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1974/08/10 HR10309 Safety Standards for Boilers and Pressure Vessels
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1974/08/10 HR10309 Safety Standards for Boilers and Pressure Vessels
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "8/10/74 HR10309 Safety Standards for Boilers and Pressure Vessels" of the White House Records Office: Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Exact duplicates within this folder were not digitized. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503 Any AUG 7 1974 Ported 8/11 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Jo archives Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 - Safety standards for 8/12 boilers and pressure vessels Sponsor - Rep. Sullivan (D) Missouri Last Day for Action BERALD FORD VIBRARY August 14, 1974 - Wednesday Purpose To authorize the Coast Guard to adopt, through a regulatory process, boiler and pressure vessel safety standards consis- tent with modern technology. Agency Recommendations Office of Management and Budget Approval Department of Transportation Approval Department of Commerce No objection Department of State No comment Discussion The enrolled bill is identical to a draft bill submitted to Congress by the Department of Transportation. The present law was adopted in 1933. It provides that the maximum working pressure for boilers and pressure vessels be based on a safety factor of four. Since 1933 technological changes in such fields as stress analysis have led to the development of Boiler and Pressure Codes by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) which permit use of a safety fac- tor of three. In its report on H.R. 10309 the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries stated: "Equivalent or higher integrity is obtained by replacing a larger safety or ignorance 2 factor of four with the smaller safety factor of three accompanied by a detailed stress analysis." Discussing current major projects of interest to both the government and industry the House Committee further stated: " a saving in terms of safety and weight efficiency is achieved by using the more modern safety factor combined with a detailed stress analysis The proposed amendment is needed to permit greater flexibility in the safety standards applicable to boilers and pressure vessels. The flexibility provided by this bill will allow the Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in the regulation of marine safety." mefred H Romand GERALD R. LIBRARY FORD Assistant Director for Legislative Reference Enclosures OF INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AUG 2 1974 FORD Honorable Roy L. Ash Director GERALD Office of Management and Budget LIBRARY Washington, D. C. 20503 Dear Mr. Ash: Reference is made to your request for the views of the Department of Transportation concerning H.R. 10309, an enrolled bill "To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (P.L. 73-40), concerning safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes. " This is a legislative proposal of the Department of Transportation. The statute to be amended provides that the maximum working pressure for marine boilers and pressure vessels shall be based on a safety factor of four. This means that boilers and pressure vessels must be built in such a way as to theoretically withstand up to four times their normal operating pressure without failure. The enrolled bill would authorize the Department to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. It would also reword the statute simplifying its language. The present statute was enacted in 1933. Since that time significant strides have been made in stress analysis, in the manufacture and testing of construction materials and in the technology of boiler and pressure vessel fabrication which have reduced the need for so high a safety factor. The inability of the Coast Guard to use modern standards imposes an economic and technical hardship on the American shipbuilding industry without meaningful benefit in terms of increased safety. The enrolled bill will open the way to greater flexibility in the application of safety standards to boilers and pressure vessels. This flexibility will allow the Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in the regulation of marine safety. Accordingly, the Department of Transportation strongly recommends that the President sign the enrolled bill, H.R. 10309. GERALD R. LIBRARY FORD Sincerely, ligh Rodney E. Eyster General Counsel 2 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Washington, D.C. 20230 AUG 5 1974 Honorable Roy L. Ash Director, Office of Management and Budget Washington, D. C. 20503 Attention: Assistant Director for Legislative Reference Dear Mr. Ash: This is in reply to your request for the views of this Department with respect to H.R. 10309, an enrolled enactment "To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), concerning safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes." The Act of June 13, 1933, requires that boilers and pressure vessels for use on ships must be built in such a way as to theoretically with- stand up to four