Rhode Island § 28-25-1 - Boiler Inspection and Pressure Vessels

§ 28-25-1. Definitions.

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Authorized inspector” means an inspector of boilers and/or pressure vessels employed by the state of Rhode Island or an insurance company authorized to write boiler or pressure vessel insurance or of an authorized owner/user organization.

(2) “Boiler” means a closed vessel in which water or other liquid is heated, steam or vapor generated, steam is superheated, or in which any combination of these functions is accomplished, under pressure or vacuum, for use externally to itself, by the direct application of energy from the combustion of fuels or from electricity or nuclear energy. The term boiler includes fired units for heating or vaporizing liquids other than water where these units are separate from processing systems and are complete within themselves.

(3) “Certificate inspection” means an inspection, the report of which is used by the chief inspector to determine whether or not a certificate as provided by § 28-25-10 may be issued.

(4) “Chief inspector” means the existing position of chief boiler and pressure vessel inspector as appointed by the director of labor and training.

(5) “Code of rules” means the standard code of rules formulated and adopted by the division of occupational safety under the provision of this chapter.

(6) “Heating boiler” means a steam or vapor boiler operating at pressures not exceeding fifteen (15) psig, or a hot water boiler operating at pressures not exceeding one hundred sixty (160) psig or temperatures not exceeding two hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit (250° F).

(7) “High pressure, high temperature water boiler” means a water boiler operating at pressures exceeding one hundred sixty (160) psig or temperatures exceeding two hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit (250° F).

(8) “Hot water supply boiler” means a vessel used for the storage and/or supply of hot water to be used externally to itself at pressures not exceeding one hundred sixty (160) psig and/or temperatures not exceeding two hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit (250° F) at or near the vessel outlet.

(9) “Imminent danger” means a condition or practice that could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the danger can be eliminated through normal enforcement procedures.

(10) “Owner” means any person owning, operating, or in charge or control of any boiler or pressure vessel as defined in this section including the chief administrative officer in the private or public sector.

(11) “Power boiler” means a boiler in which steam or other vapor is generated at a pressure of more than fifteen (15) psig.

(12) “Pressure vessel” means a vessel in which the pressure is obtained from an external source or by the application of heat other than those vessels defined in subsection (7) of this section.

(13) “Safety device” means any valve, plug, or appurtenance attached to any boiler for the purpose of diminishing the danger of accident.

(14) “Water heater” means a closed vessel in which water is heated by the combustion of fuels, electricity, or any source and withdrawn for use external to the system at pressures not exceeding one hundred sixty (160) psig including the apparatus by which heat is generated and all controls and devices necessary to prevent water temperatures from exceeding two hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit (210° F).