PROPOSED RULES
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
(Board of Boiler Rules)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 06-13-078.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Board of boiler rules -- Substantive (chapter 296-104 WAC).
Hearing Location(s): Department of Labor and Industries, 950 Broadway, Suite 200, Tacoma, WA, on November 8, 2006, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 21, 2006.
Submit Written Comments to: Sally Elliott, Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, e-mail yous235@lni.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-5292, by 5:00 p.m. on November 8, 2006.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Sally Elliott by October 15, 2006, yous235@lni.wa.gov or (360) 902-6411.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this rule making is to make clarification and technical changes to the Board of boiler rules -- Substantive (chapter 296-104 WAC) based on actions and requests of the board of boiler rules.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Purpose above.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040, 70.79.150, 70.79.290, 70.79.330, and 70.79.350.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 70.79 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Board of boiler rules, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Board of Boiler Rules, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-5270; Implementation and Enforcement: Linda Williamson, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-5270.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The board of boiler rules has considered whether these proposed rules are subject to the Regulatory Fairness Act and has determined that they do not require a small business economic impact statement because the costs associated with the proposed rules will not place a more than minor impact on any business or contractor and/or they are exempted by law (see RCW 19.85.025 referencing RCW 34.05.310(4)) from the small business economic impact requirements.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. A cost-benefit analysis was not prepared because the costs associated with the proposed changes are exempted by law since the proposed changes are updating the rule for clarification (see RCW 19.85.025 referencing RCW 34.05.310 (4)).
August 23, 2006
Craig Hopkins, Chair
Board of Boiler Rules
OTS-9100.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-21-069, filed 10/19/04,
effective 1/1/05)
WAC 296-104-010
Administration--What are the definitions
of terms used in this chapter?
"Agriculture purposes" shall
mean any act performed on a farm in production of crops or
livestock, and shall include the storage of such crops and
livestock in their natural state, but shall not be construed
to include the processing or sale of crops or livestock.
"Attendant" shall mean the person in charge of the operation of a boiler or unfired pressure vessel.
"Automatic operation of a boiler" shall mean automatic unattended control of feed water and fuel in order to maintain the pressure and temperature within the limits set. Controls must be such that the operation follows the demand without interruption. Manual restart may be required when the burner is off because of low water, flame failure, power failure, high temperatures or pressures.
"Board of boiler rules" or "board" shall mean the board created by law and empowered under RCW 70.79.010.
"Boiler and unfired pressure vessel installation/reinstallation permit," shall mean a permit approved by the chief inspector before starting installation or reinstallation of any boiler and unfired pressure vessel within the jurisdiction of Washington.
Owner/user inspection agency's, and Washington specials are exempt from "boiler and unfired pressure vessel installation/reinstallation permit."
"Boilers and/or unfired pressure vessels" - below are definitions for types of boilers and unfired pressure vessels used in these regulations:
| • | "Condemned boiler or unfired pressure vessel" shall mean a boiler or unfired pressure vessel that has been inspected and declared unsafe or disqualified for further use by legal requirements and appropriately marked by an inspector. |
| • | "Hot water heater" shall mean a closed vessel designed to supply hot water for external use to the system. All vessels must be listed by a nationally recognized testing agency and shall be protected with an approved temperature and pressure safety relief valve and shall not exceed any of the following limits: |
| * | Pressure of 160 psi (1100 kpa); |
| * | Temperature of 210 degrees F (99°C); |
| * | Capacity of 120 U.S. gallons (454 liters); |
| * | Input of 200,000 BTU/hr (58.58 kw). Note that if input exceeds 200,000 BTU/hr (58.58 kw), other terms defined in this section may apply. |
| * | Hot water heaters exceeding 200,000 BTU/hr (58.58 kw) must be ASME code stamped. |
| • | "Low pressure heating boiler" shall mean a steam or
vapor boiler operating at a pressure not exceeding
15 psig or a boiler in which water or other fluid is
heated and intended for operation at pressures not
exceeding 160 psig or temperatures not exceeding 250
degrees F by the direct application of energy from
the combustion of fuels or from electricity, solar
or nuclear energy (( |
