All boilers installed in “Public Assembly Locations” such as schools, community centers, churches, hospitals, or locations open to the general public are required to comply with the Florida Boiler Safety Act. The law mandates rules for the safe construction, installation, operation, inspection, and maintenance of boilers. Additionally, the law also defines the frequency of inspections, qualifications of licensed inspectors and penalties that could be imposed if the law is violated.

The owner of the boiler is responsible to schedule periodic inspections and to obtain a current Certificate of Compliance from either a special inspector from their boiler insurance company or, if uninsured, from a State Chief or Deputy Inspector.

The following boiler requirements apply:

Type Of Boiler Frequency of Certificate Inspection Inspection Requirements
Power boilers and high pressure, high temperature water boilers Certificate of inspection once per year
  • External inspection while boiler is under pressure
  • Internal inspection if construction of boiler allows
Low pressure steam or vapor heating boilers Certificate of inspection every two years
  • Internal inspection if construction of boiler allows
  • Additional inspection as deemed appropriate by inspector
Hot water heating boilers and hot water supply boilers Certificate of inspection every two years
  • Internal inspection every four years if construction of boiler allows
Sterilizers with a stand-alone boiler and boiler incorporated in steam sterilizers Certificate of inspection once per year
  • External inspection while boiler is under pressure
  • External and internal inspection of steam sterilizer

 

Requesting a Boiler Inspection

It is the owner’s responsibility to schedule the Certificate Inspection and to obtain a current Certificate of Compliance.

  • If your boiler is insured: Most policies typically include “Boiler & Machinery Insurance or Equipment Breakdown” coverage. If your policy includes that coverage, your insurance company will perform boiler inspections. Your insurance agent can provide coverage details, the insurance company name and telephone number, and can request an inspection on your behalf directly with the underwriter.
  • If your boiler is not insured: Inspections should be made by the chief inspector, a deputy inspector, or a special inspector. For more information, contact:

 

Division of State Fire Marshall
Bureau of Fire Prevention Boiler Safety Section
200 E. Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0342

Phone: (850 ) 413-3723
Fax: (850 ) 414-6119

Web: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm/BFP/BoilerSafety/
Email: Fire.Prevention@MyFloridaCFO.com

How to Prepare for the Boiler Inspection:

Make sure you have the required documentation. You will need the “ASME Data Report” and the “ASME CSD-1 Report” for your boiler.

Where do you get “ASME Data Report”?  The boiler installer should provide this report or contact the manufacturer to obtain a copy. Additionally, your installer is required to provide a signed “CSD-1 Report” indicating compliance at installation.

Keep in mind: You can have your external boiler or sterilizer boiler inspected by a qualified technician from CE-Tech prior to the insurance inspection; this is done to make sure boiler is in full operating condition and compliance.

What happens during and after the inspection?

External Inspections: The inspector will require the owner to turn the boiler on, or to “fire it up” and demonstrate that the installed safety devices are functioning properly and that the boiler devices are installed in accordance with safety requirements.

Did you know? CE-Tech can be on site to assist when the inspector is present!

Internal Inspection: Preparation for an internal inspection is somewhat more involved. The following information provides basic guidelines on preparing your boiler. Details will vary depending on the specific jurisdictional requirements and type boiler being inspected. You should consult with your Boiler Inspector to determine if any additional preparation required.

  • Shut down the boiler using proper shut down procedures as required by your boiler operating instructions
  • Lockout and tag all steam, water, and fuel valves, the ignition system, and electrical disconnects
  • Allow boiler to cool completely, 24 to 48 hours depending on the style and size of the boiler
  • Open all drain and vent lines and drain the boiler
  • Remove inspection plugs in water column connectors
  • Remove all manhole and hand hole cover plates
  • Remove all washout plugs
  • Flush all sludge and loose scale from boiler interior (check with your Boiler Inspector first, as some inspectors prefer to leave scale and sludge in the boiler for their inspection )
  • Open all low-water fuel cutout device float chambers
  • Open all low-water fuel cutout devices cross tee piping plugs
  • After draining and flushing the boiler, close, lockout, and tag blow off valves
  • Open all fireside access panels/doors, front and rear
  • Remove all soot and ash from boiler furnace surfaces and grates (if applicable )
  • Have new gaskets ready for all openings; do not reuse gaskets

If you are unsure whether your boiler is in compliance, visit: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/SFM/BFP/BoilerSafety/default.htm

Scheduling inspections early and having copies of all required documentation on site at the time of inspection will result in a faster turnaround time in obtaining your boiler Certificate of Compliance.  Keep in mind – These guidelines are not all inclusive of what may be required by statute, rule, or code.

After completion of the passed inspection the inspector will request the state to issue the Certificate of Compliance for the boilers.