North Carolina Administrative Code › Title 13 - LABOR › Chapter 13 - BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL › Section .0200 - ADMINISTRATION › Section 13 .0214 - EXTENDED PRESSURE EQUIPMENT OPERATING CERTIFICATES

Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 2, July 15, 2024
(a)
									G.S.
				95-69.16 and
				13 NCAC
				13 .0211(l) of this Chapter
				allows the Commissioner, as delegated to the Chief Inspector, to modify the
				inspection frequency for individual pressure equipment if it is determined that
				the new frequency will provide for the safety attained by the normal inspection
				frequency as defined in this Chapter. Maintenance programs, the condition of
				the pressure equipment, and a baseline inspection help to determine if the
				equipment is eligible for extended certification. The Chief Inspector may allow
				certificate renewal frequencies of up to three years. Companies wishing to have
				their pressure equipment given an extended certification must apply by letter
				to the Chief Inspector requesting extended certification.
(b) For a first time extended inspection
				frequency, the following shall apply to both new and existing equipment:
(1) Base Line Inspections: At the outset of
				an extended inspection frequency, a base line inspection must be conducted of
				all inside and outside accessible pressure boundaries. The inspected area shall
				be examined visually by a North Carolina Department of Labor, Boiler Safety
				Bureau Inspector Supervisor along with a Deputy Inspector for evidence of
				cracking, discoloration, wear, pitting, bulging, blistering, corrosion and
				erosion, arc strikes, gouges, dents, and other signs of surface irregularities.
				Areas that are suspect shall be non-destructively examined, as defined in this
				Chapter, by a method acceptable to the Inspector Supervisor and Deputy
				Inspector. For areas that are still suspect after such examination, a more
				thorough supplemental examination and engineering evaluation of the
				discontinuities shall be conducted and discussed with the Chief Inspector or
				designee;
(2) Inspection Mapping
				and Records: An inspection grid map shall be constructed for each pressure
				component detailing the areas found suspect. The grid shall not exceed four
				inch square. Suspect area shall be described in detail and photographs of such
				areas shall be taken. These records shall be kept and made available to the
				Deputy Inspector prior to the next required inspection;
(3) Base Line Inspection of Boiler Tubes: The
				boiler tubes shall be examined by nondestructive examination. Tubes shall be
				examined for wear, corrosion, erosion, thinning, bulging, blistering, dents,
				discoloration, cracking and any other surface irregularities. Areas that are
				suspect shall be noted and discussed with the Inspector Supervisor and Deputy
				Inspector; and
(4) Boiler Tube
				Inspection Mapping and Record: Where suspect tubes are identified, the boiler
				tubes shall be numbered in a logical sequence and the location of any suspect
				area shall be precisely defined and described in detail. Photographs of such
				areas shall be taken. These records shall be kept and made available to the
				Inspector Supervisor and Deputy Inspector prior to the next required
				inspection.