Wis. Admin. Code Department of Safety and Professional Services SPS 345.31

Current through December 30, 2024

Section SPS 345.31 - Enforcement and inspections

(1) ENFORCEMENT.

(a) This chapter shall be enforced by the department and its authorized agents.

Note: Section 101.02(15) (g) of the Statutes authorizes the Department and its authorized agents to enter any building, facility or premises and examine any mechanical refrigeration system or component and associated records for the purpose of enforcing this chapter.

(b) Where an authorized agent administers and enforces this chapter in conjunction with the department, the authorized agent's administration and enforcement shall be exercised in advance of the department's administration and enforcement.

Note: Under section SPS 345.11(5), the department reserves the right to interpret the requirements in this chapter and in all adopted codes and standards.

(2)INSTALLATION INSPECTION.

(a) The authorized agent or the department shall inspect a mechanical refrigeration system that is required to be registered under s. SPS 345.30(1), within 45 business days after completion of the initial construction or installation, and within 45 business days after completion of construction or installation relating to any alteration, repair or replacement.

(b)

1. All refrigerant steel piping that will employ welded joints shall be inspected by the authorized agent or the department after the piping material is delivered to the job site and prior to installation of the piping.

2. The authorized agent or the department shall be given a minimum of 5 business days notice prior to the start of construction to arrange for inspections under this paragraph.

Note: The Department can be notified by writing to the Division of Industry Services, Mechanical Refrigeration Program, P.O. Box 7302, Madison, WI 53707-7302; or by telephone at 608/266-7548 or 411 (Telecommunications Relay); or by using the contact information available through the following Web site: http://dsps.wi.gov/Documents/Industry%20Services/Maps/Mechanical-Refrigeration-Gas-Systems-Anhydrous-Ammonia%20Map%2008-13.pdf.

3. If applicable and if required by the authorized agent or the department, the following documents shall be made available for review during inspections under this paragraph:

a. Welding procedure specification.

b. Procedure qualification record.

c. Welder performance qualification.

d. Welder continuity record.

e. Design calculations.

f. Design plans for the piping system.

g. Material test reports.

h. Certificates of compliance.

Note: For further information relating to the welding documentation listed in subdivision 3. a. to d., see section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, as referenced in section SPS 345.550(1).

4. Form SBD-5204 shall be completed and be retained at the job site for reference during inspections under this paragraph. If the design of the piping is acceptable, the authorized agent or the department shall sign the form.

(c) Welded, prefabricated steel piping that is part of a mechanical refrigeration system to be erected on a job site shall be inspected at the fabrication shop by the authorized agent or the department - or, for out-of-state fabricators, by an inspector commissioned by the national board of boiler and pressure vessel inspectors. The fabricator shall make a copy of the inspection report or a copy of the completed form SBD-5204 available to the installer at the job site verifying that the prefabricated piping complies with ASME B31.5. Design calculations for the prefabricated piping shall be provided to the authorized agent or the department if so requested.

(d) Within 5 business days of completing the installations and inspections under par. (b) or (c), a copy of the completed SBD-5204-E form shall be filed with the authorized agent or the department, unless additional time is granted by the authorized agent or the department.

Note: The address for submitting forms to the Department is the Division of Industry Services, Mechanical Refrigeration Program, P.O. Box 7302, Madison, WI 53707-7302; and the fax number is 608-283-7420.

Note: ASME B31.5 is a mandatory reference for designers, fabricators and producers of refrigeration equipment, and is referenced in appendix E of ANSI/ASHRAE standard 15, which is adopted in subchapter IV.

Note: It is recommended that out-of-state installers contact the Department prior to any fabrication or installation of prefabricated piping, to expedite compliance with the Department's requirements.

Note: The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors can be contacted at 1055 Crupper Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229; or at telephone 614.888.8320; or at www.nationalboard.com.

Note: The Department forms required in this chapter are available for a nominal fee at telephone 800-DOC-SALE or 411 (Telecommunications Relay) or at docsales@doa.state.wi.us, or at no charge at the Department's Web site at www.dsps.wi.gov through links to Division of Industry Services forms.

(3)PERIODIC INSPECTIONS.

(a)

1. Except as provided in subd. 2., any mechanical refrigeration system using a Group A1 or B1 refrigerant and having a capacity rated at or greater than 50 horsepower, 50 tons or 50,000 volt-amperes shall be inspected by the authorized agent or the department at least once every 36 months.

2.

a. Mechanical refrigeration systems containing a Group A1 or B1 refrigerant which are used only for air conditioning for human occupancy and which have their mechanical components located outdoors with the discharge from any relief valve located at least 20 feet from any building opening are exempt from periodic inspections.

b. An air intake opening that is part of an outdoor self-contained system under subd. 2. a. is not considered a building opening for the purposes of this subdivision.

(b) Any mechanical refrigeration system using a Group A2, B2, A3 or B3 refrigerant and having a capacity rated at or greater than 10 horsepower, 10 tons or 10,000 volt-amperes shall be inspected by the authorized agent or the department at least once every 12 months.

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Safety and Professional Services SPS 345.31

CR 10-011: cr. (title), (1) and (2), sub. (3) renum. from Comm 45.08 (3) and am. Register August 2010 No. 656, eff. 9-1-10; correction in (2) (a) made under s. 13.92(4) (b) 7, Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672; CR 11-047: cr. (2) (d) Register May 2012 No. 677, eff. 6-1-12.

See Table 1 and normative appendix C in ANSI/ASHRAE standard 15, as adopted in subchapter IV, for characteristics of the refrigerant groups listed in paragraphs (a) and (b).