S-4855.1                   _______________________________________________

 

                                            SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6487

                              _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1994 Regular Session

 

By Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators Moore, Winsley and McAuliffe)

 

Read first time 02/04/94.

 

Exempting espresso machines from boiler regulations.



          AN ACT Relating to boilers and unfired pressure vessels used in espresso coffee machines; amending RCW 70.79.080; adding a new section to chapter 70.79 RCW; and creating a new section.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that small low-pressure boilers are found in devices such as espresso coffee machines and cleaning equipment common throughout Washington state.  Such systems present little threat to public health and safety.  Government regulation of such systems could impose a substantial burden on many small businesses and provide minimal public benefit.  It is therefore the intent of the legislature to exempt these boilers from regulation under chapter 70.79 RCW and similar laws adopted by local governments.

 

        Sec. 2.  RCW 70.79.080 and 1986 c 97 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

          This chapter shall not apply to the following boilers, unfired pressure vessels and domestic hot water tanks:

          (1) Boilers and unfired pressure vessels under federal regulation or operated by any railroad subject to the provisions of the interstate commerce act;

          (2) Unfired pressure vessels meeting the requirements of the interstate commerce commission for shipment of liquids or gases under pressure;

          (3) Air tanks located on vehicles operating under the rules of other state authorities and used for carrying passengers, or freight;

          (4) Air tanks installed on the right of way of railroads and used directly in the operation of trains;

          (5) Unfired pressure vessels having a volume of five cubic feet or less when not located in places of public assembly;

          (6) Unfired pressure vessels designed for a pressure not exceeding fifteen pounds per square inch gauge when not located in place of public assembly;

          (7) Tanks used in connection with heating water for domestic and/or residential purposes;

          (8) Boilers and unfired pressure vessels in cities having ordinances which are enforced and which have requirements equal to or higher than those provided for under this chapter, covering the installation, operation, maintenance and inspection of boilers and unfired pressure vessels;

          (9) Tanks containing water with no air cushion and no direct source of energy that operate at ambient temperature;

          (10) Electric boilers:

          (a) Having a tank volume of not more than one and one-half cubic feet;

          (b) Having a maximum allowable working pressure of eighty pounds per square inch or less, with a pressure relief system to prevent excess pressure; and

          (c) If constructed after June 10, 1994, constructed to American Society of Mechanical Engineers code, or approved or otherwise certified by a nationally recognized or foreign testing laboratory or construction code, including but not limited to Underwriters Laboratories, Edison Testing Laboratory, or Instituto Superiore Per La Prevenzione E La Sicurezza Del Lavoro.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 70.79 RCW to read as follows:

          A county, city, or other political subdivision of the state may not enforce any law specifically regulating the manufacture, installation, operation, maintenance, or inspection of any electric boiler exempt from this chapter by RCW 70.79.080(10).

 


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