Certificates, Inspections, and Fees

PURPOSE: This rule addresses the tagging, frequency of inspection, inspection reports, and fees for inspection of objects that are included in the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act (Act) and these rules. (1) As used in this rule, the term “these rules” is intended to mean 11 CSR 40-2.010 through 11 CSR 40-2.065. (2) Initial Inspection and Tagging an Object. (A) Upon completion of the installation of a boiler, water heater, pool heater, or pressure vessel, or at the time of the initial certificate inspection, each object shall be stamped or tagged with a unique serial number issued by the state. The stamping will consist of letters and figures to be not less than five-sixteenths inch (5/16") in height and arranged as follows: MO 123456 Alternatively, a metal tag issued by the chief inspector may be securely affixed using screws, rivets, wire, or other means so that the tag cannot be easily removed. The “MO” number or metal tag (not less than one inch by four inches (1" × 4") in size) shall have the serial number of the state stamped on it and may not be transferred to any other object. The tag or stamping shall be readily visible and placed as close to the ASME nameplate as practical. The tag shall preferably be attached directly to the object. (B) It is the responsibility of the special inspector and the owner, to report untagged boilers, water heaters, and pressure vessels that fall under this Act and these rules, to the chief inspector. (C) When an object is inactivated or scrapped, the tag shall be bent in half and shall remain with the object. The inspector shall submit an inspection report to the chief inspector indicating the new status. (3) Frequency of Inspection of Power Boilers. (A) Power boilers shall receive a certificate inspection annually, which shall be an internal inspection where construction permits; otherwise it shall be as complete an inspection as possible while the boiler is in operation. Boilers shall also be annually inspected externally while under normal operating conditions. (B) Coil-type steam generators that do not have inspection openings, hot liquid (other than water) boilers, and waste heat boilers (with welded closure heads) need not be internally inspected. However, they shall be annually inspected externally while in operation. The inspector may mandate an internal inspection if the inspector feels it is necessary. (C) Any single power boiler used to generate more than four hundred thousand pounds per hour (400,000 lbs/hr) is required to be internally inspected every two (2) years provided the following is verified by the inspector annually and reported to the chief inspector: 1. Full-time operators attend the boiler; 2. Chemical water analysis is monitored and documented at least weekly by a competent individual when the boiler is in operation and at least quarterly if the boiler is not in operation; 3. All welding of pressure parts and welding to pressure parts shall be in accordance with the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) and these rules; 4. An inspector shall perform an external inspection, annually, while the boiler is in operation. A report of all inspections must be submitted to the chief inspector. All inspections shall verify compliance with subsection (3)(C) of this rule. (4) Frequency of inspection of heating boilers, water heaters, pool heaters, and fired jacketed steam kettles. (A) Steam heating boilers shall be inspected every two (2) years. The certificate inspection shall be an internal inspection where construction permits; otherwise the inspection shall be as complete as possible while the boiler is in operation. (B) Hot water heating boilers and fired jacketed steam kettles shall be inspected every two (2) years. 1. Hot water heating and hot water supply boilers over thirty (30) years old shall be internally inspected every two (2) years where construction permits, otherwise the inspection shall be as complete as possible while the boiler is in operation. 2. Hot water heating and hot water supply boilers that are not over thirty (30) years old shall be externally inspected every two (2) years. The inspector may mandate an internal inspection if the inspector feels it is necessary. 3. Water heaters, pool heaters, and fired jacketed steam kettles shall be externally inspected every two (2) years. (C) Exemptions from Internal Inspections. 