Pressure System Inspection Services for Your Equipment
Arrange the examination, the Written Scheme, or both—with the scope and price clear from the start.
A PSSR inspection is an examination of the parts of a qualifying pressure system identified in its Written Scheme of Examination. A competent person assesses their condition and records the findings, necessary actions and next examination date.
Velocity Safety helps users and owners organise:
- Pressure system and vessel examinations — checks of the parts specified in your scheme.
- Written Schemes of Examination (WSEs) — preparation, review and certification arrangements.
- Clear examination reports — findings, required work and dates to act on.
- Single-site or multi-site programmes — coordinated visits and examination scheduling.
The examination supports your duties under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000. It works alongside suitable maintenance, safe operation and competent staff.
What do you need to arrange?
- Examination due? Send the current WSE and last report.
- No scheme or missing paperwork? Send equipment details so we can review what is needed.
- New, inherited or modified system? Tell us what has changed before relying on an existing scheme.
Not sure which applies? We can start with the information you have.
Your PSSR Examination in Three Steps
A defined scope, an agreed visit and a written record of the findings.
1. Review your system & records
Share the equipment details, site location, existing WSE and last report. We establish whether you need an examination, scheme preparation or a review of changed equipment.
2. Agree preparation & examine
We confirm the quotation and access arrangements. The examination follows the WSE, including the preparation and checks appropriate to the vessel, protective devices and other specified parts.
3. Receive findings & next steps
Your report records the parts examined, their condition, required actions and the next examination date. It also states whether the WSE remains suitable or needs modification. Any restrictions or urgent defects are brought to your attention.
Compressor and inspection camera shown during a pressure-system check.
The whole system matters.A vessel label is a starting point. The fluid, operating limits, protective devices and connected equipment also affect the assessment.
Does Your Pressure System Need a WSE?
The answer depends on the system and the exceptions in the regulations. Physical size or a single pressure reading is not enough.
- Relevant fluid — steam at any pressure; qualifying gases above 0.5 bar gauge; or pressurised hot water above 110°C.
- Equipment and configuration — vessels, protective devices and associated pipework must be considered together.
- Pressure and vessel volume — the bar-litre relationship matters for certain non-steam systems.
- Applicable exceptions — some remove particular duties rather than every safety obligation.
Send the equipment plate details and previous records. We can help establish the examination requirements for your system.
What does the 250 bar-litre threshold mean?
For certain systems containing a relevant fluid other than steam, an exception to specified PSSR duties applies where each pressure vessel is below 250 bar-litres. A vessel at exactly 250 bar-litres is not below that threshold.
This is not a universal exemption or a test of whether equipment is safe. The fluid, applicable pressure, system configuration and other exceptions must also be checked. See HSE’s PSSR Approved Code of Practice.
What about steam, smaller systems or vacuum vessels?
The non-steam bar-litre exception does not apply to steam. Small steam equipment, including some coffee machines and autoclaves, still needs a proper scope assessment.
PSSR does not address vacuum conditions alone. Vacuum equipment may have other inspection duties, or pressurised parts that need separate consideration. Equipment outside a PSSR examination requirement can still need maintenance and checks under other workplace safety duties.
Written Scheme, Examination or Maintenance?They do different jobs. You may need all three.
A scheme sets out the examination. The report records what was found. Routine servicing keeps the equipment maintained.
| Compare | Written Scheme of Examination | PSSR examination & report |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Defines the parts and examination requirements | Checks those parts and records their condition |
| Covers | Scope, methods, preparation and maximum intervals | Findings, necessary actions and next examination date |
| When needed | Before operating a qualifying system; reviewed as appropriate | In accordance with the scheme and stated due date |
What belongs in a suitable Written Scheme?
The system & examination
Identified equipment, parts requiring examination, the nature of the checks and tests, and safe preparation. It must suit the actual system rather than simply repeat a generic checklist.
Timing & certification
Maximum intervals, any examination needed before first use, relevant changes or repairs requiring examination, and competent-person certification details. Read HSE’s Written Scheme guidance.
PSSR Examination & Written Scheme Prices
Compressor examinations and Written Schemes of Examination are separate services. Send us your equipment details, location and any existing scheme so we can confirm your quote.
Compressor Examination
From£150 + VAT
Compressor examinations start from £150 + VAT. We’ll confirm the scope and final price from your equipment and site details.
