UPDATED 8/20/2020

NOTICE: Jurisdictional requirements are changing daily. Information will be updated as the National Board receives it from jurisdictions. However, most of the following information was provided to the National Board by member jurisdictions during the month of April. The National Board recommends contacting the jurisdiction directly for the most up-to-date information, as the information listed below may have changed. Click here for a listing of National Board member contact data.

Due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, some jurisdictions have had to make temporary changes to installation and inservice inspection procedures.

This information is a supplement to NB-370, The National Board Synopsis of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Laws, Rules and Regulations, and only contains the temporary changes jurisdictions are making due to COVID-19. Please refer to the original Synopsis for the complete compilation of jurisdiction laws, rules, and regulations. 

This database will be updated as soon as information is received from a jurisdiction and is subject to change as the COVID-19 crisis evolves and continues to affect industry. 

Users are reminded the data is only a brief outline or distillation of a specific jurisdiction’s laws, rules and regulations as impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to avoid misinterpretation of the data or failing to address the regulatory nuances of an individual jurisdiction, users are advised to consult the jurisdiction’s chief inspection officer before reaching any decision that may have critical consequences. The National Board, its members, and employees assume no liability for the use or misuse of the information.

The jurisdictions listed in the following dropdown box have submitted data regarding temporary changes the jurisdiction has made due to COVID-19. Jurisdictions not listed have not submitted new data to the National Board. Please check back for updates. 

04/09/20

Please visit the ABSA website www.absa.ca for the latest updates regarding COVID-19 response affecting pressure equipment in Alberta.

04/09/20

• The State of Arkansas has suspended all routine inspections. There is no definite date to resume normal operation.


• The Office is closed to the public, but the staff is working remotely and has access to everything.


• The same phone numbers are in use, it will forward to where it needs to go.


• Any inspections that are done will follow all the CDC protocols.


• New inspections may be done.


• Inspections that cannot be delayed are still conducted.


• The licensed boiler operator requirement has been waived on a case-by-case basis.

04/09/20

Technical Safety BC (formerly BC Safety Authority) continues to fulfill its mandate as our services are essential to the safety, health, and well-being of British Columbians during the state of emergency relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Technical Safety BC offices are temporarily closed in order to protect our clients and employees during the spread of COVID-19. We continue to serve through:
   
   •      email at contact@technicalsafetybc.ca;
   •      or your online account (pay invoices, make declarations, view transactions).
2. All in-person exams and code courses have been cancelled until further notice. 
3. Design registrations can now be submitted online for boilers and pressure equipment.  For questions regarding design registration requirements, access to our online registration service, registration requirements, or document management contact EIM@technicalsafetybc.ca
4. Effective immediately, remote assessments are the primary means to performing inspections, physical assessments will only be conducted when we determine them to be critical to the safety system.

For most up to date information, clients should check Technical Safety BC website https://www.technicalsafetybc.ca/ for COVID-19 service update. Also, check out our latest newsletter.

04/09/20

Due to the uncertainty created by the Coronavirus, any boiler requiring a permit to operate in the State of California may have its internal inspection postponed for a period of 6 months from March 18, 2020. This postponement applies to boilers that are due for an internal inspection within the upcoming 6 months, ending September 18, 2020.

To receive a postponement, the boiler must be inspected by a Certified Inspector who will perform an external inspection and complete an external inspection report. If no unsafe conditions are found, the external inspection report will be submitted through the process currently in place for that organization with an expiration date of 30 days from the expiration date of the existing permit to operate.

This external inspection process will continue for the next 6 months and may be extended depending on circumstances at that time.

04/09/20

Colorado is allowing extensions to compliance and certificate deadlines at this time. Please visit the website for up-to-date details:  https://ops.colorado.gov/BoilerInspection.

04/09/20

All operating certificates have a 60 day grace period by regulation, and we also have been issuing extensions upon request. Anyone in the State of Georgia requiring an extension should contact Ben Crawford at bcrawford@oci.ga.gov.

• The state has stopped all routine inspections at all locations.


• All requests for new construction have to be scheduled through the office by contacting Ben Crawford at bcrawford@oci.gaa.gov. We are still conducting new permit inspections, preference is given to COVID-19 related locations.


