Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR)
The regulations were devised by the Health and Safety Executive as a means of reducing the risk of serious injury or death resulting from the unsafe use of pressurised vessels.
PSSR AND ESPRESSO MACHINES
- The inspection is in regards to Health and Safety Regulations, so it is separate to the annual service you may receive from your usual coffee supplier.
- They are a point of law – quite simply, to operate a pressure vessel without compliance is against the law.
- The Regulations are in place to reduce the risk of catastrophic failure of a pressure system.
- Although rare, should a pressure vessel fail, there is potential danger from the energy released – even a relatively small espresso machine has potential to cause property damage, injury or even death.
- The duty holder is responsible for ensuring compliance and may be personally liable in the event of any claim for damages.
HOW THINGS CAN GO WRONG
- Espresso machine boilers work by heating water to create steam.
- There are various methods of controlling this heating, to maintain a safe working pressure.
- Should those systems fail, the pressure could continue to build.
- A pressure release valve is also fitted to the vessel to discharge any excess pressure build up following failure of the control systems.
- A faulty, worn or damaged valve could mean that there is a potential for pressure to build until something gives; this could result in the catastrophic failure of the vessel.
More information about the PSSR can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website here.