Pressure Systems Policy

Policy Statement

University of Dundee recognises the risks arising from the installation and use of pressure systems. It is committed to reducing these risks to a level which is as low as is reasonably practicable through a pro-active management program. This program will include regular inspection and maintenance as well as a statutory inspection by a competent person to a written scheme of examination.

Definition

A pressure system is a system which comprises one or more pressure vessels of rigid construction, any associated pipe-work and protective devices which contains:

1. steam at any pressure or;
2. gases which exert a pressure 0.5bar above atmospheric pressure or;
3. fluids which may be mixtures of liquids, gases and vapours where the gas or vapour phase may exert a pressure 0.5bar above atmospheric pressure.

This Policy does not include autoclaves: risks from autoclaves are addressed in Safety Policy Arrangement 21-2003 Autoclaves.

This Policy does not apply to portable compressed gas cylinders: risks from portable gas cylinders are addressed in Safety Policy Arrangement 47-2010 Compressed gas Cylinders.

This policy does not apply to pressure systems at the School of Medicine which are under NHS Tayside’s jurisdiction.

Arrangements

For new systems Deans/Directors will ensure that pressure systems are notified to Campus Services before purchase from a reputable supplier.  

For existing systems Deans/Directors will ensure that pressure systems are notified to Campus Services.

Director Campus Services will ensure the pressure system is installed correctly.  S/he will ensure it is examined according to a written scheme by a competent person if it has a pressure vessel that contains steam or has a pressure x volume product of 250 bar litres or more. 

Deans/Directors will ensure users of the pressure system are competent through appropriate training and supervision, and they understand the safe limits of its operation and what to do in an emergency.

Deans/Directors will ensure pressure systems are maintained properly, kept in good repair and defects/actions identified by the competent person following a written scheme rectified/implemented.  S/he will ensure a maintenance log is kept.

Users must operate the pressure system according to their training, and must report faults immediately to their line manager.  Immediate action must be taken to prevent a faulty system from being used, and to make the pressure system safe.

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