{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/fishing-vessels-safety-provisions-rules-1975/article-24",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/fishing-vessels-safety-provisions-rules-1975/article-24.json",
  "legislation": "uksi/1975/330",
  "legislation_title": "The Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/fishing-vessels-safety-provisions-rules-1975",
  "path": "article/24",
  "kind": "article",
  "number": "24",
  "heading": "Air pressure systems",
  "text": "(1) Every vessel of 12 metres in length and over to which these Rules apply in which machinery essential for the propulsion and safety of the vessel is required to be started, operated or controlled solely by compressed air, shall be provided with an efficient air system, including an adequate number of air compressors and air storage receivers and shall be so arranged as to ensure that an adequate supply of compressed air is available under all foreseeable service conditions.\n(2) In every such vessel where the main engines are provided with means for air starting, the total air storage receiver capacity shall be adequate to start the main engine or engines not less than twelve times successively if the engine is reversible or not less than six times successively if the engine is non-reversible.\n(3) In every such vessel where only one air storage receiver is provided for starting the main engines separate provision shall be made for the storage of compressed air necessary for starting the main electric generating sets where these are provided with means for air starting.\n(4) In every such vessel air pressure systems and their component parts, other than pneumatic control systems, which are subjected to air pressure shall be designed and constructed to withstand, with an adequate factor of safety, the maximum working stresses to which they may be subjected. Prior to being put into service for the first time, air pressure pipes and fittings in such a system shall be subjected to a hydraulic test to twice the system's maximum working pressure.\n(5) In every such vessel air pressure systems shall be maintained in an efficient working condition.\n(6) In every such vessel adequate pressure relief arrangements shall be provided to prevent overpressure in any part of any such air pressure system, and shall also be provided, where water jackets of casings of air compressors and coolers might be subjected to dangerous overpressure due to leakage into them from air pressure parts.\n(7) In every such vessel provision shall be made to drain the system and to reduce to a minimum the entry of oil into any air pressure system.\n(8) In every such vessel provision shall be made to protect the system from the effects of internal explosion.\n(9) In every such vessel discharge pipes from starting air compressors shall lead directly to the starting air receivers. Starting air pipes from the air receivers to main or auxiliary engines shall be separate from the compressor discharge pipe system.\n(10) In every such vessel where an air pressure pipeline may receive air from any source at a higher pressure than it can withstand with an adequate factor of safety, an efficient reducing valve, relief valve and pressure gauge shall be fitted.\n(11) In every such vessel soldered joints shall not be used in air pressure pipe lines.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1975/330/article/24",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T21:14:59.180322+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}