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ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section VI-Recommended Rules for the Care and Operation of Heating Boilers, 2017
- CONTENTS
- LIST OF SECTIONS
- FOREWORD
- STATEMENT OF POLICY ON THE USE OF THE CERTIFICATION
MARK AND CODE AUTHORIZATION IN ADVERTISING
- STATEMENT OF POLICY ON THE USE OF ASME MARKING TO
IDENTIFY MANUFACTURED ITEMS
- SUBMITTAL OF TECHNICAL INQUIRIES TO THE BOILER AND
PRESSURE VESSEL STANDARDS COMMITTEES
- PERSONNEL
- SUMMARY OF CHANGES
- LIST OF CHANGES IN RECORD NUMBER ORDER
- CROSS-REFERENCING AND STYLISTIC CHANGES IN THE BOILER
AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE
- ARTICLE 1 INTRODUCTION
- ARTICLE 2 GLOSSARY
- ARTICLE 3 TYPES OF BOILERS [Go to Page]
- 3.1 CLASSIFICATION
- 3.2 ASME CERTIFICATION MARK [Go to Page]
- 3.2.1 Boilers Stamped With the Certification Mark With H Designator [Go to Page]
- 3.2.1.1
- 3.2.1.2
- 3.2.1.3
- 3.2.2 Potable Water Heaters Stamped With the Certification Mark With H or HLW Designator
- 3.3 METHOD OF MANUFACTURE [Go to Page]
- 3.3.1 Fabricated Boilers [Go to Page]
- 3.3.1.1 Firetube Boilers
- 3.3.1.2 Watertube Boilers
- 3.3.2 Cast Boilers [Go to Page]
- 3.3.2.1
- 3.3.2.2
- 3.3.3 Vacuum Boilers
- 3.4 CATEGORY [Go to Page]
- 3.4.1 Noncondensing Boilers
- 3.4.2 Condensing Boilers [Go to Page]
- 3.4.2.1
- 3.4.2.2
- ARTICLE 4 FUELS AND FUEL-BURNING EQUIPMENT [Go to Page]
- 4.1 TYPES OF FUELS [Go to Page]
- 4.1.1 Gaseous Fuels [Go to Page]
- 4.1.1.1 Natural Gas
- 4.1.1.2 Manufactured Gas
- 4.1.1.3 Digester Gas
- 4.1.2 Liquid Fuels [Go to Page]
- 4.1.2.1 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
- 4.1.2.2 Fuel Oils
- 4.1.3 Solid Fuels [Go to Page]
- 4.1.3.1 Coal
- 4.1.3.2 Wood
- 4.1.4 Electricity
- 4.2 FUEL-BURNING EQUIPMENT [Go to Page]
- 4.2.1 Gas-Burning Equipment [Go to Page]
- 4.2.1.1 Atmospheric Burners
- 4.2.1.2 Power Burners
- 4.2.1.3 Combination Fuel Burners
- 4.2.2 Liquid-Burning Equipment [Go to Page]
- 4.2.2.1 Pressure-Atomizing Burners (Gun Type)
- 4.2.2.2 Steam-Atomizing Burners
- 4.2.2.3 Air-Atomizing Burners
- 4.2.2.4 Horizontal Rotary Cup Burner
- 4.2.3 Solid-Fuel-Burning Equipment
- ARTICLE 5 BOILER ROOM FACILITIES AND INSTALLATION [Go to Page]
- 5.1 GENERAL [Go to Page]
- 5.1.1 Scope
- 5.1.2 Intention
- 5.1.3 Installation
- 5.1.4 New Boilers — Acceptance and Examination [Go to Page]
- 5.1.4.1 Examination for Contractual Acceptance
- 5.1.4.2 Operational Examination
- 5.2 LIGHTING
- 5.3 VENTILATION AND COMBUSTION AIR [Go to Page]
- 5.3.1 Combustion Air
- 5.3.2 Air Openings
- 5.4 CLEARANCES
- 5.5 FIRE PROTECTION
- 5.6 ELECTRICAL SUPPLY [Go to Page]
- 5.6.1 Wiring
- 5.6.2 Switches or Circuit Breakers [Go to Page]
- 5.6.2.1
- 5.6.2.2
