Title 815 | Chapter 015 | Regulation 026REG
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PUBLIC PROTECTION CABINET
Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction
Boiler Inspection Section
(Amended at ARRS Committee)
815 KAR 15:026.Existing boilers and pressure vessels; testing, repairs, inspection, and safety factors.
Section 1.
Frequency of Inspection of Existing Vessels.(1)
Boiler inspections. Boilers shall be inspected pursuant to KRS 236.110 upon notification by a boiler inspector or special boiler inspector.(2)
Pressure vessel inspections. Pressure vessels shall be reinspected in accordance with this subsection and subsection (3) of this section.(a)
Pressure vessels exceeding 200 psi MAWP shall be inspected every four (4)(b)
Hot water storage tanks, sterilizers, and autoclaves shall be inspected every four (4) years.(c)
Pressure vessels for human occupancy and hyperbaric chambers shall be inspected every four (4)(d)
Jacketed cooking kettles shall be inspected every two (2) years.(e)
Deareators shall be inspected externally and internally every six (6) years(f)
All pressure vessels shall be re-inspected at the time of repair, alteration, or relocation.(g)
Liquid carbon dioxide vessels shall be inspected every three (3) years.(h)
Pressure vessels that have a MAWP of 200 psi or less shall be inspected every ten (10) years.(3)
Inspection times. Except as established in 815 KAR 15:027, inspections made by boiler inspectors shall be conducted during normal business hours of the department between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.(4)
All existing boiler and existing pressure vessels shall be inspected in accordance with NBIC Part 2, 2025 edition,Section 2.
Preparation for Inspections and Tests.(1)
The owner or user shall prepare the boiler or pressure vessel for inspection if requested by the boiler inspector, special boiler inspector, or owner-user inspector.(2)
Inspections shall be conducted within seven (7) days of the date of notification by the boiler inspector, special boiler inspector, or owner-user inspector or at a date agreed upon between the user and the inspector.(3)
The owner or user shall prepare a boiler or pressure vessel for inspection by ensuring that:(a)
Water shall be drawn off and the boiler thoroughly washed;(b)
The manhole and handhole plates, washout plugs, tubular type sight glass, water column float and the plugs in water column connections, and water level probes(c)
The grate of an internally fired boiler, and turbulators if present, shall be removed;(d)
Brickwork and other refractory shall be removed as required by the boiler inspector or special boiler inspector to determine the condition of the boiler, header, furnace, supports, or other parts;(e)
Leakage of steam or hot water into the boiler shall be cut off by disconnecting or blocking off the pipe or valve at the most convenient point;(f)
All valves installed on boilers, pressure vessels, and related piping shall have handles attached if designed to accept handles and shall1.
The inspector shall witness that these valves can be fully opened and fully closed.2.
Valves that shall be inspected include main steam, hot water, or hot oil supply valves, steam boiler trycocks and water glass valves, blowdown and blowoff valves and drain valves, main steam bleed lines, and pressure gauge and pressure control valves; and(g)
Fuel fired boilers shall have operable gas or fuel line shutoff valves.(4)
If the boiler or pressure vessel is jacketed, enough of the jacketing shall be removed upon the request of the boiler inspector, special boiler inspector, or owner-user inspector so that the safety of the boiler or pressure vessel can be determined.(a)
If the covering cannot be removed at that time, the boiler inspector, special boiler inspector, or owner-user inspector shall order the boiler or pressure vessel out of service until the covering can be removed and a proper examination made.(b)
Jacketing and insulation shall be maintained in operable condition.(5)
If a boiler has not been prepared for an inspection in accordance with the requirements of this section or the owner or user fails to comply with the requirements for the hydrostatic or other leak test established in this administrative regulation, the boiler inspector or special boiler inspector may decline to make the inspection or test, in which case(6)
Hydrostatic pressure tests. If a hydrostatic test is applied to an existing installation, the pressure shall be as established in paragraphs (a) through (c)(a)
For determining tightness, the pressure shall be no less than ninety (90) percent(b)
1.
a.
For determining safety or the strength of a vessel and associated pipingb.
The test pressure for heating boilers shall not exceed one and one-third (1 1/3) times the MAWP.2.
The pressure shall be under(c)
The temperature of the water used for the hydrostatic test shall not be less than ambient temperature and shall not be less than seventy (70) degrees Fahrenheit for boilers or thirty (30) degrees Fahrenheit above the minimum design metal temperature for pressure vessels, nor high enough to allow the metal temperature to exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.(7)
Inspection of flues, chimneys, and smokestacks.(a)
The owner or user shall ensure chimneys, smokestacks, and flues attached to boilers shall be(b)
All chimneys, smokestacks, and flues attached to boilers shall be inspected by a licensed boiler contractor or a company that provides these1.
