Written Scheme of Examination For Air Compressors

As a duty of care, Atlas Copco would like to bring to your attention that in accordance with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR 2000), it is a legal requirement that a Written Scheme of Examination (WSE) is in place on any pressure system operating at 250 bar litres or above, or any steam system regardless of volume, before being operational. It also states that if any changes or amendments are made to the pressure system, the WSE must also be updated accordingly by a competent person. This statutory obligation sits with the user/owner of the equipment and is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines or prosecution. Read our article on Compressed air use: putting safety first and the legal requirements

A Written Scheme of Examination (WSE), is a legal document that is required to comply with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000. It documents all examinable items within your pressure system, such as protective devices, pressure vessels and pipework. This report needs to be collated by an individual that has training, skills, experience and knowledge. It is then certified by a competent person with the relevant qualification i.e. an incorporated or chartered engineer.

The WSE must be reviewed periodically and your equipment and pressure system components examined, typically annually in line with the written scheme of examination. It is important to note this is a different assessment to standard reactive or planned service or maintenance visits. Whenever you replace pressure equipment or make modifications to your system, you would need your written scheme of examination updated by a competent person. It is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who enforces the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations and during an inspection would ask to see a copy of your valid written scheme of examination. Read our article on Applicable Standards and Regulations in the Compressor Industry

Compressed air systems operating at or above 250 bar litres (maximum working pressure x pressure system volume = bar litres);

For example: A compressor with an 11 bar max working pressure with a 50 litre tank = a 550 bar litre compressed air system

● The components of self-contained breathing apparatus sets (excluding the transportable pressure receptacle);
● Protective devices such as Pressure gauges, safety valves, pipework, level indicators, pressure and temperature switches

● and more