Changes to the Boiler/Pressure Vessel Program being considered for 2007

The Boiler program did not request any changes to the RCWs in the 2006 legislative secession. However, the program will be submitting some changes for consideration during the 2007 legislative session. The possible changes include:

RCW 70.79.240(2)
This change would allow for longer periods between internal inspections for hot water heating boilers, a provision already used for pressure vessels. The argument for this change is that draining and opening hot water heating boilers can damage not only the boiler but also the environment by dumping large amounts of treated water or glycol into public sewer systems.

RCW 70.79.330
This change would increase the hourly fees for ASME shop inspections by the Boiler/Pressure Vessel Program. Currently the program charges approximately one-third to one half of what other authorized inspection agencies charge for similar inspection services. The change would ensure that the program charges a competitive hourly fee and is not unfairly subsidizing the ASME shops we provide authorized inspection agencies for.

The Board of Boiler Rules plays a significant role in developing consistent and fair laws related to boilers and pressure vessels. The board has recommended that L&I introduce legislation to amend the boiler statute.

The Boiler program will continue to work with the board and interested parties throughout the legislative process. For more information, contact:
• Linda Williamson at wiln235@LNI.wa.gov or 360-902-5270
• Sally Elliot at yous235@LNI.wa.gov or 360-902-6411

Changes to RCW in 2005

The 2005 Legislature made the following changes to the boiler and pressure laws.

RCW 70.79.080 (10)
Increased the maximum allowable working pressure of exempt electric boilers from 80 psi to 100 psi to be consistent with the ASME Code.

RCW 70.79.090 (5)
Extended exemptions from inspections to include hot water storage tanks, hot water supply boilers, and hot water heating boilers. If these objects are located in “places of public assembly,” they will continue to be inspected.

RCW 70.79.090 (6)
Extended exemptions from inspections to well water tanks on public water systems as defined in RCW 70.119.020.

Reminder for all ASME/NB Stamp holders

You must submit a control copy of your quality control manual to the Boiler/Pressure Vessel Program. Having access to the certificate holder’s manual helps L&I’s Boiler/Vessel Program verify the scope and quality of your quality control procedures. Out of respect for the proprietary nature of each company’s quality control manual, we keep the manuals in a secure file cabinet accessible only to the Chief Inspector and the Technical Specialist.

Reminders for NB stamp holders

You must submit copies of R-1/R-2 Reports along with the completed Traveler for review. This requirement, which has been in place for several years, ensures that all repairs/alterations are being performed, inspected and documented in accordance with the NBIC, which also ensures public safety and provides protection for the stamp holder.

All companies intending to perform pneumatic testing must receive prior concurrence of the owner, inspector, and the jurisdiction. To help ensure the safety of people and property the jurisdiction will require written procedures documenting how this test will be conducted. This is not a new requirement. WAC 296-104-530 previously included this requirement; the latter rule was repealed as redundant since the requirement is also in NBIC RC-2051/RC3031.

Please note errors and corrections

The latest print edition of the State of Washington Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law (the purple copy) included two errors. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please note the following errors and corrections in your print edition:

RCW 70.79.090 — In this section, the numbers were incorrectly shifted up one paragraph. There are only seven exemptions and number one should begin at “Boiler and unfired pressure vessels located on farms and used solely for agricultural purposes”.

WAC 296-104-700 — In this section, the following information is missing: “Examination fee: A fee of $69.40 will be charged for each applicant sitting for an inspection examination(s).”

The corrected publication is available online at www.lni.wa.gov/tradeslicensing/boilers/

As the Department of Labor and Industries Boiler/Pressure Vessel Program continues its personnel changes in our central office and in the field, we are working hard to continue providing you with quality customer service. We appreciate your patience.

For questions about boiler regulations, fees and forms, please call:

Tony Oda, Technical Specialist

Phone: 360-902-4983

E-mail: odaa235@LNI.wa.gov

Bobbe Hundley, Secretary Administration

Phone: 360-902-5271

E-mail: hunb235@LNI.wa.gov

Karol Conly, Customer Service Specialist (Supervisor)
Phone: 360-902-5273
E-mail: conk235@LNI.wa.gov

Kay Piesch, Customer Service Specialist
Phone: 360-902-5272
E-mail: piek235@LNI.wa.gov

Annabel Schmidt, Customer Service Specialist
Phone: 360-902-5267
E-mail: schc235@LNI.wa.gov

Board of Boiler Rules Meetings:
May 23-24, 2006
10 a.m.
Tacoma Labor & Industries
Room 3
950 Broadway Suite 200
Tacoma, WA

May 24 will be a public hearing concerning a proposed 2.82 percent increase in the fees for inspections and certificates of inspection, to become effective July 1, 2006.

Future meetings
. September 19-20, 2006
. November 7-8, 2006

Monthly lunch meetings:
The Washington State Boiler Inspectors Association holds a lunch meeting on the first working Monday of each month to discuss current inspection topics.

The meeting is held at:
Andy’s Diner
2963 4th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA
206-624-4907

WSBIA Annual Technical Meeting held in Tukwila, March 17:
In one of the first signs of spring, the Washington State Boiler Inspectors Association (WSBIA) Annual Technical Meeting was held on March 17, 2006, in Tukwila. The meeting drew 122 participants and a wide range of vendors, including boiler manufacturing representatives, service staff, inspectors, and operators

The association was honored by a number of outstanding speakers as well as by the presence of Don Tanner, Executive Director of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. Chuck Walters, the National Board's Administrator of Technical Projects, addressed the group, updating participants on present and future boiler and pressure vessel issues. If you didn't receive an invitation and would like to join us next year, contact the association by going to www.wsbia14443@yahoo.com.

Support the annual technical meeting
To keep the cost of the annual technical meeting affordable for everyone, we depend on the continued support of companies in the related industry. To the companies already contributing, many thanks. If your company could make a tax-deductible contribution, please contact Tony Oda, our Boiler Program Technical Specialist, at
360-902-4983 or odaa235@LNI.wa.gov.

Spring 2006
Edition 3

Labor and Industries, Dept. of
Boiler Program
Office: 360-902-5270
Fax: 360-902-4292

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