There are so many more things for the owner and operator of a compressed air or vacuum system to consider. It can become a minefield!
As a British Compressed air society member, Aircare can support you or obtain the answers to your questions.
Advice and support includes the following topics, but trust us, legislation and financial incentive in both areas is continually changing.
This list is exhausting, but not exhaustive.
Water Resources Act
The Water Resource Act (1991) was put in place to protect water sources from pollution. It defines the environment agency’s role in water pollution, resource management, fisheries, navigation and flood defence. It covers discharges to surface and ground waters, estuaries and coastal waters, and controls abstracting and impounding water. Under the act, it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit any polluting material (Poisonous, noxious, etc.) material or solid waste to enter controlled water.
The act was put in place to make businesses and individuals who cause water pollution accountable for their actions. It is illegal to dump polluted water that has not been treated. This is punishable by imprisonment, fines or both.
Compressors can produce a mix of harmful toxins with water, which if left untreated can work its way to ground or be discharged without realisation of the consequence by the client to drain.
Aircare are dedicated to helping protect the environment we all depend on.
By simply fitting an oil water separator unit to your compressed air condensate points, following the recommended steps shown in the BCAS factsheet 301*. Which includes obtaining permission to discharge, you can achieve compliance. Please contact us for support
Do you process condensate (with a water content) safely prior to disposal?
Pressure System Regulations
Under the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000, users and owners of pressure systems are required to demonstrate that they know the safe operating limits of their systems, and that they are safe under those conditions.
They need to ensure that a Written Scheme of Examination is in place before the system is operated, and to make sure that the system is examined in accordance with the written scheme.
All new and existing installations must conform to these regulations, and since 1989 it has been a legal requirement for every company with anything but a very small compressed air system to have a Written Scheme of Examination, primarily where the air pressure is greater than 0.5 bar (approximately 7 psi). This has to be reviewed regularly as assigned in your scheme.
Your Written Scheme of Examination should be drawn up by a competent person (as defined in the Regulations), and this is where we can help you!
Air Quality
Air quality standards required from your compressor and each piece of process equipment.
Do you know what they are?
Not only do users need to consider breathing air quality requirements and ensure this meets the right standards, you are required to perform a regular checks, testing and maintain records. This is a legal obligation to your workforce.
Other air quality considerations are Food Grade applications. It is not just the quality of the compressed air that needs to be assessed in your assessment, it is the added 'ingredients' to the compressed air usually from the environment that cause the problem.Compressed air which is likely to come into contact with food stuffs or ingredients will require the highest level of purification.
Current food hygiene regulations introduce the requirement that food business operators put in place, implement, and maintain procedures based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Points (HACCP)principles. The HACCP process should also include your vacuum equipment
Noise
Is your compressor noisy? If so, are your staff protected with the required PPE? The cost of PPE for a large workforce and administration of this has been known to exceed the cost of compressor replacement.
Carbon Reduction
Reducing electrical consumption not only saves money but reduces your carbon emissions, both of which are major considerations for all Company’s. This is something that Aircare are committed to through energy audit, efficient equipment – compressors & downstream, intelligent and efficient controls, leak reduction and heat recovery to start ! We offer a full energy audit service and this will save your business money. Contact our sales team in the first instance by phone or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Carbon Trust
Many of our customers can benefit from government grants through the Carbon Trust. This is a grant that some customers can make use of by investing in newer, more efficient machines, saving energy and reducing their carbon footprint.
Aircare are dedicated to helping protect the environment we all depend on.
Aircare can offer the support that you need to be compliant and safe. The British Compressed Air Society issue great Code of Practice Guides – we can help here too.
Contact us for information and support
