The work of the STFC involves the design, manufacture, maintenance and use of a wide variety of pressure and vacuum systems. This includes systems such as heating plant; cryogen storage dewars; gas cylinders and supply pipelines; vacuum chambers used in experiments and compressors which are used in laboratory/workshop environments and by contractors working for the STFC, through to those systems brought to STFC facilities by facility users.

The code requires that:

• Risk assessments are carried out prior to any pressure or vacuum system being used, maintained or repaired;
• Designers of such systems to document the safety of their design;
• Maintenance on high hazard systems is carried out under a permit;
• Pressure systems with a stored energy of more than 250 bar litres, or pressure and vacuum systems that contain protective devices must be registered with your local SHE Group to ensure they are receive a regular statutory inspection by an independent third party.

The code establishes pressure/vacuum system nominated engineers, to approve designs and major modifications of pressure and vacuum systems, and the role of pressure system permit issuers, to oversee work on high hazard systems.