Boiler pressure \"law\"

Weezbo

*~/:) the creative minds of the government hasnt quite got it figured however they probably trying to figure just how to go about it :)

John R. Hall

Interesting

I saw this little newsbrief today -- didn't know such a thing existed.

South Carolina is the last North American jurisdiction to enact a Boiler Safety Act

The South Carolina Boiler Safety Act (S. 581) became law May 18 when Governor Mark Sanford permitted S. 581 to become law without his signature. South Carolina was previously the only North American jurisdiction without a pressure equipment law. The Boiler Safety Act is modeled after the recently enacted Alabama law. However, the South Carolina bill does not regulate pressure vessels. S. 581 provides for adoption of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and National Board Inspection Code. Additionally, it provides for National Board registration and a commissioned chief boiler administrator. Because there is no funding for state deputy inspectors, the program will rely on "special" (i.e., insurance company) inspectors. The legislation includes fines of up to $5,000 and a $100-a-day noncompliance charge.

Tony Conner_2

The...

... recent accident reported in the attached article probably helped get the law passed.

Empire_2

Money, Money, Money!!!

Pressure control is important and Always used by the Professional... Hacks may not use it, and make pressure vessels unsafe. THIS IS another MONEY PLOY that your GOV> needs to make additional MONEY!!!Next they will monitor just how much pressure you use when blowing your nose....and fine accordingly. It's for your own safety.
Signed Over Taxed in New York, Sorry guys, I just had to VENT.

Tony Conner_2

You Do...

... realize that laws like this typically only apply to non-residential installations - they usually fall under some other sort of requirement. The normal pressure threshold for steam boilers & other pressure vessels is 15 PSIG. Usually, if you stay under that, most ASME code requirements don't apply. You can literally go as high as you want, pressure-wise, as long as vessels and associated piping are rated and installed so that they meet the applicable ASME Code(s). There's lots of interlocking corrosion-heat-stress related stuff that can happen. The vast majority of these things sneak-up on you very quietly.

Boiler & Pressure vessel requirements usually mandate some kind of periodic inspection. Compressed air receivers often corrode, because nobody looks after draining the water out of them. Boilers can suffer corrosion, welds or the metal itself can develop cracks due to various conditions, etc. Equipment falling under laws like this is normally big enough for the inspector to get right inside it - both on the fireside and waterside. Pressure piping can be "interesting" as well. Check out www.kirsner.org and look at some of the photos and write-ups he's got from the accidents (usually involving one or more fatalities) he's investigated. Pretty impressive.

I routinely work with equipment like this, and I view the associated codes and inspection requirements and anything but a "money grab".

Empire_2

Tony, Do you

work for a Gov. agency? Just kidding. All I am saying is that when a job is done professionally,...We conform so that nobody is hurt, One of the reasons that Buffalo, NY is behind the times is that there is a study done on a new building for $250,000 and the whole job only cost $190,000.00. Too many people with nothing to do govern the Professional who spends most of they're time making sure that it is done right!!! I Don't have a problem with safety,but I have a problem with over administrative pork which keeps the progress to a crawl. Just frustrating I guess.
(All due respect Tony). Weezbo, Solar power?, you will need a liscense for that, and the Sun will need to be inspected every year..... I want to be the new operating engineer/consultant. There will be a nominal fee for OSHA require Sunglasses so that we can inspect the sun, for you on a yearly, monthly, bi-dailey basis so,... PAY UP!. Many people are hurt by the sun every year. I know you know the power and intensity of the sun , but there are RULES that you must follow and a As Gov. entity I am at your job to make sure that you use SUNBLOCK.
Guy's dont take this as disrespect, but as Tired of the over do everything gov.. This is meant to be kinds funny and exadurated.

Tony Conner_2

There...

... must be another piece to the story about the building. (I'm not suggesting that you have it and are witholding it.) Somebody's brother-in-law doing the design work, maybe? Could have been as innocent as the background work encompassing some other stuff. Sometimes, it's just sloppy accounting, where things get charged against the wrong job. Or people shuffling unrelated costs into another project because there's room in that budget to cover a surprise cost somewhere else.

A lot of the problems I see blamed on various codes, are directly due to the people involved with the design and/or installation not knowing what the applicable code says. If someone is holding themselves out to be competent for a particular task, they really should know what code applies, and how to comply with it. If they don't, they're the wrong person/outfit for the job. I wouldn't blame codes for the cost issues with the buidling in Buffalo - I'd pose some questions to whoever was looking after the project.

Empire_2

Honestly

My example was an over exadurated example, but that is what goes on here in "The Buff" as far as gov. funded oportunities. I do see you point and like I said before I just had to vent. I don't know all the answers, but I know where to get em...
In your last paraghaph, I think the codes are needed, but to what extent? Where does it stop? In Buff. anything above 15psi is considered hi press. OK, that's fine and the Pros know this and do not have a problem with it. Seems like the codes for any state are becomming more difficult to read than the tax codes.....If ya know what I mean. Tony I do not blame the codes just the way (s) they are evolved.
Thanks Mike T