| • | "Nonstandard boiler or unfired pressure vessel" shall mean a boiler or unfired pressure vessel that does not bear marking of the codes adopted in WAC 296-104-200. |
| • | "Power boiler" shall mean a boiler in which steam or other vapor is generated at a pressure of more than 15 psig for use external to itself or a boiler in which water or other fluid is heated and intended for operation at pressures in excess of 160 psig and/or temperatures in excess of 250 degrees F by the direct application of energy from the combustion of fuels or from electricity, solar or nuclear energy. |
| • | "Reinstalled boiler or unfired pressure vessel" shall mean a boiler or unfired pressure vessel removed from its original setting and reset at the same location or at a new location without change of ownership. |
| • | "Rental boiler" shall mean any power or low pressure heating boiler that is under a rental contract between owner and user. |
| • | "Second hand boiler or unfired pressure vessel" shall mean a boiler or unfired pressure vessel of which both the location and ownership have changed after primary use. |
| • | "Standard boiler or unfired pressure vessel" shall mean a boiler or unfired pressure vessel which bears the marking of the codes adopted in WAC 296-104-200. |
| • | "Unfired pressure vessel" shall mean a closed vessel under pressure excluding: |
| * | Fired process tubular heaters; |
| * | Pressure containers which are integral parts of components of rotating or reciprocating mechanical devices where the primary design considerations and/or stresses are derived from the functional requirements of the device; |
| * | Piping whose primary function is to transport fluids from one location to another; |
| * | Those vessels defined as low pressure heating boilers or power boilers. |
| • | "Unfired steam boiler" shall mean a pressure vessel in which steam is generated by an indirect application of heat. It shall not include pressure vessels known as evaporators, heat exchangers, or vessels in which steam is generated by the use of heat resulting from the operation of a processing system containing a number of pressure vessels, such as used in the manufacture of chemical and petroleum products, which will be classed as unfired pressure vessels. |
"Certificate of inspection" shall mean a certificate issued by the chief boiler inspector to the owner/user of a boiler or unfired pressure vessel upon inspection by an inspector. The boiler or unfired pressure vessel must comply with rules, regulations, and appropriate fee payment shall be made directly to the chief boiler inspector.
"Code, API-510" shall mean the Pressure Vessel Inspection Code of the American Petroleum Institute with addenda and revisions, thereto made and approved by the institute which have been adopted by the board of boiler rules in accordance with the provisions of RCW 70.79.030.
"Code, ASME" shall mean the boiler and pressure vessel code of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers with addenda thereto made and approved by the council of the society which have been adopted by the board of boiler rules in accordance with the provisions of RCW 70.79.030.
"Code, NBIC" shall mean the National Board Inspection Code of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors with addenda and revisions, thereto made and approved by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors and adopted by the board of boiler rules in accordance with the provisions of RCW 70.79.030.
"Commission" shall mean an annual commission card issued to a person in the employ of Washington state, an insurance company or a company owner/user inspection agency holding a Washington state certificate of competency which authorizes them to perform inspections of boilers and/or unfired pressure vessels.
"Department" as used herein shall mean the department of labor and industries of the state of Washington.
"Director" shall mean the director of the department of labor and industries.
"Domestic and/or residential purposes" shall mean serving a private residence or an apartment house of less than six families.
"Existing installations" shall mean any boiler or unfired pressure vessel constructed, installed, placed in operation, or contracted for before January 1, 1952.
"Inspection certificate" see "certificate of inspection."
"Inspection, external" shall mean an inspection made while a boiler or unfired pressure vessel is in operation and includes the inspection and demonstration of controls and safety devices required by these rules.
"Inspection, internal" shall mean an inspection made when a boiler or unfired pressure vessel is shut down and handholes, manholes, or other inspection openings are open or removed for examination of the interior. An external ultrasonic examination of unfired pressure vessels less than 36" inside diameter shall constitute an internal inspection.
"Inspector" shall mean the chief boiler inspector, a deputy inspector, or a special inspector.
| • | "Chief inspector" shall mean the inspector appointed under RCW 70.79.100 who serves as the secretary to the board without a vote. |
| • | "Deputy inspector" shall mean an inspector appointed under RCW 70.79.120. |
| • | "Special inspector" shall mean an inspector holding a Washington commission identified under RCW 70.79.130. |
"Operating permit" see "certificate of inspection."
