As we are coming out of lockdown, several members are getting back to running their locomotives. Please remember to check your boiler paperwork to ensure it is still in date.
If you need a boiler test please contact one of the boiler examiners beforehand to agree a date and time. Do not turn up expecting them to drop what they are doing to test your boiler. If you do not have the contact details please contact the secretary (lindanic@sky.com or 07761960788) and she will book it for you.
There are 4 different types of examination, these are relevant to all boilers (16mm to 7 ¼”).
A shell test – This is a one-off test carried out on all new boilers to twice working pressure. If you have purchased a professionally built boiler it should come with a certificate, this will need to be presented to the boiler examiner and there will be no need for them to do another shell test unless you have modified the boiler.
If you built the boiler yourself the boiler must not have any fittings in place and all bushes plugged. One bush is used to connect the test gear which requires ¼ BSP or 3/8”x 26tpi male threads. While the examiners have some adapters, you should check with them before the test.
A Written Scheme of Examination – This is completed for new boilers or boilers of purchased engines new to the Society. A copy of the Written Scheme is sent to the Southern Federation of Model Engineers as part of the club’s insurance scheme.
A Hydraulic Test – Required every 4 years, (for steel boilers every 2 years after the test at 4 years) the boiler is filled with water and pressurised to
1 ½ times working pressure with all fittings in place except the safety valve/s. One bush is used to connect the test gear which requires ¼ BSP or 3/8”x 26tpi male threads. While the examiners have some adapters, you should check with them before the test.
The pressure gauge can be left in place providing the scale is sufficient to take the test pressure. Otherwise the pressure gauge has to be removed to be hydraulically calibrated and the siphon blanked off.
A Steam Test – A steam test certificate is valid for up to 14 months at the examiner’s discretion, (the examiner will complete the retest date on the certificate depending on a number of circumstances. (e.g. the hydraulic test runs out before the steam test).
The pressure gauge must be removed and presented for separate hydraulic testing/calibrating before the steam test.
There must be at least 2 means of adding water to the boiler successfully demonstrated as part of the test.
The safety valve/s must open at the working pressure and must prevent the boiler pressure exceeding the working pressure plus 10% with the blower fully open and a full fire burning.
These are guidelines, please feel free to ask the boiler examiner for more information.
If you are planning to build a new boiler please talk to a boiler examiner before starting to ensure that it will meet current standards.
LPG Tanks A reminder that gas tanks need a safety check at not greater than four yearly intervals.
The boiler inspectors are:
Ian Spencer Stu Davidson Brian Nicholls Eddie Gibbons Gordon Bullard