Regulations for Commercial Buildings in Pennsylvania Using Boilers

Through Title 35 P.S. §§ 1331.1 et seq. of the Pennsylvania Statutes, the Pennsylvania legislature governs the new installation, repair and replacement of boilers in commercial buildings. This law empowers the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to regulate commercial buildings with boilers, which it does with its adoption and implementation of Part I and Part XIV of Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Code.

Commercial Construction Permit

Whenever the owner of a commercial building located in Pennsylvania alters, converts, enlarges, erects, installs, removes, repairs, or replaces any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system in that commercial building, the owner obtains a commercial construction permit from the Department of Labor and Industry. All work done then complies with the Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

However, when the system being working on consists of a boiler, the owner will not obtain a permit as along as the owner holds a valid certificate of occupancy in accordance with Title 34 Pa. Code § 403.46 (Certificate of occupancy) and ensures that installation, repair or replacement of the boiler conforms to the dictates of both Title 35 P.S. §§ 1331.1 et seq. (Boiler and Unfired Pressure Law) and Title 34 Pa. Code §§ 3a.21 et seq. (Boiler and Unfired Pressure Regulations).

Title 35 P.S. §§ 1331.1 et seq. (Boiler and Unfired Pressure Law) and Title 34 Pa. Code §§ 3a.21 et seq. (Boiler and Unfired Pressure Regulations) require that all boilers in commercial buildings comply with the UCC. And, if the boiler is a power boiler, a low-pressure boiler, or an unfired pressure vessel, such boiler will also be stamped certifying compliance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code of construction.

Additionally, Section 6 (Registration of boilers and unfired pressure vessels) of Title 35 P.S. §§ 1331.1 et seq. (Boiler and Unfired Pressure Law) directs all owners of commercial buildings to register all boilers located within their commercial buildings with the Department of Labor and Industry, which will annually inspect the boilers to ensure that they comply with ASME standards.