times their normal operating pressure without failure. H.R. 10309 would delete this requirement and would authorize the Commandant of the Coast Guard to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. This Department would have no objection to approval of H. R. 10309 by the President. Enactment of this legislation will not involve the expenditure of any funds by this Department. Sincerely, Karl E. Bakke FORD LIBRARY & GERALD General Counsel H.R. 10309 Ainety-third Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the twenty-first day of January; MMITE THE one thousand nine hundred and seventy-four RECEIVED AUG 1974 An Act To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), concerning safety standards for bollers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 4433 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (46 U.S.C. 411) is amended as follows: (1) By deleting the word "and" before the words "construction of boilers,". (2) By inserting the words ", and operation" before the words "of boilers, unfired". (3) By inserting after the words "unfired pressure vessels" the words "piping, valves, fittings,". (4) By placing the word "other" before the word "appurtenances". (5) By deleting the words "thereof, and steam piping". (6) By deleting the second sentence including the proviso. Carl albert BERRAL FORD LIBRARY Speaker of the House of Representatives. Am Briden Vian President of the United States and APPROVED acting President of the Senate! pro Tempor AUG 1 0 1974 Heald R. Fl August 2, 1974 Dear Mr. Director: The following bills were received at the White House on August 2nd: H.R. 8217 H.R. 10309 H.R. 13264 Please let the President have reports and recomendations as to the approval of these bills as soon as possible. Sincerely, FORD LIBRARY is GERALD Robert D. Linder Chief Executive Clerk The Honorable Roy L. Ash Director Office of Management and Budget Washington, D. C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET j 8-7-74 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503 AUG 7 1974 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 - Safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels Sponsor - Rep. Sullivan (D) Missouri Last Day for Action August 14, 1974 - Wednesday Purpose To authorize the Coast Guard to adopt, through a regulatory process, boiler and pressure vessel safety standards consis- tent with modern technology. Agency Recommendations Office of Management and Budget Approval Department of Transportation FORD LIBRARY is GERALD Approval Department of Commerce No objection Department of State No comment Discussion The enrolled bill is identical to a draft bill submitted to Congress by the Department of Transportation. The present law was adopted in 1933. It provides that the maximum working pressure for boilers and pressure vessels be based on a safety factor of four. Since 1933 technological changes in such fields as stress analysis have led to the development of Boiler and Pressure Codes by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) which permit use of a safety fac- tor of three. In its report on H.R. 10309 the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries stated: "Equivalent or higher integrity is obtained by replacing a larger safety or ignorance 2 factor of four with the smaller safety factor of three accompanied by a detailed stress analysis. " Discussing current major projects of interest to both the government and industry the House Committee further stated: " a saving in terms of safety and weight efficiency is achieved by using the more modern safety factor combined with a detailed stress analysis The proposed amendment is needed to permit greater flexibility in the safety standards applicable to boilers and pressure vessels. The flexibility provided by this bill will allow the Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in the regulation of marine safety." FORD LIBRARY j QERALD nefred H Rommel Assistant Director for Legislative Reference Enclosures THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON ENROLLED BILL SUBJECT: Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 - Safety Standards for Boilers and Pressure Vessels Name Approval Date Michael Duval Yes Fred Buzhardt Yes Bill Timmons Yes Ken Cole FORD SERALD LIURARY Comments: THE WHITE HOUSE ACTION MEMORANDUM WASHINGTON LOG NO.: 496 Date: August 7, 1974 Time: 5:00 p.m. FOR ACTION: Michael Duval cc (for information): Warren K. Hendriks Fred Buzhardt Jerry Jones Bill Timmons FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY DUE: Date: Friday, August 9, 1974 Time: 2:00 p.m. SUBJECT: Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 Safety Standards for Boilers and Pressure Vessels COERALO FORD LIBRARY ACTION REQUESTED: For Necessary Action XX For Your Recommendations Prepare Agenda and Brief Draft Reply For Your Comments Draft Remarks REMARKS: Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED. If you have any questions or if you anticipate a delay in submitting the required material, please K. R. COLE, JR. telephone the Staff Secretary immediately. For the President THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON 8/7/74 