Boiler Comittee members

[steamcoal]

Can some please tell me how many boiler committee members are required to be present at a test in the UK?

There is obviously a lead tester and a witness but are ALL the elected boiler members required. I can see the need for two and the  owner  has no part in proceedings but are more of any help??

Just curious from New Zealand.

Hayden

[ejparrott]

Only one, the tester. The witness can be anyone who fits the requirements, which is basically knowing how a boiler is built, how it should operate, and what to look for in terms of leaks and plate movement. I taught the wife (who knows a thing or two about it in any case) everything required, then I can get tests done much much easier, and at peoples homes if required.

[GeorgeRay]

The witness must be a member of the Society or Club under whose auspices the test is being carried out.

[ejparrott]

And that!

[steamcoal]

Thankyou for the reply.

I was to test my ( chedder boilered) 5"Hunslet today along with another members boiler and was advised that because all the committee were not advised and present ( 5 persons ) we could not hold the test. 

For the life of me I cannot see the point in the purpose of five persons making an observation. It should take an hour or so for the hydro test and steam test...job done. Just need the two accredited persons which we have for each boiler.

We have already done a private hydraulic test and steam test at home to satisfy our enquiry but just want the club test done and certificate issued but now we have to wait for the assembled masses before we can do anything. I am totally disappointed and put off by pedantic nit-picking.

So much for my club promoting ones hobby.

Hayden

[ejparrott]

I cannot comment on New Zealand rules and regs, not being familiar with them. It may be that there are differences, but 5 is ridiculous - in my opinion.

[Shawki Shlemon]

All is required in AMBSC code is a boiler inspector . No more . The rest are interested parties , curios , etc...

[steamcoal]

In New Zealand the Australian code has been adopted which thought difficult for a Kiwi to accept is now our standard. 

We have now tested the Hunslet and it passed easily as it should have as it had almost unused Chedder Boiler.

If we had not just got on and done the test, to arrange associated persons would have proved almost impossible. We will deal with the rest later. The cert only requires two signitures, was done with code book in hand and in our opinion complies.

I myself  are listed as a boiler committee member but there is no way I will ever take the position as a lead tester. I have an interest in boilers, owning  four now but i have no experience in there construction apart from what i see on my own models and read. I will verify as a witness and assist, as part of the learning process,but as we found with the second boiler we tested which failed, we will have it inspected by a boiler inspector from another club that we know has consructed many large boilers.

There is a limit to what we know and we have no problem asking for second opinions. 

Just out of interest the original invoice that accompanied the Hunslet boiler from October 1998 gave a price of £717.00+ VAT. Delivery time was 24 -28 weeks. The boiler was also displayed at the Midlands Exhibition of that year. 

[Shawki Shlemon]

This is from from AMBSC boiler code page 42 , para 7.2.10 :
Upon satisfactory completion of all tests, a boiler certificate shall be issued for a period of one year and shall be signed by the clubs boiler inspector .The inspector 's name shall be both legibly printed on the boiler certificate . The signature of a witness to the testing is optional , at the discretion of the club society .
You don't need a crowd to test the boiler .

[steamcoal]

Shawki.

I think that our boiler committee believe that a boiler test session is a opportunity for everyone interested to " have a go", "put their two cents worth in" so to speak.

Personally I view it as a serious job, something that we have to go through throughly, something we do in trepidation but with proper planning and care hopefully a formality.It only needs two persons at most.

I have come to the conclusion that our total boiler committee is actually invalid in almost all respects as given in the AMBSC Code book. I will be resigning as a participant in our clubs boiler committee as I do not have the practical experience and not wishing to be a part of an unlawful operation I cannot remain. I would quite happily verify as a witness but my stance should be what the other members are required to do also if they read the code book correctly. Its like a nurse asking at a hospital "who wants to be a doctor". You either are or are not and to take members just cause they might fit the bill is totally negligent in all respect. I know it may be a problem with small isolated clubs but it is not impossible to get boilers tested by outside inspectors from other clubs.There should be no prejudice about co opting outside clubs to help out.

My thoughts on this alone.

Thanks for your advice and it could be an interesting club meeting this week.

[Shawki Shlemon]

Thanks Hayden , I certainly agree it is a serious job to do , I as a boiler inspector don't want every Dick / Tom and Harry to throw their five cents worth during the test , I personally don't mind somebody watching for gaining experience but if the owner of the boiler request privacy , I will provide him that . There is more to boiler test than just following the book , that can be done by anyone , over the years of testing boilers one come's across some problems and that is when the boiler inspector make important decision , condemning any boiler with a leak is very easy but assessing the integrity of the boiler and safety and deciding in the interest of the owner and public safety is the main issue . The decision has to be in the interest of safety , the public , the club and the owner of the boiler , this is the only way we keep the hobby alive . I hope this make sense .