The Breakroom > The Water Cooler
An Ill Wind
PTsideshow:
--- Quote from: klank on June 17, 2009, 02:17:25 PM ---Wow, thanks Glen - what a nightmare to wade through.
Does that mean that if you want to build a small boiler - say 50 p.s.i. - to run an engine you have made - in private, for your own pleasure, with no "public" involved, you have to go through all of that paper trail?
At least over here things are a lot easier - shhh - don't spoil it.
Better not tell this government - they'll bring in similar licensing legislation, or an EEC (European) "Directive" quicker than a rat up a drainpipe - all in the guise of "health and safety" but really to get some more readies.
--- End quote ---
Short answer NO !
Here is the questions that have to be answered:
(31) "Miniature boiler" means a power boiler that does not have any of
the following:
(a) An inside diameter of the shell of more than 16 inches.
(b) A working pressure of more than 100 psig.
(c) A gross volume of more than 5 cubic feet.
(d) More than 20 square feet of heating surface.
The above doesn't apply to locomotives
It still is less headaches to operate on air only at our shows. with the insurance, Fire codes etc.
glen
bogstandard:
In the UK, it has recently been ratified by governing bodies and insurance companies about what is called the 3 bar/litre ruling.
If the boiler has say 1 litre (just under 2 pints) water capacity, then it's max operating pressure should be 3 bar (approx 44 pounds). So if the boiler has a capacity of 1/2 litre (1 pint), then it's max operating pressure could be 6 bar (88 pounds). I have always found that 30 to 40 PSI is more than ample for a well made boiler and engine, in fact for small engines, they run much more efficiently with lower steam pressures if set up correctly.
If this ruling is adhered to, then no pressure testing or inspection of the boiler is required, and you will be covered by your steam engine insurance policy (minimum 2 million squids worth, recommended 5 million squid) for operating in a public place. A public place is any area where others, other than yourself, can be found (including your own home and family members).
It is still recommended that you have your boiler and fittings checked out by a 'competant' person, but it is not a legal requirement.
Above that 3 bar ruling, then things start to get complicated, where there is a fine line between 'competant' person and a certified boiler inspector being required. Stewart should know a bit more about that as he is delving into the realms of larger boilers with his Loco build.
Bogs
Darren:
--- Quote from: bogstandard on June 18, 2009, 12:18:58 AM ---
In the UK, .......A public place is any area where others, other than yourself, can be found (including your own home and family members).
Bogs
--- End quote ---
I know you are correct on this John, but just think about when the smoker bashers realise that your home (if more than you live in it) is also deemed a public place....
sbwhart:
--- Quote from: bogstandard on June 18, 2009, 12:18:58 AM ---
Above that 3 bar ruling, then things start to get complicated, where there is a fine line between 'competant' person and a certified boiler inspector being required. Stewart should know a bit more about that as he is delving into the realms of larger boilers with his Loco build.
Bogs
--- End quote ---
It seems in the UK that model clubs have a boiler inspector attached to them via their insurance company, the inspector being deemed competant via insurer, I know for bigger commercial boilers the inspectors are certified by Loyds, for my club the insurer is Sun Aliance. But I will stand to be corrected on this.
For my boiler build I've ask the club inspector about building the boiler, the advice he gave me was to follow a recognised design, which I am, get material from a reputable suplier, which I have, and when I start to build the boiler speak to him and he'll guide me through the process, which I will.
But Its the one bit of the loco build that realy wories me.
Stew
bogstandard:
I know exactly what you are on about Darren, I was just repeating what the regulations say.
Pretty soon you won't be able to fart in public without getting a summons.
All these do gooders need to look at the real world without forcing their issues onto the general public. Talk about a nanny state.
BTW, did you know that smoking is now banned in all public buildings, except for certain areas inside the House of Commons. I think one area is the bar. One set of rules for one .........
Stew,
Don't worry about it, as and when, I can give you some assistance if you require it. I made model boat boilers for many years, yours will only be slightly larger than some I used to make. So I don't see much difference in the techiques needed, just the order of assembly.
Don't forget to keep receipts for everything to do with your boiler, just in case.
John
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