[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR230.40]



[Page 442]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 230_STEAM LOCOMOTIVE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS--Table 

 

                   Subpart B_Boilers and Appurtenances

 

Sec.  230.40  Time and method of staybolt testing.



    (a) Time of hammer testing--(1) General. All staybolts shall be 

hammer tested at every 31 service day inspection, except as provided in 

paragraph (a)(2) of this section. All staybolts also shall be hammer 

tested under hydrostatic pressure any time hydrostatic pressure above 

the MAWP specified on the boiler specification form (FRA Form No. 4), is 

applied to the boiler. (See appendix B of this part.)

    (2) Exception for inaccessible staybolts. The removal of brickwork 

or grate bearers for the purpose of hammer testing staybolts during each 

31 service day inspection will not be required if the staybolts behind 

these structural impediments have a telltale hole 3/16 inch to 7/32 inch 

in diameter their entire length. Whenever the brickwork or grate bearers 

are removed for any other reason, however, the bolts shall be inspected 

at that time.

    (b) Method of hammer testing. If staybolts are tested while the 

boiler contains water, the hydrostatic pressure must be not less than 95 

percent of the MAWP. The steam locomotive owner and/or operator shall 

tap each bolt with a hammer and determine broken bolts from the sound or 

the vibration of the sheet. Whenever staybolts are tested while the 

boiler is not under pressure, such as during the 31 service day 

inspection, the staybolt test must be made with all the water drained 

from the boiler.