Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR)
If you own or operate a pressure system, it is important to have it inspected regularly to ensure that it’s compliant with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR).
PSSR is a set of regulations that govern the safe operation of pressure systems in the United Kingdom. Inspections on pressure and steam systems and equipment are carried out to ensure they’re safe for use and compliant with PSSR.
Expert inspections in line with PSSR
One of the requirements of PSSR inspections specifies that pressure systems need to be inspected in accordance with a Written Scheme of Examination by competent people who know what they’re doing and who can make an independent assessment of the system.
A pressure system includes any ‘system’ made up of:
- One or more rigid pressure vessels with associated pipework and protective devices,
- Pipework associated with a transportable pressure vessel,
- Pipelines that contain relevant fluids. These fluids include steam, gases under pressure, or those that are artificially kept under pressure that become gases when they’re released.
How we'll work with you
For most pressure systems, an ‘out of service’ and ‘in service’ examination is usually required.
Our team of experts will carry out your end-to-end pressure vessel inspection requirements and we’ll do it around the requirements of your business, too. Safety is our number one focus, and we’ll do everything we need to complete your inspections both safely and efficiently.
BES Group can help you to stay safe and compliant with our PSSR examinations. We have a team of experienced and qualified engineers who can conduct a thorough inspection of your pressure system and identify any potential hazards. We will also provide you with a comprehensive report of our findings so that you’re always kept up to date, and take the necessary corrective action.
The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR) state that all pressure systems should be inspected regularly by a competent person who is both qualified and impartial. The frequency for these inspections depends on a host of factors, including the type of pressure system, the level of risk involved with it, its locations, uses, and more. The more risk associated with a pressure system, the more often it needs to be inspected.
Don’t compromise when it comes to the safety of your people and your business.
Get in touch with our inspection team Get in touch with our inspection team Get in touch with our inspection teamOur PSSR inspection process
As standard, a PSSR inspection should be carried out in accordance with a written scheme of examination (WSE). The WSE should be prepared by a competent person, like BES Group, and should be specific to the type of pressure system being inspected.
PSSR inspections should be carried out by a competent person who has the necessary knowledge and experience to accurately assess the safety of the pressure system. And that’s where we come in, we’re both competent and impartial, and our people are qualified to the highest industry standards.
Before your inspection
Before we get to your site you will need to arrange for your plant to be properly prepared for our inspection which may involve the vessel being drained and de-pressurised however we will notify you of this when we book your inspections in.
Preparation
The first thing our engineers will do once they arrive at your site is familiarise themselves with your pressure systems. They’ll also gather all the necessary documentation, such as the manufacturer’s instructions and the previous inspection reports, to ensure everything is as it should be.
Visual inspection
Our specialist engineer surveyors will begin the inspection process by visually inspecting the pressure system for any obvious defects, such as cracks, dents, or missing parts.
Functional checks
Once the visual inspection is complete, we’ll check the pressure system to make sure it is functioning properly. This step could involve testing the valves, gauges, and other components.
Measurements
We may need to take measurements of the pressure system, such as the pressure rating or the wall thickness, to help us decide on next steps.
Non-destructive testing
In some cases, we’ll utilise non-destructive testing (NDT) to detect hidden defects, using methods like ultrasonic testing or X-ray testing.
Reporting
We’ll give you our in-depth report of the condition of your pressure system, detailing our recommendations for repairs or modifications.
FAQs
What are the requirements for PSSR inspections?
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The requirements for PSSR inspections vary depending on the type and size of the pressure system. However, all pressure systems must be inspected in accordance with a Written Scheme of Examination (WSE). The WSE should be drawn up by a competent person and should identify the frequency and scope of the inspections.
How often should pressure systems be inspected?
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The frequency of inspections depends on the type and size of the pressure system. However, most pressure systems should be inspected at least every 12 months
Who can carry out PSSR inspections?
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Only competent persons can carry out PSSR inspections. A competent person is someone who has the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to carry out the inspections safely and effectively.
What are the consequences of not complying with PSSR?
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The consequences of not complying with PSSR can be serious. If a pressure system fails, it could cause serious injury or death. In addition, businesses that fail to comply with PSSR could be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or be fined under HSE’s Fee For Intervention charging scheme.
What is a Written Scheme of Examination?
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According to the HSE, a written scheme of examination is a document that contains all the relevant information about plant items or equipment that:
Form a pressure system
Operate under pressure
Or contain a ‘relevant fluid’.
Why choose us
35,000 satisfied customers
We've built a strong reputation for providing exceptional service to over 35,000 satisfied customers from diverse industries. Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has resulted in long-standing partnerships and unwavering trust.
800+ expert engineers
Our team of over 800 skilled engineers possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in a range of disciplines. Their deep understanding of your equipment and operating conditions ensures that they deliver proactive solutions that optimise asset performance and minimise downtime
A legacy of 160+ years of experience
With over 160 years of experience in the industry, we've witnessed the evolution of industry practices and have adapted our approach to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. Our deep understanding of asset management, compliance and predictive technologies enables us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive operational excellence.