1. Coil-type steam generators that do not have inspection openings, hot liquid (other than water) boilers, and waste heat boilers (with welded closure heads) need not be internally inspected. However, they shall be biennially inspected externally while in operation. The inspector may mandate an internal inspection if the inspector feels it is necessary. (5) Frequency of Inspection of Pressure Vessels. (A) Pressure vessels shall receive a certificate inspection every two (2) years. This inspection shall be an external inspection. The inspector may mandate an internal inspection if the inspector feels it is necessary. (6) Variations in Inspection Frequency. (A) Based upon documentation of actual service conditions, the chief inspector, at his discretion, may permit variations in the inspection frequency requirements as provided in the Act and these rules. (7) Access and Scheduling of Inspections. (A) The owner or user of a boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel shall provide the inspector access, during reasonable working hours, to perform a certificate inspection or to determine whether a boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel subject to inspection under the statute exists at the location. Boilers, water heaters, and pressure vessels that are subject to inspection and have not been previously inspected shall be inspected immediately or at a time mutually agreeable to the owner and the inspector, within twenty- (20-) working days. (B) The inspector shall make every effort to perform the certificate inspection prior to the expiration date of the certificate. When this is not possible, the inspector has a thirty (30)-calendar day grace period past the expiration date in which to perform the inspection. Inspection reports shall be submitted to the chief inspector within thirty- (30)-calendar days of the inspection. (C) External inspections may be performed by the inspector without prior notification to the owner or user. The inspector may require additional tests or inspections including an internal inspection when, in the inspector’s judgment, continued operation of the boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel constitutes a menace to public safety. The owner or user, at his expense, shall prepare the boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel for the inspections or tests required by the inspector. (D) Internal inspections shall be scheduled at a time mutually agreeable to the inspector and the owner or user. The owner or user shall bear all inspection preparation and restoration cost associated with inspection. (8) Preparation for Inspection. The owner or user shall prepare each boiler, water heater, and pressure vessel for inspection. (A) Preparation for internal inspection shall be as follows: 1. Water shall be drawn off and the boiler washed thoroughly; 2. Manhole and handhole plates, washout plugs, and inspection plugs in water column connections shall be removed as required by the inspector. The furnace and combustion chambers shall be cooled and thoroughly cleaned; 3. All grates of internally fired boilers shall be removed as required by the inspector; 4. Insulation or brickwork shall be removed or opened as required by the inspector to determine the condition of the boiler, headers, furnace, supports, or other parts; 5. Burners shall be removed, if necessary, to inspect the external firebox areas; 6. The pressure gage shall be removed for testing if required by the inspector; 7. All low water fuel cut off devices shall be removed from the boiler or disassembled to the satisfaction of the inspector; 8. Any leakage of steam or hot water into the boiler shall be prevented by disconnecting the pipe or valve at the most convenient point or any other appropriate means approved by the inspector; 9. Before opening the manhole or handhole covers and entering any part of the steam generating unit connected to a common header with other boilers, the nonreturn and steam stop valves must be closed, tagged, and padlocked. The drain valves or cocks between the two (2) steam valves shall be opened. The feed valves must be closed, tagged, and padlocked and drain valves or cocks located between the two (2) valves opened. After draining the boiler, the blow off valves shall be closed, tagged, and padlocked. Blow off lines, where practicable, shall be disconnected between pressure parts and valves. All drains and vent lines shall be opened; and 10. Steam drums shall have all trays and other attachments removed to the extent required by the inspector. (B) Preparation for external inspection shall be as required by the inspector. (C) If a boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel has not been properly prepared for an internal inspection, the inspector may decline to make the inspection. The inspection certificate shall be voided or not renewed until the owner or user complies with the requirements. The owner or user shall provide at least twenty-four (24)-hour notice if it is necessary to cancel a prearranged internal inspection with a deputy inspector or the chief inspector. Failure to provide such notice or failure to properly prepare the boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel for inspection may result in the assessment of an hourly fee for travel time plus expenses and mileage in addition to the inspection fee and inspection certificate fee as listed in this rule. (D) Removal of Covering to Permit Inspection. Sufficient jacketing or other form of casing or housing shall be removed to permit reasonable inspection of the object. (E) If additional tests are required by the inspector, such tests shall be scheduled by the owner or user at the owner or user’s expense. Pressure test shall not exceed the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) unless acceptable to the owner or user, and the inspector. (9) Inspection Reports. (A) Inspectors shall submit to the chief inspector an inspection report on the Missouri Boiler