Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 50, December 14, 2024
(a) This chapter applies to: (1) The boiler and the pipe connections up to and including the stop valve or valves nearest the boiler as required by the ASME Code and Power Piping, B31.1. Superheaters, reheaters, economizers and other pressure parts connected directly to the boiler without intervening valves will be considered as parts of the boiler and their construction must conform to ASME Code and Power Piping, B31.1 requirements.(2) Unfired pressure vessels and hot water storage vessels.(b) Boilers installed before July 1, 1916, and unfired pressure vessels and power boilers installed before September 1, 1937, must comply with §§ 3a.131, 3a.141-3a.145 and 3a.151-3a.154.(c) Heat exchangers must comply with § 3a.167 (relating to hot water/steam heat exchangers) when the heat exchanger operates at 16 psi or greater, and has 5 cubic feet or more of volume not allowing for channel or tube nest displacements.(d) This chapter does not apply to: (1) Piping between the reheater connections and the turbine or other prime mover.(2) Boilers and unfired pressure vessels regulated under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 2011-2297h-13).(3) Boilers and unfired pressure vessels owned or operated by the Federal Government.(4) Boilers located on farms, except in sales areas which are accessible to the public.(5) Boilers located in single-family dwellings and multi-unit dwellings with four or less units.(6) Storage water heaters and instantaneous water heaters if all the following limitations are not exceeded: (i) A heat input of 200,000 Btus /hr (58.6 kW).(ii) A water temperature of 210°F (99°C).(iii) A nominal water-containing capacity of 120 gallons (454 L).(7) Unfired pressure vessels used for the transportation of compressed gases that are operated in compliance with specifications and regulations of the United States Department of Transportation ( 49 CFR Part 173 (relating to shippers general requirements for shipments and packaging)).(8) Air tanks located on vehicles operating under other Commonwealth agency regulations or rules and used for carrying passengers or freight.(9) Air tanks installed on the right-of-way of railroads and used directly in the operation of switches and signals and under Federal or other Commonwealth agency jurisdiction.(10) Vessels having an internal or external operating pressure of no more than 15 psi with no limitation on size when equipped with approved safety devices.(11) Unfired pressure vessels designed to ASME Code section VIII, Division 1 which do not exceed one of the following specifications:(i) 5 cubic feet (0.14m3) in volume and 250 psi (1,720 kPa) design pressure.(ii) 3 cubic feet (0.08m3) in volume and 350 psi (2,410 kPa) design pressure.(iii) 1.5 cubic feet (0.04m3) in volume and 600 psi (4,140 kPa) design pressure.(iv) Vessels having an inside diameter, width, height or cross section diagonal not exceeding 6 inches (152 mm), with no limitation on length of vessel or pressure.(12) Unfired pressure vessels with a nominal water-containing capacity of up to 120 gallons containing water under pressure. These vessels include unfired pressure vessels that contain air, which is trapped in the system and where the compression air serves only as a cushion.(13) Filters and softeners with a nominal water containing capacity of 120 gallons or less and pressures not exceeding 100 psi at ambient temperature.(14) Air conditioner heat exchangers (chillers) with a design pressure not more than 300 psi and a water temperature not more than 210° F.(15) Coil-type hot water boilers which meet the requirements of ASME Code, Section I, paragraph, PG 2.3. This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 3a.170 (relating to swimming pool heaters).