TITLE 41: FIRE PROTECTION
CHAPTER III: BOARD OF BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL RULES
PART 2120 BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL SAFETY
SUBPART A: DEFINITIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
Section 2120.10 Definitions
Section 2120.20 Incorporation of National Standards
Section 2120.30 Fees
Section 2120.40 Administration
Section 2120.50 Inspectors, Examinations, Certificate of Competency and Commission.
SUBPART B: CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION, INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND USE
Section 2120.100 New Installations of Boilers, Miniature Boilers, Heating Boilers and Hot Water Supply Boilers
Section 2120.200 New Installations of Pressure Vessels
Section 2120.300 Existing Installations of Power Boilers
Section 2120.400 Operation of Boilers and Pressure Vessels
Section 2120.500 Existing Installation of Pressure Vessels
SUBPART C: REPAIR AND ALTERATION
Section 2120.1000 Repairs and Alterations to Boilers and Pressure Vessels by Welding
Section 2120.1010 Authorization to Repair Boilers and Pressure Vessels
Section 2120.1020 Issuance and Renewal of the Certificate
Section 2120.1030 Changes to Certificates of Authorization
Section 2120.1040 Quality Control Requirements
Section 2120.1041 Repair and Alteration Requirements
SUBPART D: STATE SPECIALS
Section 2120.1100 Procedure for the Issuance of a State Special Permit
SUBPART E: REPAIR OF SAFETY AND SAFETY RELIEF VALVES
Section 2120.1200 Authorization for Repair of Safety & Safety Relief Valves
Section 2120.1210 Authorization to Repair ASME and National Board Stamped Safety and Safety Relief Valves
Section 2120.1220 Issuance and Renewal of the Certificate
Section 2120.1240 Changes to Certificates of Authorization
Section 2120.1250 Repairs to Safety and Safety Relief Valves
Section 2120.1260 Quality Control System
Section 2120.1270 Nameplates
Section 2120.1275 Field Repair
Section 2120.1280 Performance Testing of Repaired Valves
Section 2120.1285 Training of Valve Repair Personnel
Section 2120.1290 ASME "V", "UV" or National Board "VR" Certificate Holders
SUBPART F: OWNER-USER QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
Section 2120.1300 Introduction
Section 2120.1301 Authority and Responsibility
Section 2120.1305 Organization
Section 2120.1310 Inservice Inspection Program
Section 2120.1320 Drawings, Design Calculations and Specification Control
Section 2120.1325 Material Control
Section 2120.1330 Examination and Inspection Program
Section 2120.1335 Correction of Nonconformities
Section 2120.1340 Welding
Section 2120.1345 Nondestructive Examination
Section 2120.1350 Calibration of Measurement and Test Equipment
Section 2120.1355 Records
Section 2120.1360 Inspectors
SUBPART G: HISTORICAL BOILERS
Section 2120.1400 Scope
Section 2120.1410 Historical Boiler Definition
Section 2120.1420 Historical Boiler Inspections
Section 2120.1430 Fees
Section 2120.1440 Repairs and Alterations
Section 2120.APPENDIX A Operational and Maintenance Log
Section 2120.EXHIBIT A Hot Water Heating Boilers
Section 2120.EXHIBIT B Steam Heating Boilers
AUTHORITY: Implementing the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act [430 ILCS 75] and authorized by Sections 2 and 2.1 of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act [430 ILCS 75/2 and 2.1].
SOURCE: Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act Rules and Regulations adopted at 4 Ill. Reg. 7, p. 126, effective January 31, 1980; codified at 5 Ill. Reg. 10677; amended at 7 Ill. Reg. 6925, effective July 1, 1983; amended at 10 Ill. Reg. 9510, effective July 1, 1985; amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 16587, effective January 1, 1988; amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 6808, effective July 1, 1992; amended at 17 Ill. Reg. 14917, effective September 1, 1993; amended at 19 Ill. Reg. 11904, effective August 15, 1995; amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 9540, effective July 3, 1996; amended at 21 Ill. Reg. 997, effective January 1, 1997; amended at 23 Ill. Reg. 162, effective January 1, 1999; amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 18555, effective December 7, 2000; amended at 25 Ill. Reg. 11914, effective January 1, 2002; amended at 27 Ill. Reg. 518, effective January 01, 2003; emergency amendment at 27 Ill. Reg. 14855, effective September 2, 2003, for a maximum of 150 days; amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 1737, effective January 13, 2004; amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 13509, effective September 24, 2004; amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 17198, effective October 16, 2008; amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 9028, effective July 1, 2011; amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 13424, effective August 1, 2013; amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 18925, effective September 4, 2014; recodified from Chapter I, 41 Ill. Adm. Code 120, to Chapter III, 41 Ill. Adm. Code 2120, at 39 Ill. Reg. 10645; amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 846, effective January 17, 2017; amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 13457, effective July 1, 2018; amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 13968, effective August 13, 2020; amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 6907, effective May 1, 2022; amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 3420, effective February 21, 2024; expedited correction at 48 Ill. Reg. 9121, effective February 21, 2024.