• All personal must wear proper PPE and maintain social distancing at all times.

UPDATED 04/24/20

Hawaii has resumed inspection operations; however, the office is closed for the public.

• All inspections are by appointment only at this time, with priorities given to new boiler and pressure vessel installations at essential locations responding to COVID-19 crisis.


• Inspectors must always wear appropriate PPE’s and maintain social distancing. 


• Permit extensions may be granted up to 90 days, with the owner’s written request. 


• With the concurrence of the AIA of record and at the owner’s request, the state will consider providing inspection services for essential establishments under insurance account.

04/14/20

Hawaii has stopped all field inspections. Inspectors will do telework until further notice.

When usual business operations resume, the priority will be to provide inspection services for new boiler and pressure vessel installations at essential locations/establishments.

04/09/20

On March 26, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker signed into effect COVID-19 Order No. 18, an Executive Order authorizing extension of state registrations including boiler and pressure vessel Certificates of Inspection. 

Section (1) of Order No. 18 contains language that allows for state-issued Certificates of Inspection, which expire on or after March 26, 2020, to remain valid without inspection for up to 90 days following termination of the current state of emergency in Massachusetts.

Therefore, owner/users do not need to submit a separate request for extension at this time. Once the state of emergency has been lifted, we are asking that you work directly with your clients to re-schedule the over-due inspections in a timely manner. With exception to this, we are asking that the Engineers in Charge of high pressure steam boilers with COI that will expire during this timeframe still complete and submit a Request for Extension, so that we can track the re-scheduling of these specific inspections.

The form to use to request an extension can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/doc/bpv-031-bpv-request-for-extension-of-inspectional-requirement/download.

04/09/20

At this time, the Government of the State of Michigan is conducting “business as usual”; however, the office staff is “teleworking”.  All of the boiler inspectors in Michigan work out of their homes.

State of Michigan inspectors are continuing to inspect to the extent they can safely gain access. Boiler owners, users, and contractors can still contact the Boiler Division office or the inspector as before.

04/14/20

The State of Minnesota has suspended all routine inspections during the State of Minnesota Stay at Home Order. There is no definite date to resume normal operation.

The Department of Labor and Industry office is closed to the public. Staff is working remotely.

New installations are being inspected by appointment. Regional inspectors may be reached by phone or email. All personnel must always observe social distancing protocol and utilize PPE where appropriate.

04/09/20

New York state has no changes in effect currently. State inspectors are doing requested inspections only. The state is granting extensions on a case-by-case basis up to 90 days if requested.

04/09/20

Inspectors continue to work in the field. Therefore, there have been no changes to the required inspections. The state is not seeking to open violations or penalize owners for operating with an expired certificate during this crisis. This is not, however, permission to operate without a current certificate.

Inspectors have been instructed to avoid locations with large numbers of people and medical/nursing home type facilities. If they must go to these places, they are calling ahead and meeting someone at the boiler room to avoid going into the public spaces. Inspectors have been issued appropriate PPE, and are using good judgement and social distancing. State inspectors will follow facility protocols before entering, such as responding to health questionnaires, and providing any needed information.

The State is working with owners to issue certificate extensions as our Rules allow (high pressure boilers only), and our inspectors are trying to cover insurance sites when requested.

04/09/20

North Dakota is still taking it case by case and just granting extensions to get the inspections completed after everyone goes back to work.

If an inspection is a time-sensitive issue (i.e. internal at a power plant that is down only once every 3 years), the state will do inspections for the insurance companies.

04/09/20

• DOL offices are closed; however, emails and phone calls will be returned by staff working from home.


• Only emergency inspections are being performed until further notice.


• All Joint Reviews are cancelled until May 1, this will be reevaluated the week of April 24 to determine if more cancellations are needed.


• List of applicants for Joint Reviews are submitted to ASME and NBBI for extensions at no charge to Certificate Holders.


• Insurance companies are asked to collect and maintain a record of locations not accepting visitors or locations that are closed, thus preventing inspections to take place.

04/09/20

• No inspections have been waived or frequencies changed, but the state is allowing inspections to go overdue with no consequence.


• State inspectors will comply with customers’ requests to delay inspection.


• State physical offices are closed due to positive cases of coronavirus, but all state inspectors are still working remotely and can be reached via the contact information on our website.


