Youngstown Daily Legal News

Bill seeks to modernize boiler operation rules

TIFFANY L. PARKS
Special to the Legal News
Published: March 1, 2013

Rep. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson, has introduced a bill into the Ohio General Assembly that would eliminate the licensed operator requirement for gaseous fuel and fuel oil-fired boilers that comply with certain safety and engineering standards.

“Currently this section of Ohio law, established in 1911 prior to the sinking of the Titanic, requires that both low and high pressure boilers operating at more than 30 horsepower must be constantly attended by a licensed steam engineer, high pressure boiler operator or low pressure boiler operator or an attendant working under their direct supervision,” Roegner testified last week before the House Commerce, Labor and Technology committee.

“Each level of licensure requires extensive apprenticeships and schooling followed by testing.”

After researching the issue, Roegner said it was discovered that Ohio is one of only eight states with a statewide licensing requirement and possibly the only one that sets the threshold at 30 horsepower.

“So as businesses have attempted to comply with Ohio law but avoid the onerous operator licensing requirements, the “Ohio Special” has become a very popular steam boiler in Ohio,” she said, adding that the product was designed to be just under the 30-horsepower threshold.

“Certainly, an unintended consequence of the 1911 law leaves Ohio businesses in the unfortunate position of having to choose between installing a large boiler which meets their needs, but has expensive labor requirements, or installing several smaller, less efficient and less environmentally-friendly boilers but ones that do not require full time steam engineers or licensed operators.”

House Bill 12 would exempt a boiler that satisfies certain safety and engineering standards from the requirement that it be operated by a licensee or under the direct supervision of a licensee.

“Since 1911 there have been significant advances in technology and safety standards, which suggest as policy makers we should take a look at this more than a century-old section of code, and make the appropriate changes to help Ohio businesses while still ensuring the safety of Ohioans,” Roegner said.

The proposed legislation would also exempt boilers from the requirement of continuous, manned attendance during all times of operation.

Roegner said HB 12 was drafted to lift unnecessary burdens from state businesses.

“... what this all boils down to, no pun intended, is the following question: If the American Society of Mechanical Engineers or the National Fire Protection Agency, recognized experts in the industry, have determined that a boiler is safe to operate automatically, why would Ohio put our companies at a competitive disadvantage by placing unnecessary and expensive requirements upon them?” Roegner said.

HB 12 has yet to be scheduled for additional hearings.

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