"Owner" or "user" shall mean a person, firm, or corporation owning or operating any boiler or unfired pressure vessel within the state.
"Owner/user inspection agency" shall mean an owner or user of boilers and/or pressure vessels that maintains an established inspection department, whose organization and inspection procedures meet the requirements of a nationally recognized standard acceptable to the department.
"Place of public assembly" or "assembly hall" shall mean a building or portion of a building used for the gathering together of 50 or more persons for such purposes as deliberation, education, instruction, worship, entertainment, amusement, drinking, or dining or waiting transportation. This shall also include child care centers (those agencies which operate for the care of thirteen or more children), public and private hospitals, nursing and boarding homes.
"Special design" shall mean a design using nationwide engineering standards other than the codes adopted in WAC 296-104-200 or other than allowed in WAC 296-104-230.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.79 RCW. 04-21-069, § 296-104-010, filed 10/19/04, effective 1/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040, 70.79.150, 70.79.290, 70.79.330, 70.79.350, and chapter 70.79 RCW. 04-01-194, § 296-104-010, filed 12/24/03, effective 1/24/04; 02-23-036, § 296-104-010, filed 11/13/02, effective 12/14/02; 01-24-061, § 296-104-010, filed 11/30/01, effective 12/31/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040 and chapter 70.79 RCW. 00-21-024, § 296-104-010, filed 10/10/00, effective 11/13/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030 and 70.79.040. 99-22-026, § 296-104-010, filed 10/26/99, effective 11/26/99; 98-22-024, § 296-104-010, filed 10/28/98, effective 11/28/98; 96-21-081, § 296-104-010, filed 10/16/96, effective 11/16/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.040. 94-21-002, § 296-104-010, filed 10/5/94, effective 11/5/94; 93-12-014, § 296-104-010, filed 5/21/93, effective 6/21/93; 92-11-070, § 296-104-010, filed 5/20/92, effective 6/20/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.240. 88-01-064 (Order 87-25), § 296-104-010, filed 12/17/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.040 and 70.79.050. 86-01-088 (Order 85-26), § 296-104-010, filed 12/19/85; Order 72-11, § 296-104-010, filed 7/7/72; Part I, filed 3/23/60.]
Upon request from a boiler or pressure vessel manufacturer holding an ASME Certificate of Authorization within the jurisdiction, the department shall provide inspection services as required by the ASME Code. The manufacturer receiving such inspection services shall reimburse the department for the time and expenses in accordance with the fee schedule established in WAC 296-104-700.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040, 70.79.150, 70.79.290, 70.79.330, 70.79.350, and chapter 70.79 RCW. 02-23-036, § 296-104-170, filed 11/13/02, effective 12/14/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030 and 70.79.040. 99-22-026, § 296-104-170, filed 10/26/99, effective 11/26/99; 96-21-081, § 296-104-170, filed 10/16/96, effective 11/16/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.040. 90-20-029, § 296-104-170, filed 9/24/90, effective 10/25/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030. 78-03-057 (Order 78-3), § 296-104-170, filed 2/22/78; Part III, § 15, filed 3/23/60.]
(1) ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, 2004 edition, with addenda Sections I, III, IV, VIII, Division 1, 2, 3, X, XII;
(2) ASME PVHO-1 2002-2003 Safety Standard for Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy; and
(3) ASME CSD-1 ((2002)) 2004 edition with addenda (as
referenced in WAC 296-104-302); and
(4) NFPA 85 Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code 2004 edition (for use with boilers with fuel input ratings of 12, 500,000 BTU/hr) or greater; and
(5) Standards of construction approved by the chief inspector and meeting the National Board Criteria for Registration of Boilers, Pressure Vessels and Other Pressure Retaining Items.
