Boiler

Boiler means any closed vessel in which for any purpose steam is generated under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and also means any economizer used to heat water being fed into any such vessel, any superheater used for heating steam and any fitting directly attached to such vessel that is wholly or party under pressure when steam is shut off, and any vessel in which oil is heated at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

Pressure Vessel

Pressure vessel means a steam receiver, an air receiver and a portable gas generator.

• Steam Receiver
  • Steam receiver means any vessel or apparatus (other than a boiler, a steam container, a steam pipe or coil, or a part of a prime mover) used for containing steam under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.
• Air Receiver means :--
  • (a) any vessel (other than a pipe or coil, or an accessory fitting or part of a compressor) for containing compressed air and which is connected with an air compressing plant;
  • (b) any fixed vessel for containing compressed air or compressed exhaust gases that is used for the purpose of starting an internal combustion engine;
  • (c) any fixed or portable vessel (not being part of a spraying pistol) used for the purpose of spraying, by means of compressed air, any paint, varnish, lacquer or similar material; and
  • (d) any pressurized fuel container.
    • Pressurized Fuel Container
      • Pressurized fuel container means a vessel intended or adapted for the expulsion by compressed air of liquid fuel or fuel vapour stored in the vessel.
• Portable Gas Generator
  • Portable gas generator means a vessel, not being part of a fixed installation, within which acetylene gas is generated by the admixture of calcium carbide and water.

Every boiler and pressure vessel has to be re-examined by an Appointed Examiner periodically (every 14 months for boilers and every 26 months for air receivers), or after extensive repairs. The equipment must not be used unless the Appointed Examiner is satisfied with the conditions of the equipment and the Certificate has been renewed.

Appointed Examiner

An Appointed Examiner is an engineer from the private sector who has the requisite qualifications and experience and is appointed by the Authority as a Boiler Inspector or an Air Receiver Inspector.

The names of Appointed Examiners are published in the Gazette. A current list is obtainable free of charge from the Pressure Equipment Division of the Labour Department.
 

The owner of a registered pressure equipment must notify the Authority the change of his/her address, within 7 days of such change.

Unless the equipment is designed to be transportable, the Authority must also be notified when the equipment has been removed to a new address.

On change of ownership of a registered equipment, the owner is required to notify the Authority of such change.

The Authority must also be notified when the equipment is scrapped or removed out of service.

If an accident occurs involving a boiler, pressure vessel or its auxiliary equipment or if the owner becomes aware of any such equipment that is likely to endanger life or damage property, he must at once put the equipment out of use and notify the Authority of the accident or defect within 24 hours together with the latest Certificate of Fitness and detailed information about the equipment and the accident or defect.

Competent Person

Every boiler and every steam receiver must be operated under the direct supervision of a Competent Person holding a suitable Certificate of Competency for that type and class of equipment. If a large number of such equipment is in operation at the same time, the owner must ensure that each unit can be directly supervised by a competent person. If they are in close vicinity to each other and on the same floor, one competent person may be considered acceptable. However, if they are installed at different floors, or are too far away from each other on the same floor, then one competent person cannot reasonably be expected to take care of all the working equipment simultaneously. Additional competent persons are then required.