Why do US customers use our Micropac® Hydraulic Pumps?

We manufacture a wide range of our specialist Micropac® branded hand pumps. Whether you just need a component hand pump head, pump and reservoir or a 2 wheel filler/test cart, these have been our core products for decades.

Our equipment aligns with US NPT and SAE standards on threads and US seals because our early US oilfield customers wanted it. We are proud to offer British Engineered, American Ready. This matters to worldwide customers.

We design and manufacture a quality Micropac® product in our UK plant. We are ISO 9001:2015 registered and a supplier to the US Government. We can ship a certified, labelled and good value product direct to your plant, shop or site. Fit and forget ethos is what we offer.

Our standard range offers solutions for 316 stainless/1.4404 pumps or specialist fluids like skydrol. Those are standard options. This summary looks at more specialist US or International technical requirements like Pressure System regulation, ASME standards, ABS and explosion proof equipment. What regulations are in play that govern our kit and our competitors?

Who are Sarum Hydraulics?

We are a UK-based specialist hydraulics designer and manufacturer. We have been supporting US customers for over 40 years with our Micropac® hydraulic hand pump solutions.

Our pumps are used for pressure hydrostatic testing, filling, charging and actuation. We offer speciality pumping solutions for a wide range of fluids including water, Skydrol and jet fuel over varying ambient conditions, including hazardous area applications. Materials of construction are typically 316 stainless steel, aluminium alloy and specialized seal compounds.

In this article we attempt to answer some questions about various US regulations. What does Sarum Hydraulics and our competitors need to offer for the US market and how our Micropac® pumps fit for the US hydraulics market?

Is the Micropac® hand pump compatible with US hydraulic systems?

Yes! We have single-speed and two-speed hand pump models to cover a range of displacements that operate at pressures up to 15,000psi. These can be supplied on their own as pump heads or alternatively with a fixed mounting, portable carry-around or 2 wheel cart type reservoir. Reservoirs are available in a wide range of capacities to suit application and manufactured in 316 stainless steel or aluminium alloy. Click on the links to find out more.

We’re big on offering SAE-ORB connection ports ideally suited to JIC fittings for hose and tube connection to the outlet. We also offer NPT adaptors to suit other applications.

How do Pressure System Regulatory Requirements vary between the UK and the US?

UK regulations remain aligned with European EU regulations in respect of the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED), which deals with pressure systems over 15psi and the safety requirements that need to be adhered to before placing product on the UK or EU markets.  These relate to design examination and product type testing, manufacturer’s quality management systems, supervision of manufacturing and quality inspection of product. Examination and supervision are overseen by EU appointed ‘Notified Bodies’. The pressure multiplied by the volume of the system, amongst other things, determines rules for levels of compliance. Hydraulic hand pumps are typically small volume and as such fall below the threshold for PED examination or supervision. Instead, they are classified under ‘Sound Engineering Practice’, whereby a Technical File is maintained demonstrating product safety through design and testing and manufacturing processes are appropriately quality assured. All Sarum Hydraulics Micropac® hand pumps fall into this category and additionally the company quality management system is ISO 9001:2015 certified by an accredited body.

In the US, the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is the standard code for the design, fabrication, and inspection of pressure equipment and may be seen as analogous European PED. BPVC requirements for product conformity assessment, inspection & testing, third-party verification of quality systems and meeting technical requirements are performed by accredited Authorized Inspection Agencies. A hydraulic hand pump is commonly classified as an active component rather than a pressure vessel; as such will not be ASME certified.

What ASME standards apply to hydraulic hand pumps?

As stated above, the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is the standard code for the design, fabrication, and inspection of pressure equipment. However, a hydraulic hand pump as an active component is not classified as a pressure vessel, the exception being if the reservoir is pressurised and falls within scope of the BPVC.

Hand pumps are often fitted with a pressure-relief valve to guard against over-loading of the mechanism. However, where protection of the hydraulic system to which the pump is connected is a safety requirement, it is likely that a separate pressure relief valve designed to comply with BPVC requirements must be fitted.

ASME standards may also be used to reference materials of construction and hydrostatic testing guidelines.

Where hand pumps are integrated into machinery or used within lifting applications, other ASME codes and ISO standards may then apply. The hand pump will then form part of that system and may be subject to specific design, construction and testing requirements.

