§ 14-12-16. Inspections generally.

A.

Each boiler and unfired pressure vessel used or proposed to be used within this city, except boilers or unfired pressure vessels specifically exempted therefrom, shall be thoroughly inspected as to their construction, installation and condition as follows:

1.

Power boilers, meaning boilers operating at steam or vapor pressures in excess of 15 pounds per square inch gauge, shall be inspected annually both internally and externally while not under pressure and shall also be inspected annually externally while under pressure if possible. The board of boiler rules may, in its discretion, permit longer periods between inspections.

2.

Low pressure steam or vapor heating boilers, hot water heating boilers and hot water supply boilers shall be inspected both internally and externally biennially where construction will permit.

3.

Unfired pressure vessels subject to internal corrosion shall be inspected both internally and externally biennially where construction will permit, except that the board of boiler rules may, in its discretion, provide for longer periods between inspections.

4.

Unfired pressure vessels not subject to internal corrosion shall be inspected externally at intervals set by the board of boiler rules but internal inspections shall not be required of unfired pressure vessels, the contents of which are known to be noncorrosive to the material of which the shell, head or fittings are constructed, either from the chemical composition of the contents or from evidence that the contents are adequately treated with a corrosion inhibitor, provided that such vessels are constructed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the board of boiler rules or in accordance with standards substantially equivalent to the rules and regulations of the board, in effect at the time of manufacture.

5.

A grace period of two months beyond the periods specified in subsection (A)(1), (2), (3) and (4) of this section may elapse between inspections.

B.

Subject to the applicable grace period provided in subsection A of this section, the rules and regulations formulated by the board applying to the inspection of unfired pressure vessels may be modified by the board to reduce or extend the interval between required inspection where the contents of the vessel or the materials of which it is constructed warrant special consideration.

C.

The inspections herein required shall be made by the chief inspector, by a deputy inspector or by a special inspector.

D.

If at any time a hydrostatic test shall be deemed necessary to determine the safety of a boiler or unfired pressure vessel, same shall be made, at the discretion of the inspector, by the owner or user thereof.

E.

All boilers and unfired pressure vessels to be installed in this city after the 12-month period from the date upon which the rules and regulations of the board shall become effective, shall be inspected during construction as required by the applicable rules and regulations of the board by an inspector authorized to inspect boilers in this city, or, if constructed outside the city, by an inspector holding a certificate of competency as an inspector of boilers for a state that has a standard of examination substantially equal to that of this city.

(Code 1967, § 45-26; Code 1985, § 42-28)