STATE OF FLORIDA: BOILER FAQ, LAWS, & RULES

What is a boiler? A boiler is defined as… “a closed vessel in which water or other liquid is heated, steam or vapor is generated, steam is superheated, or any combination of these functions is accomplished under pressure or vacuum, for use external to itself, by the direct application of energy from the combustion of fuels or from electricity or solar energy.” This definition includes larger water heaters. Water heaters that exceed 400,000 btu/hr heat input; or 210 degrees F at the outlet; or 120 gallons nominal water containing capacity, are classified as hot water supply boilers, and are regulated by the Boiler Safety Section of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, Division of State Fire Marshal. Do we have a boiler law? In 1987, the state Legislature enacted Florida Statute 554, the Boiler Safety Act. This law is designed for the safety of the public where boilers are installed and operated throughout the state. The law mandates rules for the safe construction, installation, inspection, repair and maintenance of boilers. The law also defines the frequency of inspection, qualifications of licensed inspectors and the penalties that can be imposed if the law or the adopted rules are violated. What are the construction and installation requirements for my boiler? Boilers installed after October 1, 1987, must be constructed to the ASME Code requirements. ASME Code Section I is the high pressure boiler code. Additionally, ASME B31.1 is the required code for power piping installation for high pressure boilers. ASME Code Section IV is the construction and installation code for low pressure steam, hot water heating (building heat), and hot water supply boilers. ASME CSD-1 addresses the boiler controls. What do I do once I have the ASME Data Report? You may send a copy to the State Fire Marshal by fax (850) 414-6119 or email fire. prevention@myfloridacfo.com, or you may submit to your inspector, who can verify and forward to the Boiler Safety Program. What do I do once I have the ASME CSD-1 Report? Provide a copy to the inspector for acceptance. Ownership has changed, how do I get Certificates with updated information? Email the Boiler Safety Section fire. prevention@myfloridacfo.com with the previous owner’s information, if there is a new location name, the new owner’s name and address, where you would like invoices and certificates to be mailed, and if there is a new insurance company for the boiler coverage. Once the changes are made, new certificates can be printed from our public portal found on the Boiler Safety Section webpage What do I do if our boiler is no longer in use? Call your inspecting agency to perform a status change for the boiler so we can update our records. If you have replaced an old boiler with a new boiler, it will need to be inspected and registered. How do I contact the Boiler Safety Section if I have more questions? Where can I get a copy of the law and the rules? The Boiler Safety Section is open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday except for legal holidays. Copies of the law and the rules are available free of charge and can be found online at the Boiler Safety Section website. The Chief Inspector and his staff are eager to help you maintain your compliance with the law and can be of service if you have any questions.  Boiler rules: In 1989, rules were written and adopted to regulate boilers in the state. The Boiler Safety Rules are found under Chapter 69A-51, Florida Administrative Code. They include definitions, codes adopted, administration, requirements for new and existing installations, among other topics. The ASME Heating and Power Boiler Codes, ASME CSD-1 (Controls for Automatically Fired Boilers), and the National Boiler and Inspection Codes have all been adopted under this rule.  Boiler owner responsibilities Within the Florida Boiler Code are the owner’s responsibilities for: 1. Obtaining periodic boiler inspections by scheduling with your boiler insurance company if the boiler is so insured or with the Division of State Fire Marshal if uninsured. Note: the inspector is not responsible for scheduling your inspections. It is the owner’s responsibility to schedule inspection and obtain a current Certificate of Compliance.a. How do I request a boiler inspection? Most boilers are insured. Insurance is typically called Boiler & Machinery Insurance or Equipment Breakdown Coverage. Companies providing boiler insurance are required to perform inspections of boilers so insured. Your insurance agent can provide information about coverage, the insurance company name and phone number, and can request an inspection on your behalf directly to the underwriter.b. How often do boilers require inspection? Boilers located in “Places of Public Assembly” as defined under The Boiler Safety Act require inspection. High pressure boilers receive an internal inspection once per year and an external inspection once per year. Certificates are valid for 12 months providing all required inspections are performed in a timely manner. Low pressure boilers require internal inspections (if construction of the boiler so permits) and external inspections. Certificates are valid for 24 months from the certificate inspection. 2.Remedying all code violations and scheduling follow-up inspections to clear documented code violations.  3.Once the certificate inspections have been filed with the boiler Safety Program a certificate invoice will be generated. The boiler owner must pay the required fees to obtain the Certificate of Compliance assuming no violations exist. 4.Posting the current and valid Certificates of Compliance under glass in the boiler room. How do I know if my boiler has a violation or unpaid fees? You can access information related to your registered boiler on our public portal. A link can be found on the Boiler Safety Section webpage found at www.MyFloridaCFO.com I’ve received a violation requiring submittal of the ASME Data Report/and or ASME CSD-1 Report for my boiler. Where do I get it? Your installer should contact the boiler manufacturer to obtain a copy of the ASME Data Report. Your installer must provide a signed CSD-1 Report indicating compliance for the installed boiler.