Boiler Test Requirements.

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

After reading Paul Freshneys editors comments in the March MB edition re: MSC Archer tug – ‘ensure your boiler is regularly tested’, can anyone clarify the rules regarding testing boilers under 3bar litre.

I understand the 3 bar litre rule was a relaxation of the 1.5 bar litre rule in 2007.

 

The reason I ask is I have a Wilesco D48 gas burner/boiler in a Graupner Glasgow with no current certificate. The boiler capacity is 320 cm3 at 1.5 bar working pressure, hence well below the UK standard, should the 3 bar litre rule apply.

This rule would obviously apply to all small Wilesco’s, Mamods etc.

 

Thanks for any help.

Tony Hadley.

 

 

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

3 bar litre rule

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

when i was looking for a tester for my cheddar plant, i was told by the appointed testers at Blackpool and Fylde model boat club, that any plant running at under 3bar need not have a certificate for running in public arena or public competition, but if a club insists for insurance purposes, then that is their right to do so.

mine was however over 3 bar and as such i joined the club and got it tested.

neil.

 

 

http://www.justgiving.com/lochnessscalesail

[Gareth JonesParticipant @garethjones79649]

This topic was the subject of great debate within my club, Goole MBC and we did eventually get a verbal clarification of the situation after talking to various individuals and MPBA officials. Our understanding is that to comply with MPBA insurance requirements, all steam boilers and gas tanks, regardless of working pressure or volume, must have a valid test certificate. The only exceptions to this rule are monotube/flash steam boilers which are exempt.

 

Some clubs are covered by model engineering organisation insurance requirements. The model engineering fraternity have negotiated relaxed requirements with their insurers and do have exemptions for boilers less than a certain working pressure and volume, typically nowadays less than 3 bar – litre. e.g. if your boiler working pressure is 3 bar, you do not need a certificate provided its volume is less than 1 litre.

 

If a club is operating outside the MPBA or model engineering insurance cover, it is up to them or their insurance provider to decide on what rules apply when operating at their site. However I think many clubs which operate in public parks and similar spaces would be required by their ‘landlord’ to hold suitable third party/public liability insurance which might well dictate the requirements for steam boiler testing.

 

Maybe an official from the MPBA could put their position in writing on this forum as I believe this situation is quite commonly questioned.

 

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

You can view the MPBA Steam Rules leaflet here.

 

(Scroll down to page 2)

 

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 15/02/2011 16:52:18

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

tell you what guys……..i’m glad i sold my perseverance…….steam is a lot more trouble that it’s worth, 9just my opinion though0…..the rules and regs just didn’t make it at all enjoyable for me.

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Thanks to all who responded.

Further research into this subject shows that since the passing away of the tester, the local club has no boiler test facility and advised I find a tetster elswhere, as they have no intention of finding a replacement as no one in the club is interested in steam.

 

Like Neil I would not be happy with steam regarding the rules etc and the only sensible way forward is to replace this 15 year old steam plant with a modern electric set-up.

 

Other points which make me think in this direction are, independent drive can now be applied to each paddle (with a split paddle shaft), and the Wilesco is a nickel plated brass boiler. Brass is frowned upon in the MPBA rules posted in this thread by Colin. Sometimes I sail on a privately owned lake and would not like to upset the owner.

 

 

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

Tony,

 

If I can help in any way with Steam Testing questions please feel free to ask. I do the testing for Kirklees, under the ‘Blue Book’ regulations, and it really isn’t as much of a challenge as people are making out.

 

There will be an article in an upcoming edition of Model Boats in the Boiler Room series, which may help to clarify things but in the meantime I can help in any way I can.

 

It really is straightforward and it is very sad to see clubs shying away from steam now because no-one wants to find out what it is all about. I actually believe that the regulations are a good thing as far too many modellers in the past thought they knew better than anyone else and cut too many corners. This led to concerns being raised and the introduction of proper rules. These rules however are no more than the formalisation of common sense and what they do is highlight those who have been taking too many chances in the past.

 

If you consider the parallels there would be just as strong a case nowadays to legislate those who run high powered electric models without proper safety precautions. How many models have we seen have a spectacular failure as a result of not being fitted with a fuse or because the speed controller wasn’t the correct capacity for the motor?

 

Steam is no more complicated than electric and just as safe or, in the wrong hands, just as potentially hazardous.

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