Boilers and Boiler Safety

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Recent News

On The Level - January 2023 Edition

January 18, 2023

Articles in the January 2023 edition of TDLR On The Level include:

  • Legislative Update
  • Code Enforcement Officer Program Undergoing 4-Year Review
  • Honoring Faye Williams For Her Tireless Work To Advance Code Enforcement Officer Education In Texas
  • TDLR Evaluating Use Of Third Party Inspectors For Mold Program

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector Rules and Verification of 50 ppm Setpoint

DECEMBER 15, 2022

TDLR has issued a Technical Gram concerning carbon monoxide detector rules (PDF), which clarifies the requirement for a visual display on carbon monoxide detectors. This applies to new boiler installations or reinstallations of boilers completed on or after September 1, 2020.

TDLR recommends that all boiler owners, operators, installers, and inspectors, as well as anyone interested in TDLR's boiler program read the full text of the technical gram (PDF).

For questions about this Technical Gram, email boilers@tdlr.texas.gov.

Boiler Inspection Reports and Insurance Change Notices

November 15, 2022

Pursuant to Texas Boiler Law §755.027(a), which gives the TDLR Executive Director the authority to stipulate the manner in which reports are filed with the Department, all Authorized Inspection Agencies (AIA) shall submit all Boiler Inspection Reports and Insurance Change Notices via Jurisdiction Online (JO). Any Inspection Reports or Insurance Change Notices submitted via email or a postage service after December 15, 2022, will be returned to the submitting AIA so they may enter them into JO as TDLR staff will no longer provide data entry of any reports for AIAs, including but not limited to Boiler Inspection Report and Insurance Change Notices.

Retrofitting Boilers in Commercial Buildings, Apartments and Hotels to Detect Carbon Monoxide Can Save Lives

September 27, 2022

AUSTIN – Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill – and it is produced by boilers and other equipment commonly used in commercial buildings where people work and sleep, including apartment buildings, hotels, dormitories and hospitals.

A state rule adopted in July 2020 requires that building owners install carbon monoxide detectors in all boiler rooms when they are installing new boilers that can produce carbon monoxide, along with interlocks that can automatically shut down malfunctioning equipment. TDLR began enforcing the rule in September 2020.

TDLR now recommends that building owners consider installing carbon monoxide detectors in all boiler rooms and mechanical rooms that have equipment that could produce carbon monoxide. An estimated 35,000 boiler rooms in Texas need retrofitting to make them safer.

“It’s scary to think that many schools, hotels and apartment buildings don’t have a basic piece of equipment that could alert people when carbon monoxide is present. That is why I always carry a personal CO detector when I travel, and I have outfitted my home with multiple CO detectors,” said Chief Boiler Inspector Rob Troutt. “Recent incidents across the United States and in popular foreign tourist areas have demonstrated the importance of proper maintenance and the need for personal and commercial carbon monoxide detectors.”

The manager of an apartment complex in Plano decided that spending the money to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning made more sense than waiting for someone to become ill or to die from exposure to the colorless, odorless gas.

The Creekside Village Apartments has four boiler rooms that recently were retrofitted for a total of about $10,000.

“In the long run, you will save money and save people from getting hurt,” said Daurys Castillo, manager of the Creekside Village Apartments.

Retrofitting existing boilers in a boiler room can be quite costly, but there are less-expensive steps that building owners can take to make their properties safer, including installing a CO detector in the boiler room with an audible alarm that’s located outside the boiler room.

Sometimes, bringing newly installed boilers or an existing boiler into compliance with the new rule could result in a substantial financial hardship for owners if their manufacturing machinery were to suddenly shut down without warning. In certain situations, TDLR has approved variance requests if the owner agrees to the following:

  • A 24-hour monitoring system must be installed in conjunction with the CO detector, and the system shall alert the owner/operator(s) that carbon monoxide is present so corrective action can be taken to avoid a sudden boiler shutdown.
  • With the remote monitoring system installed, the CO detector sends an alarm to the owner/operator at 50 ppm and shall disable the boiler burners at 200 ppm.

Building owners can contact 512-539-5716 for more information about retrofitting equipment or obtaining a variance.

Notice of Intent to Review Rules

September 16, 2022

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (Department) is reviewing the Boilers program rules located at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 65 for re-adoption, revision, or repeal. This rule review is required every four years.

The Notice of Intent to Review was published in the Texas Registeron September 2, 2022 (47 TexReg 5344), as part of a combined notice with several other rule chapters undergoing simultaneous review. The Department will determine whether the reasons for adopting or readopting these rules continue to exist by answering the following questions for each rule:

  • Is it obsolete?
  • Does it reflect current legal and policy considerations?
  • Is it in alignment with the current procedures of the Department?

