Age limit of existing boilers

1. The age limit of any boiler of nonstandard construction is thirty years except that after a thorough internal and external inspection and a hydrostatic pressure test of one and one-half times the allowable working pressure held for a period of at least thirty minutes during which no distress or leakage develops, any boiler having other than a lap-riveted longitudinal joint may be continued in operation without reduction in working pressure. The age limit of any boiler having lap-riveted longitudinal joints and operating at a pressure in excess of fifty pounds per square inch [344.74 kilopascals] is twenty years; this type of boiler, when removed from an existing setting, may not be reinstalled for a pressure in excess of fifteen pounds per square inch [103 kilopascals]. A reasonable time for replacement, not to exceed one year, may be given at the discretion of the chief boiler inspector. 2. The shell or drum of a boiler in which a typical lap seam crack is discovered along a longitudinal riveted joint for either butt seam or lap joints must be permanently discontinued for use under steam pressure. "Lap seam crack" means the typical crack frequently found in lap seams extending parallel to the longitudinal joint and located either between or adjacent to rivet holes. 3. The age limit of boilers of standard construction installed prior to the date this law becomes effective is dependent on thorough internal and external inspection and hydrostatic pressure test of one and one-half times the allowable working pressure for a period of thirty minutes. If the boiler under these test conditions exhibits no distress or leakage, it may be continued in operation at the same working pressure.