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Pressure System Safety Regulations
If a pressure system (such as a compressed gas cylinder) fails, the result can be an uncontrolled release of energy which can cause serious injuries.
The overall intention of the Pressure System Safety Regulations, which came into force on 21 February 2000, is to prevent such a failure.
The regulations give legal support to existing safe practices so that, where existing units are in a safe condition, only minor changes should be necessary to satisfy the regulations.
Duties under the regulations
Normally the owner of a leased pressure system (such as BOC Sureserve) will carry out some of the duties in accordance with a written agreement.
These include ensuring that a suitable examination scheme is drawn up, that the system is certified by a competent person, and that any modifications are carried out according to recommendations.
The owner must also provide operating instructions, ensure that the system is properly maintained, and keep records.
Licensee's responsibilities
Your statutory duties are to ensure the pressure system is used according to the operating instructions.
You should not allow the system to be operated:
- unless the safe operating limits have been established
- after the date of the next due examination (you can find this date on the label)
- if specified repairs or modifications have not been carried out by the date given in any examination report
- if you receive an examination report from a competent person stating that there is imminent danger unless specified repairs and modifications or changes to the operating conditions are made
If you cease to be the licensee, you must hand all documents relating to the pressure system to your successor.
Pressure system safety precautions
A number of pressure systems, such as Gasgen, SureBlend or Cellasure, are used to
produce compressed gases for dispensing drinks. This equipment must be used
safely and in accordance with the Pressure Systems Regulations. The safety
information provided in this section will help you fulfil your statutory duties.
| NEVER | modify or adjust your pressure system |
|---|---|
| NEVER | connect your own equipment to the pressure system |
| ALWAYS | thoroughly train all staff who use this equipment |
| ALWAYS | report and record any damage or leaks immediately |
| ALWAYS | use reputable companies to supply and install systems |
| ALWAYS | ensure pressure systems are repaired or regularly maintained by competent persons |
Pressure systems
When your pressure system was installed, the pressure was set correctly for each
draught drink on the system. Do not alter, modify or adjust the pressures, as this
could make the system unsafe.
You must ensure that anyone who uses the equipment is properly trained. Keep a
record of the people you train and authorise to use it, together with the date the
training was given.
Air receivers collect water if they are not drained daily. Some models require daily
manual draining, but most have automatic drains. All other servicing is normally
carried out by the supplier.
Air separation units
Air separation units such as the BOC Sureserve Gasgen generate nitrogen by
extracting it from the surrounding air. The gas is used as a pressure source for driving
beer pumps and for blending with carbon dioxide to provide gas mixtures for top
pressure. Air separation units are electrically operated and fully automatic.
Do not switch your unit off or adjust it. The only routine task is to change the carbon
dioxide cylinders when they are empty. All other maintenance should be carried out
by the gas supplier who provided the system.
Blending units
Blending units such as BOC Sureserve SureBlend and Cellasure take in carbon dioxide
and a mixture of 30% carbon dioxide and 70% nitrogen and automatically blend
them to give additional gas mixtures (60/40 and 50/50) for dispensing a range of
drinks. The units function as a primary regulator with pre-set pressures for each gas
mixture output.
You should never attempt to adjust the system. All you have to do is change the
carbon dioxide and 30/70 mixed gas cylinders when they are empty. All other
routine maintenance work should be carried out the by gas supplier.
Cask beer
Casks operate at low pressures. Sometimes they are operated under top pressures
from the pressure system, in which case they are protected from over-pressure. Do
not interfere with the equipment or connect any cask to other parts of the pressure
system.
Cellar tanks
Beer tanks work at a specified maximum pressure and are protected against overpressure.
There is also a pressure relief valve mounted directly on the tank. Do not
interfere with the setting of any pressure reducing valves or pressure relief valves.
Do not connect the cellar tanks to another part of the pressure system.
Cleaning bottles
The conditions of temperature and pressure that are printed on the bottle. The line
used to connect the cleaning bottle will have been pre-set to the correct pressure.
Use the cleaning bottle supplied only on the pressure point provided for it (the
pressure and/or fittings may not be compatible with cleaning bottles from other
suppliers).
Use only cold water and the recommended detergent/cleaning agents. After each
use, rinse the bottle and leave it without any applied pressure. Ensure that it is not
exposed to any source of heat or left in any area where it may become exposed to
direct sunlight. Follow all directions printed on the label. Do not adjust or interfere
with any pressure equipment in the gas pressure line feeding the cleaning bottle.
Gas cylinders
Dispense gas cylinders, which contain carbon dioxide or nitrogen or a mixture of the
two, are filled at high pressure and must be carefully stored and handled to avoid the
possibility of damage or leakage.
