DHS: Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Boilers and Pressure Vessels

317-232-1921 bpv@dhs.in.gov

News

Routine Repairs No Longer Permitted or Accepted

Pursuant to 675 IAC 30-1-1(a)(3), Indiana has adopted the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 (2019 Edition). Part 3, Section 3.3.2 of the NBIC addresses "routine repairs" and vests discretion in the jurisdictional authority to accept these types of repairs.

During the final quarter of 2023, IDHS announced its intention to no longer accept routine repairs on pressure-retaining items as of Jan. 1, 2024. During this time — and prior to any implementation of this new regulatory position — IDHS accepted feedback from the regulated community.

After reviewing the submitted feedback and engaging in internal deliberative discussions, IDHS has made the decision to no longer accept routine repairs. Therefore, as of Jan. 1, 2024, routine repairs are no longer permitted or accepted in this jurisdiction.

Non-rule policy: Routine repairs on pressure-retaining items

Error in Public Safety Portal

After submitting an application and payment using the Public Safety Portal, please be advised that your transaction will be successfully processed, despite some areas of the receipt being empty. Please do not make duplicate payments, as there is no need to start over and resubmit. A member of the IDHS staff will contact you directly if your application has other issues that need to be addressed.

Boilers and Pressure Vessels Inspectors (select for contacts)

About the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Section

The Boilers and Pressure Vessels Section of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (the “Department”) is charged with carrying out a program to enforce the equipment laws (as defined in IC 22-12-1-11) regulating boilers and pressure vessels in Indiana. Generally speaking, these laws require: (1) an operating permit to be obtained from the Department prior to operating a regulated boiler or pressure vessel; (2) all operating permit inspections to be performed by a boiler or pressure vessel inspector licensed by the Department; and (3) the Department to perform operating permit inspections on all regulated boiler or pressure vessels owned by the state.

To enforce these requirements, the Department may inspect any boiler or pressure vessel and sanction operating permits, inspector licenses, and any individual who violates these equipment laws. Please be advised, the Department does not regulate all boilers and pressure vessels. For a list of the boilers or pressure vessels not regulated by Indiana law, see 675 IAC 30-1-2(f). For a list of boilers or pressure vessels exempt from the operating permit requirement, but that still must comply with all other equipment rules, see 675 IAC 30-1-5(b).

Access the Public Safety Portal

Use the Public Safety Portal for permits, licenses and inspections for boilers and pressure vessels.

