What are our PSSR Pressure System Inspection Services?
A PSSR (Pressure Systems Safety Regulations) inspection is a statutory requirement, ensuring your pressure vessels comply with necessary safety standards and pose no risk to your people, equipment, or environment.
As one of the largest independent providers of pressure system inspection services, our engineer surveyors have the technical expertise to help confirm your vessels are safe, compliant and ready for use.
Industrial steam boilers. Air receivers. Cafe boilers. Refrigeration units. We assess all pressure vessels efficiently, meticulously and in full alignment with your PSSR statutory duties and specific Written Schemes of Examination (WSE).
From the creation of Written Schemes to ongoing inspections to non-destructive testing and site audits. Minimise risk, stay compliant and gain peace of mind – count on Allianz for PSSR inspections.
Why do you need PSSR Pressure System Inspection Services?
PSSR compliance is more than a legal obligation. An unexpected release of energy from different types of pressure systems, from large steam vessels to cafe boilers in coffee shops, can be highly dangerous to anyone in the vicinity.
Regular pressure system inspections help prevent accidents and minimise risk. Failing to do this can have major consequences – from costly breakdowns to endangering the health and safety of employees and customers.
Non-compliance with PSSR regulations is also a criminal offence. You could face six-figure fines for breaches of PSSR, especially if this results in injury or death.
Our pressure system inspections identify risks before they cause problems for your people or business. Working closely with you, we help you maintain your colleagues’ safety, your equipment’s efficiency and the legality of your operations.
PSSR Pressure System Inspections: What we inspect
Our highly trained engineer surveyors inspect many different types of pressure vessels – both mobile and installed systems – across all industries:
- Steam boilers
- Café boilers
- Air conditioning & refrigeration plant
- Air receivers
- Calorifiers
- Hot water boilers
- Autoclaves
- Steam vessels
- Pressurisation units
- Blowdown vessels
- Bulk storage vessels
- Jacketed reactor vessels
Why choose Allianz for your PSSR Pressure System Inspections?
Allianz is one of the largest independent providers of engineering inspections in the UK and Ireland. With extensive coverage and a dedicated team of engineer surveyors, we've earnt the trust of companies nationwide for over 100 years, helping them achieve compliance with health and safety regulations and legislation.
Committed to Engineering Excellence
Our qualified engineer surveyors deliver the highest levels of technical competence and precision. UKAS accredited, SAFed members, LRQA certified – we're an industry leader.
Responsive, reliable & flexible service
Working around your schedule to carry out inspections, with minimal disruption and a safety first culture. We always strive to be punctual and responsive.
Nationwide coverage, local knowledge
We’re one of the UK and Ireland’s largest independent inspection bodies, which means our engineer surveyors are local to you. We connect you with the right engineer based on your needs.
On-site digital reporting
Our inspection reports are compiled on-site and uploaded digitally, so you can access our findings and recommendations as soon as possible – enabling you to take action immediately.
Our 2025 inspection statistics
34,264
Customers across the UK
4,482,375
Items inspected
133,621
Locations visited
Gain confidence that your plant machinery and equipment complies with industry safety standards and regulations. Speak to us - one of the UK's leading experts in engineering inspection services.
Special Services for Pressure Systems
Require more than statutory PSSR inspections? At Allianz, we offer a diverse range of pressure system testing, inspection and consultancy services to address specific projects or problems – all tailored to meet your exact requirements.
From providing Written Schemes of Examination (WSE) to on-site Non-Destructive testing of your vessels, we help ensure that process and storage systems storing dangerous substances comply with COMAH regulations.
We conduct specialist visual inspections and Non-Destructive testing (NDT) to help you meet regulatory requirements and help with extending the life of your industrial storage tanks.
From stringent on-site and remote visual inspections, to ultrasonic testing, thermal imaging and magnetic particle testing. We specialise in many forms of non-destructive testing to accurately assess the structural integrity of your plant and machinery.
All owners of pressure systems operating above 0.5 bar or containing steam must put in place a Written Scheme of Examination. We provide and certify WSEs on your behalf in line with UK regulations.
Ahead of any repair to your pressure vessels, we can review your repairer’s proposal to confirm they meet all requirements and conduct testing during and after repairs. We also review weld procedures and qualifications.
Our specialist engineer surveyors deliver a detailed, documented site audit before your upcoming steam boiler installation against the requirements of ‘Guidance on Safe Operation of Boilers BG01’.
We act as an impartial witness during the hydrostatic testing of your systems and components, confirming that these have been completed correctly and competently in line with all applicable standards and industry guidance.
Our professionals conduct thorough examinations of your steam locomotives – including through their overhaul cycle – to help ensure these powerful heritage machines operate safely, efficiently and compliantly.