- 5.7 FUEL SUPPLY
- 5.8 CHIMNEY OR VENT [Go to Page]
- 5.8.1 Installation
- 5.8.2 Handling of Condensate
- 5.9 PIPING — WATER AND DRAIN CONNECTIONS [Go to Page]
- 5.9.1 General
- 5.9.2 Provisions for Expansion and Contraction
- 5.9.3 Steam Boiler Return Pipe Connections [Go to Page]
- 5.9.3.1
- 5.9.3.2
- 5.9.3.3
- 5.9.3.4
- 5.9.4 Feedwater and Makeup Water Connections [Go to Page]
- 5.9.4.1 Water Connections
- 5.9.4.2 Steam Boilers
- 5.9.4.3 HotWater Boilers
- 5.9.4.4 Valve Ratings
- 5.9.4.5 Backflow Preventer
- 5.9.5 Bottom Blowoff Valve
- 5.9.6 Drains [Go to Page]
- 5.9.6.1 Drain Connections
- 5.9.6.2 Drain Valve
- 5.9.6.3 Condensing Boilers
- 5.9.7 Stop Valves [Go to Page]
- 5.9.7.1 Installation
- 5.9.7.2 Valve Specifications [Go to Page]
- 5.9.7.2.1
- 5.9.7.2.2
- 5.9.7.2.3
- 5.9.7.2.4
- 5.9.7.2.5
- 5.9.8 Modular Boilers [Go to Page]
- 5.9.8.1 Individual Modules
- 5.9.8.2 Assembled Modular Boilers
- 5.10 SAFETY
- 5.11 HOUSEKEEPING
- 5.12 POSTING OF CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES
- 5.13 RECORD-KEEPING, LOGS, ETC. [Go to Page]
- 5.13.1 Drawings, Diagrams, Instruction Books, Etc.
- 5.13.2 Logbook
- 5.13.3 Maintenance Schedules and Records
- ARTICLE 6 OVERPRESSURE PROTECTION [Go to Page]
- 6.1 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES [Go to Page]
- 6.1.1 General
- 6.1.2 Safety Valves
- 6.1.3 Safety Relief Valves
- 6.1.4 Temperature and Pressure Safety Relief Valves
- 6.2 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE REQUIREMENTS [Go to Page]
- 6.2.1 Safety Valve Requirements for Steam Boilers [Go to Page]
- 6.2.1.1
- 6.2.1.2
- 6.2.1.3
- 6.2.1.4
- 6.2.1.5
- 6.2.1.6
- 6.2.2 Safety Relief Valve Requirements for Hot Water Boilers [Go to Page]
- 6.2.2.1
- 6.2.2.2
- 6.2.2.3
- 6.2.2.4
- 6.2.2.5
- 6.3 MOUNTING [Go to Page]
- 6.3.1 General
- 6.3.2 Requirements for Common Connections for Two or More Valves [Go to Page]
- 6.3.2.1
- 6.3.2.2
- 6.3.3 Threaded Connections
- 6.3.4 Prohibited Mountings
- 6.3.5 Shutoff Valves
- 6.4 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE DISCHARGE PIPING [Go to Page]
- 6.4.1 Discharge Piping
- 6.4.2 Piping Arrangement
- 6.5 TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE SAFETY RELIEF VALVES
- 6.6 VALVE REPLACEMENT
- 6.7 TRY-LEVER TEST FOR SAFETY VALVES (STEAM BOILERS)
- 6.8 TRY-LEVER TEST FOR SAFETY RELIEF VALVES (WATER BOILERS)
- ARTICLE 7 SYSTEM ACCESSORIES [Go to Page]
- 7.1 STEAM BOILERS [Go to Page]
- 7.1.1 Steam Trap
- 7.1.2 Condensate Return Pump Loops [Go to Page]
- 7.1.2.1
- 7.1.2.2
- 7.1.2.3
- 7.1.2.4
- 7.1.3 Vacuum Return Pump
- 7.1.4 Economizer (Steam Boiler)
- 7.2 HOT WATER BOILERS [Go to Page]
- 7.2.1 Air Eliminators
- 7.2.2 Circulators (Circulating Pumps)
- 7.2.3 Economizer (Hot Water Boiler)