Already have a Written Scheme of Examination? Send a copy with your enquiry. A new scheme, if needed, is quoted separately.
Written Scheme of Examination
From£125 + VAT
A Written Scheme of Examination starts from £125 + VAT. Tell us about your pressure system and any existing scheme so we can confirm the work required.
The equipment examination is a separate service. We’ll confirm the price for each part of the work in your quote.
Build your PSSR enquiry
Choose your situation and add the details you have. We’ll use them to review the scope and prepare your quote.
Your enquiry summary
You can enquire even if the pressure, capacity or previous records are unknown.
This organises your enquiry. It does not decide whether a system is exempt, safe to use or compliant.
Examination due? Scheme missing? Equipment changed?
Send the records you have. We’ll help establish the next step and confirm the work to quote.
Why Choose Velocity Safety for PSSR Examinations?
Practical pressure-system support, clear documentation and an agreed scope of work.
12+ years of hands-on safety experience
We bring over 12 years of health and safety experience to inspection programmes for individual premises and multi-site organisations.
Examples from our work: our published case study records two compressor examinations for a heating contractor in Burnley and a compressor examination for a steelwork company in Blackburn.
The Burnley work also included chain blocks, slings and a Genie SLA examination, illustrating how different equipment requirements can be coordinated. Read the customer case study.
Support behind the examination
Technical records and practical arrangements that help you manage the equipment.
PSSR-trained surveyors
Engineer surveyors with training in pressure-system examinations.
Written Scheme assurance
Third-party-audited schemes, with certification by an incorporated or chartered engineer as appropriate to the system.
Calibrated instrumentation
Instruments calibrated to national standards within the last 12 months.
Advice & scheduling
Discuss findings, future examinations and coordinated multi-site visits. Ask about availability for urgent work.
Insured service
Fully insured, with Pressure Safe membership and mobile inspection support.
Other Workplace Equipment Services
Tell us about other equipment needing attention, including LOLER examinations of lifting accessories. We can discuss whether visits can be coordinated, with each service scoped separately.
Breathing Air Testing
Air quality checks for supplied-air respiratory equipment.
LEV Thorough Examination
Assessment of extraction performance and condition.
Gas Detector Calibration
Calibration and checks for gas detection equipment.
RPE Examination & Servicing
Examination and maintenance of respiratory equipment.
What Customers Say About Velocity Safety
Feedback from customers across our workplace safety services.
“After many issues with the inspectors from our insurer I contacted Ross to quote. He saved us just over £3000 in the first year. He also does weekends for us to reduce downtime.”
Joe, Civils Company Midlands
“After spending £20k purchasing the wrong powered air units for our factory on our previous PPE supplier/H&S advisors recommendations, Ross came in and told us what we needed, why we needed it and what cost savings could be had over the life of the equipment. I just wish we found him sooner.”
David, Engineering Company North West
“Great Service, Great guy nothing is too much trouble.”
John, Groundworks Company North West
Who Our PSSR Services Are For
For the people responsible for pressure equipment, site records and examination programmes.
Manufacturing & engineering
Manufacturing & engineering
Arrange examinations for qualifying compressed-air systems and process vessels. Share operating windows, production constraints and previous records when planning the visit.
Workshops & maintenance teams
Workshops & maintenance teams
Keep the air receiver examination distinct from routine compressor servicing, with the current WSE and report available for the system.
Facilities & estates teams
Facilities & estates teams
Bring equipment lists, existing schemes and due dates together across your premises. We can discuss individual visits or a coordinated programme.
Hospitality & commercial premises
Hospitality & commercial premises
Steam coffee machines and other smaller pressure equipment still need a scope assessment. Share the make, model and available records.
Laboratories & specialist equipment
Laboratories & specialist equipment
Discuss qualifying autoclaves and other pressure vessels, including access, preparation and any specialist site requirements before booking.
Multi-site organisations
Multi-site organisations
Coordinate examination visits and records across locations. Send the site list, equipment inventory and due dates to help plan the work.
PSSR Inspections & Written Scheme FAQs
Find answers about cost, preparation, responsibilities and the records you receive.
Booking & costs
How much does a PSSR inspection cost?