If your business takes on new properties or wants to review your estate, we visit your site and create a detailed report of all pressure systems that must be inspected in line with PSSR regulations.
Looking for bespoke pressure system services or projects?
Our PSSR Pressure System Inspection Process
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1. Arranging your appointment
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2. Preparing for our visit
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3. Conducting your inspections
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4. Compiling on-site reports
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5. Uploading reports to your Inspection Hub
1. Arranging your appointment
Your PSSR engineer surveyor – specially chosen for their local and industry knowledge – will contact you directly to arrange a convenient time to conduct your inspection. Our certified engineer surveyors maintain their own diaries, providing flexibility to accommodate your inspection requirements.
2. Preparing for our visit
Between arranging your inspection and our arrival, we’ll provide you with specific instructions to prepare for our visit. This pressure system inspection checklist may include decommissioning equipment, stripping it down, cleaning it, cooling it, or assisting with providing access. Don’t worry, we’ll let you know exactly what needs to be done well in advance of our visit.
3. Conducting your inspections
On the day of our inspection, your competent engineer surveyor will meet with your chosen duty holder(s) before examining plant, machinery or equipment in accordance with their PSSR inspection schedule. For health and safety reasons, your duty holder must be available on-site to meet our engineer surveyor and provide access to the relevant areas of inspection and equipment.
4. Compiling on-site reports
During thorough PSSR examinations of your equipment, our engineer surveyors will create detailed inspection reports on-site. This ensures that you receive our findings and any recommended actions immediately. If any plant or machinery requires supplementary testing, this will be noted on your inspection reports and must be completed by the date provided by our engineer surveyor.
5. Uploading reports to your Inspection Hub
Following our visit, you’ll be emailed a comprehensive inspection report. These reports can also be viewed online on your dedicated Inspection Hub (or eServices account for legacy customers). If you’d like to view your reports online but don’t currently have access to Inspection Hub, please get in touch.
Proud to work with...
Allianz is the trusted inspection provider for prominent organisations across the UK and Ireland.
We have no reservations in recommending Allianz based on our experience working with the team. Consistently over the months, we have ongoing excellent support and account management with regular touchpoints with our team, including scheduled review meetings focused on achieving improved quality of service.
The Allianz team is highly professional and knowledgeable. They always take the time to explain each step of the inspection process in detail, ensuring that we understand everything that’s going on. The results of our inspections are always delivered promptly and with great attention to detail. They provide excellent service and demonstrate exceptional expertise in their field. It’s an absolute pleasure to work with them.
PSSR Pressure System Inspection Services FAQs
The Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR) outline the health and safety standards for many different types of systems containing pressurised fluids, such as steam, compressed air or nitrogen, and refrigerants.
Under PSSR regulations, you are required to:
- Establish safe operating limits (SOLs) for your pressure systems
- Have a Written Scheme of Examination (WSE) in place before operating any system
- Ensure your pressure systems undergo statutory examinations by a competent person
- Perform suitable maintenance on your systems and provide clear instructions for users
In addition, all pressure systems fall under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). This applies to the safety and functionality of any work equipment used by your employees, whether it is owned by them or not.
Under PSSR regulations, a pressure system is defined as a system containing (or liable to contain) a “relevant fluid”.
As part of our PSSR inspections, we:
- Produce Written Schemes of Examination to detail the inspection requirements of your systems
- Meticulously examine your pressure systems in accordance with PSSR standards
With a complete understanding of all best practices under PSSR, our engineer surveyors are perfectly placed to assess the condition and compliance of your pressure equipment.
Under PSSR regulations, a pressure system is defined as a system containing (or liable to contain) a “relevant fluid” at a pressure greater than 0.5bar above atmospheric pressure:
- Steam at any pressure
- Gases at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar atmospheric pressure
- A liquid with a vapour pressure greater than 0.5 bar atmospheric pressure (this includes refrigerants and pressurised hot water above 110°C)
- A gas dissolved under pressure in a solvent (acetylene)
Pressure systems typically incorporate one or more pressure vessels, associated pipework and protective safety devices (e.g. safety valves, bursting discs, etc.)
Types of pressure vessels covered under PSSR include (but are not limited to):
- Seam and hot water boilers
- Cafe boilers
- Air-conditioning units
- Refrigeration plant
- Air receivers
- Calorifiers
- Autoclaves
Pressure inspections are a legal requirement under PSSR. Failure to conduct regular inspections could mean you face six-figure fines for significant breaches of PSSR – particularly if an equipment failure results in a person’s injury or death.
In addition, safety is the top priority when operating pressure systems. PSSR inspections confirm that your pressure systems are suitable for service, or identify potential weaknesses before they can become dangerous to personnel, cause plant breakdowns, or disrupt your processes.