We’re Highly Qualified
Our Engineers Surveyors meet a minimum required standard of competence (required experience of 5 years)
Independence and impartiality
Not only are we competent, but we’re independent and impartial, meaning we'll only ever give you the most suitable advice and guidance when it comes to your equipment
Did you know...
11
fatal accidents involving pressure vessels took place in the UK between 2001 and 2008, according to the HSE.
17
companies have been fined since 2015 for not having their pressure equipment inspected. The fines ranged from £37,500 to £1,350,000.
£1,350,000
in fines was charged to a company after an employee was seriously injured when a pressure test rig failed. The company had not had the rig inspected for several years.
Key benefits
Increased safety
PSSR inspections can help to identify and correct potential hazards, reducing the risk of accidents.
Reduced downtime
By identifying and correcting potential problems before they cause a failure, PSSR inspections can help to reduce downtime.
Increased productivity
By ensuring that pressure systems are operating safely and efficiently, PSSR inspections can help to increase productivity.
Reduced liability
By complying with PSSR, businesses can reduce their liability in the event of an accident.
Increased safety
PSSR inspections can help to identify and correct potential hazards, reducing the risk of accidents.
Reduced downtime
By identifying and correcting potential problems before they cause a failure, PSSR inspections can help to reduce downtime.
Increased productivity
By ensuring that pressure systems are operating safely and efficiently, PSSR inspections can help to increase productivity.
Reduced liability
By complying with PSSR, businesses can reduce their liability in the event of an accident.
Hear what our customers have to say
We care about the journey we take our customers on, but it’s not our word you should be taking, see what our customers think of the service we provided!
“
The industry requires competence to be demonstrated, typically through UKAS accreditation, which is a prerequisite for many major clients. BES is type A accredited, which is preferred, they can provide highly objective opinions.
”
Customer
Senior Project Manager
“
The BES inspectors are way more technically competent and diligent compared to other providers. I previously used Allianz, and BES definitely stands out due to their strong technical competence and strong back office support.
”
Customer
Project Operations Manager
“
We have been with BES for the past 5 years and don’t plan on switching providers. They are very flexible with their services and are able to bring the best inspectors who can deal with on the ground challenges and build real relationships with clients.
”
Customer
Global Technical Services Manager
“
BES is a really disruptive force in the market, they are able to provide a variety of necessary services to their customers and none of the other big players are able to provide that breadth of services.
”
Industry competitor
Our related services
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Our sectors
Our credentials
View all our accreditationsUKAS - ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015
British Engineering Services Limited
UKAS - ISO/IEC 17025:2017
British Engineering Services Limited - BES Group Testing Rotech Ltd.
UKAS - ISO/IEC 17020:2012
British Engineering Services Limited - Engineering Safety Inspection Services Ltd.
NICEIC
BES Group Electrical Ltd. - British Engineering Services Limited
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
British Engineering Services Limited
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
British Engineering Services Limited
Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
British Engineering Services Limited
ASME
British Engineering Services Limited
U.S. Department of Transportation
British Engineering Services Limited
Alcumus ISOQAR
British Engineering Services Limited - British Engineering Services Asset Reliability Ltd. - BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Environment Agency
British Engineering Services Limited - BES Group Testing Ltd.
Financial Conduct Authority
British Engineering Services Limited
Achilles
British Engineering Services Limited
Altius Assurance
British Engineering Services Limited -
Hellios Joscar
British Engineering Services Limited - British Engineering Services Asset Reliability Strainstall Ltd. - British Engineering Services Asset Reliability Mimic Ltd.
SAFed
British Engineering Services Limited - Engineering Safety Inspection Services Ltd
CHAS
British Engineering Services Limited - BES Group Testing Ltd. - BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Society Of Operations Engineers
British Engineering Services Limited
UKAS - ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015
British Engineering Services Limited
UKAS - ISO/IEC 17025:2017
British Engineering Services Limited - BES Group Testing Rotech Ltd.
UKAS - ISO/IEC 17020:2012
British Engineering Services Limited - Engineering Safety Inspection Services Ltd.
NICEIC
BES Group Electrical Ltd. - British Engineering Services Limited
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
British Engineering Services Limited
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
British Engineering Services Limited
Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
British Engineering Services Limited
ASME
British Engineering Services Limited
U.S. Department of Transportation
British Engineering Services Limited
Alcumus ISOQAR
British Engineering Services Limited - British Engineering Services Asset Reliability Ltd. - BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Environment Agency
British Engineering Services Limited - BES Group Testing Ltd.
Financial Conduct Authority
British Engineering Services Limited
Achilles
British Engineering Services Limited
Altius Assurance
British Engineering Services Limited -
Hellios Joscar
British Engineering Services Limited - British Engineering Services Asset Reliability Strainstall Ltd. - British Engineering Services Asset Reliability Mimic Ltd.
SAFed
British Engineering Services Limited - Engineering Safety Inspection Services Ltd
CHAS
British Engineering Services Limited - BES Group Testing Ltd. - BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Society Of Operations Engineers
British Engineering Services Limited
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