- 7.2.4 Expansion Tank [Go to Page]
- 7.2.4.1 Systems With Open Expansion Tank
- 7.2.4.2 Closed-Type Systems
- 7.2.4.3 Minimum Capacity of Closed-Type Tank
- 7.2.5 Storage Tanks for Hot Water Supply Systems
- ARTICLE 8 CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENTATION [Go to Page]
- 8.1 LOW‐WATER FUEL CUTOFFS AND WATER FEEDERS [Go to Page]
- 8.1.1 Float-Type Low‐Water Fuel Cutoffs
- 8.1.2 Electric-Probe-Type Low‐Water Fuel Cutoffs
- 8.2 PRESSURE GAUGE [Go to Page]
- 8.2.1 General
- 8.2.2 Mounting
- 8.2.3 Types of Pressure Gauges
- 8.2.4 Calibration
- 8.3 CONTROLS [Go to Page]
- 8.3.1 General
- 8.3.2 Spare Parts
- 8.3.3 Power for Electrically Operated Controls
- 8.3.4 Operating Controls
- 8.3.5 Limit Controls
- 8.3.6 Safety Controls
- 8.3.7 Programming Controls
- 8.4 STEAM HEATING BOILERS [Go to Page]
- 8.4.1 Low-Water Fuel Cutoffs [Go to Page]
- 8.4.1.1
- 8.4.1.2
- 8.4.1.3
- 8.4.1.4
- 8.4.2 Steam Gauges [Go to Page]
- 8.4.2.1
- 8.4.2.2
- 8.4.3 Water Gauge Glasses [Go to Page]
- 8.4.3.1
- 8.4.3.2
- 8.4.3.3
- 8.4.3.4
- 8.4.3.5
- 8.4.3.6
- 8.4.4 Water Column and Water-Level-Control Pipes [Go to Page]
- 8.4.4.1
- 8.4.4.2
- 8.4.5 Pressure Controls [Go to Page]
- 8.4.5.1
- 8.4.5.2
- 8.4.5.3
- 8.4.5.4
- 8.4.5.5
- 8.5 HOT WATER HEATING BOILERS [Go to Page]
- 8.5.1 Low‐Water Fuel Cutoff (Hot Water) [Go to Page]
- 8.5.1.1
- 8.5.1.2
- 8.5.1.3
- 8.5.1.4
- 8.5.1.5
- 8.5.2 Thermometers
- 8.5.3 Pressure or Altitude Gauges
- 8.5.4 Temperature Controls [Go to Page]
- 8.5.4.1
- 8.5.4.2
- 8.5.4.3
- 8.5.5 Differential Temperature Controls
- 8.5.6 Air for Pneumatically Operated Controls
- ARTICLE 9 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF STEAM BOILERS [Go to Page]
- 9.1 STARTING A NEW BOILER AND HEATING SYSTEM [Go to Page]
- 9.1.1 Examination for Foreign Objects
- 9.1.2 Checks Before Filling
- 9.1.3 Operation to Clean the System
- 9.1.4 Boiling Out
- 9.1.5 Second Boil-Out for Stubborn Cases
- 9.2 STARTING A BOILER AFTER LAYUP(SINGLE-BOILER INSTALLATION) [Go to Page]
- 9.2.1 Procedure
- 9.2.2 Action in Case of Abnormal Conditions
- 9.3 CONDENSATION
- 9.4 CUTTING IN AN ADDITIONAL BOILER
- 9.5 OPERATION [Go to Page]
- 9.5.1 Water Level [Go to Page]
- 9.5.1.1
- 9.5.1.2
- 9.5.2 Steam Pressure
- 9.5.3 Blowdown
- 9.5.4 Appearance of Rust
- 9.5.5 Water-Level Fluctuation
- 9.5.6 Abnormal Water Losses
- 9.5.7 Makeup Water [Go to Page]
- 9.5.7.1
- 9.5.7.2
- 9.5.7.3
- 9.5.7.4
- 9.5.8 Low-Water Cutoff [Go to Page]
- 9.5.8.1
- 9.5.8.2
- 9.6 REMOVAL OF BOILER FROM SERVICE [Go to Page]
- 9.6.1 General
- 9.6.2 Cleaning
- 9.6.3 Protection Against Corrosion
- 9.6.4 Water Level
- 9.6.5 Periodic Checks
- 9.7 MAINTENANCE [Go to Page]
- 9.7.1 Cleaning
- 9.7.2 Draining
- 9.7.3 Protection Against Freezing
