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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 12. CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013 |
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SubTilte 12-E. MECHANICAL CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013 |
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Chapter 12-E10. BOILERS, WATER HEATERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS |
Section 12-E1003. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS
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Strike Section 1003 of the International Mechanical Code in its entirety and insert Section 1003 in the Mechanical Code in its place to read as follows:
1003.1 Certificates of inspection. No person shall use or cause to be used any steam boiler or unfired pressure vessel until a certificate of inspection has been issued and posted as required in this Chapter. The certificate of inspection shall not be issued until it is determined that the boiler or pressure vessel condition is in conformity with the ASME Code and this chapter, and the provisions of the Construction Codes governing the installation of fuel burning equipment in the District of Columbia. A separate certificate of inspection shall be required for each equipment unit inspected. Each certificate shall be protected under a durable transparent material in a frame to be supplied by the owner or user and shall be prominently displayed in the boiler room or engine room near the equipment to which it pertains. Certificates for portable equipment shall be kept with the equipment at all times.
1003.2 Final inspection. Upon installation, erection or alteration of any boiler or unfired pressure vessel in the District of Columbia for which a permit is required, including re-installation or erection of any used boiler or unfired pressure vessel, a final inspection by the code official is required to verify compliance with the applicable Construction Code provisions.
1003.2.1 Responsibility of installer. On all installations for which a permit has been issued, the contractor or person making the installation shall be responsible for notifying the code official, with sufficient advance notice so that the necessary inspections can be performed in a timely manner. The contractor or person making the installation shall be responsible for ensuring that no boiler or unfired pressure vessel shall be operated until final inspection has been performed and approved by the code official to operate the equipment.
1003.3 Renewal of certificate of inspection. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any boiler or unfired pressure vessel requiring inspection under this code without a current certificate of inspection. Each certificate of inspection must be renewed annually, or at an interval specified by the code official, as long as the equipment is in service. Renewal will be granted upon satisfactory demonstration to the code official that the equipment or system has met all of the inspections and testing required by the Construction Codes and referenced standards. Inspections shall be made by the code official, or by an insurance company inspector as permitted by Section 1003.12, at the expense and responsibility of the owner or user.
1003.4 Responsibility to notify code official. Where a boiler or unfired pressure vessel subject to the provisions of this code is not covered by a current certificate of inspection, the owner or user of such boiler or pressure vessel shall immediately notify the code official in writing of the following information:
1. The location of each boiler or unfired pressure vessel not covered by a current certificate of inspection;
2. The date of the last inspection, if any;
3. Whether or not the equipment is insured and inspected by an insurance company; and
4. The name of the company that insures such equipment.
1003.5 Operating pressure. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any boiler or unfired pressure vessel at a pressure in excess of the allowable pressure as stated on the certificate of inspection.
1003.5.1 Marking of pressure vessels. Unfired pressure vessels operated at a pressure in excess of 60 pounds per square inch (psi) (414 kPa) and having a capacity in excess of 15 gallons (57 L) shall bear the following information:
1. The ASME symbol;
2. The name of the manufacturer;
3. The maximum allowable working pressure;
4. The serial number and National Board Numbers;
5. The year built; and
6. Any other required data to indicate that it has been built in accordance with the provisions of Section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.
Exception: Marking of nonstandard pressure vessels shall not be required to contain the information indicated in items 1, 4 and 6 of this section.
1003.6 Safety devices. Boilers and unfired pressure vessels shall be equipped with safety appliances and piping as prescribed in the ASME Code. No person shall operate or cause a boiler or unfired pressure vessel to be operated unless equipped with the prescribed safety appliances and piping, and no person shall remove or tamper with any safety appliance or piping, except for the purpose of making repairs. Any adjustments to safety valves shall be made only by direction of the code official or an insurance company inspector.
