[modeleng] Re: Boiler Certificates

John,
I was discussing  that issue recently.

The rules are that club inspectors can test anything up to 6" scale, but are 
excluded from testing passenger carrying vehicles or boats.
(OK I know a 6" model can carry a person or people, but  not in the usual 
way.)

So, sorry, but your steam launch will have to be tested by a professional 
boiler inspector, and usually the one appointed by your insurance company.

As far as I know, there is no limit to the size of copper boiler apart from 
that imposed by your wallet!
However, once one gets to the larger sizes, copper becomes both unreasinably 
expensive and hard to find or make in the thicknessses required.
Plus the lower pressure that would be needed given the strength of material.

A good rule of thumb is anything over about 6" diameter is better made in 
steel.

As for your company welders, I am not fully up to date on this, but it used 
to be that one could contact the insurers and their boiler inspector, do 
some test welds, and have them tested for integrity.
If all was well, they would allow that person to wled that boiler. Also, 
weld preparation has to be checked before welding, also by the said 
inspector.
I suggest contacting the insurance company you will be using and ask them.
Or perhaps the Steam Boat Assoc may be able to help.


Alan Stepney

http://www.alanstepney.info
Model Engineering & steam engine information pages
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <john.burridge@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 2:55 PM
Subject: [modeleng] Re: Boiler Certificates


Alan Hi,
I wonder if the same proceedure would apply for the boiler i am building for 
my steam launch?

What is the size of boiler one can make in copper,I can braze and silver 
solder well and weld but do i need to be certificated for boiler work?

We have fabricators at work who can weld most materials on our racing 
cars(they are tested each year externally)but would they need to have tests 
for pressure vessels?

yours John Burridge


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