Rhode Island § 28-25-10 - Boiler Inspection and Pressure Vessels

§ 28-25-10. Inspection and certification of boilers — Permit to install — Notice, report, and standards for alterations and repairs — Minimum standard.

(a) No boiler or pressure vessel shall be erected within this state unless it is constructed and equipped with safety devices in compliance with the standards and rules set forth in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Any person erecting or installing any boiler or pressure vessel shall notify the division to that effect. Upon that notice, the administrator shall then satisfy himself or herself, by inspection or other evidence satisfactory to him or her, that the boiler complies with the requirements of this chapter. Upon being satisfied, the administrator, upon payments by that person of a fee set by the code commission of occupational safety and health, shall issue a certificate.

(b) Any person erecting or installing a new or second-hand boiler or pressure vessel shall first make application for a permit to install to the division of occupational safety, boiler unit, at a fee established by the code commission. The administrator shall then satisfy himself or herself either by inspection or by other evidence satisfactory to him or her that the boiler or pressure vessel complies with the requirements of this chapter, and upon being satisfied, the administrator shall upon payment of the required fee furnish to the owner of the boiler or pressure vessel a certificate to that effect.

(c) It shall be mandatory that the organization performing the repair/alteration notify the division of occupational safety, boiler unit, or an authorized inspector before initiating any alterations or welded repairs to any boiler or pressure vessel within the state. Upon completion of the alteration or welded repair, a properly executed alteration or welded repair form as outlined in the NBIC shall be filed with the division.

(d) The state adopts the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for new construction and the National Board Inspection Code for repairs and alterations to boilers and pressure vessels. It is mandatory that all repair contractors hold the appropriate ASME certificate of authorization or a valid National Board “R” (repair) or “VR” (safety valve repair) symbol stamp issued by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, as applicable.

(e) Antique boilers or unfired pressure vessels used in public, nonprofit, engineering, and/or scientific museums operated for educational, historical, or exhibition purposes shall be approved prior to operation in this state on an individual basis. Approval for operation will be given only after satisfactory review of drawings and calculations, application of a hydrostatic test at a pressure deemed necessary by the jurisdictional authority, and the boiler or pressure vessel is equipped with all the approved safety devices as required by the rules and regulations promulgated by the board.