§ 23:536 — Annual inspection of boilers

A. Each power boiler and high-pressure, high temperature water boiler used or proposed to be used, except boilers exempt under R.S. 23:540 and except as otherwise provided in this Part, shall receive a certificate inspection annually which shall be an external inspection while the boiler is under normal operating conditions. Such boilers shall also be inspected internally where construction permits at about six months after each external inspection. Except as provided in Subsection B, no more than fourteen months shall elapse between internal inspections. However, any power boiler, the operation of which is an integral part of or necessary adjunct to other continuous operations, shall be inspected internally and issued certificates at such intervals as are permitted by planned or scheduled shutdown of the processing operation of five days or more in duration occurring after three years have elapsed since the last inspection of the boiler, but not exceeding five years between such intervals.
B. Upon the approval of the assistant secretary or his designated representative, the interval between internal inspections may be extended for a period not to exceed twenty-four months on stationary boilers provided: (1) continuous water treatment under competent and experienced supervision has been in effect since the last internal inspection for the purpose of controlling and limiting corrosion and deposits, (2) accurate and complete records are available showing that since the last internal inspection samples of boiler water have been taken at regular intervals not greater than twenty-four hours of operation and that the water condition in the boiler is satisfactorily controlled, (3) accurate and complete records are available showing the dates, if any such boiler has been out of service and the reasons therefor since the last internal inspection, and such records shall include the nature of all repairs to the boiler, the reasons why such repairs were necessary and by whom the repairs were made, and (4) the last internal and current external inspection of the boiler indicates the inspection period may be safely extended. When such an extended period between internal inspections has been approved by the assistant secretary or his designated representative, as outlined in this Section, a new certificate of operation shall be issued for that extended period of operation, and the inspection certificate fees shall be double the annual fees provided by law.
C.(1) Low pressure boilers shall receive a certificate inspection biennially.
(a) Steam or vapor boilers shall have an external inspection and an internal inspection every two years where construction permits;
(b) Hot water heating and hot water supply boilers shall have an external certificate inspection every two years and where construction permits, an internal inspection at the discretion of the inspector; and
(c) Potable water boilers shall have an external certificate inspection every two years.
(2) Inspections shall include the functions of all controls and devices. If at any time a hydrostatic test is deemed necessary to determine the safety of a boiler, the test shall be made at the discretion of the assistant secretary or his designated representative.

Legislative History

Amended by Acts 1966, No. 249, §1. Acts 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 8, §1; Acts 1986, No. 736, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1987; Acts 1995, No. 43, §1.