any boiler testers out there

hi, this is a question for any boiler testers out there. I have a small live steam boat and its fitted with a Wilesco boiler which in turn is fitted with one safety valve. the boiler is under 3 bar, is brand new and works at under 20 psi. In fact there is more pressure in a coke can.

OK under the new 2018 SF code does this boiler need any of the following to gets its ( to my mind completely unnecessary club boiler test at this size)

1. a pressure gauge, as none is fitted from new and there is no location for one.

2. any thing else then a look over.

I have read the new code book and its just full of grey areas I give up.

thanks, michael

Hi Terry,

Well, the first thing to say is that you do not need a boiler inspection/test if you don't plan to run in places that do not require them. So at home or "in private" - whilst it makes very good sense to 'safety' check your boiler - there is no requirement for any sort of certificate. However, certain boating lakes or 'sailing' clubs may well have some form of test regime - the best thing to do is enquire about what they want locally.

In terms of the 2018 Orange Book requirements - technically your boiler is a low-pressure commercial boiler (so does not need an initial hydraulic test or CE stamp). Nor do you need to fit a pressure dial. However, you would need the boiler hydraulically tested if you were to modify or repair the boiler for any reason.

If you asked me to do a annual "safety" check for your boiler (unlikely as I'm a tester for the G3S) - I would visually inspect your boiler, check that the firing method did not allow the boiler to run dry and probably also remove the safety valve and check it against a calibrated gauge to make sure it was correctly set and functioning.

For a small boiler like this - common sense is the best guide - use it as per the instructions and there shouldn't be any problems.

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 09/08/2018 10:53:06

thanks for getting back Ian. as to common sense that as long gone from this hobby. My understanding is if the boiler is new and not home made it does not need a test as it meets a standard set higher then any club test. I am happy for the safety valve to be checked that makes good sense. but the rest is plain nonsense and red tape for red tapes sake.

by asking me to fit a safety valve which would mean modifying the boiler to my mind is pointless as it leads to a number of questions later. my leaving the boiler as it was designed in the first place makes far more sense.

is this an issue of boiler testers taking things to far and the new codes for LPB just being unfit for purpose.

yours pi.. ed off.

Just to restate Terry - whether you need any testing/certification at all, really depends on where you want to use your boat. At home, you need no tests/certificates to run your boat at all. However you are still the person who has to decide if the device is operating (and being operated) within its safe limits - and even a low pressure boiler can present some risks if used incorrectly (by an unsupervised child for instance).

You mentioned that your boiler already has a safety valve fitted and as there is no requirement to fit a second that I'm aware of, I'm not sure why you are concerned about this. It does make sense to check that any safety valve that is fitted, is operating normally, even if you do not have the means to check it exactly against a calibrated gauge.

BTW - the code states the following with regards to "new" commercial boilers:

"It does not apply to Commercially Built boilers which have been either manufacturer fitted to a complete model, or have been installed in a home built model, and were issued at manufacture with certificate of conformance with sound engineering practice (SEP) as outlined in the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations, unless that boiler has received structural repair or alteration"

And whilst it should be safe to assume that any well known brand does conform to SEP - I'm not sure I would just assume that every "commercial" boiler has been tested to a higher/better level than that required for "home-made" boilers - as frankly, it may not have been. It's also very easy to purchase all sorts of stuff from abroad/eBay these days - so a little caution might be useful..

Regards,

IanT

Sounds like Terry may have run into a club that insists on boilers being certified wherever they've come from. Could be an insurance issue. Why would a club risk taking liability for an uninsured accident when Terry could fix the problem by getting a certificate? Dunno. Whatever the reason, their club, their rules.

Try a different club? If all else fails, sail it in private.

Dave

I am trying to use a boiler which is new, made in tens of thousands for kids toys. yet know one can inform me if I need a further test to use at my club or not. the boiler tester at the club is so full of red tape and as know engineering skill at all and is afraid of doing anything. I asked wilisco about their boilers and here is their reply. all Wilesco toy steam boilers have pressure release of 15psi (1 bar) which is less than a bike tyre or tap water pressure and is not considered dangerous.

the boilers are however stamped with the European test code needed for small boilers. if I had a pond larger then my fish pond I would use that. but that's not the point. the point is that due to the SF coming up with total nonsense on LPB know one as any idea what is right or wrong. all I want to do is play boats with a few other like minded people. why is it so bloody hard to do. I have tried contacting all the so say officers of the SF and have had know reply. if they don't know, they bloody should do. sorry for the strong words, but I am sick of it.

t

The Model Boat Mayhem forum cater for steam boats - I belong to it - This question has been asked before on there and it seems it is below the bar rating requirements.

It may be worth joining and asking your question where they cater for model steam boats .

Free to join and a goof helpful crowd.

Joe

Bottom line here is if the boiler falls into the 2 bar 1 litre category, then there are no PED regs to comply with....As it is a manufactured boiler it should meet 'sound engineering practice'....

As Wilesco have been making boilers for many years, I should think they know what they are about...if your local club boiler inspector is unsure about your boiler, then someone ought to be questioning his competence!

Edited By John Rudd on 09/08/2018 19:49:11

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Edited By Clive India on 12/08/2018 09:19:40