Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Labor Committee |
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. |
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 Summary of Substitute Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 3/12/15
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) sixteen inches inside diameter of the shell; (2) twenty square feet of total heating surface; (3) five cubic feet of gross volume of vessel; and (4) one hundred fifty 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.
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.
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.