1003.7 Tests. When in the judgment of the inspector it is considered necessary to demonstrate the proper operation of the boiler safeties and controls, or to demonstrate the licensed engineer’s ability to properly operate the boiler, the safety-valve capacity of a boiler and/or the low water cutout shall be tested. An accumulation test shall be made by shutting off all other steam-discharge outlets from the boiler, and operating the fuel-burning equipment to produce the maximum steaming capacity of the boiler. An evaporation test shall be performed to demonstrate proper operation of the low water cutout.
1003.7.1 Safety-valve. The safety-valve equipment shall be sufficient to prevent the pressure from rising more than (a) 6 percent above the maximum allowable working pressure, for power boilers, and (b) 5 pounds per square inch (psi) (34 kPa) above the maximum allowable working pressure, for heating boilers. Provision shall be made for piping the safety valve discharge out of the boiler room during a test pursuant to Section 1003.7.
1003.8 Portable boiler or unfired pressure vessel. No temporary portable boiler or unfired pressure vessel shall be used until it has been inspected by the code official or an insurance company inspector in accordance with this Chapter 10 and a certificate of inspection has been issued. Each owner or user of portable boilers or unfired pressure vessels shall furnish in writing to the code official, yearly, before December 27, the following information:
1. A list of his or her portable boilers and unfired pressure vessels;
2. The location of each portable boiler and unfired pressure vessel in the list; and
3. A statement for each portable boiler and unfired pressure vessel in the list, indicating whether the boiler or pressure vessel is insured and inspected by an insurance company.
1003.9 Annual boiler inspection requirements. All steam boilers including hot water boilers shall be inspected annually by the code official or by an insurance company inspector as provided in Section 1003.15. The inspection shall include the following.
1003.9.1 Internal inspection. The internal inspection shall consist of a thorough examination of all tubes, seams, rivets, drums, stay bolts and other parts to insure that the boiler is in safe operating condition and able to carry the pressure allowed.
1003.9.2 External inspection. The external inspection, to determine the general condition of the boiler and its appurtenances as well as the adequacy of safety valves, pressure gauges, apparatus for determining water level and other appliances, shall be made under normal operating conditions at which time the steam pressure carried shall be observed and the operation of all valves, gauges, safety devices or other appliances shall be checked to ensure that they are in proper working order.
1003.9.3 Hydrostatic test. A hydrostatic test shall be required when, in the judgment of the code official or insurance company inspector, it is considered necessary in the interest of safety. The test shall be conducted with water at a temperature of at least 70 °F (21 °C) but not higher than 120°F (49 °C), with pressure applied to the vessel at 1.5 times the maximum allowable working pressure. The test pressure shall hold for 30 minutes.
1003.10 Boiler preparation. A steam or hot water boiler shall be prepared for internal inspection by the owner or user on a date specified by the code official. Insofar as practicable, the internal inspection shall be made no later than 15 days prior to the expiration of the current certificate of inspection. In no case shall the internal inspection be deferred more than 30 days after the date of expiration of the certificate of inspection. The code official is authorized to order a steam or hot water boiler discontinued from service until the inspection is performed.
1003.10.1 Inspection Procedure. Preparation for internal inspection shall be made in the following manner:
1. Water shall be drawn off and the boiler thoroughly washed out;
2. All manhole and handhole plates, washout plugs and the water column connection plugs shall he removed and the furnace and combustion chambers thoroughly cooled and cleaned;
3. All grates or stoker dead plates of internally-fired boilers shall be removed; and
4. All leaks of steam or hot water into the boiler shall be stopped. The inspector is also authorized to require the removal of brickwork and insulation covering the seams of shell, drums or domes, sufficient to determine the size and pitch or rivets, their condition, and any other information as may be necessary to definitely determine the condition of the boiler and its fitness for safe operation.
1003.10.2 Hydrostatic test preparation. A steam or hot water boiler shall be prepared for hydrostatic test by the owner or user, when required by the inspector by filling the boiler with water to the stop valve and blanking off the connections of the boiler to other boilers when that boiler is connected to other boilers that are under steam pressure. Arrangements shall be made with the inspector for the protection of the safety valve and under no circumstances shall the safety valve spring be screwed down for making hydrostatic tests.
