[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR61.15-5]

[Page 291]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 61_PERIODIC TESTS AND INSPECTIONS--Table of Contents
 
             Subpart 61.15_Periodic Tests of Piping Systems
 
Sec. 61.15-5  Steam piping.

    (a) Main steam piping shall be subjected to a hydrostatic test equal 
to 1\1/4\ times the maximum allowable working pressure at the same 
periods prescribed for boilers in Sec. 61.05-10. The hydrostatic test 
shall be applied from the boiler drum to the throttle valve. If the 
covering of the piping is not removed, the test pressure shall be 
maintained on the piping for a period of ten minutes. If any evidence of 
moisture or leakage is detected, the covering shall be removed and the 
piping thoroughly examined.
    (b) All steam piping subject to pressure from the main boiler should 
be subjected to a hydrostatic test at a pressure of 1\1/4\ times the 
maximum allowable working pressure of the boiler after every five years 
of service except as otherwise provided for in paragraph (a) of this 
section. Unless the covering of the piping is removed, the test pressure 
must be maintained on the piping for ten minutes. If any evidence of 
moisture or leakage is detected, the covering should be removed and the 
piping thoroughly examined. No piping with a nominal size of 3 inches or 
less need be hydrostatically tested.
    (c) The setting of safety and relief valves installed in piping 
systems shall be checked by the marine inspector at each inspection for 
certification for vessels whose Certificates of Inspection are renewed 
each year. For other vessels, the setting must be checked twice within 
any 5-year period, and no more than 3 years may elapse between any check 
and its immediate predecessor.

[CGFR 68-82, 33 FR 18890, Dec. 18, 1968, as amended by CGD 73-248, 39 FR 
30839, Aug. 26, 1974; CGD 83-043, 60 FR 24782, May 10, 1995; USCG-1999-
4976, 65 FR 6500, Feb. 9, 2000]

[[Page 292]]