OAR 918-225-0470: Boiler Operation

The owner-user of a boiler, designed for operation at or above 15 psi steam; or 160 psi or 250 F. water shall insure that all boiler control and safety devices are thoroughly inspected and tested at regular intervals consistent with the provisions of OAR 918-225-0560 and 918-225-0570. A daily record of boiler operation, tests, inspections, maintenance and feed water treatment shall be maintained in or near the boiler room and shall be available for examination by any deputy or special inspector. The record shall include the name and signature of the person assigned responsibility for boiler operations. (1) A person suitably trained in boiler operation and control must be assigned responsibility for the boiler and shall be in close proximity of the boiler whenever it is in operation. While in operation, the boiler may not be left unattended for any period longer than the response time described in section (3) of this rule. (2) Each boiler must be equipped with an alarm which operates at the lowest permissible water level or highest permissible operating temperature. The alarm must be audible to the person responsible for operation of the boiler at any time the boiler is in operation. The person must be able to respond to a boiler fault within the response time described in section (3) of this rule. At least one low water control device designed to shut down the boiler when activated, must require manual resetting before the boiler may be restarted. (3) Response time for a boiler subject to this rule shall be the time required to lower the water level from the normal operating level to the minimum allowable level when the boiler is firing at the maximum rate and the feed water is shut off; or to raise the operating pressure or temperature of a water boiler to the maximum allowable rating. (4) Boilers using solid fuel not in suspension shall have fuel and water control devices approved by the chief inspector, and in case of feed water failure shall be equipped with a means to effectively reduce or eliminate fuel heat input to the boiler. (5) Miniature boilers built to ASME Section I, part PMB are exempt from this rule. Boilers of historical design, operated for hobby use only, are exempt from section (2) of this rule. [Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]