California Code of Regulations › Title 8 - Industrial Relations › Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations › Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety › Subchapter 2 - Boiler and Fired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders › Article 5 - Inspection › Section 770 - Boilers Subject to Annual Inspection

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) All boilers subject to these Orders are
					 subject to annual internal and external inspection, except as provided in
					 subsection (b), and except those boilers exempted from annual inspection in
					 Section 771.
(b) Boilers installed in turboelectric plants
					 in such a manner that each boiler furnishes steam to a single turbine only
					 shall be inspected internally at least once each eighteen (18) months. The
					 permit to operate issued following internal inspection shall expire not more
					 than twelve (12) months after the date of inspection. The boiler shall be
					 externally inspected prior to or on the expiration date of the permit by a
					 qualified inspector who may, if conditions warrant, issue a temporary permit
					 which shall expire not more than six (6) months after the date of external
					 inspection. A copy of the external inspection report shall be forwarded to the
					 Division by the qualified inspector. Such report shall show the expiration date
					 of the temporary permit to operate.
The Division, upon individual application from petroleum
						companies, chemical plants, public utilities or other industries considered by
						the Division as having superior preventive maintenance and examination
						programs, may grant a maximum interval of thirty-six (36) months between
						internal inspection of fired boilers. A fired boiler is defined for this
						section as one whose temperature input can cause metallurgical damage to the
						boiler, or whose combustion of fuel can cause a furnace explosion. For boilers
						other than fired boilers, the Division may grant a maximum interval of
						seventy-two (72) months between internal inspections, provided the temperature
						input cannot cause metallurgical damage. Boilers of the latter type are
						typically called process steam generators. Such applications, to be reviewed by
						the Division, shall contain as a minimum the following information and
						proposals:
(1) The history of the unit
					 (or of a similar installation) that shows that there is no significant
					 deterioration from scaling, corrosion, erosion or overheating.
(2) Wall thickness reference points shall be
					 established. Following internal inspection of each boiler, a complete record
					 showing the total corrosion and any other conditions found which need
					 correction at the time of inspection shall be forwarded to the Division as part
					 of the inspection report required by 774(a)(1). This record shall show the
					 location and extent of any corrosion, erosion or other defects noted and shall
					 be verified and signed by the certified inspector making the inspection
					 required by Section
					 770(a).
(3) The "Permit to Operate" shall expire one
					 (1) year from the date of the internal inspection, or the date of startup if so
					 noted on the inspection report and the "Permit to Operate." Prior to or on the
					 expiration date of this "Permit," a certified inspector, who will review the
					 operating logs and water treatment records, shall inspect the boiler
					 externally. If conditions warrant, the certified inspector may issue a
					 temporary permit not to exceed six (6) months. Prior to or on the expiration
					 date of the second permit, the boiler shall again be inspected externally by a
					 certified inspector; if conditions warrant, a "Permit" may be issued for an
					 additional six (6) months.
Boilers operating longer than twenty-four (24) months
						between internal inspections shall have a program of on-stream examination of
						corrosion points, and inspection of operations and safety controls that is
						acceptable to the Division, and the certified inspection agency. The maximum
						interval of each temporary permit shall be six (6) months.
If the boiler is located within a local jurisdiction that
						has regulations concerning boiler inspections, the jurisdiction must also be
						consulted concerning the acceptability of the inspection program.
The certified inspector shall submit reports to the
						Division of each external inspection, noting the expiration date of the permit
						issued, and recording any unusual condition found. The inspection report shall
						include a statement that water treatment records have been reviewed. Reports of
						on-stream wall thickness readings must also be submitted to the Division via
						the certified inspector.
(4)
					 For boilers and process steam generators where metallurgical damage may occur,
					 the Division may categorize the boiler or process steam generator as unfired
					 upon acceptance of a risk engineering analysis submitted by the owner of the
					 boiler to the Division. The risk engineering analysis shall include the design
					 basis for categorizing the boiler as unfired, the potential consequences to the
					 boiler and to the safety of the person(s) responsible for attending the boiler,
					 and a discussion of protective devices and specific procedures to prevent the
					 consequences.
(5) The boiler water
					 treatment and specific chemical limits shall be prescribed by a competent water
					 treatment specialist, such as a chemical engineer. The boiler water chemistry
					 shall be maintained within desirable limits and documentary records shall be
					 kept of the tests and methods used to maintain the water chemistry within the
					 prescribed limits. A summary of weekly test results shall be kept, and the
					 records shall be available to the certified inspector.
(6) A copy of the Division letter granting
					 the longer interval between internal inspections shall be posted near the
					 boiler, the boiler control center, or the process unit control
					 room.