Revised UK Boiler Regulations

[SandCam]

Hi All,

For those of you that may not be aware... there has been a new set of boiler regulations applicable for UK members.

These became effective on 1st January 2013 and the main point which will affect you will be that there is no longer any EXEMPTION for boiler of 3Bar-Litre or under.

In effect, it now means ALL boilers require both a pressure test certificate and a steam test certificate to be eligible for insurance and use in a public place.

I attach a copy of the new regulations for those that require them.

Sorry for the BAD NEWS... but I don't make the rules.

Best regards.

Sandy.


Edit... these new rules are freely available for download on the Internet so there is no copyright issue here.

[Bogstandard]

Many thanks for the info Sandy. I suppose the Victorian minded MPBA had something to do with it.

A lot of people will now be put off running small live steam engines.

This does affect people in the UK rather seriously.

A public place can even mean your own workshop or garden. If it is only you that is in the shop or any other place, then fine, but if anyone else is in there with you when you run up your boiler, you MUST have all the regulations and insurance in place.
Most local councils now require at least £5,000,000 insurance cover for live steam.

At least we had a fair few years before elfin safety got on the bandwagon (again).

John

[Bluechip]

Does this bit of nonsense cover pressure cookers too?? 

'Cos mine is somewhat over that limit.

Ah well! I could always slink off to B&Q, buy an aspidistra to live in it ... 

Dave BC

[Bogstandard]

Dave,

You wouldn't believe the amount of idiots who try to run a steam engine off a pressure cooker. I think a few of them have had their heads in the cooker, while it has been steamin'.

John

[Lofty76]

Please see section 14 re the testing of small boilers:

14.1 For the purposes of this Test Code ‘small boilers’ are defined as
those with a pressure-volume product below 3 bar litres.
Examination and test of this type of boiler is applicable if the boiler
is fitted with (as a minimum requirement) a safety valve and a
pressure gauge. The boiler may also be fitted with a water level
gauge and a mechanical method of pumping water in to the boiler
whilst under working pressure. If no means of supplying water to
the boiler whilst working is present the fuel supply shall be so
arranged that it is used up before the water is completely used.

Re pressure cookers, most have a maximum operating pressure of 15 psi (103KPa) and hold considerably less than 3 litres of water even with say a 6 litre capacity, (just checked our Prestige and its rated at 83 KPa and 6 Litre capacity - do NOT add more than 50% water).

So if operated in accordance with manufacturers instructions would NOT require a pressure test.

Lofty

[Jasonb]

Lofty for boiler testing purposes the capasity is taken when the container is brimmed not the working water level. You would not opperate an engine boiler filled to the brim due to priming but that is how the bar/lts is measured

[hammer]

Yes total capacity not to exceed 3 bar/litres. I read  that the rules are not retrospective.  So my question is, my Cheddar plant still has a small amount of gas left when the water level is down to the bottom of the gauge. Is this now illegal??  I always sail less than 20 minutes so I never reach that point.

[Lofty76]

Good point Jason, It WAS a bit early for this.

I'll refer it back to the HSE.

Just a quick point though, would the pressure cooker be used in a public place, be fitted with a pressure gauge, a water level indicator and have some means of regulating the fuel supply?

I still don't think it qualifys under PSSR2000, (although some new coffee machines do in public places)

[SandCam]

 

Hi Guys,

Just to eliminate any misunderstanding: -

Pressure cookers are NOT covered by the UK boiler regulations I posted above.
They are specific to small pressure vessels as normally used for model engineering.

Pressure cookers are 'Domestic Appliances' and they fall under the normal EU and UK pressure regulations: -

Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999. (PER).

Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000.

BS EN 12778:2002

EN 30-1-1, EN 60335-1, IEC 60335-1:1991, EN 60335-2-15, IEC 60335-2-15:1995, EN 12983-1:2000, 97/23/EC, ISO/IEC Guide 37:1995.

All manufacturers of pressure cookers MUST comply with the above specifications before they are allowed to sell their products in the EU (which includes the UK).
There is no requirement for a user of a pressure cooker (The purchaser) to submit their product for any pressure testing.

Any product returned to a service area, or to the manufacturer, for repair would need to be re-tested following the repair... but this is a burden placed on the repairer/manufacturer as part of the regulations... not the consumer.

EDIT... Any use of a pressure cooker which falls outside of the manufacturers specified use would constitute a breach of the certification and thus would leave the user liable for any damages (to public and/or property).

The model boiler code I posted was derived from the above, specifically for model engineering and is applicable ONLY to the UK.

Hammer: -

So my question is, my Cheddar plant still has a small amount of gas left when the water level is down to the bottom of the gauge. Is this now illegal??  I always sail less than 20 minutes so I never reach that point.

The new rules are not retrospective to existing 'Certified' plant but will apply when your current certificates expire.

This would normally be the annual steam certificate but it could also include the Hydro certificate if the 4 year period has expired.

If you do not have any means of replenishing the boiler water (whilst under pressure) then YES... the new rules would make it illegal if there was any gas left when the water level got to the lowest level.
The fact that you only sail for 20 minutes is of no consequence as far as the regulations are concerned.

Time to fit a Goodall Valve: -

http://www.dreamsteam.co.uk/mss-mamod-upgrade-parts/goodall-water-top-up-valve.html

Or a small hand-pump with a non-return valve.

Hope that clears things up a little.

Best regards,

Sandy. 

[Jasonb]

Or a smaller gas tank

BTW the gas tank will also need to be tested and certified

[steamer]

I'd like to know who's going to be doing all these inspections?.....Sounds expensive!

Dave

[S.D.L.]

I'd like to know who's going to be doing all these inspections?.....Sounds expensive!

Dave

The club boiler inspetors, this is a revised code for the inspection of boilers. Has been done for years by most clubs. In UK

Steve

[hammer]

Thank you Sandy. Well I have taken out the steam plant from one paddle steamer & gone electric. I am thinking the Cheddar plant in the other will have to go as well.   

[derekwarner]

hammer & bogstandard ......this SandCam member............

Back in 2005... on another WEB site we had a member ***-engineering@wargyll.fsnet.co.uk   from a funny sounding named place in Scotland......."Lochgilphead" & he wrote notes  & taught many lessons on all things steam.......  ....I am suspecting this is the same person

Lets see if he remembers me......Derek 

[steamer]

I'd like to know who's going to be doing all these inspections?.....Sounds expensive!

Dave

The club boiler inspetors, this is a revised code for the inspection of boilers. Has been done for years by most clubs. In UK

Steve

Thanks for that Steve!....When you get a chance, please post a introductory post in the Introduce yourself section

Thanks,

Dave