UK regulations
PSSR Pressure Systems Safety Regulations: UK Guide
In the UK, PSSR stands for the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000, which require a suitable written scheme of examination to be in place before a pressure system is operated and the system to be examined in line with it. In the US, PSSR usually means a pre-startup safety review.
How MaintWiz helps: Examination dates and written schemes belong in the plan. The MaintWiz shutdown module checks seven readiness gates before a package starts and records waivers with a typed reason, name and date. See the module · Get the readiness checklist
By Jai Balachandran · Published · Last reviewed
What MaintWiz adds:Seven readiness gatesSigned waivers with name and dateKeyboard operationLook-ahead by gate
Two meanings
What does PSSR stand for in the UK and the US?
In the UK, PSSR stands for the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000; in the US, it usually means a pre-startup safety review under OSHA 1910.119(i). 2,3
| UK: Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 | US: pre-startup safety review | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Regulations on pressure systems used at work | A review before startup of new or significantly modified facilities |
| Where it applies | Great Britain, for pressure systems with a relevant fluid | US covered processes under OSHA 1910.119(i) |
| Key requirement | A suitable written scheme of examination in place before use, and examinations in line with it | Confirm that construction and equipment match design, procedures are in place, and training is complete before hazardous chemicals are introduced |
| Who must act | Owners and users of pressure systems | The employer |
| Source | HSE pressure systems, HSE INDG178 | OSHA 1910.119 |
| Read next | This page | Plant start-up after shutdown |
The same four letters point to different things, so a search for PSSR may land on the wrong rule. This page covers the UK regulations. The US review is explained in the start-up after shutdown guide.
The regulations
What are the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations?
The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 apply to pressure systems used at work in Great Britain and aim to prevent serious injury from the stored energy released if a system or component fails; they cover systems with a relevant fluid and put duties on owners and users. 2
HSE says the regulations cover rigid pressure vessels with their pipework and protective devices, pipework with protective devices to which a transportable pressure receptacle is connected, and pipelines and their protective devices. 2 The relevant fluids are steam at any pressure, compressed or liquefied gas including air above 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure, pressurized hot water above 110 °C, and dissolved acetylene. 2 Hydraulic oils are excluded. Schedule 1 lists exceptions.
Duty holders are the owners of mobile systems and the users of installed systems, such as a steam boiler. 2 Users of hired equipment should confirm a written scheme is in place and the examination certificate is current. 2
HSE says to check the exceptions in the regulations and the Approved Code of Practice (L122) to decide whether your own system is covered; this page does not decide that for you.
Software
Can software track written schemes of examination?
Software can hold each examination as a dated task with its preparatory work, so due dates, isolations and evidence sit together; it does not replace the competent person or the written scheme.
About MaintWiz. MaintWiz is an industrial AI platform with IoT, SAP integration and predictive maintenance (PdM) capabilities. Its shutdown and turnaround module helps plants plan, schedule, execute and close out shutdown work.
What the shutdown module covers
As described on the MaintWiz shutdown maintenance product page.
- Preventive maintenance scheduling shared with the shutdown module, so due examinations can be seen before the freeze
- Work packages with preparatory work, owner and dates linked to the schedule
- Permits and isolations from ePTW shown on each work order
- Work order tasks of kind tick, reading or photo for examination evidence
- Instruments and calibration shared with the platform
- Handover note and as-left summary on each work order
Proof
What MaintWiz customers report
Figures as published in MaintWiz case studies on maintwiz.com. They come from maintenance management projects, not shutdowns.
Written scheme
What is a written scheme of examination?
A written scheme of examination is a document, certified by a competent person, that identifies the items of a pressure system, what is to be examined, how, with what preparation and at what maximum interval; it must be in place before the system is operated. 1
A free Excel version is available: Written scheme of examination tracker (.xlsx).
| Content | Why it matters in a shutdown |
|---|---|
| Identification of the items of plant in the system | Tells you what is in scope of the examination |
| The parts of the system to be examined | Sets which items must be accessible |
| The nature of the examination, including inspection and testing of protective devices | Tells the planner which tests need a window |
| The preparatory work needed for the item to be examined safely | Becomes a work package: isolation, cleaning, access |
| The nature of any examination needed before first use | Applies to new or modified items |
| The maximum interval between examinations | Sets the latest date the examination can be done |
| Critical parts which, if modified or repaired, should be examined by a competent person before reuse | Adds an examination hold point after repair |
| The name of the competent person certifying the scheme, and the date | Evidence for audits |
HSE says the user or owner is legally responsible for defining the items that form the pressure system and which need to be in the scheme, though they may take advice. 1 The scheme should generally cover all items in a self-contained system that may give rise to danger: one system, one scheme. 1 A competent person normally advises on the nature and frequency of examination and the safety measures to prepare the system, and may draw up the scheme or certify one prepared by the user. 1 The scheme must remain suitable for the life of the plant, so it should be reviewed by a competent person at appropriate intervals. 1
Examples
Which systems need a written scheme of examination?