Our Micropac® hydraulic hand pumps are most commonly used in specialised applications such as hydrostatic testing and filling. Although we offer a relief valve, it is only intended for internal protection of the pump components. As such, it is not ASME certified as a safety device and is not suitable for protection of any external system to which the pump is connected.

Does American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) certification apply to hydraulic hand pumps?

Where a hydraulic hand pump forms part of a safety critical system on an ABS classed vessel installation, it will almost certainly require ABS certification.

Our Micropac® 316 stainless steel hand pumps are not ABS certified. However, they are often used in non-essential and portable offshore and marine applications, where environmental conditions are adverse.

How can I buy a Micropac® handpump in the U.S.?

We frequently export product from our UK factory to US customers. We’re a small business offering friendly service and good comms. We’ll quote you direct for the product and costs for getting it to you. Once you’ve ordered, we’ll provide you with any technical and documentation support you need along the way. When we’re ready to ship, we’ll be sure to give you all the necessary paperwork to help make the shipment process as easy as possible.

Does a hydraulic hand pump for use in an explosive atmosphere have to be IECEx certified?

A simple fluid dispensing pump may be considered out of scope for IECEx certification. This is because it does not generate any stored energy and is not therefore a potential source of ignition. But a hydraulic hand pump that generates high pressure hydraulic fluid possesses stored energy, by virtue of the pressurised fluid stored within during the pumping process. In this scenario, the pump can be considered a potential source for ignition and would therefore be within scope of regulations governing non-electrical equipment for use in explosive atmospheres.

There are ISO standards relating to design and construction of non-electrical equipment for use in explosive atmospheres, as well as quality system requirements for manufacture. The IECEx product certification process references these standards and is carried out by an IECEx accredited third party body. The process will typically include examination of product technical files to ensure design and constructional safety compliance, and assessment of the manufacturer’s quality systems on a continuing basis to ensure that they meet requirements.

It is important to note that whilst IECEx certification is an accepted international approval, it is typically not mandatory. But national regulatory requirements relating to equipment for use in explosive atmospheres will be binding wherever product is placed on the market. In many cases, the associated approval process for product will allow an IECEx certificate to used to demonstrate compliance, but additional requirements will commonly be imposed on manufacturers or importers in order to gain certification appropriate to the market.

Can I use an IECEx certified hydraulic hand pump in the US?

No, you can’t. An IECEx certificate for a product is recognized in the US and may be used as supporting documentation to demonstrate compliance to the relevant international standards, but this will need converting into a US format by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) such as UL, CSA or SGS. National deviations must be considered and it is likely that product marking will be different, since the Zoning system used in the IECEx hazardous atmosphere classification differs to the US HAZLOC system.

This is no different to the UK and EU markets where an IECEx certified product cannot just be sold as is. Here, products for use in explosive atmospheres must satisfy the requirements of the ATEX Directive and be certified by a EU Notified Body as such, before they may be placed on the market. An IECEx certificate can be used to demonstrate compliance but it should be noted that ATEX product marking is also different to IECEx requirements.

What Micropac® handpumps can I use in explosive atmospheres?

Our ‘Ex’ range of MB drum pumps, MW single speed pumps, MP single speed pumps on reservoirs and MD two speed pumps on reservoirs are IECEx certified. You can find out more about each range and compatibility with explosive environments by clicking on the links.

Currently, whilst the Sarum Hydraulics ‘Ex’ range of Micropac® hand pumps are IECEx certified, they are not NRTL-certified for use in a US HAZLOC explosive atmosphere. In order to be sold in the US for a HAZLOC application, they would require IECEx testing, auditing of the UK factory and consideration given to any ordinary location testing, all of which is NRTL controlled.

Lastly, if a Micropac® Ex hand pump is to be incorporated into US-manufactured equipment for use in a HAZLOC explosive atmosphere, and that equipment is subject to HAZLOC ‘Field Certification’ by an Ex Approved Certification Body (ExCB), then the IECEx certificate for the pump could aid that certification process.

The expert supplier for your hydraulic pump head, pump/reservoir or 2 wheel filler/hydrotest cart.

After selling into the US market for 40 years, we know that customers value our specialist hand pump head, pump/reservoirs and 2 wheel filler or hydrotest carts. All the equipment is fit and forget, capable of being serviced at low cost in the field if required. Technical expertise is our big offering. This paper is our own take on the various regulations and differences between territories. It is a deep subject. Check it out yourselves. After decades, we are the hydraulic hand pump experts. Contact us to discuss your application for Micropac® hydraulics.