Section 675 IAC 30-3-9 - Operating permits and inspection schedulesAuthority: IC 22-13-2-8
Affected: IC 22-12-7; IC 22-15-6
Sec. 9.
(a) Unless exempted by 675 IAC 30-1-2(b) or 675 IAC 30-1-5, no boiler or unfired pressure vessel may be operated until an operating permit is issued.(b) Unless stated otherwise, a boiler or unfired pressure vessel shall be inspected annually, and its operating permit expires one (1) year after issuance. The following is a list of specific boiler and unfired pressure vessel operating permit expiration periods and inspection schedules: (1) Operating permits for power boilers expire one (1) year after issuance. Power boilers shall be inspected as follows: (A) Externally every twelve (12) months while under pressure, which shall occur approximately six (6) months from the issuance of the operating permit.(B) Within every twelve (12) months of issuance of an operating permit or renewal, while not under pressure, both: (i) internally, where construction permits; and(2) Operating permits for low pressure steam heating boilers, hot water heating boilers, hot water supply boilers, and service water heaters expire two (2) years after issuance. These boilers and water heaters shall be inspected every twenty-four (24) months both internally, where construction permits, and externally.(3) Operating permits for unfired pressure vessels and any steam generating equipment that is an integral part of a continuous processing unit, such as used in chemical manufacturing or petroleum refining, expire three (3) years after issuance, unless inspection results indicate a one (1) or two (2) year permit shall be issued. However, if systematic corrosion data supports an extended inspection frequency, the operating permit shall be extended up to five (5) years, if approved by the inspector. Unfired pressure vessels shall be inspected as follows: (A) Externally, on a schedule that corresponds with the duration of the operating permit.(B) Internally, if the unfired pressure vessel is subject to internal corrosion following the requirements in Part 2 of the NBIC or API-510. In lieu of an internal inspection, any of the following unfired pressure vessels may be examined using an alternate examination method that ensures integrity and safe operation:(i) Vessels in which human entry cannot be accomplished (e.g., small vessels and vessels without manway openings).(ii) Vessels that cannot be safely entered (e.g. vessels with configuration hazards).(iii) Vessels in a service in which opening the vessel can cause more harm than good (e.g., vessels in ammonia service where the introduction of oxygen and water have been shown to contribute to stress corrosion cracking). Alternate examination methods may include ultrasonic thickness measurement, phased array ultrasonic examination, eddy current examination, radiography, borescope or other viewing devices, or other examination methods which provide meaningful results and are acceptable to the inspector. The alternate examination methods need not be performed by the inspector but must be performed by qualified personnel. It is not necessary for the internal inspection to coincide with the operating permit inspection.
(c) In addition to the operating permit expiration dates and inspection schedules provided in subsection (b), the following extensions may be granted by the division: (1) For power boilers with rated steaming capacity of three hundred thousand (300,000) pounds per hour or more, the operating permit and inspection schedule may be extended from one (1) year, as provided in subsection (b)(1), to up to thirty-six (36) months, in twelve (12) month increments, if the following items are submitted to the division: (A) A written request, by the owner or user, for an extension beyond the operating permit expiration date. (B) A report of of [sic] all external inspections required by subdivision (b)(1)(A) [subsection (b)(1)(A)].(C) A letter from an inspector attesting to the following: (i) The use of the boiler.(ii) The nameplate data, state registration number, and any National Board numbers of the boiler.(iii) The name and pertinent qualifications of the individual in charge of water treatment.(iv) Adequacy of the laboratory facilities and a review of written procedures and data for water chemistry analysis and treatment of boiler water, which shall include the method, frequency, parameters, and limits.(v) A review of the record of boiler outages occurring since the last internal inspection.(vi) The acceptability of the documentation reviewed and acceptance of the extended interval.(vii) The historical safety relief valve inspection reports.(D) External inspections shall be conducted at approximately six (6) month intervals while the boiler is under pressure during the period of extension. Upon expiration of the extension, the operating permit and inspection schedule shall revert to the requirements of subsection (b)(1).
(2) For boilers, other than steam generating equipment that is an integral part of a continuous processing unit such as used in chemical manufacturing or petroleum refining, the operating permit and inspection schedule may be extended up to six (6) months to allow for unexpected plant operational difficulties. A request for an extension must be submitted by the owner or user prior to expiration of the operating permit. External inspections shall continue to be conducted at approximately six (6) month intervals while the boiler is under pressure.(d) The expiration date of the operating permits described in subsection (b) shall be extended for two (2) months, for unexpected issues, upon submitting notification to the division in any approved manner. (e) To qualify for an operating permit, or to renew an operating permit, an applicant must do the following: (1) Apply on a form and in a manner approved by the division.(2) Demonstrate through inspections:(A) performed by an inspector licensed under IC 22-15-6-5; and(B) performed in accordance with the inspection schedule described in subsection (b) or (c); that the regulated boiler or unfired pressure vessel covered by the application complies with this article.(3) Submit a report of the inspections performed in subdivision (2) to the division.(4) Submit payment of the operating fees provided for in 675 IAC 12-3-13 to the division.(f) The division shall issue a permit covering the operation of a boiler or unfired pressure vessel to an applicant who qualifies.(g) The division may sanction an operating permit, under IC 22-12-7, for violation of any relevant equipment law. Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission; 675 IAC 30-3-9; filed Jan 5, 1996, 10:15 a.m.: 19 IR 1114; readopted filed Jul 9, 2001, 1:33 p.m.: 24 IR 3822; readopted filed Sep 21, 2007, 9:16 a.m.: 20071010-IR-680070389RFA; readopted filed Oct 19, 2007, 1:08 p.m.: 20071114-IR-680070389RFA; readopted filed Sep 5, 2013, 10:09 a.m.: 20131009-IR-680130182RFA; readopted filed 9/4/2019, 2:20 p.m.: 20191002-IR-675190336RFAFiled 4/28/2021, 11:03 a.m.: 20210526-IR-675200627FRA, eff 7/1/2021Transferred from the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules Board ( 680 IAC 2-3-9) to the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission ( 675 IAC 30-3-9) by P.L. 249-2019, SECTION 15, effective July 1, 2019.