Heating boilers shall be inspected every four (4) years. The inspection shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations or national recognized standards.2.
Power boilers with a steaming capacity less than or equal to 200,000 pounds per hour shall be inspected every two (2) years. The inspection shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations or nationally recognized standards.3.
Power boilers with a steaming capacity greater than 200,000 pounds per hour shall be inspected at intervals consistent with nationally recognized standards. The inspection shall be performed in accordance with the owner or user's written inspection program and nationally recognized standards.(c)
The owner or user shall retain documentation of the most recent inspection, testing, repairs, and corrective actions. The(d)
(8)(e)
Emergency shutdown switches shall be tested at (9)(f)
Carbon monoxide detectors shall be maintained to ensure that the carbon monoxide detectors(d)
Section 3.
Maximum Working Pressure;(1)
Maximum pressure and temperature.(a)
Code boilers. The MAWP and temperature for standard pressure vessels and boilers shall be determined in accordance with the original code of construction.(b)
Noncode high pressure boilers. The MAWP of a noncode high pressure boiler shall be calculated in accordance with Section I of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.(c)
Noncode welded heating boilers.1.
The MAWP of a noncode steel or wrought iron heating boiler of welded construction shall not exceed fifteen (15) psi.2.
For other than steam service, the MAWP shall be calculated in accordance with Section IV of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code as established by KRS 236.040(2).(d)
Noncode cast iron heating boilers. The MAWP of a noncode boiler, composed principally of cast iron, shall not exceed fifteen (15) psi for steam service or thirty (30) psi for hot water service.(2)
Notice of accident or malfunction.(a)
If an accident or malfunction renders a boiler or pressure vessel inoperative, the owner, user, or insurer shall immediately notify the Boiler Inspection Section and submit a detailed report of the accident or malfunction.(b)
1.
For any accident, including an explosion, resulting in property damage, injury to a person, or loss of life, the owner, user, or insurer shall give notice immediately by phone or electronic mail to the Boiler Inspection Section.2.
In the event of an accident or malfunction, the boiler, pressure vessel, or any of the parts shall not be removed or disturbed before an inspection has been made by a boiler inspector or special boiler inspector, except for the purpose of saving human life or preventing injury or further injury.(3)
Unsafe boilers and pressure vessels. A boiler or pressure vessel inspected by a boiler inspector or a special boiler inspector and found unsafe for further use shall be removed from service(4)
Removal of safety appliances.(a)
A person shall not attempt to remove or work on a safety appliance while a boiler or pressure vessel is in operation unless under the direction of a boiler inspector or special boiler inspector(b)
If a safety appliance is repaired during an outage of a boiler or pressure vessel, the appliance shall be reinstalled and in proper working order before the vessel is returned to service.(5)
Maintenance. The boiler, pressure vessel, and pressure piping shall be maintained in accordance with the minimum requirements of the edition of the ASME Code that was in effect at the time the boiler, pressure vessel, and pressure piping was constructed and installed.Section 4.
Used Vessels.(1)
Used vessel inspections. Before a used boiler or pressure vessel is placed into service, the used boiler or pressure vessel(2)
Reinstalled boilers or pressure vessels.(a)
If a boiler or pressure vessel is moved and reinstalled, the fittings and appliances shall comply with 815 KAR 15:025(b)
All pressure vessels for human occupancy shall comply with 815 KAR 15:025(3)
Appeal of an inspection decision.(a)
If the owner or user does not concur with the boiler inspector's decision regarding the condition of the boiler or pressure vessel, the owner or user may appeal to the commissioner who shall request a joint inspection by the chief boiler inspector and the boiler inspector.(b)
The chief boiler inspector and the boiler inspector shall render a report to the commissioner, who shall render the final decision, based upon the data contained in all the inspectors' reports.Section 5.
Repairs and Alterations.(1)
The permit as required by KRS 236.240 shall be signed and returned to the department upon completion of the repair or alteration. The National Board R-1 or R-2 form, incorporated by reference in 815 KAR 15:025, shall be attached to the completed repair permit.(2)
Repair or alteration to a boiler, pressure vessel,boiler external piping, or(3)(2)
Repairs or alterations to pressure relieving devices shall be made by a firm possessing the National Board Certificate of Authorization for Use of the Valve Repair (VR(4)(3)
An owner-user inspector may inspect repairs and alterations to pressure vessels that the owner-user inspector's company owns or operates.Section 6.