These codes and standards may be used on or after the date of issue and become mandatory twelve months after adoption by the board as specified in RCW 70.79.050(2). ASME Code Cases may be approved for use when accepted by the chief inspector. The board recognizes that the ASME Code states that new editions of the code become mandatory on issue and that subsequent addenda become mandatory six months after the date of issue. For nuclear systems, components and parts the time period for addenda becoming mandatory is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040, 70.79.150, 70.79.290, 70.79.330, and 70.79.350. 05-22-092, § 296-104-200, filed 11/1/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.79 RCW. 04-21-069, § 296-104-200, filed 10/19/04, effective 1/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040, 70.79.150, 70.79.290, 70.79.330, 70.79.350, and chapter 70.79 RCW. 02-23-036, § 296-104-200, filed 11/13/02, effective 12/14/02; 01-24-061, § 296-104-200, filed 11/30/01, effective 12/31/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040 and chapter 70.79 RCW. 00-21-024, § 296-104-200, filed 10/10/00, effective 11/13/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030 and 70.79.040. 98-22-024, § 296-104-200, filed 10/28/98, effective 11/28/98; 97-20-109, § 296-104-200, filed 9/30/97, effective 10/31/97; 96-21-081, § 296-104-200, filed 10/16/96, effective 11/16/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.040. 93-12-014, § 296-104-200, filed 5/21/93, effective 6/21/93; 92-11-070, § 296-104-200, filed 5/20/92, effective 6/20/92; 91-11-107, § 296-104-200, filed 5/22/91, effective 6/22/91; 90-04-009, § 296-104-200, filed 1/26/90, effective 2/26/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.040 and 70.79.050. 86-01-088 (Order 85-26), § 296-104-200, filed 12/19/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030 and 70.79.330. 84-11-016 (Order 84-09), § 296-104-200, filed 5/10/84; 82-24-025 (Order 82-36), § 296-104-200, filed 11/23/82, effective 1/1/83. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030. 82-05-003 (Order 82-2), § 296-104-200, filed 2/4/82; 81-12-012 (Order 81-10), § 296-104-200, filed 5/28/81; 81-01-114 (Order 80-28), § 296-104-200, filed 12/24/80; 80-05-065 (Order 80-7), § 296-104-200, filed 4/23/80; 79-05-054 (Order 79-7), § 296-104-200, filed 4/30/79; 78-10-096 (Order 78-19), § 296-104-200, filed 10/3/78; Order 77-23, § 296-104-200, filed 11/8/77; Order 77-9, § 296-104-200, filed 5/26/77; Order 75-35, § 296-104-200, filed 10/29/75; Order 74-37, § 296-104-200, filed 11/8/74; Order 73-1, § 296-104-200, filed 3/22/73; Order 72-17, § 296-104-200, filed 9/28/72; Order 72-11, § 296-104-200, filed 7/7/72; Part IV, § 1, filed 3/23/60.]
(1) ((Power)) Minimum clearance on top of boilers having
a steam generating capacity in excess of 5,000 pounds per hour
or having a heating surface in excess of 1,000 sq. ft. or
input in excess of 5,000,000 btu per hour((. Clearance))
shall be 7 feet.
(2) ((Low pressure heating)) Minimum clearance on top of
boilers which exceed any one of the following limits:
5,000,000 btu input; 5,000 lbs. steam per hour capacity or
1,000 sq. ft. heating surface; and power boilers which do not
exceed any of the following limits: 5,000,000 btu input;
5,000 lbs. steam per hour capacity or 1,000 sq. ft. heating
surface; ((and all boilers with manholes on top of boiler
except those described in paragraph (1) above)) shall be . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
feet.
(3) ((Low pressure heating)) Minimum clearance on top of
boilers which do not exceed the above limits and miniature
boilers; shall be . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 feet.
(4) Minimum clearance from manhole openings and any wall, ceiling, or piping that will prevent a person from entering the boiler shall be . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 feet.
(5) Minimum clearances at sides, front and back wall shall be the manufacturers' recommendations, but in no case less than eighteen inches.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030 and 70.79.040. 96-21-081, § 296-104-255, filed 10/16/96, effective 11/16/96; Part IV, § 12, filed 3/23/60.]
Repairs and alterations may be made by an organization
((authorized by the jurisdiction and)) in possession of a
valid Certificate of Authorization for use of the "R" symbol
stamp, issued by the National Board provided such
repairs/alterations are within the scope of the authorization.