Public Safety Portal

Procedures, Laws and Resources

Operating Permits, State Registration and Inspections
Unless exempt by 675 IAC 30-1-2(f) or 675 IAC 30-1-5(b), no boiler or pressure vessel may be operated until an operating permit is issued by the Department covering its operation. Generally speaking, operating permits expire one year after the date of issuance. However, in certain instances operating permits may expire at a later date. See SECTION 5(c) of LSA Document #19-334(E) which specifies the expiration date and inspection schedule for specific types of boilers and pressure vessels.
To qualify for an operating permit (initial or renewal) an applicant must do the following:
1. apply with the Department for an initial or renewal operating permit;
2. demonstrate through an inspection performed by an Indiana licensed boiler and pressure vessel inspector that the boiler and pressure vessel complies with all applicable rules;
3. submit a report of the inspection to the Department; and
4. pay the appropriate fees as provided for in 675 IAC 12-3-13.
If you would like to apply for a boiler or pressure vessel operating permit (initial or renewal), please submit your report of inspection to bpv@dhs.in.gov. Upon receipt, staff will input the results of the inspection into our database and create an invoice for the appropriate fee. Once the fee is paid, your operating permit will be issued. Please note, a construction design release may be required from the Department’s plan review section prior to installation of your boiler or pressure vessel.
To request inspection of your boiler or pressure vessel from a licensed inspector employed by the state, please complete and submit to bpv@dhs.in.gov the request for first inspection form for an initial operating permit or a request for re-inspection form for a renewal operating permit. Please be advised, state inspectors are only required to inspect state owned boilers or pressure vessels, however, when time permits they may provide inspection services for non-state owned boilers and pressure vessels.
Additionally, under certain circumstances, the Department may grant extensions for operating permits and inspections schedules. See SECTION 5(d) of LSA Document #19-334(E) which provides when the Department may grant an extension. If you would like to request an extension, please submit your request to bpv@dhs.in.gov.
In addition to obtaining an operating permit, all regulated boilers and pressure vessels must be assigned a state registration number. These numbers are assigned by the inspector during the first operating permit inspection. If you are an inspector and are in need of state registration numbers, please submit your request to bpv@dhs.in.gov.
Lastly, if you are an inspector, please be aware, you are required to notify the Department:
1. immediately, if you find a boiler or pressure vessel:
  1. has a hazardous condition;
  2. is unsafe for further operation;
  3. has had insurance coverage rejected or suspended because of an unsafe condition; or
  4. has failed an inspection and is determined irreparable.
2. within thirty (30) days, of all boiler or pressure vessel policies that are written, cancelled, or not renewed.
Notices shall be submitted to bpv@dhs.in.gov.
Inspector Licenses
Pursuant to IC 22-15-6-2(d), regulated boilers and pressure vessels must be inspected by an Indiana licensed boiler and pressure vessel inspector to obtain an initial or renewal operating permit. Inspector licenses expire one year after issuance.
To qualify for an inspector’s license you must do the following:
1. Submit an application.
2. Do one of the following:
  1. hold a current NBBI commission or equivalent certification;
  2. hold a boiler and pressure vessel inspector’s license issued by another state that requires qualifications that are substantially equal to the qualifications required in Indiana; or
  3. pass the examination administered by the Department.
3. Meet one (1) of the following minimum requirements for education and experience:
  1. Hold a bachelor's degree in engineering plus one (1) year experience in design, construction, operation, or inspection of power boilers and pressure vessels.
  2. Hold an associates degree in mechanical technology plus two (2) years experience in design, construction, operation, or inspection of high pressure boilers and pressure vessels.
  3. Have graduated from high school, or the equivalent, plus three (3) years experience in one (1) of the following:
    1. High pressure boiler and pressure vessel construction or repair.
    2. Overseeing operation of high pressure boiler and pressure vessels.
    3. Inspection of high pressure boilers and pressure vessels. (4) pay the $25 fee.
The fee for the Indiana inspector license test is $100, if you would like to sit for the test please notify the Department at bpv@dhs.in.gov.
To apply for an Indiana inspector’s license, please provide the required information to bpv@dhs.in.gov.
To renew your inspector’s license, you must:
1. File an application with the Department.
2. Complete a program of continuing education:
  1. in accordance with the requirements of the National Board to maintain a NBBI commission; or
  2. that is equivalent to the National Board requirements and approved by the Department.
3. Pay the $25 fee.
To renew your inspector’s license, submit the required information to bpv@dhs.in.gov.
Please be advised, inspectors are required to immediately notify the Department if they no longer hold a NBBI Commission or an inspector license issued by another state, if the Commission or license was required to qualify for an Indiana inspector license. Additionally, inspectors must immediately notify the Department of any disciplinary action taken against a NBBI Commission or an inspector license issued by another state. All notices shall be sent to bpv@dhs.in.gov.
Laws
The rules regulating boilers and pressure vessels are promulgated by the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission. These rules are found in 675 IAC 30 and supplement the statutory framework found in IC Chapter 22-15-6. In addition to these laws, the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission has authority to adopt emergency rules which supplement the rules found in 675 IAC 30. For a copy of these laws, please see the links below:
New boilers and pressure vessels rules went into effect July 1, 2021, as a result of the work of the Indiana Boilers and Pressure Vessels Rules Rewrite Committee. Owners and inspectors should review the rules below:
- 675 IAC 12: General Administrative Rules
- 675 IAC 30: Indiana Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules
Note: Always find the most current set of rules at the Indiana Administrative Code website.
If you have any comments or concerns regarding the Commission’s rules or believe any Commission rule is: (1) unclear; (2) ambiguous; (3) in conflict with another rule of the Commission, another state agency, or a local ordinance; or (4) in need of updating or amending, please complete the form located at the Code Comments and Proposals page.
Additionally, if you would like to request a variance from any rule in 675 IAC 30, please complete an application and review the information on the Variances page.
Data and Records
- Boilers Data (Excel)
Contact bpv@dhs.in.gov if you have questions or would like to request additional data be included in the above data file.
Submit a public records request to obtain boilers and pressure vessels database information. Please be specific in your request, such as entering a date range and the type of permit or report information you are looking for.
Other
- Winter Operation of Steam and Hot Water Heating Boilers
- Permitted Stress Values for Boiler and Pressure Vessel Calculations
Procedures

Closing Violations in the Public Safety Portal
Making physical corrections to a device itself does not close a violation. Device owners must also notify the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Section of the fix before the comply-by date. After 30 days, violations become eligible to be sanctioned and fines will be enforced. Learn how to close a violation online
Changes to Invoicing and Payments
Operating permit invoices will no longer be sent by mail. Stakeholders will receive invoices via email after they register their device(s) in the Public Safety Portal. Also, all payments will be made online, including renewals of all licenses and operating permits. Credit card payments and electronic check (e-check) payments will be accepted, but not checks by mail.
Permit Expiration Date Guidance
Please keep in mind that permit expiration dates for pressure vessels should never change, except for the year. In the past, the expiration date and inspection date coincided, but that is not how Indiana law is written. It states that the operating permit is good for a certain time, which is one, two or three years depending on the vessel. IDHS can do early inspections, but the expiration date stays the same, just with changing the year to the appropriate year. There may be some exceptions (such as the six-month extension), but the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Section will deal with those on a case-by-case basis.