The Department encourages anyone interested in the Boilers program under Chapter 65 to review the Notice of Intent to Review onlineand the current chapter rules posted on the Department’s website.

Comments may be submitted electronically on the Department’s website(select the appropriate chapter name for your comment).

Comments received prior to October 17, 2022, may be considered by the Department.

Notice to All Texas Boiler Owners & Operators

August 24, 2022

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 (see below), 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.

COVID-19: Boiler Inspection Requirements Temporarily Suspended

March 26, 2020

To help combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, TDLR requested and received authority from Governor Greg Abbott to suspend certain regulatory requirements statewide, to the extent necessary to extend inspection time requirements for boilers.

  • A boiler Certificate of Operation that expires in the time period from March 13, 2020 through May 31, 2020, shall NOT receive any penalty for failing to obtain an inspection before the Certificate of Operation expires.
  • All boiler owners who request an extension of the internal inspection interval will maintain eligibility for an extension even if the required inspections have not been performed. This policy will be applied to all boiler extensions for which the Certificate of Operation expires during the time period of March 13, 2020 through May 31, 2020. (§755.025 and §755.026, Health and Safety Code)

TDLR investigators will respond in case of an accident or emergency.

Please check the TDLR COVID-19 webpagefor the most up-to-date information.

Inspector Image Portal No Longer Available

November 7, 2019

Effective November 11, 2019, elevator, escalator and boiler inspectors and members of the public may access elevator, escalator, and boiler inspection reports and related documents using the search feature on the TDLR website.The Inspector Image Portal is no longer available.

If you are unable to locate a document, please submit a request for that document to the TDLR Records Center

Safety Alert: Viessmann Recalls Boilers Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard

June 13, 2019

Name of product:

Vitodens boilers

Applies to:

  • Vitodens 200-W, B2HB Series (models 19, 26 and 35)
  • Vitodens 222-F, B2TB Series (models 19 and 35)

Hazard:

The boiler heat exchanger back plate can corrode and leak flue gases, allowing the boiler to emit excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, posing a CO poisoning hazard to consumers.

Recall date:

April 25, 2019

More information from Viessmann

Notice from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Important Notice Regarding Online Access to Documents

November 16, 2018

BOILER INSPECTORS: The TDLR public web page for viewing boiler documents is temporarily unavailable. We apologize for this inconvenience. Please note that Jurisdiction Online (JO) is still available and notimpacted by this service interruption. Boiler inspectors without access to JO should send requests for boiler documents to: blazers@tdlr.texas.gov.TDLR staff will expedite your request for inspection reports. Please include your TDLR license number in the subject line of the email.

BUILDING OWNERS AND ALL OTHERS REQUESTING BOILER RECORDS: Send all requests for boiler records to the TDLR Records Center.

Thank you. We look forward to assisting you.

A. O. Smith Recalls Ultra-Low NOx Water Heaters Due to Fire Hazard

November 15, 2018

TDLR recommends all boiler owners, installers, operators, and inspectors and anyone interested in the boiler program read the full text of the following recall notice:

A. O. Smith Recalls Ultra-Low NOx Water Heaters Due to Fire Hazard

Changes to Boiler Certificate of Operation

October 29, 2018

Starting October 29, 2018, TDLR is issuing new Certificates of Operation for Boilers, including new Temporary Operating Permits. The new certificates include any variances issued, instead of listing those on another sheet of paper. The Temporary Operating Permits include the expiration date. The new certificates also feature a slight design upgrade. Please see Technical Gram 2018-06for more info.

New and Updated Authorized Inspection Agency Inspector Procedures

September 12, 2018

TDLR updated three of the Authorized Inspection Agency Inspector Procedures:

TDLR recommends all Authorized Inspection Agencies, boiler owners and operators, and anyone interested in TDLR's boiler program read the full text of the three inspector procedure documents. View all Authorized Inspection Agency Inspector Procedures

Technical Grams Concerning Rental Boilers and Leased Boilers

July 12, 2018

TDLR issued two technical grams:

These technical grams describe each type of boiler, how it is tracked in the boiler database, and who is responsible for inspecting it. TDLR recommends that all boiler owners, operators, and inspectors, as well as anyone interested in TDLR's boiler program, read the full text of these technical grams.

Updated Forms

June 4, 2018

TDLR updated several forms on the Boiler Forms page. Please download forms from TDLR’s web site each time you use them to ensure you have the current version.

NY Thermal Recalls Boilers Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard

May 18, 2018

Please be aware the that United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has put out a recall notice with the following headline: NY Thermal Recalls Boilers Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard.

For additional information, please go to the following websites:

TDLR recommends that boiler owners and operators read the information provided in the links above.