Inspection by Special Boiler Inspectors.(1)
A special boiler inspector shall submit an inspection report to the Boiler Inspection Section on the applicable National Board Inspection Code Report of Inspection standard form, incorporated by reference in 815 KAR 15:025, or its electronic equivalent.(2)
An insurance company shall notify the Boiler Inspection Section of a new or a cancelled policy for a boiler or pressure vessel within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the policy.(3)
If a special boiler inspector finds, upon inspection of a boiler or pressure vessel, a condition causing the special boiler inspector's company to refuse or suspend insurance of the boiler or pressure vessel, the company shall immediately notify the Boiler Inspection Section and submit a report of the defect.Section 7.
Inspection by Owner-User Inspectors.(1)
An owner-user inspector shall submit an inspection report to the Boiler Inspection Section on the applicable National Board Inspection Code Report of Inspection standard form, or its electronic equivalent.(2)
An owner-user company shall immediately notify the Boiler Inspection Section of a defective pressure vessel and submit a report of the defect using the applicable National Board Inspection Code Report of Inspection standard form or its electronic equivalent.(3)
If there is a disagreement as to the acceptance of any condition of a pressure vessel or repair by the owner-user inspector and owner-user company, the department shall make the final determination in accordance with the standards established in this administrative regulation.Section 8.
(1)
(a)
(b)
(2)
(a)
(b)
(3)
Section 9.
(1)
(2)
FILED WITH LRC: August 11, 2026
CONTACT PERSON: Jonathon M. Fuller, Commissioner, Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, 500 Mero Street, 1st Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Phone: (502) 782-0617, Fax: (502) 573-1057, Email: max.fuller@ky.gov.
PUBLIC PROTECTION CABINET
Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction
Boiler Inspection Section
(Amended at ARRS Committee)
815 KAR 15:026.Existing boilers and pressure vessels; testing, repairs, inspection, and safety factors.
Section 1.
Frequency of Inspection of Existing Vessels.(1)
Boiler inspections. Boilers shall be inspected pursuant to KRS 236.110 upon notification by a boiler inspector or special boiler inspector.(2)
Pressure vessel inspections. Pressure vessels shall be reinspected in accordance with this subsection and subsection (3) of this section.(a)
Pressure vessels exceeding 200 psi MAWP shall be inspected every four (4) years.(b)
Hot water storage tanks, sterilizers, and autoclaves shall be inspected every four (4) years.(c)
Pressure vessels for human occupancy and hyperbaric chambers shall be inspected every four (4) years.(d)
Jacketed cooking kettles shall be inspected every two (2) years.(e)
Deareators shall be inspected externally and internally every six (6) years.(f)
All pressure vessels shall be re-inspected at the time of repair, alteration, or relocation.(g)
Liquid carbon dioxide vessels shall be inspected every three (3) years.(h)
Pressure vessels that have a MAWP of 200 psi or less shall be inspected every ten (10) years.(3)
Inspection times. Except as established in 815 KAR 15:027, inspections made by boiler inspectors shall be conducted during normal business hours of the department between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.(4)
All existing boiler and existing pressure vessels shall be inspected in accordance with NBIC Part 2, 2025 edition, incorporated by reference in 815 KAR 15:025.Section 2.
Preparation for Inspections and Tests.(1)
The owner or user shall prepare the boiler or pressure vessel for inspection if requested by the boiler inspector, special boiler inspector, or owner-user inspector.(2)
Inspections shall be conducted within seven (7) days of the date of notification by the boiler inspector, special boiler inspector, or owner-user inspector or at a date agreed upon between the user and the inspector.(3)
The owner or user shall prepare a boiler or pressure vessel for inspection by ensuring that:(a)
Water shall be drawn off and the boiler thoroughly washed;(b)
The manhole and handhole plates, washout plugs, tubular type sight glass, water column float and the plugs in water column connections, and water level probes shall be removed and the furnace and combustion chambers shall be thoroughly cooled and cleaned;(c)
The grate of an internally fired boiler, and turbulators if present, shall be removed;(d)
Brickwork and other refractory shall be removed as required by the boiler inspector or special boiler inspector to determine the condition of the boiler, header, furnace, supports, or other parts;(e)
Leakage of steam or hot water into the boiler shall be cut off by disconnecting or blocking off the pipe or valve at the most convenient point;(f)
All valves installed on boilers, pressure vessels, and related piping shall have handles attached if designed to accept handles and shall be operable.1.
The inspector shall witness that these valves can be fully opened and fully closed.2.
