What is the main PSSR document?
The central PSSR document is the Written Scheme of Examination. It identifies relevant parts of the pressure system, the nature of examination and the examination intervals.
Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000
PSSR Pressure System Examinations
PSSR support for pressure systems, written schemes of examination, competent person inspections and examination planning.
City Inspection Services helps users and owners understand what must be examined, when it is due and what evidence is needed for a defensible pressure-system compliance file.
PSSRIndependent reportThorough examination evidence
Typical scope
- Air receivers and compressed air systems
- Steam boilers and steam ovens
- Hot water boilers
- Refrigeration and air conditioning plant
- Autoclaves and pressure cookers
- Heat exchangers and pressure vessels
Expert guidance
What PSSR means in practice.
PSSR is concerned with stored pressure energy and the risk of system failure. The central compliance document is the Written Scheme of Examination, which identifies the relevant parts of the system, what must be examined and how often.
A pressure system examination should be planned before the due date because safe access may require isolation, depressurisation, cooling, draining or coordination with maintenance contractors.
City Inspection Services helps owners and users keep the pressure-system file coherent: written scheme, reports, repairs, modifications, certificates, safe operating limits and next examination dates.
What we check
- Whether the system has a suitable Written Scheme of Examination
- Pressure vessels, protective devices, pipework and relevant accessories listed in the scheme
- Safe operating limits and evidence that users understand them
- Condition issues such as corrosion, leakage, damage, poor supports or missing identification
- Modification, repair or relocation evidence that may affect the scheme
- Next examination date and actions required before continued use
Direct answers
PSSR answers for quick decisions.
Do all compressors need the same PSSR approach?
No. The requirement depends on the system configuration, pressure, volume and use. A competent review should confirm whether the system needs a written scheme and what parts must be examined.
Why should PSSR be planned early?
Pressure-system work may need isolation, cooling, draining, access preparation or coordination with maintenance contractors. Leaving it until the due date can create avoidable downtime.
Compliance planning
What duty holders need to evidence.
A strong inspection record should show the asset, the examination scope, defects, urgency, follow-up actions and the next due date. City Inspection Services keeps this practical for site teams and management.
- Stored pressure failures can be sudden, violent and highly dangerous.
- A generic written scheme may miss parts of the real system and create false confidence.
- Pressure examinations often need operational planning, so leaving them until the due date can disrupt production.
Inspection timing
- Set by the Written Scheme of Examination
- Reviewed when plant is modified or repaired
- Planned around shutdown, isolation and access requirements
Evidence
Records to keep
- Written Scheme of Examination
- Report of examination by a competent person
- Safe operating limits and protective device information
- Repair, modification and maintenance records
- Certificates, drawings and manufacturer information where available
Risk indicators
Common defects
- No written scheme or a scheme that does not match the installed system
- Overdue examinations caused by poor calendar control
- Corrosion, leaks or damaged pressure accessories
- Unclear safe operating limits
- Repairs or modifications not reflected in the scheme
Method
How the visit works
- Confirm the system type, available records and written scheme status.
- Plan any required isolation, access, cooling or draining before attendance.
- Examine the relevant parts of the system against the written scheme.
- Record defects and actions needed for safe continued operation.
- Confirm future examination requirements and record updates.
Prepare the visit
PSSR Inspection Readiness Checklist.
Use this checklist before a pressure-system examination or written scheme review.
Before you enquire
- Confirm the system and equipment included
- Check whether a Written Scheme of Examination exists
- Identify isolation, cooling, draining or access requirements
- Confirm safe operating limits where available
- Plan attendance around shutdown windows
Frequently asked questions
PSSR inspection questions.
What is a Written Scheme of Examination?
It is the document that specifies which parts of a pressure system must be examined, the nature of the examination and the interval between examinations.
Does every compressor need PSSR?
Not every compressor system falls into the same requirement, but many compressed air systems need assessment and may require a written scheme and examination depending on pressure, volume and system configuration.
Can a pressure examination be done while the system is running?
Some checks may be possible in service, but many examinations need safe isolation, access or preparation. The written scheme and competent person determine what is required.
Authority map
More PSSR guidance by equipment and sector.
Equipment
Air Compressor PSSR Written Scheme
Compressed air systems are common in workshops and production sites, but the written scheme and examination evidence often lags behind equipment changes.
Equipment
Boiler and Pressure System PSSR
Boilers and pressure systems need coherent written scheme evidence, safe operating limits and planned examination access.
Sector
Manufacturing and Engineering Inspection Services
Manufacturing and engineering sites usually need inspection evidence across machinery, lifting accessories, compressors, hazardous substances and maintenance access.
Sector
Warehousing and Logistics Inspection Services
Warehousing and logistics sites rely on high-use handling equipment, attachments, loading bay plant and compressed air systems that need clear due-date control.
Sector
Facilities Management Inspection Services
Facilities managers need one clear view of inspection evidence across buildings, tenants, plant rooms, access work and contractor activity.
Sector
Hospitality and Retail Inspection Services
Hospitality and retail sites need inspection work that respects trading hours, public areas, kitchens, passenger lifts, cleaning products and building access.
Case studies
PSSR examples from local inspection work.
Aberdeen Workshop PSSR Compressor Review
Representative case study for compressed air PSSR evidence and written scheme review in an Aberdeen workshop.
Peterhead Marine Lifting and Pressure System Inspection
Representative marine-sector case study for LOLER lifting accessories and PSSR pressure-system planning in Peterhead.
Official guidance
Sources and regulation context.
HSE pressure systems guidance
Use official HSE guidance alongside site-specific competent-person inspection advice.
Local coverage
PSSR pages by town and area.
Local PSSR enquiries often come from production sites, workshops, food and drink operators, healthcare premises and facilities teams responsible for compressors, boilers or refrigeration plant.
PSSR in EdinburghPSSR in GlasgowPSSR in FifePSSR in DundeePSSR in AberdeenPSSR in PerthPSSR in StirlingPSSR in LivingstonPSSR in DunfermlinePSSR in KirkcaldyPSSR in GlenrothesPSSR in InvernessPSSR in ElginPSSR in PeterheadPSSR in FraserburghPSSR in InveruriePSSR in MontrosePSSR in ArbroathPSSR in ForfarPSSR in Berwick-upon-TweedPSSR in NewcastlePSSR in GatesheadPSSR in SunderlandPSSR in Durham
Book an inspection
Need a clear compliance report?
Send the equipment list, site postcode and any due dates. City Inspection Services will confirm scope, availability and the most sensible inspection schedule.
Quote intake
Site, assets, due dates.