The statutory inspection requirements for pressure systems are based on their bar-litre calculation, and if their pressure vessels contain a relevant fluid, such as steam or compressed air, above 0.5bar.
If a pressure system with a relevant fluid contains a vessel where the product of its volume (in litres) and its pressure (in bar) is above 250 bar-litres (bl), it will likely require a Written Scheme of Examination (WSE).
For example, if your 30-litre air receiver contains a pressure of 12 bar, this equals 360bl (30 x 12) – meaning it would require both a WSE and periodic inspections.
For more information, refer to The Health & Safety Executive's (HSE) flow chart on page 9 of the PSSR ACoP.
Refrigeration plants that contain pressure vessels, with compressor power over 25 kilowatts, also require a WSE and inspections.
Pressure vessel inspection frequency will be defined in the vessel’s Written Scheme of Examination, and is based on vessel type, usage and assessed risk.
We work closely with our customers to deliver on-time periodic inspections in line with their specific PSSR schedules.
Here is a list of typical pressure system inspection frequencies in accordance with PSSR:
Swipe to view more
| Plant/Equipment Type | Applicable Legislation | Periodicity of Inspection |
| Air Receivers | PSSR | Typically 26 months |
| Autoclaves | PSSR | 14 months |
| Blowdown Vessels | PSSR |
Shell Boilers: 14 months
Water-tube Boilers: 26 months |
| Bulk Starage Vessels | PSSR / COMAH | Depends on risk assessment |
| Cafe Boilers | PSSR | 14 months |
| Calorifiers | PSSR | 26 months |
| Hot Water Boilers | PSSR |
14 months
|
| Jacketed Reactor Vessels | PSSR / COMAH | Depends on risk assessment |
| Pressurisation Units | PSSR | 60 months |
| Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Plant | PSSR | 48 months |
| Steam Boilers | PSSR |
Horizontal Multi-tubular Boilers,
Vertical Boilers & Autoclaves: 14 months Water-tube Boilers: 26 months |
| Steam Vessels | PSSR | 26 months |
A Written Scheme of Examination (WSE) is a mandatory document that details which pressure equipment and components require inspection and how often they should be inspected.
Under PSSR, the user of an installed, or owner of a mobile pressure system is duty-bound to ensure they are not used unless they have a WSE that has been reviewed by a competent person.
At Allianz Engineering Inspection Services, we have the experience and credentials to produce compliant, detailed WSEs for all types of pressure systems and vessels.
It is a PSSR requirement that pressure systems must be inspected by a ‘competent person’. A competent person is someone with expert knowledge and understanding of pressure equipment, and is trained to spot any potential failures before they become dangerous.
Allianz Engineering Inspection Services is a fully independent, ‘type A’ accredited inspection body. Our certified inspectors hold SAFed passports, confirming that they are competent to safely perform pressure system inspections in all industry sectors.
The most common risk associated with pressure systems is dangerous releases of energy. Over time, everyday stresses, corrosion and component failure reduce these systems’ ability to withstand pressure, which, left unchecked, can cause a release.
Whether this is an explosion caused by overpressure or a rupture of vessels and pipes, these incidents can seriously injure nearby people and damage property.
A mobile pressure system is any pressure vessel that can be easily moved from place to place, such as a mobile air compressor.
Installed systems are systems that cannot easily be moved, such as an industrial steam boiler.
Most pressure systems in factories or designed for commercial use will fall under PSSR regulations, but there are some exceptions.
Pressure systems used at home, certain heating or cooling systems, and equipment such as transportable pressure gear, may not be subject to these regulations.
If you’re unsure, check the regulations or ask an expert to see if your equipment is exempt from PSSR inspections.
Businesses that fail to comply with PSSR could be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or be fined under HSE’s Fee for Intervention charging scheme. There is no upper limit to these fines.
Yes, many designs of industrial coffee machines are considered pressure systems and are subject to PSSR inspections.
We offer a wide range of non-destructive testing services to test the structural integrity of your pressure systems under PSSR, including:
- On-site visual inspections
- Remove visual inspections
- Ultrasonic testing
- Magnetic particle inspections
- Dye penetrant inspections
- Eddy current testing
- Thermal imaging
For more information, explore our dedicated non-destructive testing services.
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Pressure System Inspection Documents & Resources
Understand how we help you comply with COMAH regulations, from providing detailed Written Schemes of Examination to on-site non-destructive testing of plant and equipment containing dangerous substances.
Discover how our specialist storage tank inspections help ensure compliance, safeguard tank integrity and preserve safe operations when storing hazardous substances.
Understand how we use a range of NDT techniques – including ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle testing and thermal imaging – to inspect your pressure plant, machinery and equipment.
