Section 390. Inspection of boilers and pressure vessels

Part IV. General Requirements

All boilers and pressure vessels, not exempt by the Act, shall be inspected internally and externally, as provided by this chapter, by a special inspector. The owner or user shall prepare each boiler or pressure vessel for the inspection and for appropriate pressure tests, whenever necessary. To prepare equipment for an internal inspection the following actions shall be taken as applicable:

1. Boilers

a. Cool the boiler, furnace and setting sufficiently to prevent damage to any part;

b. Drain and wash thoroughly internal parts to be inspected and adequately ventilate all interior surfaces;

c. Remove manhole and handhole plates, wash out openings, drains and inspection plugs;

d. Remove a sufficient number of grates of internally fired boilers, as required by the inspector;

e. Remove brickwork, refractory and insulation, as required by the inspector, to determine condition of boiler, headers, tubes, furnace, structural supports, and other parts;

f. Prevent leakage of water, steam or vapors into boiler interiors that would endanger personnel;

g. Before opening the manhole or handhole covers and entering any parts of the steam-generating unit connected to a common header with other boilers, the nonreturn and steam stop valves must be closed, locked out and drain valves or cocks between the two valves opened. The feed and check valves must be closed, locked out and drain valves or cocks located between the two valves opened. After draining the boiler, the blowoff valves shall be closed and locked out. Blowoff lines, where practicable, shall be disconnected between pressure parts and valves. All drains and vent lines shall be opened;

h. Prepare the pressure gauge for testing; and

i. Comply, where applicable, with Virginia law regarding work conducted within confined spaces pursuant to Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) regulation 16VAC25-90-1910.146, Permit Required Confined Space for General Industry.

2. Pressure vessels

a. Remove manhole and handhole plates, cleaning and inspection plugs;

b. Clean internal surfaces and adequately ventilate all interior spaces;

c. Isolate the unit to the extent that internal temperature, pressure and environment are not injurious to personnel and are under strict control during complete inspection;

d. Remove linings or coverings, as required by the inspector, to determine true physical condition of the vessel and its components;

e. Make protective and regulating controls readily accessible for inspection;

f. Prepare the pressure gauges for testing; and

g. Comply, where applicable, with Virginia law regarding work conducted within confined spaces pursuant to Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) regulation 16VAC25-90-1910.146, Permit Required Confined Space for General Industry.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR425-01-75 § 4.1, eff. July 1, 1974; amended, eff. November 1, 1978; July 1, 1991; September 1, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 20, eff. August 1, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 05, eff. January 1, 1999.

Statutory Authority

§ 40.1-51.6 of the Code of Virginia.