Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 12, March 20, 2024
(a) When there
is doubt as to the extent of a defect or deterioration found in a pressure
vessel or boiler, a pressure test may be required by the inspector. A pressure
test shall not be required as part of a normal periodic inspection. A pressure
test shall be required when either of the following conditions is met:
(1) Forms of deterioration are found that
could affect the safety of a vessel.
(2) Major repairs have been completed.
(b) Pressure test
considerations shall be as follows:
(1) To
determine tightness, the test pressure shall not be required to be greater than
the set pressure of the safety valve having the lowest setting.
(2) The pressure test shall not exceed 112
times the maximum allowable working pressure, as adjusted for temperature. When
the original test pressure included consideration of corrosion allowance, the
test pressure may be further adjusted based on the remaining corrosion
allowance and other requirements set forth in part RC of the national board
inspection code, which is adopted by reference in K.A.R. 49-45-20.
(3) If the test pressure will exceed the set
pressure of the safety valve having the lowest setting, the safety relief valve
or valves shall be removed during the test or each disc held down by means of a
test clamp and not by applying additional load to the valve spring by turning
the compression screw.
(4) The
temperature of the water used to apply a hydrostatic test shall not be less
than 60°F, unless the owner provides information on the toughness
characteristics of the vessel material to indicate the acceptability of a lower
test temperature. The metal temperature shall not exceed 120°F, unless the
owner specifies the requirements for a higher test temperature that are
acceptable to the inspector.
(5)
When contamination of the vessel contents by any other medium is prohibited or
when a hydrostatic test is not possible, other testing media may be used if the
precautionary requirements of the applicable sections of the ASME code and the
national board inspection code (NBIC), as adopted in these regulations, are
followed. In these cases, there shall be agreement as to the testing procedure
among the owner, repair organization, the inspector, and the chief inspector.
(c) Each boiler log,
record of maintenance, corrosion rate record, and any other examination results
shall be reviewed by the inspector. The owner or user shall consult with the
inspector regarding repairs, if any, made since the last internal inspection.
The records of the repairs shall be reviewed for compliance with applicable
requirements.
(d) Any defects or
deficiencies in condition, maintenance practices, or misuse of the boiler shall
be identified and documented by the inspector and owner, and, if necessary,
corrective action shall be taken by the owner. All repairs shall be carried out
in accordance with the requirements of part RC of the national board inspection
code.
