Vapourisers

Vapourisers are devices that convert liquids to gases. They act like boilers, but instead of boiling water they boil hazardous substances.
Vapourisers are directly or indirectly fired. When directly fired, an open flame is directly applied to the heat exchange surface, which then vaporises the substances. Indirectly fired means the heat is provided by an outside source such as steam or electricity.

Manufacturing or importing vapourisers

Vapourisers must be designed, constructed and installed to comply with Part 17, subpart 10 of the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017(external link).

Check the vapouriser record to find out if your vapouriser has already been approved.

Getting a vapouriser approved

To get a new type of vapouriser approved, send the completed application form with all the necessary documentation to WorkSafe.

An approval certificate issued by WorkSafe that contains an expiry date ceases to have effect on the day following expiry. If a vapouriser is installed after the date of expiry, these examples of the vapouriser will not be approved by WorkSafe under Regulation 17.52 of the HS Regulations.

Application for approval of a type of vapouriser (PDF 212 KB)

Installing and using vapourisers

Part 17, subpart 10 of the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 contains specific requirements for the installation of vapourisers including separation requirements.

Vapourisers that have a current approval at the time of installation are considered to be approved under Regulation 17.52 of the HS Regulations for the time that the product continues in service as originally installed, including maintenance needs.

This in service product does not need to be removed or replaced if the approval in force at the time of installation has now expired.

WorkSafe considers that the approval must be current at the time of installation to be compliant with Regulation 17.52.

Read about stationary container system compliance certificates