- 9.7.4 Fire-Side Corrosion
- 9.7.5 Safety Valves
- 9.7.6 Burner Maintenance [Go to Page]
- 9.7.6.1 Oil Burners
- 9.7.6.2 Gas Burners
- 9.7.7 Low-Water Fuel Cutoff and Water Feeder Maintenance
- 9.7.8 Flame Safeguard Maintenance [Go to Page]
- 9.7.8.1 Thermal-Type Detection Device
- 9.7.8.2 Electronic-Type Detection Device
- 9.7.9 Limit Control Maintenance
- 9.7.10 Cast Iron Boiler Maintenance [Go to Page]
- 9.7.10.1 Heating Surfaces
- 9.7.10.2 Internal Surfaces
- 9.7.11 Steel and Copper Boiler Maintenance [Go to Page]
- 9.7.11.1 Heating Surfaces
- 9.7.11.2 Boilers With Removable Waterway Covers
- 9.7.11.3 Boilers Without Removable Waterway
Covers
- 9.7.12 Use of Flashlight for Internal Examination
- 9.7.13 Leaking Tubes
- 9.7.14 Use of Sealant
- 9.7.15 Maintenance of Condensate Return Systems
- 9.7.16 Maintenance Schedule for Boilers in Service
- ARTICLE 10 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE — HOT WATER BOILERS AND HOT WATER HEATING BOILERS [Go to Page]
- 10.1 STARTING A NEW BOILER AND HEATING SYSTEM [Go to Page]
- 10.1.1 Examination for Foreign Objects
- 10.1.2 Checks Before Filling
- 10.1.3 Boiling Out
- 10.2 STARTING A BOILER AFTER LAYUP(SINGLE-BOILER INSTALLATION) [Go to Page]
- 10.2.1 Procedure
- 10.2.2 Action in Case of Abnormal Conditions
- 10.3 CONDENSATION
- 10.4 CUTTING IN AN ADDITIONAL BOILER
- 10.5 OPERATION [Go to Page]
- 10.5.1 Check of Pressure and Temperature
- 10.5.2 Operating Temperature and Pressure [Go to Page]
- 10.5.2.1 Operating Temperature
- 10.5.2.2 Operating Pressure
- 10.5.2.3 Temperature and Pressure Safety Relief Valves
- 10.6 REMOVAL OF BOILER FROM SERVICE [Go to Page]
- 10.6.1 General
- 10.6.2 Cleaning
- 10.6.3 Protection Against Corrosion
- 10.6.4 Periodic Checks
- 10.7 MAINTENANCE [Go to Page]
- 10.7.1 Cleaning [Go to Page]
- 10.7.1.1 General
- 10.7.1.2 Backwashing of Water Heater
- 10.7.2 Draining
- 10.7.3 Protection Against Freezing [Go to Page]
- 10.7.3.1
- 10.7.3.2
- 10.7.3.3
- 10.7.4 Fire-Side Corrosion
- 10.7.5 Safety Relief Valves
- 10.7.6 Burner Maintenance [Go to Page]
- 10.7.6.1 Oil Burners
- 10.7.6.2 Gas Burners
- 10.7.7 Low-Water Fuel Cutoff
- 10.7.8 Flame Safeguard Maintenance [Go to Page]
- 10.7.8.1 Thermal-Type Detection Device
- 10.7.8.2 Electronic-Type Detection Device
- 10.7.9 Limit Control Maintenance
- 10.7.10 Cast Boiler Maintenance [Go to Page]
- 10.7.10.1 Heating Surfaces
- 10.7.10.2 Internal Surfaces
- 10.7.11 Steel Boiler Maintenance [Go to Page]
- 10.7.11.1 Heating Surfaces
- 10.7.11.2 Internal Surfaces
- 10.7.12 Use of Flashlight for Internal Examinations
- 10.7.13 Leaking Tubes
- 10.7.14 Use of Sealants
- 10.7.15 Maintenance of Circulating Pumps and Expansion Tanks
- 10.7.16 Maintenance Schedule for Boilers in Service
