# Title 33.1 — Department of Environmental Quality

## Article 33.1-14 — North Dakota Boiler Rules

## Chapter 33.1-14-11 — Hobby Boiler Operator Licensing

### § 33.1-14-11-01. Definitions.

1. "Director" means the director of the department of environmental quality.
2. "Hobby boiler" means a hand-fired steam boiler that operates above fifteen pounds per square
inch [103.42 kilopascals] gauge pressure operated during a parade, an exhibition, or a
threshing show where the public is invited and not otherwise exempt from North Dakota
Century Code section 23.1-16-06.
History: Effective July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 23.1-16-01
Law Implemented: NDCC 23.1-16-01
### § 33.1-14-11-02. License required.

1. Except as provided in subsection 3, no individual may operate a hobby boiler in this state
unless licensed under this chapter.
2. The director may not issue a hobby boiler license to an individual unless the individual:
a. Files a written application with the director on a form prescribed by the director;
b. Passes an examination developed by the director and pays an examination fee of
twenty-five dollars;
c. Provides evidence of the successful completion of one hundred twenty hours of
apprenticeship training with a licensed hobby boiler operator. Training must include all of
the following:
(1) Basic boiler, steam engine, and piping fundamentals;
(2) Initial firing of the boiler with wood or coal or both and warmup of the steam engine;
(3) Basic operation of the boiler and steam engine to include operation of:
(a) Blower valve;
(b) Main steam valve;
(c) Throttle valve and governor;
(d) Injector and pump operation to include feedline stop and check valves;
(e) Gauge glass, gauge cocks, and water column;

(f) Safety valve and fusible plug basics;
(g) Blowdown valve use; and
(h) Steam engine operation and drain valves.
(4) Normal shutdown procedures;
(5) Emergency shutdown procedures;
(6) Driving and steering to include the use of the reversing lever and stopping
procedures; and
(7) Lining up for belt operation.
d. Is at least sixteen years of age; and
e. Pays a twenty-five dollar license fee.
3. A license is not required under this chapter if the hobby boiler operator is not a resident of this
state and is qualified by reason of possessing a valid license from another state or Canadian
province and this license has been approved by the director.
4. Attendance at one hobby boiler training seminar approved by the director may substitute for
up to forty hours of apprenticeship training.
History: Effective July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 23.1-16-14
Law Implemented: NDCC 23.1-16-14
### § 33.1-14-11-03. Existing operator licenses.

An individual who has operated a hobby boiler within this state as of July 1, 2007, may receive a
license without complying with subdivisions b and c of subsection 2 of section 33.1-14-11-02.
"Operated a hobby boiler" means demonstrated operating experience in boiler operations and
maintenance that include sufficient training, observation, and personal participation to enable the
individual to safely operate a hobby boiler.
History: Effective July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 23.1-16-14
Law Implemented: NDCC 23.1-16-14
### § 33.1-14-11-04. Application.

An individual applying for a hobby boiler operator license must complete an application in the form
provided by the director, pay any required fee, and provide a notarized affidavit signed by a licensed
North Dakota hobby boiler operator attesting to the applicant's completion of one hundred twenty hours
of training regarding the operation of a hobby boiler. The notarized affidavit need not be provided if it
has already been provided by the applicant in connection with a previous application or if the applicant
is applying for an existing operator license under section 33.1-14-11-03.
History: Effective July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 23.1-16-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 23.1-16-09

### § 33.1-14-11-05. Term of the license.

A hobby boiler operator license is valid for six years except that an initial license expires on January
first of the year after the license has been in effect for five years.
History: Effective July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 23.1-16-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 23.1-16-09
### § 33.1-14-11-06. License renewal.

An individual may apply to renew a hobby boiler operator license for six years by submitting to the
director a renewal request along with a twenty-five dollar renewal fee in advance of the license
expiration date.
History: Effective July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 23.1-16-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 23.1-16-09
### § 33.1-14-11-07. Hobby boiler operation.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section and with the exception of the operation of
miniature boilers, two licensed operators or a licensed operator and an apprentice operator
must be in attendance on a hobby boiler during a parade or plowing demonstration or during
belt operation. At least one licensed operator must be in attendance on a hobby boiler at all
other times except when it is considered safe for a hobby boiler operator to leave the hobby
boiler as described in subsection 2.
2. A hobby boiler operator is required to be in attendance on a hobby boiler any time the steam
pressure is above fifteen pounds per square inch [103.42 kilopascals] gauge and rising unless
all of the following conditions are met:
a. The water is above the one-third level in the gauge glass;
b. The fire is extinguished or banked;
c. All draft doors are closed;
d. The main steam outlet valve or dome valve is closed; and
e. The boiler pressure is at least twenty pounds per square inch [137.90 kilopascals] gauge
below the safety valve set pressure and the boiler pressure is decreasing.
History: Effective July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 23.1-16-07
Law Implemented: NDCC 23.1-16-07
### § 33.1-14-11-08. License denial or revocation.

1. The director may deny an application for a hobby boiler operator's license if the applicable
requirements of North Dakota Century Code chapter 23.1-16 and this chapter are not met or if
an applicant is not capable of operating a hobby boiler in a safe manner.
2. The director may revoke a hobby boiler operator's license if the applicable requirements of
North Dakota Century Code chapter 23.1-16 and this chapter are not met, if an operator
operates a hobby boiler carelessly or negligently or otherwise endangers the health and safety
of others.

3. An applicant or license holder may appeal the denial or revocation of a license by filing a
written appeal with the director within ten days of receipt of written notice of such a decision.
Upon receipt of a timely appeal, an administrative hearing may be conducted in the manner
provided in North Dakota Century Code chapter 28-32.
History: Effective July 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 23.1-16-14
Law Implemented: NDCC 23.1-16-14
