Section 30. Frequency of inspections of boilers and pressure vessels

A. Power boilers and high-pressure, high-temperature water boilers shall receive an annual internal inspection for certification. Such boilers shall also receive, where possible, an annual external inspection, given while under representative operating conditions.

B. Heating boilers shall receive a certificate inspection biennially.

1. Steam boilers shall receive an internal inspection where construction permits.

2. Water boilers shall receive an external inspection with an internal inspection at the discretion of the inspector where construction permits.

C. Except as provided for in subsection E of this section, pressure vessels subject to internal corrosion shall receive a certificate inspection biennially. This inspection shall be an internal inspection conducted at the discretion of the inspector where construction permits.

D. Except as provided for in subsection E of this section, pressure vessels not subject to internal corrosion shall receive a certificate inspection biennially. This inspection shall be an external inspection, with an internal inspection conducted at the discretion of the inspector where construction permits.

E. Pressure vessels that are under the supervision of an authorized owner-user inspection agency shall be inspected at intervals in a manner as agreed upon between the Commissioner and that agency.

F. Boiler and pressure vessel components of nuclear power plants, that are included in the Act, shall be inspected as provided by Section XI of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

G. Based upon documentation of such actual service conditions by the owner or user of the operating equipment, the Commissioner may permit variations in the inspection requirements as provided in the Act.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR425-01-75 § 2.2, eff. July 1, 1974; amended, eff. November 1, 1978; July 1, 1991; September 1, 1993.

Statutory Authority

§§ 40.1-22 and 40.1-51.5 et seq. of the Code of Virginia.