Pressure Vessels & Systems
Pressure vessels and systems can present serious risk to crew, and vessel safety. Follow the guidelines below:
- Always handle compressed gas cylinders with care – whether full or empty.
- Secure cylinders properly, and keep upright. They should be capable of being quickly and easily released so that they may be readily removed in the event of fire.
- Use cylinder trolleys to transport cylinders where possible.
- When dealing with more than a single set of bottles (oxygen or a fuel gas – acetylene or LPG), the oxygen and the fuel gas should be stowed in separate, well ventilated compartments that are not subject to extremes of temperature.
- These spaces should have no electrical fittings or other sources of ignition and prominent and permanent "NO SMOKING" signs should be displayed at the entrance and within the space.
- Empty cylinders should be segregated from full ones and properly marked as empty.
- Ensure that only trained operators use these systems.
- There are a number of other containers / systems under pressure on many vessels. These must be kept in good condition and regularly checked for damage, etc.
- Ensure that boilers / hot water systems are kept in good working order.
- Inspect pressure relief valves in compressed air systems on a regular basis.
- Drain condensation from air systems regularly and minimise the possibility of oil entry into such systems.