SUBPART A: DEFINITIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
Section 2120.10 Definitions
Act or the Act − the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act [430 ILCS 75].
Alteration − any change in the item described on the original Manufacturers' Data Report which affects the pressure containing capability of the boiler or pressure vessel. Non-physical changes such as an increase in the maximum allowable working pressure (internal or external) or design temperature of a boiler or pressure vessel shall be considered an alteration. A reduction in minimum temperature such that additional mechanical tests are required shall also be considered an alteration.
API 510 − the code for the maintenance, inspection, repair, alteration and re-rating of pressure vessels published by the American Petroleum Institute.
Approved − approved by the Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules.
ASME Code − the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers with revisions, amendments and interpretations made, approved and adopted by the Council of the Society and approved and adopted by the Board. Copies of the Code may be obtained from the Society at Three Park Avenue, New York NY 10016-5990.
Authorized Inspection Agency − one of the following:
A department or division established by a jurisdiction that has adopted one or more Sections of the ASME Code and whose inspectors hold valid National Board Commissions;
An insurance company authorized by the jurisdiction to insure boilers and pressure vessels that employs special inspectors who have met the requirements of this Part; or
An owner-user of boilers and pressure vessels who employs owner-user inspectors and maintains a regularly established inspection department, whose organization and inspection procedures meet the requirements of this Part.
Authorized Repairer − a holder of a Certificate of Registration issued pursuant to the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repairer Regulation Act.
Board − the Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules created by the Act and empowered to make, alter, amend and interpret rules and regulations for the safe construction, installation, inspection, alteration, and repair of boilers and pressure vessels and for establishing fees.
Boiler − a vessel intended for use in heating water or other liquids or for generating steam or other vapors under pressure or vacuum by the application of heat resulting from the combustion of fuels, electricity, or waste gases.
Certificate Inspection − an inspection, the report of which is used by the Chief Inspector as justification for issuing, withholding or revoking the inspection certificate. The Certificate Inspection shall be an internal inspection when required; otherwise, it shall be as complete an inspection as possible.
Certificate of Competency − a certificate issued to a person who has passed the examination and meets all other requirements of this Part, as prescribed by the Board.
Certificate of Registration − a certificate issued by OSFM pursuant to the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repairer Regulation Act.
Commission − the commission issued by OSFM to the chief, deputy, special or owner-user inspector in accordance with this Part.
Condemned Boiler or Pressure Vessel − a boiler or pressure vessel that has been inspected and declared unsafe, or disqualified by legal requirements, by the Chief or Deputy Inspector.
Division − the Division of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Safety.
Electric Boiler − a boiler in which the source of heat is electricity.
Engineer − a registered professional engineer registered in accordance with the Illinois Professional Engineering Act [225 ILCS 325] or a person who graduated from an accredited college or university and either:
holds a mechanical engineering degree; or
has five years experience in a related field (e.g., civil engineering, metallurgical engineering, industrial engineering, design engineering, maintenance engineering, project engineering or construction, maintenance, repair or operation of high pressure boilers and pressure vessels).
Existing Installation − includes:
Any boiler installed and placed in operation within the State of Illinois before May 1, 1953.
Any hot water supply boiler installed and placed in operation within the State of Illinois on or before July 9, 1957.
Any pressure vessel installed and placed in operation within the State of Illinois on or before December 31, 1976.
External Inspection − an inspection made when a boiler or pressure vessel is in operation, if possible.
Heating Boiler − a steam boiler operated at pressures not exceeding 15 psig, or a hot water heating boiler operated at pressures not exceeding 160 psig and/or temperatures not exceeding 250° F. at or near the boiler outlet.
High Pressure Boiler − a boiler generating steam at a pressure in excess of 15 psig or a water boiler operated in excess of 160 psig and/or temperatures in excess of 250° F.
High-Temperature Water Boiler − a water boiler operating at pressures exceeding 160 psig and/or temperatures exceeding 250° F. at or near the boiler outlet.
Hot Water Supply Boiler − a boiler (including fired storage water heater) furnishing hot water to be used externally to itself at pressures not exceeding 160 psig and/or temperatures not exceeding 250° F. at or near the boiler outlet, except those exempted pursuant to the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act and this Part.
Inspection Certificate − a certification issued by the Chief Inspector for the operation of a boiler or pressure vessel, as required by the Act.
Inspector − the Chief Inspector or Deputy Inspector or Special Inspector or Owner-User Inspector.
Chief Inspector − the Chief Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector employed under the Act.
Deputy Inspector − any inspector employed under the provisions of the Act.
Special Inspector − an inspector holding an Illinois Certificate of Competency and who is regularly employed by an insurance company authorized to write boiler and pressure vessel insurance in this State.