- ARTICLE 11 INSPECTIONS OF INSTALLED BOILERS [Go to Page]
- 11.1 PERIODIC INSPECTION OF BOILERS [Go to Page]
- 11.1.1 Preparation for Inspection
- 11.1.2 Preparation for the Liquid Pressure Test
- 11.2 INSPECTION OF THE BOILER BY THE INSPECTOR
- ARTICLE 12 BOILER REPAIRS [Go to Page]
- 12.1 PRECAUTION
- 12.2 NOTIFICATION
- 12.3 WELDING REQUIREMENTS
- 12.4 SAFETY
- ARTICLE 13 WATER TREATMENT [Go to Page]
- 13.1 SCOPE
- 13.2 CONSIDERATIONS
- 13.3 WATER TREATMENT SPECIALISTS
- 13.4 LOCAL ORDINANCES
- 13.5 POTENTIAL BOILER WATER PROBLEMS [Go to Page]
- 13.5.1 Corrosion
- 13.5.2 Scale Deposits
- 13.5.3 Metal or Caustic Embrittlement
- 13.5.4 Foaming, Priming, and Carryover
- 13.6 BLOWDOWN (STEAM BOILERS)
- 13.7 CHEMICAL FEEDERS
- 13.8 PROCEDURES [Go to Page]
- 13.8.1 Determination of Water-Containing Capacity
- 13.8.2 Making a pH or Alkalinity Test
- 13.8.3 Mixing and Handling Chemicals
- ARTICLE 14 TREATMENT OF LAID‐UP BOILERS [Go to Page]
- 14.1 GENERAL
- 14.2 DRY METHOD
- 14.3 WET METHOD
- MANDATORY APPENDIX I PERIODIC TESTING AND MAINTENANCE [Go to Page]
- I-1 INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
- I-2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF PERSONNEL
- FIGURES [Go to Page]
- Figure 3.3.1.1.1-1 Horizontal Tube, Brick-Set
- Figure 3.3.1.1.2-1 Gas Flow Patterns of Scotch-Type Boilers
- Figure 3.3.1.1.3-1 Type C Firebox Boiler
- Figure 3.3.1.1.3-2 Three-Pass Firebox Boiler
- Figure 3.3.1.1.4-1 Vertical Firetube Boiler
- Figure 3.3.2.1-1 Horizontal Sectional Cast Iron Boiler
- Figure 3.3.2.1-2 Vertical Sectional Cast Iron Boiler
- Figure 5.9.1-1 Single Hot Water Heating Boiler — Acceptable Piping Installation
- Figure 5.9.1-2 Hot Water Heating Boilers in Battery — Acceptable Piping Installation
- Figure 5.9.1-3 Single Steam Boilers — Acceptable Piping Installation
- Figure 5.9.1-4 Steam Boilers in Battery — Pumped Return — Acceptable Piping Installation
- Figure 5.9.1-5 Steam Boilers in Battery — Gravity Return — Acceptable Piping Installation
- Figure 5.9.8-1 Modules Connected With Parallel Piping
- Figure 5.9.8-2 Modules Connected With Primary–Secondary Piping
- Figure 6.1.1-1 Official Certification Mark
- Figure 6.1.2-1 Safety Valve
- Figure 6.1.3-1 Safety Relief Valve
- Figure 6.4.1-1 Safety Relief Valve Discharge Pipe
- Figure 7.1.1-1 Thermostatic Trap
- Figure 7.1.1-2 Float Trap
- Figure 7.1.1-3 Float and Thermostatic Trap
- Figure 7.1.1-4 Bucket Trap With Trap Closed
- Figure 7.1.2.3-1 Typical Return Loop
- Figure 8.1.1-1 Float-Type Low-Water Cutoff
- Figure 8.1.2-1 Probe-Type Low-Water Cutoff
- Figure I-1-1 Exhibit A
- Figure I-1-2 Exhibit B
- TABLE [Go to Page]
- Table 5.9.5-1 Size of Bottom Blowoff Piping,Valves, and Cocks [Go to Page]