1997 Minnesota Statutes

     183.411 Steam farm traction engines; show boilers and 
  engines. 

    Subdivision 1.    Definition.  For the purpose of this 
 chapter, the terms "show boiler" and "hobby boiler" are 
 synonymous and mean a boiler that is used only for display and 
 demonstration purposes.  In recognition of the historical 
 significance of show boilers in maintaining a working reminder 
 of Minnesota's agricultural, transportation, and lumber 
 industries, show boilers and engines are considered to be 
 historical artifacts. 

    Subd. 1a. Repealed, 1994 c 402 s 2 

    Subd. 2.    Inspection.  When used for display and 
 demonstration purposes, steam farm traction engines, portable 
 and stationary show engines and portable and stationary show 
 boilers shall be inspected every two years according to law. 

    (a) Show boilers or engines not certified in Minnesota 
 shall be inspected thoroughly by a boiler inspector certified to 
 inspect boilers in Minnesota, using inspection standards in 
 paragraph (b), before being certified for use in Minnesota. 

    (b) Standards for inspection of show boilers shall be those 
 established by the National Board Inspection Code ANSI/NB23 and 
 by the rules adopted by the department of labor and industry, 
 division of boiler inspection, and as follows: 

    (1) the boiler shall be subjected to the appropriate method 
 of nondestructive examination, at the owner's expense, as deemed 
 necessary by the boiler inspector to determine soundness and 
 safety of the boiler; 

    (2) the boiler shall be tested by ultrasonic examination 
 for metal thickness (for purposes of calculating the maximum 
 allowable working pressure the thinnest reading shall be used 
 and a safety factor of six shall be used in calculating maximum 
 allowable working pressure on all non-ASME-code hobby and show 
 boilers); and 

    (3) repairs and alterations made to show boilers must be 
 made pursuant to section 183.466.  

    (c) Further each such object shall successfully complete an 
 inspection of:  

    (1) the fusible plug; 

    (2) the safety valve, which must be of American Society of 
 Mechanical Engineer's approved design and set at the maximum 
 allowable working pressure and sealed in an appropriate manner 
 not allowing tampering with the valve setting without destroying 
 the seal; and 

    (3) the boiler power piping.  

    Any longitudinal cracks found in riveted longitudinal seams 
 requires that the vessel be sealed and not approved for use in 
 Minnesota.  If the boiler or show engine is jacketed, the jacket 
 must be removed prior to inspection. 

    Subd. 2a.    Inspection fees.  The commissioner may set 
 fees for inspecting traction engines, show boilers, and show 
 engines pursuant to section 16A.1285. 

    Subd. 3.    Licenses.  A license to operate steam farm 
 traction engines, portable and stationary show engines and 
 portable and stationary show boilers shall be issued to an 
 applicant who: 

    (a) is 18 years of age or older; 

    (b) has a licensed second class or higher class engineer or 
 steam traction (hobby) engineer sign the affidavit attesting to 
 the applicant's competence in operating said devices; 

    (c) passes a written test for competence in operating said 
 devices; 

    (d) has at least 25 hours of actual operating experience on 
 said devices; and 

    (e) pays the required fee. 

    A license shall be valid for the lifetime of the licensee.  
 A one time fee set by the commissioner pursuant to section 
 16A.1285, shall be charged for the license. 

    Subd. 4.    Exemption.  Any licensed steam engineer may 
 operate steam farm traction engines, portable and stationary 
 show engines and portable and stationary show boilers, subject 
 to the apparatus and horsepower restrictions set forth in the 
 license, without obtaining a license under subdivision 3. 

    Subd. 5.    Licensed operator; presence required.  An 
 operator licensed under this section must be present when a 
 traction engine, portable or stationary show engine, or portable 
 or stationary show boiler is in operation and a member of the 
 public is present. 

    HIST: 1980 c 601 s 1; 1981 c 38 s 1; 1983 c 301 s 156; 1986 c 
 444; 1987 c 70 s 2,3; 1988 c 719 art 19 s 2-4; 1991 c 331 s 1; 
 1994 c 402 s 1; 1996 c 305 art 3 s 25,26; 1997 c 38 s 1-3