TO: WARREN HENDRIKS mike Dural FB " WKH BT JJ FORD i LIBRARY GERALD R John J. Ratchford THE WHITE HOUSE "ACTION MEMORANDUM WASHINGTON LOG NO.: 496 Date: August 7, 1974 Time: 5:00 p.m. FOR ACTION: Michael Duval CC (for information): Warren K. Hendriks Fred Buzhardt Jerry Jones Bill Timmons FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY DUE: Date: Friday, August 9, 1974 Time: 2:00 p.m. SUBJECT: Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 - Safety Standards for Boilers and Pressure Vessels BERALD FORD LIBRARY ACTION REQUESTED: For Necessary Action XX For Your Recommendations Prepare Agenda and Brief Draft Reply For Your Comments Draft Remarks REMARKS: OK Mahe Dearl Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED. If you have any questions or if you anticipate a delay in submitting the required material, please Warren K. Hendriks telephone the Staff Secretary immediately. For the President EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503 AUG 7 1974 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 - Safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels Sponsor - Rep. Sullivan (D) Missouri Last Day for Action FORD August 14, 1974 - Wednesday GERALD LIBRARY Purpose To authorize the Coast Guard to adopt, through a regulatory process, boiler and pressure vessel safety standards consis- tent with modern technology. Agency Recommendations Office of Management and Budget Approval Department of Transportation Approval Department of Commerce No objection Department of State No comment Discussion The enrolled bill is identical to a draft bill submitted to Congress by the Department of Transportation. The present law was adopted in 1933. It provides that the maximum working pressure for boilers and pressure vessels be based on a safety factor of four. Since 1933 technological changes in such fields as stress analysis have led to the development of Boiler and Pressure Codes by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) which permit use of a safety fac- tor of three. In its report on H.R. 10309 the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries stated: "Equivalent or higher integrity is obtained by replacing a larger safety or ignorance 2 factor of four with the smaller safety factor of three accompanied by a detailed stress analysis." Discussing current major projects of interest to both the government and industry the House Committee further stated: " a saving in terms of safety and weight efficiency is achieved by using the more modern safety factor combined with a detailed stress analysis The proposed amendment is needed to permit greater flexibility in the safety standards applicable to boilers and pressure vessels. The flexibility provided by this bill will allow the Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in the regulation of marine safety." milfred H Rommel FORD LIBRARY is GERALD Assistant Director for Legislative Reference Enclosures of DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 ONLIED AMERICA STATES of AUG 2 1974 FORD Honorable Roy L. Ash Director Office of Management and Budget GERALD LIBRARY Washington, D. C. 20503 Dear Mr. Ash: Reference is made to your request for the views of the Department of Transportation concerning H.R. 10309, an enrolled bill "To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (P.L. 73-40), concerning safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes." This is a legislative proposal of the Department of Transportation. The statute to be amended provides that the maximum working pressure for marine boilers and pressure vessels shall be based on a safety factor of four. This means that boilers and pressure vessels must be built in such a way as to theoretically withstand up to four times their normal operating pressure without failure. The enrolled bill would authorize the Department to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. It would also reword the statute simplifying its language. The present statute was enacted in 1933. Since that time significant strides have been made in stress analysis, in the manufacture and testing of construction materials and in the technology of boiler and pressure vessel fabrication which have reduced the need for so high a safety factor. The inability of the Coast Guard to use modern standards imposes an economic and technical hardship on the American shipbuilding industry without meaningful benefit in terms of increased safety. The enrolled bill will open the way to greater flexibility in the application of safety standards to boilers and pressure vessels. This flexibility will allow the Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in the regulation of marine safety. Accordingly, the Department of Transportation strongly recommends that the President sign the enrolled bill, H.R. 10309. Sincerely, ligh FORD LIBRARY & DERALD Rodney E. Eyster General Counsel 2 DIPARTMENT OF COMMERCE GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Washington, D.C. 20230 AUG 5 1974 Honorable Roy L. Ash Director, Office of Management and Budget Washington, D. C. 20503 FORD i LIBRARY GERALD Attention: Assistant Director for Legislative Reference Dear