HSE gives typical examples: steam boilers, air receivers of 250 bar litres or more, autoclaves, accumulators, larger refrigeration systems and fixed LPG storage are likely to need a scheme, while machine tool hydraulics and low-pressure pipelines are exempt; HSE says these are guidance examples and the duty holder must decide. 1
| Likely to need one (HSE examples) | Exempt or not likely (HSE examples) |
|---|---|
| Compressed air receiver and pipework at 250 bar litres or more | Machine tool hydraulic system (exempt) |
| Steam boiler with associated pipework and protective devices | Pipeline and protective devices not above 2 bar above atmospheric (exempt) |
| Steam sterilizing autoclave | Portable fire extinguisher under the stated limits (exempt) |
| Gas-loaded hydraulic accumulator | Vehicle tyre (exempt) |
| Vapor compression refrigeration system above 25 kW installed power | Pneumatic cylinder in a compressed air system (not likely) |
| Fixed LPG storage system for workplace heating | Portable compressed air receiver under 250 bar litres (not likely) |
The lists are HSE's examples for guidance only. You must decide whether your own system is covered.
In a shutdown
Do the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations affect a plant shutdown?
Yes: a shutdown is when many pressure system examinations and the repairs they find take place, so each due examination, its preparation and any examination after repair should be planned into the shutdown scope and schedule. 1,4
| When | Task | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Before planning starts | List every item of plant with a written scheme and its due date | Examinations due before the next stop may force a date |
| At scope freeze | Put each due examination and its preparatory work into the scope | The preparatory work is a work package |
| Readiness | Book the competent person; confirm isolation, cleaning and access | The examiner needs a safe, accessible item |
| Execution | Examine under the scheme; record the report | Examination in line with the scheme is a legal duty |
| After repair or modification | Hold the item for examination of critical parts before reuse | The scheme can name critical parts that need examining after repair |
| Close-out | Update the scheme and the due dates | The scheme must stay suitable |
Isolation for an internal examination follows the same rules as other intrusive work. HSE guidance on isolation advises planning intrusive maintenance for shutdown periods to keep isolation needs down. 4 See the permit to work guide and scope management.
The timeline is our working template, not HSE guidance. HSE says the competent person normally advises on the nature, frequency and preparation for examinations.
Visuals
Save the PSSR charts
Two charts to share with your inspection team. Click either for the full-size image.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does PSSR stand for in the UK?
Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000. 2 In the US the same letters usually mean a pre-startup safety review. 3
What is the difference between the UK and US PSSR?
The UK regulations require a written scheme of examination and examinations in line with it. The US review checks a new or significantly modified facility before startup. 1,3
What is a written scheme of examination?
A document, certified by a competent person, identifying the items of a pressure system, what is examined, how, with what preparation and the maximum interval. 1
Who is responsible for the written scheme?
The user of an installed system or the owner of a mobile system. They may take advice but remain legally responsible for defining its scope. 1,2
What is a relevant fluid?
Steam at any pressure, compressed or liquefied gas including air above 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure, and pressurized hot water above 110 °C; dissolved acetylene is also covered. 2
How often must examinations be done?
The scheme sets the maximum interval between examinations; a competent person advises on it. 1
Do PSSR examinations affect a shutdown?
Yes. Plan each due examination and its preparation into the shutdown scope, and hold the item after repair if the scheme names it as a critical part. 1 See how to plan a plant shutdown.
Where is the UK safe isolation guidance?
In HSE HSG253. 4 See the UK and EU safety guide.
Sources
Sources
- UK Health and Safety Executive, Written schemes of examination (INDG178, rev 2, 2012)
- UK Health and Safety Executive, Pressure systems: Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000
- OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.119, Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
- UK Health and Safety Executive, The safe isolation of plant and equipment (HSG253, 2006)
Start each package only when it is ready
Book a demo and bring a work package. We will walk through the seven readiness gates.