69A-51.060: Requirements for New Installations
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule deletes language that mandates the application of specified ladders and runways be provided for purposes of affording safe access to boilers. New language is added that provides for greater flexibility in the choice, design or installation of the equipment that is used to afford access to boilers. The proposed amendment acknowledges that the choice of equipment used to afford access to boilers is site specific.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule is amended to allow greater flexibility in the choice of site-appropriate equipment that is used for accessing boilers.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: A preliminary economic analysis conducted by the Department indicates that the proposed rule will provide boiler-owners with greater flexibility in the selection of boiler access equipment. The majority of subject boilers are modest in size and scale. The existing rule nonetheless requires boiler-owners to install access equipment best suited to those boilers found in an industrial setting. The proposed rule will no longer require installation of industrial-style access equipment. This change is expected to result in cost savings to owners of modest-sized boilers by allowing them to install access equipment that is most appropriate to their particular application.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 554.103 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 554.103, 554.104, 554.105, 554.106, 554.107, 554.108 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE,TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW(IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, March, 27, 2012, 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Third Floor Conference Room, The Atrium Building, 325 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, Florida
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Michael Burns, (850)413-3614 or Mike.Burns@MyfloridaCFO.com. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Michael Burns, Chief Boiler Inspector, Bureau of Fire Prevention, Division of Fire Marshal, Department of Financial Services, (850)413-3614 or Mike.Burns@MyfloridaCFO.com
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
69A-51.060 Requirements for New Installations.
The provisions of this part shall apply to new installations of power boilers, high pressure high temperature hot water boilers, low pressure heating and hot water supply boilers located in places of public assembly.
(1) Requirements for new installations:
(a) through (b) No change.
(c) A boiler shall include or accommodate any equipment that is necessary to allow for the close, physical inspection of manways, pressure relieving devices, and boiler appurtenances. Such equipment may either be permanently installed or be of a design intended for temporary use. Temporary equipment shall be positioned by the boiler owner or user at the time of the inspections required under Section 554.108, F.S.
(2) Electrically heated boilers.
(a) No change.
(b) Electrically heated boilers shall be permanently grounded in accordance with NFPA 70-1984 edition, the National Electrical Code, as adopted in Rule 69A-3.012, F.A.C.
(c) No change.
(3) Power boilers.
(a) Ladders and runways. A steel runway or platform at least twenty-four inches (24'') wide and provided with standard handrails and toe boards on either side and having at least 7' 6'' head room shall be installed across the tops of adjacent boilers or at some other convenient level, for the purpose of affording safe access to the boilers. All runways shall have at least two (2) means of exit, each exit to be remotely located from the other and connected to a permanent stairway or inclined ladder leading to the floor level.
(a)(b) Exit from the boiler rooms. All boiler rooms exceeding five hundred (500) square feet of floor area and containing one or more boilers having a fuel-burning capacity of 1,000,000 BTUs shall have at least two (2) means of exit. Each exit shall have at least two (2) means of egress, each remotely located from the other.
(b)(c) Inspection space. All boilers shall be located so that adequate space shall be provided for the proper operation of the boiler and its appurtenances; for the inspection of all surfaces, drums, tubes, waterwalls, economizers, piping, valves, and other equipment; and for necessary maintenance and repair.
(c)(d) Explosion doors. Explosion doors, if used and if located in the setting walls within seven (7) feet of the firing floor or operating platform, shall be provided with substantial deflectors to divert the blast.
(d)(e) Clearance. When new power boilers are installed in new buildings, a minimum height of at least seven (7) feet shall be provided between the top of the boiler proper and the ceiling, except in the single installations of self-contained boilers where a minimum height of at least three (3) feet shall be provided between the highest point of any valve stem or fitting and the ceiling. It is recommended that these requirements be followed as nearly as possible when replacing boilers in existing buildings.
(e)(f) Blow-off tanks.
1. through 2. No change.
(f)(g) The discharge of safety valves shall vent to the atmosphere and the outlets shall be located so as to prevent injury to personnel. Blow-off pipes and other outlets shall also be located so as to prevent injury to personnel.
(g)(h) The stamping of the boiler and safety valves shall not be concealed by lagging or paint and shall be exposed at all times unless a suitable record is kept of the location of the boiler stamping so it may be readily uncovered at any time.
(h)(i) Safety valves.
1. through 7. No change.
(i)(j) Boiler feeding.
1. through 2. No change.
(j)(k) Water level indicators.
1. through 2. No change.
(k)(l) Pressure gages. Boiler pressure gages shall conform to the requirements of the A.S.M.E. Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and to the National Board Inspection Code, adopted herein.
(l)(m) Pressure reducing valves.
1. through 3. No change.
(m)(n) Supports. Each boiler shall be supported by masonry or structural supports of sufficient strength and rigidity to safely support the boiler and its contents. There shall be no excessive vibration in either the boiler or its connecting piping.
(n)(o) Air and ventilation requirements Combustion air supply and ventilation of boiler room.
1. through 3. No change.
(4) No change.
Rulemaking Authority 554.103 FS. Law Implemented 554.103, 554.104, 554.105, 554.106, 554.107, 554.108 FS. HistoryNew 2-27-89, Amended 10-23-00, Formerly 4A-51.060, Amended 9-30-10,_________.
