What is a "boiler" or "pressure vessel" by law in Delaware?
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water is heated, steam is generated, steam is superheated, or any combination thereof, under pressure or vacuum for use externally, by the direct application of heat. The heat can be from the combustion of fuels, or from electricity or nuclear energy. The term "boiler" includes fired units for heating or vaporizing liquids other than water, where these units are separate from processing systems, and are complete within themselves. Boilers can be used for numerous applications such as heating a building, processing steam or making hot water, or for the supply and storage of hot or cold potable water. A water heater is considered a boiler.
A pressure vessel is a container for the containment of pressure, either internal or external. The pressure may be obtained from an external source or by the application of heat from a direct or indirect source, or any combination thereof. Pressure vessels can be found almost everywhere including automobile dealers, repair garages, machine shops, schools and colleges and chemical plants and refineries. Several types of pressure vessels are: carbon dioxide storage cylinders; oxygen, nitrogen, anhydrous ammonia tanks and receivers; Freon receivers; and air receivers.
For more information, please call the Boiler Safety Program at 302-395-2500.