PSSR stands for Pressure Systems Safety Regulations, a set of UK laws designed to prevent injuries caused by the failure of equipment that stores pressurized fluids like steam, compressed air, or liquefied gas. The regulations, formally known as the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000, are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and apply across many industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and energy.
What the Regulations Cover
PSSR applies to any system that contains a “relevant fluid” under pressure. In practical terms, that includes steam at any pressure, any compressed or liquefied gas (including ordinary air) at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure, pressurized hot water above 110°C, and gas dissolved under pressure in a solvent, such as acetylene.
The systems themselves are broadly defined. A pressure system can be a single pressure vessel with its associated pipework and safety devices, a pipeline and its protective devices, or even the pipework that a portable pressure container connects to. If your workplace uses an autoclave, a compressed air system, a steam boiler, or industrial gas cylinders plumbed into a line, PSSR almost certainly applies.
One important exclusion: hydraulic systems. Even though they operate at high pressures, hydraulic oil doesn’t store energy in the same way compressed gas does, so these systems fall outside PSSR. Other exceptions include pressure systems used in weapons, systems that are part of a research experiment, vehicle tires, and enclosures for high-voltage electrical equipment (which have a specific HSE exemption certificate).
The Written Scheme of Examination
The central requirement of PSSR is that every qualifying pressure system must have a written scheme of examination (WSE) in place before it is operated. This document sets out which parts of the system need to be inspected, how often those inspections must happen, and what the safe operating limits are. It’s not a one-time formality. You are required to demonstrate that you know the safe operating limits and that the system is actually examined on the schedule the WSE describes.
The written scheme must be drawn up or certified by a “competent person,” which in practice usually means an independent inspection body or a qualified engineer with specific expertise in pressure systems. The competent person is responsible for confirming that the examination intervals are appropriate and that the system can continue to operate safely between inspections.
Why PSSR Exists
Pressurized systems store enormous amounts of energy. When a boiler, vessel, or pipeline fails catastrophically, the rapid release of that energy can cause explosions, scalding, projectile fragments, and structural damage. PSSR exists to catch deterioration, corrosion, fatigue cracking, and other problems before they reach the point of failure. The regulations place the responsibility squarely on the user or owner of the equipment to make sure inspections happen on time and that any defects found are addressed before the system is used again.
Who Needs to Comply
PSSR applies to employers, the self-employed, and anyone who has control of a pressure system in a workplace. That covers a surprisingly wide range of settings. Hospitals and dental practices use autoclaves and piped medical gas systems. Restaurants and pubs operate pressurized cellar gas systems. Factories, chemical plants, and power stations have boilers and process vessels. Even a small workshop with a compressor and an air receiver may fall under these regulations if the system exceeds the 0.5 bar threshold.
The duty holder, typically the person who owns or operates the equipment, must ensure the written scheme is in place, arrange for examinations by a competent person, keep records of all inspections, and act on any recommendations or repairs flagged during an examination. Failure to comply is a criminal offense under UK health and safety law.
PSSR in Healthcare Settings
The HSE specifically lists health and social care services as an industry where PSSR applies. Sterilization autoclaves, piped medical gas systems, and pressurized water systems in hospitals all qualify. For healthcare facilities, compliance means scheduling regular inspections of these systems, maintaining documentation, and ensuring staff understand the safe operating limits of the equipment they use daily.
Other Uses of the Abbreviation
Outside of pressure safety regulations, you may occasionally see “PSSR” used informally or in error when someone means PSSD (Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction), a condition in which sexual side effects from certain antidepressants persist after the medication is stopped. The European Medicines Agency acknowledged in 2019 that sexual dysfunction can continue after serotonin-based antidepressants are discontinued and required companies to update their product information. PSSD is the correct abbreviation for that condition, not PSSR. If that’s what you were searching for, look for information under “PSSD” to find the most relevant results.