Valves that shall be inspected include main steam, hot water, or hot oil supply valves, steam boiler trycocks and water glass valves, blowdown and blowoff valves and drain valves, main steam bleed lines, and pressure gauge and pressure control valves; and(g)
Fuel fired boilers shall have operable gas or fuel line shutoff valves.(4)
If the boiler or pressure vessel is jacketed, enough of the jacketing shall be removed upon the request of the boiler inspector, special boiler inspector, or owner-user inspector so that the safety of the boiler or pressure vessel can be determined.(a)
If the covering cannot be removed at that time, the boiler inspector, special boiler inspector, or owner-user inspector shall order the boiler or pressure vessel out of service until the covering can be removed and a proper examination made.(b)
Jacketing and insulation shall be maintained in operable condition.(5)
If a boiler has not been prepared for an inspection in accordance with the requirements of this section or the owner or user fails to comply with the requirements for the hydrostatic or other leak test established in this administrative regulation, the boiler inspector or special boiler inspector may decline to make the inspection or test, in which case the inspection certificate shall be withheld until the owner or user complies with the requirements.(6)
Hydrostatic pressure tests. If a hydrostatic test is applied to an existing installation, the pressure shall be as established in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this subsection.(a)
For determining tightness, the pressure shall be no less than ninety (90) percent of the lowest safety valve setting.(b)
1.
a.
For determining safety or the strength of a vessel and associated piping, the test shall conform to the test pressures established in the original code of construction but not exceed one and one-half (1 1/2) times the MAWP for power boilers, except for a locomotive type boiler, in which case the pressure shall be one and one-fourth (1 1/4) times the MAWP.b.
The test pressure for heating boilers shall not exceed one and one-third (1 1/3) times the MAWP.2.
The pressure shall be under control to prevent the required test pressure from exceeding testing requirements in the original code of construction.(c)
The temperature of the water used for the hydrostatic test shall not be less than ambient temperature and shall not be less than seventy (70) degrees Fahrenheit for boilers or thirty (30) degrees Fahrenheit above the minimum design metal temperature for pressure vessels, nor high enough to allow the metal temperature to exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.(7)
Inspection of flues, chimneys, and smokestacks.(a)
The owner or user shall ensure chimneys, smokestacks, and flues attached to boilers shall be maintained in a safe operating condition.(b)
All chimneys, smokestacks, and flues attached to boilers shall be inspected by a licensed boiler contractor or a company that provides these services in the intervals and as established in subparagraphs 1. through 3. of this paragraph.1.
Heating boilers shall be inspected every four (4) years. The inspection shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations or national recognized standards.2.
Power boilers with a steaming capacity less than or equal to 200,000 pounds per hour shall be inspected every two (2) years. The inspection shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations or nationally recognized standards.3.
Power boilers with a steaming capacity greater than 200,000 pounds per hour shall be inspected at intervals consistent with nationally recognized standards. The inspection shall be performed in accordance with the owner or user's written inspection program and nationally recognized standards.(c)
The owner or user shall retain documentation of the most recent inspection, testing, repairs, and corrective actions. The documentation shall be made available to the inspector or department upon request.(8)
Emergency shutdown switches shall be tested at inspection and shall be witnessed by the inspector to ascertain that all boilers can shut down.(9)
Carbon monoxide detectors shall be maintained to ensure that the carbon monoxide detectors are in operable condition.Section 3.
Maximum Working Pressure; Notice of Accident or Unsafe Conditions.(1)
Maximum pressure and temperature.(a)
Code boilers. The MAWP and temperature for standard pressure vessels and boilers shall be determined in accordance with the original code of construction.(b)
Noncode high pressure boilers. The MAWP of a noncode high pressure boiler shall be calculated in accordance with Section I of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.(c)
Noncode welded heating boilers.1.
The MAWP of a noncode steel or wrought iron heating boiler of welded construction shall not exceed fifteen (15) psi.2.
For other than steam service, the MAWP shall be calculated in accordance with Section IV of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code as established by KRS 236.040(2).(d)
Noncode cast iron heating boilers. The MAWP of a noncode boiler, composed principally of cast iron, shall not exceed fifteen (15) psi for steam service or thirty (30) psi for hot water service.(2)
Notice of accident or malfunction.(a)
If an accident or malfunction renders a boiler or pressure vessel inoperative, the owner, user, or insurer shall immediately notify the Boiler Inspection Section and submit a detailed report of the accident or malfunction.(b)
1.