Compressor examinations start from £150 + VAT. This starting price is not a fixed price for every type of pressure system. Equipment, scope, location and site arrangements determine the quotation. A Written Scheme, if needed, is quoted separately from £125 + VAT.
Do you provide Written Schemes of Examination?
Yes. We can help with WSE preparation, review and certification arrangements. Schemes start from £125 + VAT, with the scope and final price confirmed for your system. The physical equipment examination is a separate service.
What information should I send for a quote?
Send the site postcode, equipment type, make and model, vessel capacity, pressure and fluid if known. Include the current WSE, previous report and due date. Tell us about access, shutdown windows and any changes. Do not open or dismantle equipment to obtain details.
Can you inspect multiple sites or visit outside Lancashire?
Yes. We provide mobile PSSR services across the North West and UK sites by arrangement. Send the site list, equipment inventory and due dates so we can confirm coverage, availability, travel and a coordinated programme.
Scope & responsibilities
Is a Written Scheme required for every pressure system?
No. The requirement depends on the system and the applicable exceptions. Relevant fluids, equipment, pressure, volume and configuration all matter. The non-steam exception for vessels below 250 bar-litres is not a universal exemption or evidence of safe operation.
Who is responsible for arranging the examination?
Under PSSR 2000, responsibility generally rests with the user of an installed system or the owner of a mobile system. Qualifying written agreements can affect the allocation of particular duties. Hiring or leasing equipment does not mean you can ignore its WSE and current examination records.
Who can carry out a PSSR examination?
A competent person needs the knowledge, skills, experience and independence appropriate to the system and the work. A job title or training certificate alone does not establish competence for every pressure system. The person examining the system need not be the same person who prepares or certifies its WSE.
Does new equipment need a WSE or examination?
New equipment is not automatically exempt. Where required, a suitable WSE must be in place before operation, and any examination required by the scheme before first use must be completed. Manufacturer paperwork, a warranty or a service record does not automatically replace these requirements.
Preparation & intervals
How often does my pressure system need examining?
Follow the WSE and the date in the latest examination report. There is no single 12- or 24-month interval for every system. Condition, use and the competent person’s assessment determine the requirements. Changes or repairs may create additional examination needs.
Can the examination be done without shutting down?
It depends on the WSE and the parts being examined. Some checks require isolation, depressurisation, cooling, cleaning or opening; others may be in-service checks. Agree the preparation and production window in advance. A zero-downtime examination cannot be promised for every system.
Is PSSR testing the same as compressor servicing or pressure testing?
No. Routine servicing maintains the equipment. A PSSR examination assesses the parts specified in the WSE. A pressure or proof test is a particular technique used only where appropriate; it is not automatically part of every examination and is not a substitute for the complete examination.
What if my scheme is missing or an examination is overdue?
Contact us promptly with the equipment details and any records you can find. A booking does not authorise continued operation beyond a required examination date, and you should not operate a system without a WSE where one is required. Agree the necessary action with the competent person.
Reports & follow-up
What documentation will I receive?
You receive a written examination report identifying the parts examined, their condition and findings, necessary repairs or changes and relevant dates, including the next examination date. It also states whether the Written Scheme remains suitable or needs modification, with reasons where changes are needed. WSE preparation or review is documented separately where that work forms part of your quotation.
What happens if defects are found?
The report identifies the required work and dates. If a defect creates imminent danger, the competent person must notify the relevant parties, and the affected system or part must not be operated until the necessary repairs or changes have been made. Follow the specific restrictions and remedial instructions given.
Can I keep using an inherited or modified system with the old WSE?
Do not assume the old scheme remains suitable. Share the existing WSE and report, the equipment details and a record of changes. The scope may need reviewing, and specified modifications or repairs can require examination before the equipment is used again.
What happens if PSSR duties are not met?
Failures can expose people to pressure-system hazards and lead to enforcement action. Insurance implications depend on the policy and circumstances; an examination is not an automatic guarantee of cover. Keep the required records and act on defects, restrictions and examination dates.
Request a PSSR Inspection or Written Scheme Quote
Tell us what equipment you have, where it is located and what you need to arrange. Include any current scheme, previous report and examination due date.
Request a quote
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Talk to the team
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Our Blackburn base
Velocity SafetyUnit 7 Whitebirk Enterprise Centre
Lower Phillips Road
Blackburn, Lancashire
BB1 5UD
