Antique Boiler Inspection Survey
Results from the National Board Survey
In the aftermath of the Case tractor explosion at the Medina County Fairgrounds on July 29, 2001, in Medina, Ohio, the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors mailed out a survey to its accredited boiler inspectors around the U.S. regarding their regulations for antique or historical boilers, which in practical terms means antique steam traction engines and portable steam engine boilers.
According to the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, the survey was requested by Ohio chief boiler inspector Dean Jagger in response to the Case explosion. The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors has been kind enough to share those results with us for the benefit of our readers. Special thanks go to Donald E. Tanner, executive director of the National Board, for permission to print the results of this survey.
Antique Boiler Inspection Results:
These results are based upon 56 replies from 59 jurisdictions polled in the U.S. and Canada.
1. Do you regulate these types of boilers?
Yes
40
No
16
2. How frequently are they inspected?
Every:
6 months
01
1 year
33
2 years
05
3 years
01
3. What methods of inspection are used?
Internal Inspection
40
External Inspection
39
Determination of remaining thickness in specific areas
29
Hydrostatic Test
35
Pressure gauge comparison or other means to ensure accuracy
21
Test the safety valve under pressure by raising the test lever
29
Test the safety valve by allowing it to lift solely by boiler pressure
10
Witness operation of , injectors or feed water pump under pressure
12
4. How often is a hydrostatic test required?
1 year
19
2 years
04
3 years
03
4 years
02
5 years
03
Discretion of Inspector
04
As needed
03
No response
02
5. What hydrostatic pressure is used?
MAWP
10
1- MAWP
05
1- MAWP
17
100 PSI
01
200 PSI
01
100%
01
Operating Pressure
01
A1AWP + 10%
01
MAWP up to 1- MAWP
01
Discretion of Inspector
01
6. Is an operating certificate issued upon successful inspection?
Yes
40.
No
0
7. Will you accept a valid certificate from another jurisdiction in lieu of performing an inspection?
Yes
15
No
24
Maybe
01
8. Will you accept inspections performed by anyone other than your own deputy inspectors?
Yes
20
No
19
Only if boiler is insured
01
9. Do you provide specialized training for inspectors?
Yes
17
No
23
10. Do you use a Code or Standard as the basis for inspections?
Yes
38
No
02
If yes, please list Codes or Standards used.
NBIC
16
AME
05
NBIC & ASME
12
NBIC & CSA B51
01
State Rules
01
NBIC, ASME & State Rules
01
All Current Codes
01
NBIC, ASME & CSA B51
01
No Response
01
11. How many of these boilers are currently authorized to operate in your jurisdiction?
<10
11
10-24
8
25-49
7
50-75
5
90
1
93
1
100
1
150
1
230
1
300
1
Not Available
3
12. How many of these boilers fail inspection each year?
1-5%
12
6-10%
10
11-15%
01
25%
01
0%
11
No response or unknown
03
13. Do you require welded repairs to be performed by an "R" stamp holder?
Yes
32
No
07
No welding permitted
01
14. Do you require a license or mandatory training for the operators of these boilers?
Yes
13
No
27
Contact The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors at: 1055 Crupper Ave., Columbus, OH 43229-1183, (614) 888-8320. Visit their web site, www.nationalboard.org, or e-mail at: getinfo@nation-alboard.org
Survey Highlights
100 percent of respondent jurisdictions issue an operating certificate upon successful inspection. Eighty-three percent of respondent jurisdictions require an annual inspection.
Seventy-one percent of respondent jurisdictions regulate historical boilers.
Sixty-seven percent of respondent jurisdictions do not require a license or mandatory training for operators of historical boilers.
Forty-eight percent of respondent jurisdictions require an annual hydrostatic test.
Forty-three percent of respondent jurisdictions provide specialized training for inspectors.
Thirty-eight percent of respondent jurisdictions will accept valid certificates from other jurisdictions in lieu of an inspection.