Section 408.4701. Design and construction of blowdown vessel reports.

Rule 701. (1) The owner shall ensure that blowdown vessels for use in the state of Michigan are designed and constructed as prescribed by these rules and the ASME boiler and pressure vessel code, section VIII, division 1, entitled “Unfired Pressure Vessels,” 2010 edition, and its 2011a addenda which are adopted by reference in these rules and are available for inspection at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, 2501 Woodlake Circle, Okemos, Michigan 48864 or from the ASME International, 22 Law Drive, Fairfield, New Jersey 07007, at a cost as of the time of adoption of these amendatory rules of $700.00. National board of boiler and pressure vessel inspector document NB-27, 2004 edition, may be used as a guide for the design of blowdown tanks.

(2)     The owner shall ensure that a blowdown vessel has a minimum allowable working pressure of 50 psig and that the installation complies with these rules and the vessel manufacturer’s instructions.

(a)     The blowdown vessel, its fittings, and connections shall be sized so that the internal pressure does not rise more than 5 psig above ambient pressure during the blowdown.

(b)     The blowdown vessel shall be provided with adequate openings to facilitate internal cleaning and inspection. An internal inspection of the blowdown vessel shall be conducted during the certificate inspection of the boiler.

(c)      The blowdown vessel shall be provided with the following fittings and connection openings in addition to those provided by the manufacturer for the proper installation and operation of the vessel:

(i)     A vent connection.

(ii)     A drain connection. A drain connection is not required on a separator.

(iii)       A thermometer that has a maximum scale reading of 300 degrees Fahrenheit and that is located in the water outlet from the blowdown vessel.

(iv)     A pressure gauge that is graduated from 0 to 30 psig and that is attached to the top of the steam space of the blowdown vessel.

(d)        The blowdown vessel shall be installed in a location that prevents it and its connected piping from freezing and shall be installed in a manner that permits both internal and external inspection.

(3)         A manufacturer shall provide the boiler division of the department, with the manufacturer’s data reports. A data report that is signed by an authorized inspector, together with the ASME code symbol stamp on the vessel, is the record denoting that the blowdown vessel has been constructed pursuant to the ASME code.

(4)         The manufacturer shall register all blowdown vessels for use in the state of Michigan with the national board of boiler and pressure vessel inspector.

History: 1979 AC; 1995 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2006 AACS; 2009 AACS; 2013 AACS.