69A-51.005. Definitions

As used in this rule chapter, the term:

(1) “Act” means Chapter 554, F.S., the “Boiler Safety Act.”

(2) “Alteration” means any change in the item described on the original manufacturer’s data report which affects the pressure containing capability of the boiler or pressure vessel. Non-physical changes such as an increase in the maximum allowable working pressure (internal or external) or design temperature of a boiler or pressure vessel shall be considered an alteration. A reduction in minimum temperature such that additional mechanical tests are required shall also be considered alteration.

(3) “ANSI” means the American National Standards Institute, 1899 L Street, NW, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20036, [phone].

(4) “Antique boiler” means any closed vessel used solely for display and demonstration purposes, in which water is heated, steam is superheated, or any combination thereof, under pressure or in a vacuum, for use externally to itself, by direct application of heat from the combustion of fuels, or from electricity. The term shall include fired vessels, used solely for display and demonstration purposes, for heating or vaporizing liquids other than water where these vessels are separate from processing systems and are complete within themselves.

(5) “Approved” means permitted by the Boiler Safety Program of the Department of Financial Services.

(6) “ASME Code” means The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code published by that Society, which are incorporated by reference in Rule 69A-51.010, F.A.C.

(7) “Authorized inspection agency” means:

(a) Any county, municipality, town, or other governmental subdivision that has adopted into law the ASME Code and the National Board Inspection Code for the construction, installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of boilers to regulate boilers in public assembly locations and whose boiler inspectors hold valid certificates of competency in accordance with Section 554.104, F.S.; or

(b) An insurer authorized by a subsisting certificate of authority, issued by the Office of Insurance Regulation, to transact boiler and machinery insurance in this state and whose boiler inspectors hold valid certificates of competency in accordance with Section 554.104, F.S.; or.

(c) An inspecting agency accredited in accordance with the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector’s program entitled “Accreditation of Authorized Inspection Agencies (AIA) Performing Inservice or Repair/Alteration Inspection Activities,” document number NB-369, and whose boiler inspectors hold valid certificates of competency in accordance with Section 554.104, F.S. Such an inspection agency may inspect uninsured boilers at the request of the owner/user or, at the direction of an insurance company, may inspect a boiler insured by that insurance company. Document number NB-369 (Eff. 10/03/16) is hereby incorporated by reference and is available on the following link: http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13320; or can be viewed, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, at the offices of the Boiler Safety Program, Bureau of Fire Prevention, Division of State Fire Marshal, 325 John Knox Road, Third Floor, Atrium Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32303, Phone: [phone].

(8) “Authorized inspector” means the chief boiler inspector, a deputy boiler inspector or a special boiler inspector.

(9) Definitions of boilers (additional boiler definitions may be found at Section 554.1021, F.S.):

(a) “Electric boiler” means a power boiler or heating boiler in which the source of heat is electricity.

(b) “Miniature boiler” means a power boiler or high-temperature boiler which does not exceed any of the following limits:

1. 16'' inside diameter of shell;

2. 20 sq. ft. of heating surface (not applicable to electric boilers);

3. 5 cu. ft. gross volume, exclusive of casing and insulation; and,

4. 100 psig maximum allowable working pressure.

(c) “Portable boiler” means a boiler which is primarily intended for temporary location and the construction and usage permits it to be readily moved from one location to another.

(d) “Coil type hot water boiler” means a boiler without any steam space where water flashes into steam when released through a manually operated nozzle.

(e) “Lined storage water heater” means a water heater which consists of a coil or closed tank heated either by direct flame, electrical heating elements or solar energy and which exceeds any of the following limits:

1. Maximum heat input of 400,000 BTUH or 117.2 KW,

2. Water temperature of 210 degrees F; and,

3. Nominal water containing capacity of 120 U.S. gallons.

(f) “Standard boiler” means a boiler which has been designed, constructed, inspected and stamped in accordance with the ASME Code and registered with the National Board.

(g) “Non-standard boiler” means a boiler that does not bear a stamp, or does not comply with the Act or this rule chapter.

(h) “Reinstalled boiler” means a boiler removed from its original setting and reinstalled at the same location or at a new location without change of ownership.

(i) “Condemned boiler” means a boiler which has been inspected and declared unsafe by an authorized inspector.

(j) “Boiler status” means a boiler operational status/classification description.

1. Open – A computer file that has been created.

2. Active – A boiler that has been deemed to be operational.

3. Secured boiler – A boiler that has been physically disconnected from the system including from fuel, water, steam, electricity, and stack; or locked out and tagged out pursuant to Section 554.1021(3)(h), F.S. 

4. Out of business – A boiler inside a closed business, where the inspector cannot verify its status.

5. Removed – A boiler that has been removed from its current location.

6. Exempt- A boiler that is exempt as defined by Section 554.109, F.S.

(10) “Certificate of competency” means a document issued to a person who has satisfied the minimum competency requirements for a boiler inspector under Chapter 554, F.S.