Mr. Ash: This is in reply to your request for the views of this Department with respect to H.R. 10309, an enrolled enactment "To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), concerning safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes. 11 The Act of June 13, 1933, requires that boilers and pressure vessels for use on ships must be built in such a way as to theoretically with- stand up to four times their normal operating pressure without failure. H.R. 10309 would delete this requirement and would authorize the Commandant of the Coast Guard to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. This Department would have no objection to approval of H. R. 10309 by the President. Enactment of this legislation will not involve the expenditure of any funds by this Department. Sincerely, Karl E. Bakke General Counsel THE WHITE HOUSE ACTION MEMORANDUM LOG NO.: 496 WASHINGTON Date: August 7, 1974 Time: 5:00 p.m. FOR ACTION: Michael Duval CC (for information): Warren K. Hendriks Fred Buzhardt Jerry Jones Bill Timmons FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY DUE: Date: Friday, August 9, 1974 Time: 2:00 p.m. SUBJECT: Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 - Safety Standards for Boilers and Pressure Vessels FORD is LIBRARY GERALD ACTION REQUESTED: For Necessary Action XX For Your Recommendations Prepare Agenda and Brief Draft Reply For Your Comments Draft Remarks REMARKS: No objection H.C. Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED. If you have any questions or if you anticipate a delay in submitting the required material, please Warren K. Hendriks telephone the Staff Secretary immediately. For the President EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503 AUG 7 1974 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 - Safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels Sponsor - Rep. Sullivan (D) Missouri FORD Last Day for Action GERALD LIBRARY August 14, 1974 - Wednesday Purpose To authorize the Coast Guard to adopt, through a regulatory process, boiler and pressure vessel safety standards consis- tent with modern technology. Agency Recommendations Office of Management and Budget Approval Department of Transportation Approval Department of Commerce No objection Department of State No comment Discussion The enrolled bill is identical to a draft bill submitted to Congress by the Department of Transportation. The present law was adopted in 1933. It provides that the maximum working pressure for boilers and pressure vessels be based on a safety factor of four. Since 1933 technological changes in such fields as stress analysis have led to the development of Boiler and Pressure Codes by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) which permit use of a safety fac- tor of three. In its report on H.R. 10309 the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries stated: "Equivalent or higher integrity is obtained by replacing a larger safety or ignorance 2 factor of four with the smaller safety factor of three accompanied by a detailed stress analysis." Discussing current major projects of interest to both the government and industry the House Committee further stated: = a saving in terms of safety and weight efficiency is achieved by using the more modern safety factor combined with a detailed stress analysis The proposed amendment is needed to permit greater flexibility in the safety standards applicable to boilers and pressure vessels. The flexibility provided by this bill will allow the Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in the regulation of marine safety." nefred H Romuel GERALD R. LIBRARY FORD Assistant Director for Legislative Reference Enclosures OF OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AUG 2 1974 Honorable Roy L. Ash Director GERALD FORD LIBRARY Office of Management and Budget Washington, D. C. 20503 Dear Mr. Ash: Reference is made to your request for the views of the Department of Transportation concerning H.R. 10309, an enrolled bill "To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (P.L. 73-40), concerning safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes." This is a legislative proposal of the Department of Transportation. The statute to be amended provides that the maximum working pressure for marine boilers and pressure vessels shall be based on a safety factor of four. This means that boilers and pressure vessels must be built in such a way as to theoretically withstand up to four times their normal operating pressure without failure. The enrolled bill would authorize the Department to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. It would also reword the statute simplifying its language. The present statute was enacted in 1933. Since that time significant strides have been made in stress analysis, in the manufacture and testing of construction materials and in the technology of boiler and pressure vessel fabrication which have reduced the need for so high a safety factor. The inability of the Coast Guard to use modern standards imposes an economic and technical hardship on the American shipbuilding industry without meaningful benefit in terms of increased