New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 12 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Chapter I - Industrial Board Of Appeals
Subchapter A - The Industrial Code
Part 14 - Construction, Installation, Inspection And Maintenance Of High Pressure Boilers; Construction Of Unfired Pressure Vessels
Subpart 14-1 - Definitions
Section 14-1.14 - Mechanical fuel and feed

(1) boilers of 1,500 square feet or more of heating surface when there is an attendant present during boiler operation;

(2) boilers of 100 square feet or less of heating surface when the boiler is operated with no extraction of steam (closed system), provided that the boiler is on the same floor or the floor immediately below the steam using equipment and provided that the total length of connected steam piping does not exceed 50 feet; and

(3) boilers of 20 square feet of heating surface or less (see section 14-11.12 of this Part).

(1) The float chamber of a water feeder or regulator shall be set at a level that will start feeding when the water level drops below the predetermined water level of that particular boiler.

(2) A fuel cutout switch, if installed, shall be so set or adjusted that it will shut off the fuel supply before the water drops lower than one-quarter inch above the lowest visible level of the gage glass. The design and material of the float chamber shall comply with the requirements of section 14-9.22 of this Part and be properly marked for pressure. Float chambers made of cast iron in accordance with specifications SA-278 may be used for maximum boiler pressures not exceeding 250 pounds per square inch. Float chambers made of malleable iron in accordance with specifications SA-395 may be used for maximum boiler pressures not exceeding 350 pounds per square inch. For higher pressures steel construction shall be used.

(3) The float shall have a displacement adequate to insure positive movement of the mechanism operating the feed valve and/or the cutout switch. It shall be tested against collapse at a pressure of at least twice the boiler pressure. Bearings, shafts, water valves and seats and other similar parts shall be of material that is resistant to corrosion.

(4) Electric switches shall be designed to prevent deterioration from atmospheric conditions and be approved by the Underwriters' Laboratories. Accessibility for inspection, cleaning and repairing shall be provided for all parts.

(5) The steam connection to a float chamber, including pipe, fittings, and valves, if any, shall comply with the requirements of sections 14-9.22 and 14- 9.23 of this Part. There shall be no sag or offset in the piping which will permit the accumulation of water.

(6) The water connection to a float chamber and drains from the float chamber, including pipe, fittings and valves, if any, shall comply with the requirements of sections 14-9.22 and 14-9.23 of this Part.

(7) The water connections shall be provided at each right angle turn with a cross or a fitting with a back outlet to permit cleaning in both directions. The upper edge of the water connection at the boiler shall not be above the lowest visible water level in the gage glass. No part of this pipe connection shall be above point of connection at the float chamber.

(8) The minimum size of pipes connecting the float chamber to a boiler shall be one inch for the connection below the water line and three-quarters inch for the steam connection. When shutoffs are used on the connection pipes, they shall be either outside-screw-and-yoke gate valves or stopcocks or valves with levers permanently fastened thereto and marked in line with their passage, or of such other through flow construction as to prevent stoppage by deposits of sediment and to indicate by the position of the operating mechanism whether they are in open or closed position; and such valves or cocks shall be locked or sealed open. Where stopcocks are used they shall be of a type with the plug held in place by a guard or gland. Connecting the float chamber to gage glass connections is not recommended unless the gage glass connections are at least one inch pipe size below the water line and three-quarters inch for the steam.

Exception:For boilers of less than 50 square feet of heating surface the minimum size pipe shall be three-quarters inch for the connection below the water line and one-half inch for the steam connection.

(9) No outlet connection, except for damper regulation, drains, steam gages or such apparatus which does not permit the escape of an appreciable amount of steam or water therefrom, shall be placed on the float chamber or pipes connecting the float chamber to a boiler.

(10) The float chamber shall be fitted with a drain valve having a suitable connection to the ashpit, or other safe point of waste, and if the water connection thereto has a rising bend or pocket which cannot be drained by means of the float chamber drain, an additional drain shall be placed on this connection in order that it may be blown off to clear any sediment from the pipe. The float chamber blowoff pipe shall be at least three-quarters inch pipe size, except for boilers of 50 square feet or less of heating surface, when it can be one-half inch.

(11) Feed water regulator and low water cut-off shall be tested daily and maintained in good working condition.

(12) Boilers consisting of continuous piping affording no reservoir or water level practicable for the operation of a low water cutoff may be equipped with a flow valve or other suitable control which has been tested and approved in accordance with a code or standard commonly applied in the industry, e.g., AGA or UL.