boiler test

[terry1956]

hi chaps, i am new to all this, so please bear with me. so far i have found out that boilers need a test. But the southern fed web site is next to useless and i can,t get any details of how to get a boiler tested, how much this costs, how long does it take. how long do these certs last, or infact anything else.
can anyone please help me out here. michael

[baggo]

Hi Michael,

I am assuming you are talking about a loco boiler?

If there is a ME club nearby, join that if you can (you'll need somewhere to run the loco anyway!). Once you are a member you will be able to get your boiler tested free of charge. If it has no certificates at all at present it will need a hydraulic test to twice working pressure to begin with. This usually lasts for 4 years (if it's a copper boiler) although this is at the discretion of the boiler tester. He may reduce the period if the boiler is old. He may also insist on the boiler being removed from the frames and the cladding removed. After the first test, the boiler only needs testing to 1.5 times working pressure.

Next you will have a steam test which lasts up to 14 months, again at the discretion of the tester. This basically checks the water feeds to the boiler, the water gauge, and the safety valves.

Without being a member of a club you would have to get the boiler tested by an appropriate company which will probably prove very expensive.

If you don't intend to run in public (might have your own track in the garden) then you don't need boiler certificates but it's worth having the boiler tested anyway for your own peace of mind.

Hope that helps,

John

[terry1956]

Thanks John, just what i needed. michael

[Deleted]

Mar 1, 2012 16:04:38 GMT terry1956 said:

the southern fed web site is next to useless and i can,t get any details of how to get a boiler tested

The Southern Fed website seems to be undergoing a re-hash at the moment, and frankly, it's a bit of a mess. However, you should try to get hold of what is known as the 'blue book' or 'the examination and testing of miniature steam boilers' to give it its full title, as it will tell you all you need to know. You can pick up a copy for 40p at any of the shows that the Southern Fed attend; alternatively if you email Brian Thompson I'm sure he'll be happy to send you one (see information sheet no.8 on the Fed website).

[Shawki Shlemon]

Hi Michael , the above answers give you the legal requirements in UK , however if you are interested in details of how to build one and all technical information , I suggest you acquire one of the Australian codes , you can get one from smex.net.au , the owner of this site is a member here , just a thought .

[terry1956]

thanks again, all sorted on these points. michael