Technical Gram concerning Intellihot Water Supply Boilers and Potable Water Heaters

February 26, 2018

On February 26, 2018, TDLR issued a Technical Gram concerning Intellihot Water Supply Boilers and Potable Water Heaters. The Technical Gram clarifies how these are considered modular boilers, and further, how they will be registered with TDLR and boiler numbers assigned. TDLR recommends that all boiler owners, operators, installers, and inspectors, as well as anyone interested in TDLR's boiler program read the full text of the technical gram.

Vacancy on the Board of Boiler Rules

September 27, 2017

TDLR announces a vacancy on the Board of Boiler Rules established by Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 755.  The pertinent rules may be found in 16 Texas Administrative Code §65.100-104.  The purpose of the Board of Boiler Rules is to advise the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (Commission) in the adoption of definitions and rules relating to the safe construction, installation, inspection, operating limits, alteration, and repair of boilers and their appurtenances.  This announcement is for a public member.

The Board is composed of eleven members appointed by the presiding officer of the Commission, with the Commission’s approval.  The Board consists of the following:

    1. three members representing persons who own or use boilers in this state;
    2. three members representing companies that insure boilers in this state;
    3. one member representing boiler manufacturers or installers;
    4. one member representing organizations that repair or alter boilers in this state;
    5. one member representing a labor union, and
    6. two public members.

Members serve staggered six-year terms, with the terms of three members expiring January 31 of each odd-numbered year. 

Interested persons should apply on the Department website. Applicants can also request an application from the Department by telephone at (800) 803-9202 or e-mail to advisory.boards@tdlr.texas.gov.

Technical Gram Concerning Hotsy Boilers Texas Special Designation

September 19, 2017

On September 19, 2017, TDLR issued new boiler technical gram 2017-04 concerning Hotsy Boilers being given a Texas Special designation. These high temperature water boilers are part of Hotsy pressure washer systems; the tech gram assists inspectors in performing inspections. TDLR recommends all Boiler Inspectors and anyone interested in TDLR's boiler program read the full text of the technical gram.

Update on Recovering Boiler Systems After A Flood

August 31, 2017

TDLR has updated information you need to consider after a flood

Technical Gram Concerning Proper Venting Requirements

August 7, 2017

On August 7, 2017, TDLR issued a boiler program technical gram concerning Proper Venting Requirements, Applicable to Extensions Only (Texas Boiler Rule 16 TAC Section 65.606). This technical gram clarifies that Section 65.606 of the Texas Boiler Rules only applies when an extension has been granted. This information was erroneously omitted during a 2015 rulemaking. TDLR recommends all boiler owners, operators, and inspectors, as well as anyone interested in TDLR's boiler program read the full text of the technical gram at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/boilers/memos/2017-02%20Proper%20Venting%20-%20Extension%20Only.pdf.

Technical Gram Concerning PHP Boilers

August 7, 2017

On August 7, 2017, TDLR issued a boiler program technical gram concerning PHP Boilers. The technical gram discusses the de-rating of certain non-ASME Code boilers installed in Texas over the last 5 years. TDLR recommends that all boiler inspectors and anyone interested in TDLR's boiler program read the full text of the technical gram at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/boilers/memos/2017-03%20PHP%20Boilers.pdf.

Board of Boiler Rules Meetings

August 6, 2020 Meeting

The Board of Boiler RulesmetAugust 6, 2020in Austin. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR’s YouTube channel. The agendais available online.

What is a Boiler?

Equipment that falls within the scope of the Texas Boiler Law and Rules, that must be registered and inspected, is defined in both the law and rules. This means all types of boilers that are used in commercial and public facilities that produce steam (either low or high pressure), hot water heating for use in comfort air heating systems, and hot water supply for use in domestic water systems (such as showers, sinks, pools, or for miscellaneous use) which includes potable hot water heater type boilers. Boilers used for hot water supply or potable hot water supply can be further defined in the following two (2) categories:

  • A hot water supply boiler means a boiler designed for operation at a pressure not exceeding 160 psig or temperatures not exceeding 250 degrees Fahrenheit at or near the boiler outlet if the boiler's: heat input exceeds 200,000 BTUs per hour; water temperature exceeds 210 degrees Fahrenheit; or nominal water-containing capacity exceeds 120 gallons.
  • A potable water heater means a boiler designed for operation at pressures not exceeding 160 psig and water temperatures not exceeding 210 degrees Fahrenheit if the boiler's: heat input exceeds 200,000 BTUs per hour or nominal water-containing capacity exceeds 120 gallons.

Further classification and definitions can be obtained by accessing the Texas Boiler Law and Rules and referring to the definitions in both the law and rules or by calling (800) 722-7843 and a technical representative can assist you with any questions.