Requirements For Boilers

(1) Automatic Low Water Fuel Cutoff and/or Water Feeding Device. (a) Each automatically-fired boiler shall be equipped with one (1) or more automatic low water fuel cutoff devices conforming to the requirements of ASME CSD-1, latest edition/addenda adopted by the Board. If a waterfeeding device is installed, it shall be so constructed that the water inlet valve cannot feedwater into the boiler through the float chamber, and so located as to supply requisite feedwater. The lowest safe waterline should not be lower than the lowest visible part of the water glass. (b) Such fuel or feedwater control device may be attached directly to a boiler, or for low- pressure boiler to the tapped openings provided for attaching a water glass directly to a boiler, provided that such connections from the boiler are nonferrous tees or Y’s not less than one half (1/2) inch pipe size between the boiler and the water glass, so that the water glass is attached directly and as close as possible to the boiler. The ends of all nipples shall be reamed to full-size diameter. (c) Designs embodying a float and float bowl shall have a vertical straightway valve drain pipe at the lowest point in the water equalizing pipe connections by which the bowl and the equalizing pipe can be flushed and the device tested. (2) Boiler Blowoff Equipment. BOILER INSPECTIONS CHAPTER 0800-03-03 (a) The blowdown from a boiler or boilers that enters a sanitary sewer system or blowdown which is considered a hazard to life or property shall pass through some form of blowoff equipment that will reduce pressure and temperature as required hereunder. 1. The temperature of the water leaving the blowoff equipment shall not exceed 150°F. 2. The pressure of the blowdown leaving any type of blowoff equipment shall not exceed 5 psig. 3. All blowoff equipment shall be fitted with openings to facilitate cleaning and inspection. (3) Boiler Door Latches. (a) A watertube boiler shall have firing doors of the inward-opening type, unless such doors are provided with substantial and effective latching or fastening devices, or are otherwise so constructed as to prevent them, when closed, from being blown open by pressure on the furnace side. These latches or fastenings shall be of the positive self- locking type. Friction contacts, latches, or bolts actuated by springs shall not be used. The foregoing requirements for latches or fastenings shall not apply to coal openings of downdraft or similar furnaces. (b) All other doors, except explosion doors, not used in the firing of the boiler, may be provided with bolts or fastenings in lieu of self-locking latching devices. (c) Explosion doors, if used and if located in the setting walls within seven (7) feet of the firing floor or operating platforms shall be provided with substantial deflectors to divert the blast. (4) Clearance. (a) When boilers are replaced or new boilers are installed in either existing or new buildings, a height of at least three (3) feet shall be provided between the top of the boiler proper and the ceiling or roof, and at least three (3) feet between all sides of the boiler and adjacent walls or other structures. Boilers and pressure vessels having manholes shall have five (5) feet clearance from the manhole opening and any wall, ceiling or piping that will prevent a person from entering the boiler or vessel. All boilers and pressure vessels shall be so located that adequate space will be provided for the proper operation of the boilers and pressure vessels and their appurtenances, for the inspection of all surfaces, tubes, waterwalls, economizers, piping valves and other equipment, and for the necessary maintenance, repair and replacement of tubes. (b) A variance from the requirements of subparagraph (a) of this rule may be issued by the Chief Inspector or Chief Inspector’s Designee for the installation of a steam heating, hot water heating, hot water supply, or unfired steam boilers or unfired pressure vessels. All requests must be submitted to the Chief Inspector or Chief Inspector’s Designee prior to installation. (5) Exit from Boiler Room. Any boiler room exceeding five hundred (500) square feet floor area and containing one (1) or more boilers having a fuel-burning capacity of 1,000,000 BTU/hr, or equivalent electrical heat input, shall have at least two (2) means of exit. Each exit shall be remotely located from the other. Each elevation in such boiler room shall have two (2) means of exit, each remotely located from the other. BOILER INSPECTIONS CHAPTER 0800-03-03 (6) Air and Ventilation Requirements. Combustion Air Supply and Ventilation of Boiler Room. A permanent source of outside air shall be provided for each boiler room to permit satisfactory combustion of the fuel as well as proper ventilation of the boiler room under normal operating conditions. (a) Total requirements of the burners for all fired pressure vessels in the boiler room must be used to determine the louver sizes, whether fired by coal, oil or gas; however, the minimum net free louvered area must not be less than one (1) square foot. The following table or formula shall be used to determine the net louvered area in square feet: Input BTU/Hour Required Air Cu.Ft. /Min. Min. Net Louvered Area Sq. Ft. 500,000 1.0 1,000,000 1.0 2,000,000 1.6 3,000,000 2.5 4,000,000 1,000 3.3 5,000,000 1,250 4.1 6,000,000 1,500 5.0 7,000,000 1,750 5.8 8,000,000 2,000 6.6 CFM = BTUH x 2.5 10,000 Min. Net Louvered Area Required (Sq. Ft.) = CFM (b) When mechanical ventilation is used in lieu of subparagraph (a) of this rule, the supply of combustion and ventilation air to the boiler room and the firing devices shall be interlocked with the fan so the firing device will not operate with the fan off. The velocity of the air through the ventilation fan shall not exceed five hundred (500) feet per minute, and the total air delivered shall be equal to or greater than shown in sub- paragraph (a) of this rule. (7) Gas Burners. For installations which are gas-fired, the burners used shall conform to the applicable requirements of the American Gas Association, or other nationally recognized standards acceptable to the Board. (8) Prevention of Furnace Explosions. Fuel-burning equipment, the related safety devices and controls, and their operation shall be in accordance with the requirements of ASME CSD-1, or the NFPA 85 latest edition/addenda adopted by the Board, as applicable. (9) Electric Boilers. All appliances required for electric steam boilers shall be attached in accordance with the following rules: (a) The grounding of the boiler shall be permanently fastened on some part of the boiler, and shall be grounded in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70. (b) A suitable screen or guard shall be provided around high tension bushings; and a sign shall be posted warning of high voltage. This screen or guard shall be so located that it will be impossible for anyone working around the boiler to accidentally come in contact with the high tension circuits. During the adjustment of safety valves, the power circuit to the boiler shall be open. The boiler may be under steam or water pressure, but the power line shall be open while the operator is making the necessary adjustments. BOILER INSPECTIONS CHAPTER 0800-03-03 (c) The minimum safety valve or safety relief valve relieving capacity for electric boilers shall be three and one half (3½) pounds per hour per kilowatt input. (10) Flue Connection. Each fuel-fired boiler shall be equipped with a vent or flue which shall terminate at any acceptable location outside the building. The size of the vent or flue and type of material shall be that recommended by the boiler manufacturer. (11) Attendants for Power Boilers. (a) A power boiler having a rating of either 5 h.p. or 50 sq. ft. of heat-absorbing surface or greater shall not be operated for periods of longer than twenty (20) minutes without being checked pursuant to NB’s recommendations, by an attendant who has been qualified by the owner/user in its operation, regardless of whether the boiler is equipped with automatic feedwater regulator, fuel or damper regulator, high and low water alarm, or other form of automatic control. (b) A variance from the requirements of subparagraph (a) of this rule may be issued by the Board. All requests must be submitted to the Chief Inspector or Chief Inspector’s Designee no less than forty-five (45) days prior to the next regularly scheduled or called meeting of the Board. (12) Conditions Not Covered. The Chief Inspector or Chief Inspector’s Designee shall be consulted for any conditions not covered by these requirements.