Boiler and Pressure Vessels

1. All boiler and pressure vessels (not exempt by the code) must have a Certificate of Inspection posted at/on the equipment.
2. Proper access must be provided to the equipment location for the inspector at all times. Notification to departments for annual or biannual inspections is not provided. Where proper access is not provided, the inspector will notify Risk Management at 231-7439 to coordinate efforts and schedule the follow-up visit. If access is not provided to the equipment within a reasonable time, the Certificate of Inspection will be denied and the equipment must be rendered inoperable (i.e. disconnected from all power sources and not used).
3. Proper access must also be provided around the equipment including a minimum of two feet on all sides, which must be accessed for servicing or maintenance.

Once the installation of boiler and pressure vessels (not exempt by the code) are near completion, the project manager should contact Risk Management at 540-231-7439 to coordinate a preliminary review and walk-through of related facilities with the State Inspector. This walk-through should be with a knowledgeable person who can answer technical questions regarding the purpose and operation of the vessels. Once the preliminary review has been completed, the project manager and State Inspector will schedule follow-up visits and certifications directly with each other.

All boilers that are required by the Virginia Code to have a Certificate of Inspection before operation must be constructed and installed in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code and, except for cast iron boilers, be registered with the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

Boiler and pressure vessels that have already had an initial inspection and have been issued a VA12345 number, will automatically be reinspected by the third party inspection company on a one or two year basis. The Certificate of Inspection will be forwarded to Virginia Tech's Office of Risk Management and then to the responsible party for coordination of distribution and posting at the equipment site. If you have existing equipment that you believe should have a Certificate of Inspection that does not, you may contact Risk Management at 540-231-7439 for more information and/or coordination of inspection.

Contact Environmental Health & Safety at 540-231-2341 to coordinate research vessel inspection by the contracted third party inspector if it's not permanently installed on campus (and already a part of this inspection process). Associated costs, typically $20 per vessel, shall be the responsibility of the department. If third party inspection does not result in a Certificate of Insurance (COI) being issued, a variance must be obtained from the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry for non-exempt vessels. This process must prove equivalency to ASME standards and can take several months. The variance process will be coordinated by Environmental Health & Safety, and the sponsoring department shall be responsible for gathering all required information. If at the end of the variance process, a COI is denied, the department should contact Risk Management for guidance. Basic requirements for pressure vessels include:

• Vessels must be ASME stamped.
• Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) shall be indicated on the vessel.
• Burst disc cannot exceed the MAWP and shall be ASME stamped.
• Pressure Relief Devices cannot exceed the MAWP, shall not be adjustable, and shall be ASME stamped.

Pressurized systems at Virginia Tech include everything from small, unheated, low-pressure laboratory setups to large, extremely high-pressure heated metal vessels weighing several tons. The stored energy associated with these systems has the potential to cause injuries ranging from eye injuries to multiple fatalities. A pressure vessel as small as a few liters volume at 200 psi contains enough stored energy to cause fatal injuries as a result of a catastrophic failure.

Pressurized metal vessels and components can fail as a result of fatigue cracking due to cyclic loading, overheating, and stress-enhanced corrosion cracking. Pressurized glass components can fail as a result of corrosion, manufacturing and assembly stresses, and scratches on the glass surface due to improper handling. In both types of materials, failure can occur after a period of use at the originally designed pressure and temperature and without warning.

Failure can also occur due to overpressurization due to direct pressurization or through chemical reactions that liberate heat or volumes of gas or both. In some cases chemical reactions can result in such a sudden increase in volume that the pressure cannot be relieved, resulting in an explosion or even a detonation. 

It is absolutely critical, therefore, that pressurized systems be designed by a person knowledgeable in the properties of materials under room and elevated temperature, stress, and fatigue conditions, and who is experienced in pressurized system design. Except for small low pressure laboratory setups and compressed gas distribution systems, this means it is best to purchase the system rather than design it in-house. In all cases, it is best to work closely with the manufacturer of the components and materials to ensure that they are suited to the intended conditions of use.

If you are constructing a pressure vessel that is subject to the Virginia Boiler and Pressure Vessel regulations, it must be designed by a qualified, licensed professional in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) "Design Standards for Pressure Vessels."

The following guidelines must be followed in the design, construction, and use of pressurized systems.

• General requirements for both small and large-scale vessels
• Special Handling Procedures
• Hazards of Particular Concern

Small, tabletop autoclaves are exempt from boiler and pressure vessel inspection; however, floor models (i.e. larger models) do need to be inspected by the State Inspector. You may notify Risk Management at 540-231-7439 to coordinate an inspection.

If the boiler/pressure vessel is not owned by Virginia Tech (ex. large water heaters or boilers that are owned by the property owner), the Office of Real Estate Management will coordinate the inspection with the property owner.

If the boiler/pressure vessel is owned by Virginia Tech (ex. sterilizers, air compressors) and is being used in leased spaces, the department needs to notify Risk Management at 540-231-7439 to have the inspector perform the inspection and issue the Certificate of Inspection. The department is responsible for paying for the inspection.

Certificates of Inspection are received from the State Inspector by Risk Management and are then forwarded to the designated service and maintenance department for posting, such as Mechanical Services, Electrical Services, or Student Programs Maintenance. If you would prefer to have the certificates sent to someone other than the designated service and maintenance group, you should notify Risk Management at 540-231-7439.

Certificates of Inspection should be posted at the equipment it applies to - preferably in a protective cover or sleeve on the wall next to the equipment.

Be aware that it may take several months from the date of inspection to receiving the Certificate of Insurance.  If you believe the equipment has not been inspected and appears to be past due, you may notify Risk Management at 540-231-7439 to report the equipment, location, and VA number so that inspection with the State Inspector can be coordinated. Occasionally, equipment is moved or transferred to another department or building and the State Inspector cannot find it during routine visits.

The Commonwealth Of Virginia contracts with a third party inspection agency (which may change every 2-3 years) to inspect boiler and pressure vessels on campus. Visits and receipt of Certificates of Inspection are coordinated through the Office of Risk Management.