The Boiler Inspection Program enforces standards governing the installation, operation and closure of boilers and some pressure vessels. Inspections are performed by state inspectors and by special (insurance company) inspectors commissioned by the state program.
This program coordinates the efforts of state and insurance company special inspectors to verify compliance with the established safety requirements. The program was implemented to ensure safety because boilers can explode, causing property damage, injuries and deaths. Boilers and pressure vessels are located in most public buildings such as schools, churches, hotels, restaurants, health clubs, nursing homes, jails, prisons and office buildings.
There are approximately 40,000 boilers or pressure vessels in Colorado. Of that number, the Boiler Inspection Program inspects roughly half of them; the other half are inspected by insurance companies. In general, there are two categories of boilers: low-pressure boilers and high-pressure boilers.
Low-pressure boilers are steam boilers with no more than 15 psi and/or less than 250°F and hydronic (water) boilers with no more than 160 psi and or less than 250°F. Low-pressure boilers are commonly found in offices, schools and apartment buildings providing hot water supply and/or heat. Hot water heaters are also treated as low-pressure boilers for inspection purposes if any one of the following are exceeded:
High-pressure boilers are steam boilers with more than 15 psi and/or more than 250°F and hydronic (water) boilers with more than 160 psi and/or more than 250°F. High-pressure boilers are normally used for utilities, processing plants, drill rig sites, commercial laundries, dry cleaners and hospitals.