1003.10.3 Test gauges. An indicating test gauge shall be connected directly to the boiler or pressure vessel where it is visible to the operating engineer throughout the duration of the test. The pressure gauge scale shall be graduated over a range of not less than 1.5 times and not greater than four times the maximum test pressure. All gauges utilized for testing shall be calibrated and certified by the operating engineer.
1003.11 Unfired pressure vessels requiring annual inspection. Each unfired pressure vessel operating at a pressure in excess of 60 pounds per square inch (psi) (414 kPa) and having a capacity in excess of 15 gallons (57 L) shall be inspected annually by the code official or an insurance company inspector as permitted by Section 1003.12. Any unfired pressure vessel as described herein shall be subjected to inspection if it is connected to a source of supply.
1003.11.1 Type of Inspection. The annual inspection of unfired pressure vessels shall consist of an external inspection including safety devices and other appurtenances. When a vessel is provided with manholes, an internal inspection shall also be performed.
1003.11.2 Hydrostatic Test. A hydrostatic test shall be required when, in the judgment of the inspector, it is considered necessary in the interest of safety. This test shall be conducted with water at a temperature of at least 70°F (21°C) but not higher than 120°F (49°C), and shall consist of applying to the vessel a pressure of 1.5 times the maximum allowable working pressure. The test pressure shall hold for 30 minutes.
1003.12 Annual inspection by insurance company inspectors. Any steam or hot water boiler or unfired pressure vessel which is insured and inspected at least once annually by an insurance company inspector shall be exempt from annual inspection by the code official, provided that the requirements of Sections 1003.12.1 through 1003.12.3 are satisfied.
1003.12.1 ASME Code. The insurance company inspector shall apply the inspection provisions in Section I, Part PG, paragraph PG-90, “Inspection and Tests - General” in the ASME Code.
1003.12.2 Qualifications. In order to perform inspection of boilers or pressure vessels in the District of Columbia, the inspector shall hold a current certificate of competency issued by the code official in accordance with this code.
1003.12.3 Inspection reports. The insurance company inspector shall file reports of inspections and other data relating to an insured boiler or unfired pressure vessel, as may be required, with the code official within ten business days after the inspection, on the standard forms and in the manner prescribed by the code official; provided, that the internal inspection report shall be filed in time to prevent the certificate of inspection from becoming more than 30 days overdue. Each report shall be printed or typewritten, bear the original inspector’s signature in ink and state unambiguously whether or not the certificate of inspection should be issued, and the equipment working pressure allowed.
1003.12.3.1 Supplemental report. If the inspector has ordered or recommended changes or repairs to be made following inspection, the inspection report filed with the code official in accordance with Section 1003.12.3 shall state the nature of all changes or repairs ordered or recommended. No later than 30 days after the inspection during which the deficiencies were identified, the insurance company inspector shall re-inspect the insured boiler or pressure vessel and submit a supplemental report to the code official stating whether the changes or repairs have been completed. If the work has not been completed within the time allowed, the code official is authorized to order operation of the equipment to be discontinued, or to take any other actions authorized by the Construction Codes.
1003.13 Certificates of competency for insurance company inspectors.
1003.13.1 Application. In order to obtain or renew a certificate of competency, each inspector employed or retained, by an insurance company licensed to operate in the District of Columbia, to inspect boilers and pressure vessels located in the District of Columbia that are insured by the company shall submit an application to the code official, in the form prescribed and provided by the code official. The application shall include the following:
1. Name, age, qualifications, experience and local address of the inspector;
2. Documentation evidencing employment or retention by an insurance company licensed to operate in the District of Columbia for the inspection of boilers and pressure vessels in the District of Columbia;
3. A copy of a valid current certificate issued by the National Board to the inspector; and
4. Such other data and information as may be required by the code official.
1003.13.2 National Board certification. The code official is authorized to accept a certificate issued by the National Board, upon proper substantiation, and to issue a certificate of competency based on such National Board certificate.