For any accident, including an explosion, resulting in property damage, injury to a person, or loss of life, the owner, user, or insurer shall give notice immediately by phone or electronic mail to the Boiler Inspection Section.2.
In the event of an accident or malfunction, the boiler, pressure vessel, or any of the parts shall not be removed or disturbed before an inspection has been made by a boiler inspector or special boiler inspector, except for the purpose of saving human life or preventing injury or further injury.(3)
Unsafe boilers and pressure vessels. A boiler or pressure vessel inspected by a boiler inspector or a special boiler inspector and found unsafe for further use shall be removed from service until the boiler or pressure vessel has been sufficiently repaired and passed inspection by a boiler inspector or a special boiler inspector.(4)
Removal of safety appliances.(a)
A person shall not attempt to remove or work on a safety appliance while a boiler or pressure vessel is in operation unless under the direction of a boiler inspector or special boiler inspector or as established in 815 KAR Chapter 15.(b)
If a safety appliance is repaired during an outage of a boiler or pressure vessel, the appliance shall be reinstalled and in proper working order before the vessel is returned to service.(5)
Maintenance. The boiler, pressure vessel, and pressure piping shall be maintained in accordance with the minimum requirements of the edition of the ASME Code that was in effect at the time the boiler, pressure vessel, and pressure piping was constructed and installed.Section 4.
Used Vessels.(1)
Used vessel inspections. Before a used boiler or pressure vessel is placed into service, the used boiler or pressure vessel shall be inspected by a boiler inspector, and the inspection may include an internal and external visual inspection, a hydrostatic test, or other non-destructive examination.(2)
Reinstalled boilers or pressure vessels.(a)
If a boiler or pressure vessel is moved and reinstalled, the fittings and appliances shall comply with 815 KAR 15:025.(b)
All pressure vessels for human occupancy shall comply with 815 KAR 15:025.(3)
Appeal of an inspection decision.(a)
If the owner or user does not concur with the boiler inspector's decision regarding the condition of the boiler or pressure vessel, the owner or user may appeal to the commissioner who shall request a joint inspection by the chief boiler inspector and the boiler inspector.(b)
The chief boiler inspector and the boiler inspector shall render a report to the commissioner, who shall render the final decision, based upon the data contained in all the inspectors' reports.Section 5.
Repairs and Alterations.(1)
The permit as required by KRS 236.240 shall be signed and returned to the department upon completion of the repair or alteration. The National Board R-1 or R-2 form, incorporated by reference in 815 KAR 15:025, shall be attached to the completed repair permit.(2)
Repair or alteration to a boiler, pressure vessel,boiler external piping, or the appurtenances shall conform to the requirements of the National Board Inspection Code Part 3, 2025 edition as incorporated by reference in 815 KAR 15:025.(3)
Repairs or alterations to pressure relieving devices shall be made by a firm possessing the National Board Certificate of Authorization for Use of the Valve Repair (VR) Stamp and the valve shall be stamped with the VR stamp upon completion of the repair.(4)
An owner-user inspector may inspect repairs and alterations to pressure vessels that the owner-user inspector's company owns or operates.Section 6.
Inspection by Special Boiler Inspectors.(1)
A special boiler inspector shall submit an inspection report to the Boiler Inspection Section on the applicable National Board Inspection Code Report of Inspection standard form, incorporated by reference in 815 KAR 15:025, or its electronic equivalent.(2)
An insurance company shall notify the Boiler Inspection Section of a new or a cancelled policy for a boiler or pressure vessel within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the policy.(3)
If a special boiler inspector finds, upon inspection of a boiler or pressure vessel, a condition causing the special boiler inspector's company to refuse or suspend insurance of the boiler or pressure vessel, the company shall immediately notify the Boiler Inspection Section and submit a report of the defect.Section 7.
Inspection by Owner-User Inspectors.(1)
An owner-user inspector shall submit an inspection report to the Boiler Inspection Section on the applicable National Board Inspection Code Report of Inspection standard form, or its electronic equivalent.(2)
An owner-user company shall immediately notify the Boiler Inspection Section of a defective pressure vessel and submit a report of the defect using the applicable National Board Inspection Code Report of Inspection standard form or its electronic equivalent.(3)
If there is a disagreement as to the acceptance of any condition of a pressure vessel or repair by the owner-user inspector and owner-user company, the department shall make the final determination in accordance with the standards established in this administrative regulation.FILED WITH LRC: August 11, 2026
CONTACT PERSON: Jonathon M. Fuller, Commissioner, Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, 500 Mero Street, 1st Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Phone: (502) 782-0617, Fax: (502) 573-1057, Email: max.fuller@ky.gov.