Model Steam Boiler Certificates

[spike99]

I hope you can give me some guidance regarding boiler pressure certificates?! I have made a boiler for myself and some one has asked me to make them a boiler with a safety certificate. I have tested to boiler hydraulically and with steam to over twice the max working pressure and fitted a safety valve to blow at max working pressure and stay within 10% with reasonable heat. What qualification is required to complete a safety certificate? Do I need letters after my name?? I am in the UK but any help from the US is appreciated.

[SteveW]

Spike,

As I understand it from our club perspective:

We have a 'Boiler Test Committee' tasked with the authority to police and test member's (only) boilers. Their tests can be easily replicated but its the basis of devolved authority from the North/South Feds and operation of the boilers within a well managed club context that makes it all possible, this includes user training and monitoring.

Folk that join our club purely to get a boiler cert are not welcomed so the position is that the certificates are conditional on membership. This may not be enforceable but we need to try and do get follow-up subscriptions though only see folk once a year.

New and unknown boilers, those not from other clubs and without current certification, are treated with great suspicion and (I think) get to run the tests before being let loose on our premises or get to walk.

As I understand it the rules have just been re-drawn and the test periodicity changed with distinctions on copper and steel. I believe stainless steel boilers are now out of scope for the relatively simple test equipment available at club level.

I have also seen a couple of novices with newly purchased locomotives, complete with new boiler certs, turned down on the basis their boilers actually don't hold water, literally. I suggest if anyone (novice or otherwise) here is planning to buy then take someone that can spot a dud with you before enthusiasm takes over.

Back to the question: As I understand it a boiler cert is not required if the boiler is to be enjoyed in the privacy of your own premises but if it does let go and someone gets damaged there will be litigation big-time. However, to use in public it'll need insurance. To get insurance it will be necessary to get on the bandwagon. When it comes to selling a boiler a traceable cert is going to be necessary. Buying a boiler without a cert is a NO NO and buyers should also expect documentation supporting the boiler's/loco's history.

I think I heard that the actual certificates are now a bit more robust and auditable documents, a bit like UK car MOT certs and about time too.

Don't take the above as definitive. I've been following the boiler cert thread but may have missed/overlooked some important aspect of the current regs. Best join a club and pick up good advice and just have fun with your loco and the rest of the loonies.

[SteveW]

All,

I cannot believe I have the last (only) word in this one. Surely there is someone out there that can either add to or maybe correct what I've written above.

[GeorgeRay]

It might be because this thread is on the Modelworks board. The topic was discussed a couple of months ago on the main board. If you search for boiler testing you should find it.

[spurley]

Hi Spike

The 'regulations/guidlines' are available at the following: www.cdsme.co.uk/HSE%20Guidelines%202004.doc . Your local club should have officers for both copper and steel boilers and there ought to be loads of advice available!!

Cheers

Brian

[greasemonkey]

Hi All
The other important part is the pressure vessel regulations. As I understand them these actually prohibit you from making a boiler for anyone but yourself unless a proffesional boiler maker, who needs to be able to CE mark his product and have fully tracable materials. Private boiler builders are exempt from this requirement as the boiler is deemed to be for presonal use only.

Andy

[Shawki Shlemon]

HI All
I am a new member and surfing through all pages, excuse me if I am late but I like to agree 100% with Steve . In Australia like the US and UK we have two codes one for copper and one for steel ( no stainless steel ) ,the maximum operating pressure 100 psi and a maximum barrel diameter of 8" for copper and 14" for steel .Other specifications for materials, sizes, thicknesses , staying etc applies. The boiler construction steps must be inspected, certified and approved by a boiler inspector in an affiliated club, then hydrostaticly tested to twice the pressure for 20 min and at completion of the model a steam test carried out and a certificate issued for 3 years for copper and 2 years for steel .To renew the certificate a new test is required at 125% of operating pressure .
It is illegal to use an uncertified pressure vessel in public and one could face litigation if accident occurs
All clubs in Australia strictly observe these rules ..
Boiler inspectors are selected by the club on the bases of qualification and experience then approved by AMBSC (Australian Miniature Boiler Safety Committee ) .
Regards
Shawki