Are you ignoring a potential explosive hazard in your workplace?

There’s no such thing as a ‘typical day’ for an Engineer Surveyor. The statutory industrial examinations and proof load testing services we deliver are necessary precisely because – when it comes to mechanical equipment - anything could happen…

On a recent inspection of an air receiver, we picked up an air leak from a charged pressure vessel that could have caused catastrophic failure and turned into something like a bomb if undetected.

Pressure systems must be safety checked by law

Regular inspection of equipment such as air receivers is a legal requirement in the UK under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR).

Pressure vessels should be inspected by a qualified Engineer in accordance with the Written Scheme of Examination (WSoE). Inspection periodicity can be dependent on factors such as the quality of the pressure vessel, service cycles, age and condition.

Automotive garages, workshops, dentists, factories, schools, colleges, and farms are just some examples of locations where air receivers might be used.

Dangerous faults can’t always be seen

Using a leak detection spray on pressure vessels like this air receiver allows us to find cracks that would be invisible to the naked eye.

In this case, a HESL Engineer Surveyor was able to locate the bubbles around the weld pin hole defect on the air receiver of a wheeled compressor unit. The fault was reported to the owner and the equipment removed from service immediately for disposal – and the risk promptly averted.

Cracks can appear in air receivers and other equipment because of the environment or location in which they’re kept. Factors such as unsuitable or extreme temperatures may cause issues like corrosion. Over pressurisation and usage cycles can also be to blame for deterioration, as can inherent manufacturing faults.

When you consider the consequences of impaired pressure systems, it’s certainly wise to expect the unexpected and keep up with statutory examinations.

Pressure inspections help stop accidents that are waiting to happen

Air receiver cracks can be hard to spot without the right training and tools. HESL’s Engineer Surveyors are fully qualified to inspect and report on the safety of your pressure systems equipment at the intervals within the Written Scheme of Examination document (WSoE) and keep you in statutory compliance and required by insurance providers.

Our friendly team will arrange their inspection visit at a time that’s convenient for your business and you’ll receive a full report on any action needed, along with automatic future inspection reminders if you want them.

We work on a quality-first basis where corners are never cut. All engineer surveyors hold a recognised professional status (EngTech, IEng.) and HESL is an ISO9001:2015 accredited business.

A reputation for stringency and accuracy ensures safety comes first and your business stays compliant. By examining your pressure systems equipment, we can help prevent accidents, injury and loss of productivity due to defective operation or parts.

Time to test your pressure systems? Contact our Central Planning Department to get a quote and book your next inspection. HESL has over 30 years’ experience in pressure testing, lifting testing, systems testing and load testing, so we can ensure you comply with LOLER, PUWER, and LEV (CoSHH) regulations as well as PSSR.