Inspection of boilers

1. Each boiler used or proposed to be used within this state, except boilers exempt in North Dakota Century Code section 23.1-16-06, must be thoroughly inspected as to their construction, installation, condition, and operation as follows: a. Power boilers must be inspected annually both internally while not under pressure and externally while under pressure. However, any power boiler or steam generator, the operation of which is an integral part of or a necessary adjunct to other continuous processing operations, must be inspected internally at such intervals as are permitted by the shutting down of the processing operation. The chief boiler inspector may provide for extension of time between internal inspections, but an external inspection must be made, and report submitted, for purposes of issuing a certificate. In all other instances the certificate inspection must be an internal inspection when construction permits. b. Power boilers of one hundred thousand pounds [45359.24 kilograms] per hour or more capacity, which comply with subsection 2 of North Dakota Century Code section 23.1-16-07, must be inspected at least once every thirty-six months internally while not under pressure and at least once every twelve months externally while under pressure. c. Steam traction engines must be inspected at least once every twelve months. Inspections must alternate between internal inspections, external inspections, and hydrostatic tests. d. Low-pressure steam boilers must be inspected annually. Low-pressure steam boilers of steel construction must be inspected alternately internally and externally. The issuance of a certificate must normally be based on the internal inspection. e. Hot water heating and hot water supply boilers must be inspected triennially unless they are located in a nursing home, school, hospital, nursery school, or kindergarten, in which case they must be inspected annually. Internal inspections will be required when deemed necessary by the inspector. f. A grace period of two months beyond the period specified in the above subdivisions may elapse between inspections. 2. Certificate inspections must be made during the period of thirty days prior to and thirty days after the expiration date of the certificate. Noncertificate inspections, when required by the provisions of this section, must be made between certificate inspections. The chief boiler inspector encourages reports to be made at any time adverse conditions are found, or when difficulty is encountered getting cooperation from the owner or user. 3. The inspections required under this section must be made by the chief boiler inspector, or by a deputy inspector, or by a special inspector provided for in this article. 4. If at any time a hydrostatic test is deemed necessary by the inspector, it must be made by the owner or user in the presence of, and under the supervision of the inspector, and must be approved by the inspector. 5. Cast iron boilers must be considered as boilers that do not lend themselves to internal inspections. Internal inspections of electric boilers must be made when deemed necessary by the inspector.