Boiler Design – issue 4765

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

It has worked for many years and I would not be too worried about sitting astride a copper or steel boiler that a UK inspector has passed. I said they tend to be people with experience in making and running model boilers and that comes before they become an inspector. Many will also have been or still are involved in engineering as their day job. So will likely have experience before they even become a “new” inspector.

As I said the UK code does not have much in the way of technical guidance, it says suitable material but as far as I am aware does not state what is suitable. Again knowing what is generally accepted comes with experience or asking if you don’t have that experience hence my comment that the boiler inspector should be consulted early on and they will guide you through what they require. Can’t say where I picked it up from but must have taken it in some time in the last 43years which is how long ago I made my first steam engine and boiler

[lezsmithParticipant @lezsmith]

Hi Jason,
Thank you for the update, I agree the best source of knowledge at this time are the dedicated model boiler inspectors.

However, I do worry without appropriate documented codes or authoritative design documents, I’m not talking about legislation, as the Federation of model engineering societies state, “At the present time there are no nationally agreed boiler design formula for the hobby of Model Engineering.”

Changing clubs or moving to a different part of the country where different boiler inspectors work, could lead to problems. We need a nationally agreed standard that all designs must comply with.

Yes, we do have legislation in the UK, but it is so convoluted and lacking in detail it is practically worthless, I’m referring to the “PSSR 2000” Joining the EU and then leaving the EU did not help, however the PSSR is recognized as the current legislation in force by the UK.

It is commendable that the Federation of Model Engineering Societies (https://fmes.org.uk) took the initiative to define Boiler test codes and Design codes to try to fill the lack of information to help the model engineering enthusiasts. Also interesting there has been discussion about using the AMBSC codes in the UK.

During my research I have uncovered some interesting facts about the ‘6-10’ safety factor in the UTS method, that shines a light on why it is included in the UTS formula. However, this post is getting a bit long so I will post the details in a separate post.

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