State Boiler Inspection vs. Service Inspection
There are two types of inspections your boiler system needs on a regular basis: A state inspection and a service inspection. They may seem similar, but they’re not the same. So what’s the difference?
The easiest way to remember is that boiler service inspections are part of your ongoing maintenance plan, and can be conducted by any boiler service company. State inspections need to be conducted by someone from the state, and they are required for all boilers that are used in commercial, industrial and any other public facility that produce steam, hot water heating for use in comfort air heating systems, and hot water supply for use in domestic water systems.
How do you get a state boiler inspection?
All boilers will be registered with the state upon installation. This is taken care of by the boiler installer. To register the boiler in Texas, they will provide the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) with Form: #013BLR Boiler Installation Report and Form: #015BLR Temporary Boiler Operating Permit to notify the state that your boiler is ready to be inspected. Upon passing the initial inspections, you will be issued the TDLR numbers for your boilers. These numbers indicate that your boiler has been successfully registered with the state.
Effective September 15, 2022, TDLR will once again charge late fees for boilers that were not inspected by a Texas Commissioned Boiler Inspector in a timely manner. If your boiler has not been inspected as required by the Texas Boiler Law, your boiler(s) must be inspected before September 15, 2022, to avoid being charged a late fee. Please contact your boiler inspector directly to schedule your inspection.
In accordance with Texas Boiler Law, §755.025, Power Boilers, Unfired Boiler and Process Steam Generators are required to be inspected on an annual basis. Hot Water Heating Boilers and Steam Heating Boilers are required to be inspected every two years and Hot Water Supply Boilers and Potable Water Heaters must be inspected every three years.
State boiler registration renewal
Business owners are responsible for renewing their boiler registration. If you have an insurance provider, they will likely contact you to complete the renewal. The owner can also request the renewal from the state in advance, so it’s important that you keep track of how often your particular boiler needs to be renewed so you don’t miss the deadline.
General boiler inspection schedules
- High-pressure steam boilers greater than 150lbs need state inspections once per year
- Low-pressure steam boilers less than 15lbs need state inspections every 2 years
- Hydronic heating boilers more than 200,000 BTU need state inspections every 2 years
- Domestic boilers more than 200,000 BTU need state inspections every 3 Years
- Hot water heaters less 200,000 BTU do not require state inspections
Boiler service inspections
Boiler service inspections are not required by the state. However, it is highly recommended that you get regular inspections as part of your boiler maintenance plan to keep your boiler in the best condition possible. Even though this type of inspection is generally conducted annually, larger boilers may need boiler maintenance personnel onsite during a state inspection to open the vessel. Keep in mind this process does require the equipment to be shut down.
To schedule a boiler service inspection or support for larger boilers during state inspections, contact a boiler expert at Willbanks.
