Boiler test

During lockdown I have embarked on the ME vertical boiler project, it is now ready for the 'shell test'. Is there anyone in the south east of ESSEX who can help me please?

Neil

Can your club not do it? Ours is not carrying out tests at the moment but more due to the fact no one needs them as there is nowhere to go and run than not being able too. If you are not a member of a club they won't test your boiler anyway so you only have the choice of a commercial inspection. Some of the commercial inspectors have carried on working I believe.

Alternative at the moment for peace of mind if you want to continue and steam it at home is to do your own test, it won't result in a certificate but you will be confident it will pass a test later. I am sure you can negotiate that as acceptable with your club inspector over the phone?

Paul.

I am currently not a member of any club. Where would I look to find a local club? is there a central register?

Try googling model engineering clubs in Essex.

Might be worth doing a handpump self test anyway, will save embarrassment if it behaves like a water pistol.

I have completed the test for myself and I am happy that it should pass. I can not give it a certificate and, as you will be fully aware, I would need one if I ever try to run it in public.

I suggest you look for a private test last thing nay club needs is a member joining for a boiler test and in the case of my club one as to be a member for 6 months before a test can be carried out .

H

Harry,

While I agree with the sentiment behind your comment, without knowing the OP's circumstance, future interests etc that may be a little harsh? Who knows he may be a highly supportive new member for a club that has only just gained an interest in steam.

As I indicated previously Neil you have 2 routes to certification, either a model engineering society or a commercial tester. Worthy of note here that particularly under the model code it is usual for the inspector to have access to the boiler as it is constructed so it can be viewed in its various stages, with a simple boiler that is perhaps not so important but down to the discretion of the inspector. Most clubs issue certificates FOC as part of your membership fee but as Harry suggests above most do not welcome members joining just to get a boiler cert and would expect them to get involved in club activities.

The other option is to get a commercial test, if you look at the website for the Association of Independent Boiler Inspectors you will find plenty to choose from - Jonathon Wheeler is probably closest to you but the cost of this could be up to £200 and remember this will need to be repeated every year for the annual exam. That is generally why clubs get narked at people joining just to get a boiler cert as they perceive that as using them for the inspection on the cheap and not giving anything back to the club!

Paul.

If you are trying to determine if it leaks or not there is a very easy way. Not legal for a certificate.

My domestic water pressure is normally 80 to 90psl. Just fill your boiler with water, excluding air, connect to hosepipe , turn on and observe. As the pressure is the same as running pressure then you do not need to remove gauge glasses

If you are trying to determine if it leaks or not there is a very easy way. Not legal for a certificate.

My domestic water pressure is normally 80 to 90psl. Just fill your boiler with water, excluding air, connect to hosepipe , turn on and observe. As the pressure is the same as running pressure then you do not need to remove gauge glasses

OP did say he has already tested it himself and is satisfied it should pass a formal test.

Why would you remove gauge glasses to do a proper test? The 1.5 WP test should include the boiler and its fittings that form part of the pressure system. The only thing you need to remove is the pressure gauge if it does not have sufficient range to go to the test pressure.

Paul.

Gauge glasses should be removed as test has to be 2 x boiler pressure for first test and 1 1/2 x for subsequent tests. The glass would not take that pressure.

The "water test"is undertaken by yourself. It also prevents embarrassment if it fails a club test. I had to fail a test on a steel boiler made by a boc professional welder when I walked away from it to see a rainbow from a pinhole leak

pete

that shot out 10 feet.

Thanks. Granted for the initial shell test (2WP) it's usually a bare boiler before fittings are added. All the boiler tests at 1.5 I have seen (and done) must have been done wrong then including the commercial tests on the full size boilers as they have all been done with all fittings (including gauge frames) in place.

Paul.

Most modern fittings should use cocks to isolate the glasses and to test that the glasses can be blown down clear to give an accurate reading. It is at the testers discretion on older fittings without cocks.

pete

Greetings, depending on where you are, you have the Chelmsford Club, the Romford Club, or Canvey Railway & Model Engineering Club , all of which can be contacted via their websites.

Regards

Brian

Neil if at this point in your build you just want to test boiler for leaks you may find one of these useful link

H

Many thanks, all.

I have tested the boiler for leaks and am confident that it does not leak. Having made contact with a local model engineering club, who are unable to help, at this time. I will complete the steam plant, test it myself and, without a 'test certificate' never steam it up in a public environment.

Many thanks again for your comments, but we can call this theme'closed'.

Neil