Code of Massachusetts Regulations 522 CMR - BOARD OF BOILER RULES
Here's a detailed overview of 522 CMR – Board of Boiler Rules within the Code of Massachusetts Regulations:
📘 Overview — 522 CMR (as of Jan 17, 2025)
522 CMR, published by the Trial Court Law Libraries, governs the standards and safety regulations for boilers, pressure vessels, and related equipment in Massachusetts (mass.gov). Its chapters include:
1.00 – General Provisions
2.00 – Power Boilers (adopts ASME BPV Code Section I – Power Boilers) (mass.gov)
3.00 – Power Reactor Vessels, Atomic Energy Installations (mass.gov)
4.00 – Heating Boilers & Heat Storage Sources (ASME BPV Code Section IV) (mass.gov)
7.00 – Air Tanks (mass.gov)
9.00 – Refrigeration & A/C Systems (mass.gov)
10.00 – Material Specifications (mass.gov)
11.00 – Welding Specifications (mass.gov)
12.00 – Fiberglass‑reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels (mass.gov)
15.00 – National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) (mass.gov)
16.00 – Controls & Safety Devices (ASME CSD‑1) (mass.gov)
17.00 – Piping (mass.gov)
18.00 – Continuing Education (mass.gov)
19.00 – Portable Boilers (mass.gov)
🔍 Highlighted Sections
522 CMR 2.00 — Power Boilers
Incorporates the 2021 ASME BPV Code Section I for construction and safety standards (mass.gov).
§ 2.06 – Inspection
Requires annual internal and external inspections (external within six months of internal) by authorized inspectors.
Certificates must be posted on each boiler, with detailed information (inspection date, pressure rating, etc.) (law.cornell.edu).
522 CMR 4.00 — Heating Boilers
Incorporates ASME BPV Code Section IV for heating boilers and heat storage systems (mass.gov).
§ 4.01 – Scope & Application
Applies to boilers above certain horsepower/Btu limits (e.g., >3 hp or >200 kBtu/hr) (law.cornell.edu).
§ 4.05 – Inspection
Mandates annual external inspections; internal inspection frequency varies by boiler type (steam vs. hot-water).
Specific exemptions apply (e.g., home-use boilers, small units under defined thresholds).
Boiler rooms must have posted certificates detailing inspection data (law.cornell.edu).
522 CMR 15.00 — NBIC Adoption
Adopts the 2021 National Board Inspection Code, governing inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, and associated appendages (mass.gov).
522 CMR 16.00 — Safety Devices (ASME CSD-1)
Standards for automatic safety controls and devices in fired boilers; includes ASME CSD-1 and relevant NFPA 85 for large boilers (>12.5 M Btu/hr) (mass.gov).
522 CMR 17.00 — Piping
Governs safe installation, modification, and dismantling of piping systems for energy, heat, and industrial applications (mass.gov).
522 CMR 19.00 — Portable Boilers
Applies to temporary-use boilers; initial inspection by district inspector and annual checks required (law.cornell.edu).
🛠️ Practical Implications
Mandatory Code Adoption: 522 CMR adopts current ASME BPV, NBIC, and NFPA standards to ensure safety and compliance.
Rigorous Inspection Requirements: Most boilers require both internal and external inspections annually; certificates must be displayed.
Exemptions & Scope: Smaller, low-pressure units or specific temporary setups may be exempt or subject to modified rules.
Piping & Controls: Codes also regulate piping work and essential safety and control systems in boiler operations.
🧾 Accessing the Full Text
Each chapter includes downloadable PDFs with the detailed regulatory language. You can access them via Massachusetts' Trial Court Law Libraries, for example:
522 CMR 2: Power Boilers PDF (~103 KB) (regulations.justia.com, mass.gov)
522 CMR 4: Heating Boilers PDF (~92 KB) (mass.gov)
522 CMR 15: NBIC PDF (~64 KB) (mass.gov)
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