(11) “Certificate of operation” means a document issued to the owner of a boiler which authorizes the owner to operate the boiler, subject to any restrictions endorsed thereon.

(12) “Commission” means a written credential issued by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors to the holder of a certificate of competency who desires to make shop inspections and field inspections in accordance with the National Board Inspection Code.

(13) “Chief boiler inspector” means the chief boiler inspector appointed by the Chief Financial Officer.

(14) “Department” means the Department of Financial Services, Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire Prevention, Boiler Safety Program.

(15) “Deputy boiler inspector” means any deputy boiler inspector employed by the Boiler Safety Program of the Department of Financial Services.

(16) “Existing installation” means any boiler installed in this state before October 1, 1987.

(17) “External inspection” means an inspection made when a boiler is in operation.

(18) “Fusion welding” is a generic term for welding processes that rely on melting to join materials of similar compositions and melting points.

(19) “Horsepower” means a unit of measurement in which one boiler horsepower = 34.5 lbs. steam per hour or 33,479 British Thermal Units per Hour (BTUH).

(20) “Internal inspection” means an inspection made after a boiler is shut down and becomes cold, using the National Board Inspection Code for an interior inspection.

(21) “Jurisdiction” means a state, commonwealth, or municipality of the United States or a Province of Canada, which has adopted one or more sections of the ASME Code, one of which is Section I, and which maintains a duly constituted governmental unit for the purpose of enforcement of the code.

(22) “Major repair” means a repair affecting the strength of the boiler.

(23) “National Board” means the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NB), 1055 Crupper Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229, [phone], whose membership is composed of chief boiler inspectors of jurisdictions who, or other officials who hold a National Board Commission and are charged with the enforcement of the provisions of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act.

(24) “National Board Inspection Code” means the code for jurisdictional authorities, inspectors, users, and organizations performing repairs and alterations to pressure-retaining parts. It is published by the National Board and is developed under procedures accredited as meeting the criteria for American National Standards.

(25) “New boiler installation” means all boilers constructed, installed and placed in operation after October 1, 1987.

(26) “Owner” or “user” means any person, firm or corporation legally responsible for the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of any boiler within this state.

(27) “Other locations open to the general public,” as used in the definition of “public assembly locations” in Section 554.1021(9), F.S., means a building, facility, occupancy, or portion thereof, or an area open to the public for educational purposes or for trade or commerce including the following: public and private schools, universities, child care centers, city, county and state government buildings, commerce facilities, shopping malls, departmental stores, grocery stores, motels, hotels, resorts, vacation clubs, fitness centers, and restaurants; meeting rooms, game rooms, and similar places where the public is invited or permitted to gather, as well as boiler rooms, located in apartment complexes, condominiums, cooperatives, or similar multi-family dwellings; dry cleaners, laundries or laundromats; retirement homes; religious schools; bus or train stations; colleges and other institutions of higher learning; fraternal organizations; any club open to guests and the public; and any building or area in which persons may assemble for civic, educational, religious, recreational, entertainment or other purposes, or in which passengers may await public transportation. The term “public assembly locations” also means “places of public assembly” as used in this rule chapter.

(28) “Pressure retaining item” (PRI) means a boiler, pressure vessel, piping or material used for the containment of pressure, either internal or external. The pressure may be obtained from an external source, or by the application of heat from the direct source, or any combination thereof.

(29) “Pressure vessel” means containers for the containment of pressure, either internal or external. This pressure may be obtained from an external source or by the application of heat from a direct or indirect source, or any combination thereof.

(30) “PSIG” means pounds per square inch gauge.

(31) “Repair” means the work necessary to restore a boiler or pressure vessel to a safe and satisfactory operating condition.

(32) “Repair organizations” means:

(a) An entity which holds a valid National Board certificate authorizing the use of the “R”, “VR”, or “NR” stamps; or

(b) The holder of a valid ASME certificate of authorization for use of the appropriate code symbol stamp; or

(c) One which is authorized by the Boiler Safety Program.

(33) “Rules” means this rule chapter unless otherwise specified.

(34) “Rerating” means the increase of the maximum allowable working pressure or temperature of a boiler regardless of whether or not physical work is carried out on the boiler. Rerating shall be considered an alteration.

(35) “Special boiler inspector” means an inspector who holds a Florida certificate of competency and who is employed by an authorized inspection agency.

Rulemaking Authority 554.103, 554.104, 554.108 FS. Law Implemented 554.1021, 554.103, 554.104, 554.105, 554.106, 554.107, 554.108, 554.1081, 554.1101 FS. History–New 2-27-89, Amended 10-23-00, Formerly 4A-51.005, Amended 8-10-21.