Boiler Inspections.  Certain boilers and unfired pressure vessels are subject to regulation by the Board of Boiler Rules (Board) and inspection by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). The director of L&I appoints the chief boiler and pressure vessel inspector (chief inspector), who  issues inspection certificates for boilers and unfired pressure vessels that comply with the Board's rules. The director of L&I must also employ deputy inspectors who must have, at the time of appointment, not less than five years of practical experience in construction, maintenance, repair, or operation of high pressure boilers and unfired pressure vessels as a mechanical engineer, steam engineer, boilermaker, or boiler inspector. Deputy inspectors must also pass the state boiler examination. The chief inspector also commissions special inspectors who are employed to inspect boilers or unfired pressure vessels by insurance companies and companies that operate boilers and unfired pressure vessels. 

National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.  The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) consists of the chief boiler inspectors in most U.S. states, provinces in Canada, and major U.S. cities. NBBI commissions boiler and pressure equipment inspectors, provides online and classroom training to inspectors, and publishes the national board inspection code. 

To be an NBBI commissioned inspector, a candidate must have a high school education and be employed as an inspector by a jurisdictional authority, an owner-user inspection organization, a non-member enforcement agency, a federal inspection agency, or the national board. Candidates must have a minimum of five credit points through education and experience. For education, credits are assigned for technical training or curriculum associated with boilers and pressure vessels and for associate's or bachelor's degrees in engineering, technology, science, and mathematics. For experience, one credit is assigned for each year's experience associated with boilers and pressure vessels. Candidates must also pass the national board examination.

The provision requiring deputy inspectors to have not less than five years practical experience in the construction, maintenance, repair, or operation of high pressure boilers and unfired pressure vessels as a mechanical engineer, steam engineer, boilermaker, or boiler inspector is removed. 

Instead, deputy inspectors must meet, at the time of appointment, the qualification requirements for a commission set forth by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. 

PRO: This is a simple alignment bill. There are 11 boiler inspector statewide, and L&I wants to hire new boiler inspectors that have national accreditation. This is the standard used in most other states and having more inspectors will improve safety.