1003.13.3 Filing fee. All applications for a new or renewed certificate of competency shall be accompanied by a filing fee of $200, or such amount as may be established in the applicable fee schedule published in the D.C. Register.
1003.13.4 Expiration. The certificate of competency shall be issued for a two-year period, provided, however, any certificate of competency issued shall become null and void if the inspector holding the certificate of competency ceases to be employed or retained by the insurance company upon which his or her National Board eligibility is based, or if the National Board certification on which the inspector’s certificate of competency is based is cancelled or invalidated.
1003.14 Insurance company reporting duties. An insurance company that insures any boiler or pressure vessel in the District of Columbia shall immediately report the following information to the code official by written notice:
1. The name of the owner or user and the location of every boiler and unfired pressure vessel on which insurance is refused, canceled or discontinued by the company and the reason therefore;
2. The location and name of the owner or user of each new boiler or pressure vessel upon which coverage is taken, whether the new equipment has been inspected by the code official and whether an installation permit has been obtained;
3. The names of the DC-licensed engineers working on all watches, and the grade of license held by each engineer, and if there is none, the report shall so state; and
4. The termination or cessation of any employment or contractual relationship with an insurance company inspector and the reasons therefore.
1003.15 Internal inspection. In the case of boilers that can be internally inspected, certificates of inspection shall not be issued until after the internal inspection has been performed.
1003.16 Notice to make repairs or alterations. If upon inspection by the code official it is found that repairs, alterations or cleaning are necessary to ensure the safe operation of a steam boiler, hot water boiler or unfired pressure vessel, and its conformity to the ASME Code and this Chapter, a written notice stating the work required to be done and the time allowed for completion shall be sent to the owner or user.
1003.16.1 Repairs, alterations or cleaning. Repairs, alterations or cleaning required under Section 1003.16 shall be made as directed. Upon completion of the work ordered, the owner or user shall notify the code official. If the work has not been completed within the time allowed, the code official is authorized to order operation of the equipment to be discontinued, and to take any other actions authorized by the Construction Codes.
1003.17 Condemnation of defective, unsafe or dangerous equipment. Whenever the code official finds that a boiler or unfired pressure vessel, or its necessary appurtenances, is in such a defective or unsafe condition that life or property is endangered, he or she shall immediately order its further use and operation discontinued. A boiler or unfired pressure vessel which has been declared unsafe or condemned by the code official shall be distinctly labeled as “Unsafe to Use” or condemned by the Department. The provisions of Sections 115 and 116 of the Building Code and Sections 108 and 109 of the Property Maintenance Code shall also apply to defective, unsafe or dangerous boilers and unfired pressure vessels.
1003.17.1 Operation prohibited. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any boiler or unfired pressure vessel which is known to be unsafe or which has been condemned by the code official. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any boiler or unfired pressure vessel, the further use and operation of which has been ordered discontinued by the code official, until the defective or unsafe condition which was the reason for such action has been corrected and a new certificate of inspection is issued.
1003.17.2 Notification of unsafe condition. If an insurance company inspector finds that a boiler or unfired pressure vessel, or its necessary appurtenances, are in such a defective or unsafe condition that life or property is endangered, and which, in his or her opinion cannot be repaired and made safe, he or she shall immediately notify the code official.
1003.17.3 Abatement. The owner or user of the equipment deemed unsafe shall abate or cause to be abated or corrected such unsafe condition.
1003.18 Numbering boilers and unfired pressure vessels. Every boiler and unfired pressure vessel installed in the District of Columbia shall be given a District of Columbia number. Numbers assigned to cast-iron boilers shall be of metal not less than 1 inch (25.4 mm) in height and shall be securely attached to a metal plate which in turn shall be securely attached to the front of the boiler. Miniature boilers shall have sufficient space provided so that the District of Columbia boiler number can be stamped on the shell and be clearly visible when the insulating jacket is in place. Numbers on condemned boilers shall not be reassigned.