Summer 2008

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- Linda Williamson, Boiler Chief

Aging boiler equipment causing safety issue

In recent years, it has been our observation that one type of boiler failure that occurs more often than others has been furnace explosions, especially on older boilers with single-valve fuel trains. At present, no corrective action can be taken as these boilers with single valve fuel trains are allowed to operate indefinitely if they were installed prior to June 1999, per our existing WAC 296-104-301.

While this is not a pressure-containing part of the boiler, a furnace explosion can cause considerable property damage and more importantly, could result in injuries or fatalities. For this reason the Boiler Program has asked the Board of Boiler Rules and the Attorney General’s Office for assistance in addressing this problem.

The Attorney General’s Office, has decided that because this is a serious safety issue, it is within the authority of the Boiler Board of Rules to “un-grandfather” this equipment, thereby requiring owners to upgrade their single-valve fuel trains to current accepted jurisdictional standards. This process will involve a revision to the existing state boiler laws by the Boiler Board.

We know this decision could have an enormous impact on customers owning these older boilers. The Boiler Program will be initiating a campaign to inform owners of these older boilers of the possible dangers of continued operation with the existing single-valve fuel train. We’ll be seeking the assistance of other regulating jurisdictions and energy suppliers to help support and aid in this endeavor.

The Boiler Board is considering a five-year window in which the owners can voluntarily plan and implement the upgrade of their fuel train(s) before this requirement becomes mandatory.

We are pleased that Tony Oda, Boiler Program Technical Specialist, has agreed to take the lead on this project. He is very familiar with this issue and welcomes your input.

Boiler Program assists in investigation of propane-tank failure

On June 14, 2008, the Boiler Program was notified that a 2,000 gallon propane tank had split in half. The tank’s owner had discovered a crack in a seam and had contacted an authorized-repair organization to fix the crack.

The repair organization performed a welded repair on the crack and successfully pressure-tested the tank at 325 psi upon completion of the repair. After releasing the pressure, the tank was left full of water overnight. The following morning the tank was found in two pieces approximately ten feet apart. Apparently the weld on an adjacent seam had failed. The tank was moved and stored in a secure location.

L&I notified the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to request an investigation. The tank manufacturer was also notified.

Propane tanks located in the state of Washington are by law exempt from inspections and fees, but they must meet all other requirements for construction, installation, and repair.

An investigation is underway to determine why the tank split in half. This incident illustrates the importance of testing the pressure vessel with water, as it could have been a disaster had it failed while filled with propane.

A defective propane tank (foreground) rests in two pieces after pressure testing

Congratulation and thanks to Steve Prideaux

Steve Prideaux, representative of Boilermakers/Operators, has been reappointed by the Governor for a second four-year term on the Board of Boiler Rules. Steve is an experienced and valued member of the Board, and we are please that he is willing to volunteer to serve another term.

Boiler Program says good bye to AAG Steve Nash and welcomes Pam Reuland

We would like to thank Steven Nash, Assistant Attorney General for valuable contributions made during his time of service to the Board of Boiler Rules. Steve accepted a new assignment in July and will no longer be representing the Board of Boiler Rules. We appreciation all of his hard work and wish him luck in his new assignment.

Pam Reuland will be the new Assistant Attorney General representing the Board. Pam has been a practicing attorney for over 20 years, the majority of it with the Attorney General’s Office in Spokane. Pam has experience with the Administrative Procedure Act and other regulatory WACs has worked in the DSHS and Torts Divisions. We welcome Pam and look forward to working with her.

Board of Boiler Rules meets with full agenda for September

The Board of Boiler met September 10 with a full agenda that included working on a number of revisions to existing WACs and developing several new WACs. The changes will affect most all areas of Boiler law including, administration, inspection, installation and repair.

Board meeting minutes and other information are posted at Board of Boiler Rules.