The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 1991

InterpretationU.K.

2.—(1) In these Regulations, “vessel” means a simple pressure vessel being a welded vessel intended to contain air or nitrogen at a gauge pressure greater than 0.5 bar, not intended for exposure to flame, and having the following characteristics–

(a)the components and assemblies contributing to the strength of the vessel under pressure are made either of non-alloy quality steel, or of non-alloy aluminium, or of non-age hardening aluminium alloy;

(b)the vessel consists either–

(i)of a cylindrical component with circular cross-section, closed at each end, each end being either outwardly dished or flat and being also co-axial with the cylindrical component; or

(ii)of two co-axial outwardly dished ends;

(c)the maximum working pressure (PS) is not more than 30 bar, and PS . V (being the product of PS and the vessel’s capacity expressed in litres) is not more than 10,000 bar . litres;

(d)the minimum working temperature is not lower than minus 50° C, and the maximum working temperaure is not higher than–

• 300° C in the case of steel vessels; and

• 100° C in the case of aluminium or aluminium alloy vessels,

and in this paragraph–

(i)“maximum working pressure” means the maximum gauge pressure which may be exerted under normal conditions of use;

(ii)“minimum working temperature” means the lowest stabilised temperature in the wall of the vessel under normal conditions of use; and

(iii)“maximum working temperature” means the highest stabilised tempera ture in the wall of the vessel under normal conditions of use.

(2) The categories of vessels relevant for the purposes of these Regulations are–

• Category A – vessels whose PS . V is more than 50 bar . litres, this category being subdivided into–

  • Category A.1 – vessels whose PS . V is more than 3,000 bar . litres;

  • Category A.2 – vessels whose PS . V is more than 200 but not more than 3,000 bar . litres; and

  • Category A.3 – vessels whose PS . V is more than 50 but not more than 200 bar . litres;

• Category B – vessels whose PS . V is 50 bar . litres or less.

(3) In these Regulations–

“the Community” means the European Economic Community;

“the Commission” means the Commission of the European Communities;

“the Directive” means Council Directive 87/404/EEC on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to simple pressure vessels(1), as amended by Council Directive 90/488/EEC(2);

“EC mark” means the EC mark of conformity consisting of the symbol “CE” of which a form is shown for the purpose of illustration in Schedule 2;

“enforcement authority” has the meaning given by paragraph 9 of Schedule 5;

“manufacturer’s instructions” means instructions–

“property” includes domestic animals;

“relevant assembly” means any assembly incorporating a vessel;

“safe” has the meaning given by regulation 4(4) below;

“safety clearance” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 4(2) below; and

“supply” is to be read in accordance with section 46 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987(3), and includes offering or agreeing to supply, and exposing or possessing for supply, and “supplied” and “supplier” have the corresponding meanings.

(4) There is series manufacture within the meaning of these Regulations if more than one vessel of the same type is manufactured during a given period by the same continuous manufacturing processes, in accordance with a common design.

(5) Where these Regulations refer to a relevant national standard, the reference is to a standard of which a member State has, in compliance with Article 5.1 of the Directive, published the reference number.