safety. The enrolled bill will open the way to greater flexibility in the application of safety standards to boilers and pressure vessels. This flexibility will allow the Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in the regulation of marine safety. Accordingly, the Department of Transportation strongly recommends that the President sign the enrolled bill, H.R. 10309. Sincerely, FORD LIBRARY & GERALD Rodney E. Eyster General Counsel 2 DIPARTMENT OF COMMERCE GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Washington, D.C. 20230 AUG 5 1974 Honorable Roy L. Ash Director, Office of Management and Budget Washington, D. C. 20503 FORD Attention: Assistant Director for Legislative Reference GERALD LIBRARY Dear Mr. Ash: This is in reply to your request for the views of this Department with respect to H.R. 10309, an enrolled enactment "To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), concerning safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes. 11 The Act of June 13, 1933, requires that boilers and pressure vessels for use on ships must be built in such a way as to theoretically with- stand up to four times their normal operating pressure without failure. H.R. 10309 would delete this requirement and would authorize the Commandant of the Coast Guard to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. This Department would have no objection to approval of H. R. 10309 by the President. Enactment of this legislation will not involve the expenditure of any funds by this Department. Sincerely, Karl E. Bakke General Counsel THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON August 8, 1974 MEMORANDUM FOR: MR. WARREN HENDRIKS FROM: WILLIAM E. TIMMONS SUBJECT: Action Memorandum - Log No. 496 Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 - Safety Standards for Boilers and Pressure Vessels The Office of Legislative Affairs concurs in the attached proposal and has no additional recommendations. Attachment FORD i LIBRARY GERALD THE WHITE HOUSE LOG NO.: 496 ACTION MEMORANDUM WASHINGTON Date: August 7, 1974 Time: 5:00 p.m. FOR ACTION: Michael Duval cc (for information): Warren K. Hendriks Fred Buzhardt Jerry Jones Bill Timmons FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY DUE: Date: Friday, August 9, 1974 Time: 2:00 p.m. SUBJECT: Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 - Safety Standards for Boilers and Pressure Vessels GERALD FORD LIBRARY ACTION REQUESTED: For Necessary Action XX For Your Recommendations Prepare Agenda and Brief Draft Reply For Your Comments Draft Remarks REMARKS: Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED. If you have any questions or if you anticipate a delay in submitting the required material, please Warren K. Hendriks telephone the Staff Secretary immediately. For the President EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503 AUG 7 1974 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 10309 - Safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels Sponsor - Rep. Sullivan (D) Missouri Last Day for Action GERALD FORD LIBRARY August 14, 1974 - Wednesday Purpose To authorize the Coast Guard to adopt, through a regulatory process, boiler and pressure vessel safety standards consis- tent with modern technology. Agency Recommendations Office of Management and Budget Approval Department of Transportation Approval Department of Commerce No objection Department of State No comment Discussion The enrolled bill is identical to a draft bill submitted to Congress by the Department of Transportation. The present law was adopted in 1933. It provides that the maximum working pressure for boilers and pressure vessels be based on a safety factor of four. Since 1933 technological changes in such fields as stress analysis have led to the development of Boiler and Pressure Codes by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) which permit use of a safety fac- tor of three. In its report on H.R. 10309 the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries stated: "Equivalent or higher integrity is obtained by replacing a larger safety or ignorance 2 factor of four with the smaller safety factor of three accompanied by a detailed stress analysis." Discussing current major projects of interest to both the government and industry the House Committee further stated: " a saving in terms of safety and weight efficiency is achieved by using the more modern safety factor combined with a detailed stress analysis The proposed amendment is needed to permit greater flexibility in the safety standards applicable to boilers and pressure vessels. The flexibility provided by this bill will allow the Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in the regulation of marine safety." nefred H Romund FORD LIBRARY is GERALD Assistant Director for Legislative Reference Enclosures Of OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 UNITED AMERICA STATES of AUG 2 1974 Honorable Roy L. Ash Director BERALD FORD LIBRARY Office of Management and Budget Washington, D. C. 20503 Dear Mr. Ash: Reference is made to your request for the views of the Department of Transportation concerning H.R. 10309, an enrolled bill "To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (P.L. 73-40), concerning safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes. " This is a legislative proposal of the Department of Transportation. The statute to be amended provides that the maximum working pressure for marine boilers and pressure vessels shall be based on a safety factor of four. This means that boilers and pressure vessels must be built in such a way as to theoretically withstand up to four times their normal operating pressure without failure. The enrolled bill would authorize the Department to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. It would also reword the statute simplifying its language. The present statute was enacted in 1933. Since that time significant strides have been made in stress analysis, in the manufacture and testing of construction materials and in the technology of boiler and pressure vessel fabrication which have reduced the need for so high a safety factor. The inability of the Coast Guard to use modern standards imposes an economic and technical hardship on the American shipbuilding industry without meaningful benefit in terms of increased safety. The enrolled bill will open the way to greater flexibility in the application of safety standards to boilers and pressure vessels. This flexibility will allow the Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in the regulation of marine safety. Accordingly, the Department of Transportation strongly recommends that the President sign the enrolled bill, H.R. 10309. Sincerely, ligh Rodney E. Eyster General Counsel FORD LIBRARY & GERALD 2 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE * DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Washington, D.C. 20230 AUG 5 1974 Honorable Roy L. Ash Director, Office of Management and Budget Washington, D. C. 20503 FORD i LIBRARY QERALD Attention: Assistant Director for Legislative Reference Dear Mr. Ash: This is in reply to your request for the views of this Department with respect to H.R. 10309, an enrolled enactment "To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), concerning safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes. 11 The Act of June 13, 1933, requires that boilers and pressure vessels for use on ships must be built in such a way as to theoretically with- stand up to four times their normal operating pressure without failure. H.R. 10309 would delete this requirement and would authorize the Commandant of the Coast Guard to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. This Department would have no objection to approval of H. R. 10309 by the President. Enactment of this legislation will not involve the expenditure of any funds by this Department. Sincerely, Karl E. Bakke General Counsel 93D CONGRESS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT 2d Session No. 93-762 COAST GUARD SAFETY STANDARDS FOR BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS JANUARY 22, 1974.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed Mrs. SULLIVAN, from the Committee on Merchant Marine and FORD Fisheries, submitted the following GERALD LIBRARY REPORT [To accompany H.R. 10309] The Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 10309) to amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), concerning safety standards for boilers and pres- sure vessels, and for other purposes, having considered the same, re- port favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION The purpose of the bill is to amend the Act of June 13, 1933, to pro- vide greater flexibility in the safety standards applicable to boilers and pressure vessels which in turn will allow the Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in the regulation of marine safety. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION The statute to be amended provides that the maximum working pressure for marine boilers and pressure vessels shall be based on a safety factor of four. This means that boilers and pressure vessels must be built in such a way as to theoretically withstand up to four times their normal operating pressure without failure. The proposed amendment would empower the Commandant of the Coast Guard to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory proc- ess. It would also reword the statute SO as to simplify its language. The original statute was passed in 1933. Since then significant strides have been made in stress analysis, in the manufacturing and testing of construction materials, and in the technology of boiler and pres- sure vessel fabrication. Boiler and Pressure Codes which represent more modern standards for safety in boiler and pressure vessel design have been developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engi- 99-006 Digitized from Box 1 of the White House Records Office Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library 2 3 neers (ASME). These Codes permit the use of a safety factor of three. ing safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other Equivalent or higher integrity is obtained by replacing a larger safety purposes." or ignorance factor of four with the smaller safety factor of three ac- The statute to be