Owner-User Inspector − an inspector described in Section 2120.1360 continuously employed as an inspector by an Owner-User Inspection Agency.
Internal Inspection − as complete an examination as can reasonably be made of the internal and external surfaces of a boiler or pressure vessel while it is shut down and manhole plates, handhole plates or other inspection opening closures are removed as required by the inspector.
Jurisdiction − a state, commonwealth, county or municipality of the United States or a province of Canada that has adopted one or more sections of the ASME Code and maintains a duly constituted Department, Bureau, or Division for the purpose of enforcement of the Code. In Illinois, the Division of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety is the jurisdiction, except for the City of Chicago.
Lined Potable Water Heater − a water heater, with a corrosion resistant lining, used to supply potable hot water.
Low Pressure Boiler − a steam boiler operated at pressures not exceeding 15 psig or a hot water boiler operated at pressures not exceeding 160 psig and/or temperatures not exceeding 250° F.
Miniature Boiler − any boiler that does not exceed any of the following limits:
16 inches inside diameter of shell;
20 square feet heating surface;
5 cubic feet gross volume, exclusive of casing and insulation;
100 psig maximum allowable working pressure.
National Board Inspection Code or NBIC − the Manual for Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors published by the National Board. The NBIC is developed under the ANSI consensus process. Copies of the NBIC may be obtained from the National Board.
National Board − the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, 1055 Crupper Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229, whose membership is composed of the Chief Inspectors of jurisdictions who are charged with the enforcement of the boiler and pressure vessel laws within their respective jurisdictions.
National Board Commission − the commission issued by the National Board to a holder of a Certificate of Competency who desires to make shop inspections or field inspections in accordance with the National Board bylaws and whose employer submits the inspector's application to the National Board for the commission.
Nationally Recognized Testing Agency − an organization concerned with product evaluation that provides uniform testing, examination, listing and labeling under established, nationally recognized standards.
New Boiler Installations − all boilers constructed, installed and placed in operation within the State of Illinois after May 1, 1953, and all hot water supply boilers installed and placed in operation after July 9, 1957.
New Pressure Vessel Installations − pressure vessels installed and placed in operation within the State of Illinois after December 31, 1976.
Non-Standard Boiler or Pressure Vessel − a boiler or pressure vessel that does not bear the ASME Code Symbol Stamp.
Operator − any individual who has charge of a boiler or pressure vessel as defined by the Act, and whose duties include operation and maintenance of those devices.
OSFM − the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Owner or User − any person, firm or corporation legally responsible for the safe operation of any boiler or pressure vessel within the State.
Owner-User − an owner and user qualified under Section 15 of the Act.
Place of Public Assembly − a building or specific area, including outdoor areas, in which persons assemble for civic, educational, religious, social or recreational purposes or that is provided by a common carrier for passengers awaiting transportation or in which persons are housed to receive medical, charitable or other care or treatment, or are held or detained for public, civic or correctional purposes.
Portable Boiler − an internally fired boiler primarily intended for temporary location and the construction and usage of which permits it to be readily moved from one location to another.
Power Boiler − a boiler in which steam or other vapor is generated at a pressure of more than 15 psig and includes a high-pressure, high-temperature water boiler.
Pressure Vessel − a vessel in which pressure is obtained from an external source, or by the application of heat from an indirect source or from a direct source other than those boilers defined in this Section.
PSIG − pounds per square inch gauge.
Reinstalled Boiler or Pressure Vessel − a boiler or pressure vessel removed from its original setting and reinstalled at the same location within the State of Illinois or at a new location without change of ownership.
Relief Valve − an automatic pressure relieving device actuated by the static pressure upstream of the valve that opens further with the increase in pressure over the opening pressure. It is used primarily for liquid service.
Repair − work necessary to return a boiler or pressure vessel to a safe operating condition.
Re-rating − a change in the maximum allowable working pressure or temperature of a boiler or pressure vessel, regardless of whether physical work is performed on the boiler or pressure vessel. Re-rating shall be considered an alteration.
Safety Relief Valve − an automatic pressure actuated relieving device suitable for use as a safety or relief valve, depending on application.
Safety Valve − an automatic pressure relieving device actuated by the static pressure upstream of the valve and characterized by full opening pop action. It is used for gas or vapor service.
Secondhand Boiler or Pressure Vessel − a boiler or pressure vessel that has changed both location and ownership since primary use.
Standard Boiler or Pressure Vessel − a boiler or pressure vessel that bears the ASME Code Symbol Stamp.
State Special − a boiler or pressure vessel of special construction that may not be constructed in accordance with the ASME Code. See Section 2120.1100 of this Part for the procedures for granting a State Special.
Welding or Arc Welding − a group of welding processes in which coalescence is produced by heating with an arc or arcs, with or without the application of pressure, and with or without the use of filler metal.
(Source: Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 9028, effective July 1, 2011)
