HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5234
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Labor
Title: An act relating to miniature hobby boilers.
Brief Description: Regarding miniature hobby boilers.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Sheldon, Dansel, Dammeier, Becker, Schoesler, Honeyford and Conway).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Labor: 3/12/15, 3/17/15 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Sells, Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; Manweller, Ranking Minority Member; McCabe and Ormsby.
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
The Board of Boiler Rules (Board) establishes rules for the safe construction, installation, repair, use, and operation of boilers and unfired pressure vessels. The Board's rules are based upon nationally or internationally accepted engineering standards, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' (ASME) code.
Unless exempt, every boiler and unfired pressure vessel used or proposed to be used in the state must be inspected and issued a certificate of inspection by a boiler inspector from the Department of Labor and Industries (Department). Depending on the type of boiler, inspections occur either annually or biennially.
Certificates of inspection may be granted to a miniature hobby boiler that does not meet ASME code requirements if the boiler does not exceed the following limits: (1) 16 inches inside diameter of the shell; (2) 20 square feet of total heating surface; (3) five cubic feet of gross volume of vessel; and (4) 150 pounds per square inch gage (p.s.i.g.) maximum allowable working pressure. In addition, a miniature hobby boiler must be operated exclusively for purposes other than commercial or industrial use and the Department must find that the operation of the boiler is not unsafe.
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Summary of Bill:
Miniature hobby boilers that have already been certified or that are certified prior to being placed into service are exempt from the inspection requirements and other provisions governing boilers and unfired pressure vessels. "Miniature hobby boiler" is defined using the same size, volume, and p.s.i.g. limits as current law.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill has been heard before. The bill grandfathers in certified hobby boilers and requires new hobby boilers to be inspected at least once. The users of miniature hobby boilers are responsible and safe.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Sheldon, prime sponsor; and Tammy Fellin, Department of Labor and Industries.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.