SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 47

(By Senator Yost)

[Originating in the Committee on Labor]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the Boiler Safety Act to determine if regulating low-pressure and hot water heating boilers is in the best interest of the safety of the citizens of West Virginia.

    Whereas, West Virginia is in the only state in the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessels Inspectors’ jurisdiction in North America not requiring inspection of low-pressure boilers; and

    Whereas, Low pressure heating boilers represent approximately 80 percent of the boilers in West Virginia with no oversight of installation, maintenance and inspection; and

    Whereas, Low pressure boilers are found in almost every building in West Virginia including restaurants, retail stores, hotels, hospitals, day care centers and nursing homes with the most vulnerable being children in our public and private schools; and

    Whereas, A low-pressure boiler becomes a high pressure boiler immediately before exploding and can literally destroy walls and shred everything within a 200-foot radius; and

    Whereas, Inspection of low-pressure boilers will benefit boiler owners by reducing fuel consumption thereby decreasing operating costs and lower pollution emissions; and

    Whereas, West Virginia’s failure to register and inspect low-pressure boilers may be permitting West Virginia to become a dangerous dumping ground for equipment that is not code compliant; and

    Whereas, The cost of inspection is included in the insurance premium cost of many boilers and State inspections cost $250 or less, the State of West Virginia could provide residents an added level of safety and security at no cost to the state; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to study the Boiler Safety Act to determine if regulating low-pressure and hot water heating boilers is in the best interest of the safety of the citizens of West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the current implementation of the West Virginia Boiler Safety law for the purpose of determining if changes should be made to the law to include registration and inspection of low-pressure and hot water heating boilers; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature in 2012 on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.