Owner/user special inspectors may only accept repairs and alterations to boilers and unfired pressure vessels operated by their respective companies per RCW 70.79.130.
Documentation of repairs and alterations, in accordance with the requirements of the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) as adopted in WAC 296-104-102, shall be submitted to the department.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.79 RCW. 04-21-069, § 296-104-502, filed 10/19/04, effective 1/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040, 70.79.150, 70.79.290, 70.79.330, 70.79.350, and chapter 70.79 RCW. 02-23-036, § 296-104-502, filed 11/13/02, effective 12/14/02; 01-24-061, § 296-104-502, filed 11/30/01, effective 12/31/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040 and chapter 70.79 RCW. 00-21-024, § 296-104-502, filed 10/10/00, effective 11/13/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030 and 70.79.040. 99-22-026, § 296-104-502, filed 10/26/99, effective 11/26/99; 98-22-024, § 296-104-502, filed 10/28/98, effective 11/28/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.040. 94-21-002, § 296-104-502, filed 10/5/94, effective 11/5/94.]
(2) With jurisdictional approval, boiler and pressure
vessel owners/users, ((however,)) may authorize external
adjustments ((to be made)) to bring their installed safety
valves and relief valves, ((except Section IV safety valves,))
back to the stamped set pressure when performed by the
owner/user's trained, qualified, regular, and full-time
employees ((or this adjustment shall be witnessed and approved
by a National Board Commissioned Inspector)). Refer to
Appendix "J" of the National Board Inspection Code as
referenced in WAC 296-104-102 for guidelines ((in)) regarding
training ((and qualifying)), documentation, and the
implementation of a quality system for the owner/user
employees. All such external adjustments shall be resealed
with a metal tag showing the identification of the
organization making the adjustments and the date. If any
valve repairs are required, they shall be done by a qualified
"VR" certificate holder.
(3) Repairing of noncode relief or safety valves shall
not be allowed, except as specified below. Noncode liquid
relief valves installed prior to 1-1-85 shall be repaired by
an organization holding a valid (("V," "UV," or)) "VR"
Certificate of Authorization, but need not be stamped.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.79 RCW. 04-21-069, § 296-104-520, filed 10/19/04, effective 1/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040, 70.79.150, 70.79.290, 70.79.330, 70.79.350, and chapter 70.79 RCW. 04-01-194, § 296-104-520, filed 12/24/03, effective 1/24/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030 and 70.79.040. 98-22-024, § 296-104-520, filed 10/28/98, effective 11/28/98; Part VII, § 5, filed 3/23/60.]
(1) The resetting, repair, and restamping of these safety
devices shall be performed only by organizations holding a
valid ((ASME "N")) National Board "NR" and "VR" Certificate of
Authorization to repair ASME Section III Code safety devices.
The repair work shall be documented on the applicable
NR-1/NVR-1 form. All repair/replacement activities performed
under the "NR" Certificate of Authorization must be in
accordance with the provisions of the NBIC, ASME Section XI,
and the rules of the jurisdiction.
(2) Nuclear plant owners with an approved ASME Section XI
program, may authorize ((resetting, repairing or replacement
of their safety devices)) external adjustments to bring their
installed safety valves and relief valves back to the stamped
set pressure when performed by the owner's/user's trained,
qualified, regular, and full-time employees. Refer to
Appendix "J" of the National Board Inspection Code as
referenced in WAC 296-104-102 for guidelines regarding
training, documentation, and implementation of a quality
system for the owner/user employees.
(3) ((Resetting, repairing or replacement activities
shall be witnessed and approved by an inspector, with
appropriate National Board endorsements.)) All such external
adjustments shall be resealed with a metal tag showing the
identification of the organization making the adjustments and
the date.
(4) ((All repaired safety devices shall be resealed
showing the identification of the organization making the
repair and the date.)) If any valve repairs are required, they
shall be done by a qualified "VR" and "NR" certificate holder.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030 and 70.79.040. 98-22-024, § 296-104-540, filed 10/28/98, effective 11/28/98.]
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 296-104-256 | Installation -- What are the required clearances for boilers? |