and Pressure Vessel website or by electronic interface in a format acceptable to the board for each boiler, water heater, pool heater, and pressure vessel subject to inspection in this state. Complete data and calculations that may be required by these rules shall be submitted for each nonstandard boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel when it is first tagged or stamped with a state number. (B) Inspection reports shall be submitted within thirty- (30-) calendar days from the date of inspection. (10) Insurance Companies to Notify Chief Inspector of New, Cancelled, or Suspended Insurance on Boilers, Water Heaters, or Pressure Vessels. (A) All insurance companies shall notify the chief inspector, within thirty- (30-) calendar days of all boilers, water heaters, or pressure vessels on which insurance is written, cancelled, or not renewed. When an insurance company suspends coverage due to an unsafe condition, the chief inspector shall be notified within seven- (7-) calendar days. All notices shall reference each object by the Missouri identification number. (11) Owner or User to Notify Chief Inspector of Accident. (A) When an accident occurs to a boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel, the owner or user shall promptly notify the chief inspector by submitting a detailed report of the accident. In the event of an injury, fatality, or any explosion, notice shall be given immediately to the chief inspector. (12) Validity of Inspection Certificate. (A) An inspection certificate shall be valid until expiration unless some defect or condition affecting the safety of the boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel is disclosed or the installation is altered to make it in noncompliance with the Act or these rules. The inspection certificate expires when a boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel is moved to another location or is reinstalled. (13) Issuance of Certificates. (A) Upon completion of a satisfactory inspection, an inspection certificate shall be issued for each boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel conforming to these rules following payment of the required fees by the owner or user. When conflict exists between the owner and user concerning the repairs or payment of fees for any object, the owner is ultimately responsible for the payment of fees and/or repairs. Payment shall be made payable to the Division of Fire Safety. (14) Fee Schedule. (A) Inspections by the chief inspector or deputy inspector shall be paid in accordance with the fee schedule below. These inspection fees are in addition to the inspection certificate fee. 1. Power Boilers— A. Internal inspections— 4,000 lbs/hr capacity or less $125 Over 4,000 lbs/hr up to 16,000 lbs/hr $150 16,000 lbs/hr or greater $195 B. External inspections— 4,000 lbs/hr capacity or less $85 Over 4,000 lbs/hr $110 2. Heating Boilers, Water Heaters, Pool Heaters, and Fired Vessels— A. Internal inspections— 4,000 lbs/hr capacity or less $85 Greater than 4,000 lbs/hr $95 B. External inspections— Hot water heating boilers, hot water supply boilers, pool heaters, circulating water heaters, and steam heating boilers less than or equal to 15 psi $70 Fired storage water heaters and fired jacketed steam kettles $60 3. Pressure Vessels— A. 1,000 cu. ft. (7,500 gal.) or less in volume $50 B. Over 1,000 cu. ft. (7,500 gal.) in volume $60 C. Internal inspection requiring entry $70 D. No more than one hundred twenty dollars ($120) shall be charged for any one (1) pressure vessel, except inspection under subparagraph (14)(A)3.C. and paragraph (14)(B)7., in any one (1) year for a routine certificate inspection. (B) Miscellaneous fees. 1. Examination fees $70 2. Commissions A. New issuance $45 B. Renewal (commission previous year) $35 3. Inspection certificate $40 4. Reprint for each certificate/Change of certificate name for each $30 5. Accreditation reviews— ASME and National Board $1,040 plus expenses 6. Hourly rates: A. Each hour or part thereof up to eight hours $100 B. Each hour or part thereof over eight hours in any one (1) day $115 7. Reinspection fee for improperly prepared object hourly rate plus expenses (15) Refusal to Permit Inspection or Pay Fees. (A) If the owner or user of a boiler, water heater, or pressure vessel refuses to allow an inspection to be made, or refuses to pay the fee stipulated, a new inspection certificate shall not be issued. (16) Posting of Inspection Certificate. (A) It is the owner or user’s responsibility to assure a valid inspection certificate is posted at the location of the object. (17) Operation Without a Valid Inspection Certificate. (A) The owner or user who causes or permits operation of a boiler or pressure vessel without a valid inspection certificate shall be subject to the penalties as provided for in the Act. AUTHORITY: sections 650.215, 650.275, and 650.277, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Sept. 25, 2002, effective May 30, 2003. Amended: Filed June 30, 2009, effective Feb. 28, 2010. Amended: Filed Dec. 12, 2022, effective June 30, 2023. *Original authority: 650.215, RSMo 1984, amended 1990, 1993, 1995. 650.275, RSMo 1984, amened 1990; and 650.277, RSMo 2002.