises and bars. The equipment found within these types of premises, which can fall within the scope of the regulations, are 'Expresso-type' coffee machines and pressure steamers.

If your equipment has a pressure gauge then it is likely to fall within the scope of the act. As a specialist in this field BES Consulting is the ideal partner to manage your PVT compliance.