Boiling vessels can crack or explode

The pressurised steam means there is a risk that the boiling pan will burst or explode. If the pressure vessel of the pan bursts, hot steam may escape.

If the pressure in the steam chamber becomes too high, the pan can explode and hot food can be thrown into the room. It is therefore important that you as an employer prevent the risks of injuries and accidents with cooking vessels in your business.

How to address the risks

Make sure the boiling pan is installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

• Make a risk assessment of the location of the boiling pan and how it is used.
  - Where does the safety valve blow out steam?
• Make sure that the instructions or user manual are available to the employees.
  - All employees should understand the instructions.
• Have procedures for ongoing supervision and a list of the boiling pans that have control class A or B.
• Make sure that the boiling pan undergoes the checks that must be carried out by accredited inspection bodies.
• Make sure that the boiling pan undergoes regular maintenance.
  - Regularly check that the safety valve is working.

Professional boiling pans in class A or B must be inspected by an inspection body

If a boiling pan has a maximum permitted temperature of over 110˚C, it may be subject to inspection. As an employer, you need to find out whether your boiling pan is in control class A or B.

Such pans must undergo inspection carried out by a control body. As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring that the boiling pans used in your business are inspected.

To determine the control class of the boiling pan, obtain the following information:

• whether the pan generates its own steam or whether the steam comes from a central steam boiler
• maximum permissible temperature in the steam chamber
• total volume of the steam chamber and loading area
• highest pressure the boiling pan can be used with.

Different types of professional boiling pans

Professional boiling pans that generate their own steam

If the volume of both the steam chamber and the loading area multiplied by the opening pressure of the safety valve is greater than 50 bar litres, the boiling pan belongs to class B. If it is over 200 bar litres, the boiling pan belongs to class A.

Professional boiling pans with external steam supply

If the volume of both the steam chamber and the loading area multiplied by the opening pressure of the safety valve is greater than 200 bar litres, the boiling pan belongs to class B. If it is over 1,000 bar litres, the boiling pan belongs to class A.

Pressurised devices

Control of pressurised devices