Inspections and Certificates

(1) Application. Whoever owns or uses or causes to be used an Air Tank that comes within the scope of M.G.L. c. 146, § 34, shall make application for inspection prior to installation and operation to the Division in a format approved by the Chief. (2) Field Inspection. (a) All First Inspections shall be performed by a District Engineering Inspector before the Air Tank is put into service. All Air Tanks, except those listed on 522 CMR 7.01(2), shall be inspected internally biennially thereafter either by a District Engineering Inspector or an Authorized Inspector. If the installation is found to comply with 522 CMR 7.00, the Department shall issue a Certificate stating the pressure at which the Air Tank will be permitted to operate. (b) Every Air Tank which has been inspected by a District Engineering Inspector shall be given a noncorrosive metal tag not less than one inch in height attached to the Air Tank with a noncorrosive metal wire secured with a lead seal. Only a District Engineering Inspector may remove the Mass Tag. An Air Tank which has been relocated shall require a first inspection by a District Engineering Inspector. Ultrasonic Inspections. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 146, § 39, an ultrasonic thickness determination may be permitted in lieu of, or in conjunction with, an Internal Inspection for Air Tanks or other receptacles of 36 inches diameter or less. Thickness measurements shall be made in at least eight areas: two on each head and two on both the top and bottom portions of the shell. Thickness determinations indicating significant reduction in material thickness over a general area shall be shown on the inspection report, as well as calculations for the reduction in allowable working pressure. The Authorized Inservice Inspector’s employer or the Chief, as applicable, shall be responsible for the inspector’s or the ultrasonic examiner’s competency in the use of the ultrasonic thickness gauge, and the examiner’s signed report shall be attached to the District Engineering Inspector’s or the Authorized Inservice Inspector’s inspection report. A hydrostatic test shall be applied if required bythe District Engineering Inspector or Authorized Inservice Inspector. The pressure applied during the test shall be equal to 1½ times the pressure allowed on the Air Tank or other receptacle. A hammer test may also be applied if there is no pressure on the Air Tank or receptacle. A significant reduction in material is a reduction in material to less than the minimum allowable thickness. If the thickness is reduced below the minimum allowable thickness, the Air Tank shall be repaired to bring the Air Tank to at least the minimum thickness, or a fitness for service evaluation shall be performed to determine the maximum allowable pressure in accordance with the NBIC. The examiner’s signed report and the Authorized Inservice Inspector’s inspection report shall be submitted to the Division in a format approved by the Chief. (5) Certificate to Be Posted. (a) The Department shall issue to the Owner/User of an Air Tank compliant with 522 CMR a Certificate, on the condition that the appropriate fees have been paid. The Certificate shall be protected from dirt, moisture, and contamination and shall be posted in a conspicuous place near where the Air Tank specified therein is located and shall be kept with said Air Tank and shall be always accessible to the District Engineering Inspector or Authorized Inservice Inspector. (b) The Certificate shall include the name of the Authorized Inspection Agency, the National Board number, the Mass Tag number, the name of the manufacturer, the name of the owner or user, the location, size and number of the Air Tank, the date of inspection and the maximum pressure at which it may be operated, with the signature of the inspector, and shall contain such extracts from the statutes as shall be deemed necessary by the board. (c) The Certificate shall remain posted while the Certificate is in force, unless a District Engineering Inspector, or an Authorized Inservice Inspector deems the Air Tank or its Appurtenances unsafe or dangerous. If an Air Tank is determined to be unsafe or dangerous, the District Engineering Inspector, or Authorized Inservice Inspector shall remove the Certificate, and submit such certificate to the Chief, and the Air Tank shall not be operated until such time that a valid Certificate is re-issued. (6) Inspection Reporting. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 146, §§ 37 and 38, whoever owns, or uses or causes to be used, any Air Tank, shall report in writing to the Chief the location of such Air Tank before the work of installation of such Air Tank, and annually thereafter; provided, that the Owner/User of an insured Air Tank shall report immediately in writing to the Chief whenever the Authorized Inspection Agency ceases for any cause to inspect the Air Tank. (7) Reporting by Authorized Inspection Agency. (a) Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 146, § 38, every Authorized Inspection Agency shall forward to the Chief, within 14 days after each inspection, reports of all Air Tanks inspected by Authorized Inservice Inspectors. Such reports shall be made on a form, and submitted in a format approved by the Chief, and shall contain all orders made by the company regarding such Air Tanks. (b) All Authorized Inspection Agencies shall notify the Chief, within 14 days, on a form and submitted in a format approved by the Chief, of all new business or discontinuation of business regarding coverage of registered Air Tanks. All Authorized Inspection Agencies shall report immediately to the Chief in writing the name of the Owner/User and the location of every Air Tank required to be inspected by M.G.L. c. 146, § 34, upon which they have cancelled or refused insurance, giving the reasons therefor. (c) The Authorized Inservice Inspector shall notify the Chief or his or her designee immediately in writing if the Authorized Inservice Inspector finds that an unsafe and dangerous condition exists resulting in the removal of the Certificate. (8) Riveted Air Tanks. In determining the maximum allowable working pressure on the shell of lap-riveted Air Tanks over ten years old, the lowest factor of safety to be used shall be as follows: (a) 5.5 for Air Tanks over ten and not over 15 years old; (b) 5.75 for Air Tanks over 15 and not over 20 years old; and (c) 6.0 for Air Tanks over 20 years old. No piping, drains, safety valves, pressure gauges or other Appurtenances shall be connected to threaded openings required for inspection and cleanout purposes. Flanged and/or threaded connections from which piping, instruments or similar attachments can be removed may be used in place of the required inspection openings in accordance with the 2021 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels.