Subchapter D. INSPECTIONS
Sec.
3a.111. Field inspections.
3a.112. Inspection preparation.
3a.113. Inspection accessibility.
3a.114. Removal of covering for inspection.
3a.115. Hydrostatic pressure test.
3a.116. Inspection during construction.
3a.117. Inspection report.§ 3a.111. Field inspections.
Field inspections shall be conducted by an individual holding a current Pennsylvania Inspector Commission to inspect boilers and unfired pressure vessels in this Commonwealth. Field inspections shall be conducted according to the following timetable:
(1) Power boilers and process boilers will be inspected internally and externally while not under pressure every 12 months except as provided under section 9(e) and (f) of the act (35 P. S. § 1331.9(e) and (f)).
(2) The Department may extend power boiler internal inspections to 24 months and process boiler internal inspections to 60 months if the boiler passes an annual external inspection and the following requirements are met:
(i) There is continuous boiler water treatment under the direct supervision of a person trained and experienced in water treatment for controlling and limiting corrosion and deposits.
(ii) The records are available for review and contain the following:
(A) The date and time the boiler was out of service and the reason for being taken out of service.
(B) Daily analysis of water samples showing water conditions and elements or characteristics that produce corrosion or other deterioration to the boiler or its parts.
(iii) An inspector performed annual inspections of the boiler, which included inspection of the items contained in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(iv) The boiler is operated under direct supervision of a trained operator.
(v) Inspection records demonstrate no significant scaling, corrosion, erosion or overheating.
(3) Internal and external inspection of low-pressure steam vapor boilers that are not under pressure will be conducted every 24 months.
(4) External inspection of hot water supply boilers will be conducted every 24 months. An inspector may require internal inspection because of a vessel’s age or condition. The Department will notify the boiler owner or operator verbally or in writing of the need for an internal inspection.
(5) Internal inspection of steel hot water heating boilers will be conducted every 48 months. External inspections will be conducted every 24 months.
(6) Internal and external inspections of low-pressure boilers in schools will be conducted every 24 months.
(7) External inspections of cast iron boilers will be conducted every 24 months and will include an internal inspection of the firebox. The unit shall be flushed until clean if the watersides appear to contain sludge.
(8) Unfired pressure vessels will be inspected every 36 months. An inspector may require internal inspections because of a vessel’s age or condition. The Department will notify the boiler owner or operator verbally or in writing of the need for an internal inspection.
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 3a.36 (relating to clearances); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.161 (relating to modular boilers); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.162 (relating to portable boilers); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.163 (relating to fired coil water heaters and instantaneous water heaters); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.164 (relating to storage water heaters); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.165 (relating to steam/hot water coil storage water heater); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.166 (relating to miniature boilers and kitchen equipment); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.167 (relating to hot water/steam heat exchangers); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.168 (relating to autoclaves and quick opening vessels); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.169 (relating to fuel trains and piping systems); 34 Pa. Code § 3a.170 (relating to swimming pool heaters); and 34 Pa. Code § 3a.171 (relating to locomotive boilers).
§ 3a.112. Inspection preparation.
(a) An owner or user shall prepare a boiler or unfired pressure vessel for internal inspection in accordance with the ANSI/NB23 after a inspector provides notification.
(b) The inspector will not inspect a boiler or unfired pressure vessel that is not properly prepared for an internal inspection.
§ 3a.113. Inspection accessibility.
Underground-unfired pressure vessels shall be installed or reinstalled in a manner that allows for external inspection of the vessel after February 4, 2006.
§ 3a.114. Removal of covering for inspection.
An owner or user shall remove a portion of the jacketing, setting wall or other form of casing or housing so an inspector may view rivet size and pitch, and other data necessary to determine the safety of a boiler or unfired pressure vessel when a portion of the jacketing, setting wall or other form of casing or housing is not visible and there is no other means to obtain this information.
§ 3a.115. Hydrostatic pressure test.
(a) A hydrostatic pressure test must comply with the following requirements:
(1) A hydrostatic pressure test may not exceed the following pressures:
(i) For boilers or unfired pressure vessels in the field, 1.5 times the maximum allowable working pressure.
(ii) For boilers of locomotives, 1.25 times the maximum allowable working pressure.
(iii) For glass-lined unfired pressure vessels, the maximum allowable working pressure.
(iv) For unfired pressure vessels fabricated to ASME section VIII, division 1 after January 1, 2000, 1.3 times the maximum allowable working pressure.
(v) For unfired pressure vessels fabricated to ASME Section VIII, Divisions 2 and 3, the pressure that was preapproved by an inspector.
(2) Pressure must be controlled at all times and may not be more than 106% of the test pressure allowed by the ASME Code at the time of construction.
(3) The temperature of the water used to apply the test must be between 70° and 120°F.
(4) A safety valve must be removed or each valve shall be held to its seat by a testing clamp. Screwing down the compression screw upon the spring is prohibited. A VR stamp holder must reseal the valves.
(5) Pressure must be equal to or below the release pressure of the safety valve having the highest release setting when a test is applied to an existing installation to determine tightness.
(b) An inspector may require a hydrostatic test after the completion of a repair to insure the pressure containing boundaries hold design pressure.
§ 3a.116. Inspection during construction.
An inspector shall comply with ASME requirements for inspections of cast iron boilers in construction.
§ 3a.117. Inspection report.
An inspector shall submit a copy of each boiler or unfired pressure vessel inspection to the Department no more than 30 days after the inspection.
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