• The state of Oregon has not issued any formal guidance on PPE, but it is strongly recommend inspectors follow CDC guidelines as appropriate.


• All state inspectors will schedule all inspections ahead of time.


• The state is waiving late fees for permit renewals to accommodate those financially affected by COVID-19.

04/10/20

For the latest regarding COVID-19 response affecting pressure equipment in Pennsylvania, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry website:

https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Labor-Management-Relations/bois/BOISFAQs/Pages/Boilers-and-Pressure-Vessel-FAQs.aspx
 

UPDATED 08/20/20

• No periodic inspections are being performed. RBQ informed Inspection and insurance companies performing periodics on behalf of the RBQ that no violations or fines will be issued if an inspection interval is missed. Many facilities are still denying access to personnel who are not regular employees.
• The RBQ will inspect if an emergency situation or an installation is considered an immediate hazard to the public.
• The RBQ is performing some inservice/commissioning inspections of new installations with a certain risk level.
• Inspection services of essential services are maintained: Power generation (oil industry, nuclear, hydro…), any industry linked to health and safety, food and drugs, military…
   
• The AIA is performing all manufacturing and repair inspections as required by the applicable Codes.
   
• Audits are being performed. Social distancing and caution measures are to be implemented by the inquirer before an appointment is granted. Remote audits are considered if the situation permits.
• All inservice/commissioning inspection requests must be received by email : isp@rbq.gouv.qc.ca.
• All manufacturing and Repair/alteration inspection requests (AIA) must be received by email: interventionsASP@rbq.gouv.qc.ca.
• All design registration (Canadian registration number – CRN) applications must be received by email: enregistrementdesplans@rbq.gouv.qc.ca.
• All Quality control questions (ASME, National Board, Provincial programs) must be sent to pcq-isp@rbq.gouv.qc.ca.
• RBQ offices are partially open. Most employees are working remotely from their home office.
• Please note that the RBQ has moved its offices since August 15th, 2020 to a new nearby location: 255, boul. Crémazie Est, 2e étage Montréal, Qc. H2M 1M2

04/10/20

Currently, the City of Seattle is not conducting any inservice inspections during the pandemic. The requirements for inspections have not been waived nor the frequencies changed, city inspectors will perform all inspections once it is safe to do so. 

Installation inspections for projects deemed essential per the Governor’s guidelines will be performed upon request.

Inspectors will follow CDC guidelines for PPE and the State’s requirement for social distancing.

04/09/20

In South Carolina the rules will remain in effect.  If extension are needed, the Authorized Inspection Agency of record or the owner's representative must send an email requesting what their specific needs are. and.  The SC law (Boiler Safety Act) allows for a 60 day grace period for certificate inspections after that an email request is needed. Please contact Ron Spiker at ronndj@gmail.com.

04/14/20

Texas has suspended Texas Boiler Law, Paragraphs 755.025 and 755.026. Paragraph 755.025 is where internal and external inspections are mandated, while 755.026 allows for the extension of the internal inspection for boilers that meet specific requirements (this allowance is for boilers that run continually). The suspension is valid from March 13, 2020 through May 31, 2020, but may be extended further out.

The suspension of 755.025 means boilers that have a expiration between March 13, 2020 through May 31, 2020 will not be penalized for the boiler going overdue during this timeframe.

The suspension of 755.026 means boilers will maintain the eligibility for an extension of the internal inspection even if the specific requirements are not maintained from March 13, 2020 through May 31, 2020.

04/09/20

Virginia has not made any official changes to their boiler rules, but are taking the current circumstances under consideration. Virginia has always had a two month grace period after the expiration of the certificate before an owner is considered to be in violation. Where locations have shut their doors to outsiders, inspection companies are postponing all but the most serious inspections, and where companies have trouble getting work crews in to perform outages, the state is ignoring operating certificate expiration dates. 

04/09/20

West Virginia Department of Labor is issuing at no cost to any location a temporary emergency extension of all operating certificates until the COVID-19 emergency has passed. Insurance Companies inspectors should contact WVDOL by email stating the location and state boiler number to get extensions for their clients. Once this has passed and inspections can begin, the annual due date for that object will take precedence, not the date of the inspection.