Boilers and Pressure Vessels

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.

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.

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:

• IC 22-15-6
• 675 IAC 30
• LSA Document # 19-334(E)
• LSA Document # 17-399(E)

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.

• 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.