amended provides that the maximum working pres- companied by a detailed stress analysis. Requirements for material sure for marine boilers and pressure vessels shall be based on a safety fabrication and inspection are also more restrictive under the Codes factor of four. This means the boilers and pressure vessels must be built and reflect practices which have been developed and proven in the in such a way as to theoretically withstand up to four times their nor- United States during the past decade in the construction of nuclear mal operating pressure without failure. The proposed amendment reactor vessels. would empower the Commandant of the Coast Guard to set boiler and A number of current projects of interest to both the government pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. It would and industry, including a proposed floating nuclear power plant, vari- also reword the statute simplifying its language. ous liquified natural gas (LNG) cargo containment systems using The present statute was passed in 1933. Since then significant strides pressure vessel type tanks, and the American Society of Mechanical have been made in stress analysis, in the manufacture and testing of Engineers Ad Hoc Committee study on hyperbaric chambers, would construction materials and in the technology of boiler and pressure utilize an ASME Code with the pressure vessel safety factor of three. vessel fabrication. Boiler and Pressure Codes which represent more In each of these projects, a saving in terms of safety and weight modern standards for safety in boiler and pressure vessel design have efficiency is achieved by using the more modern safety factor com- been developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. bined with a detailed stress analysis. The inability of the Coast Guard These Codes permit a safety factor of three. Yet under the Codes an to use the ASME Code or similar standards imposes economic and equivalent or higher integrity than is required under present law can technical hardships on the American shipbuilding industry without be obtained by replacing a larger safety factor or ignorance factor of a meaningful return of benefits in terms of increased safety. four with a smaller safety factor of three and performing a detailed The proposed amendment is needed to permit greater flexibility stress analysis. Requirements for materials fabrication and inspection in the safety standards applicable to boilers and pressure vessels. The are also more restrictive under the Codes. These increased requirements flexibility provided by this bill will allow the Coast Guard to main- reflect practices which have been developed and proven in the U.S. dur- tain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, in ing the past decade in the construction of nuclear reactor vessels. the regulation of marine safety. The Office of Merchant Marine Safety within the Coast Guard is currently considering industry and government proposals concerning COMMITTEE ACTION AND CONCLUSION the Tenneco/Westinghouse offshore floating nuclear power generating plant, the MARAD/General Electric Nuclear ship propulsion study, The Committee held hearings on October 2, 1973. All testimony the ASME Ad Hoc Committee study on hyperbaric chambers, and was favorable. The Committee ordered the legislation favorably re- various liquified natural gas (LNG) cargo containment systems uti- ported without objection. lizing pressure vessel type tanks. These proposed projects would uti- COST OF LEGISLATION lize an ASME Code involving a pressure vessel with a safety factor of three. Pursuant to Clause 7 of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of The inability of the Coast Guard to use the Code standards, or sim- Representatives, the Committee estimates that there will be no addi- ilar standards, would impose an economic and technical hardship on tional cost to the Government as the result of the enactment of this the American shipbuilding industry without meaningful benefits in legislation. terms of increased safety. The proposed amendment would open the DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS way to greater flexibility in the safety standards applicable to boilers and pressure vessels. Such flexibility would allow the Coast Guard to The Department of Transportation transmitted an Executive Com- maintain a more realistic position, consistent with current technology, munication dated June 25, 1973 on the subject legislation. The draft in the regulation of marine safety. bill submitted is now H.R. 10309 and the Executive Communication It would be appreciated if you would lay the proposed bill before the is No. 1083, which follows herewith. There also follows a report from House of Representatives. A similar bill has been transmitted to the the Department of Commerce: President of the Senate. The Office of Management and Budget has advised that there is no [Exec. CoMM. No. 1083] objection from the standpoint of the Administration's program to the submission of this proposed legislation to the Congress. THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, Sincerely, Washington, D.C., June 25, 1973. CLAUDE S. BRINEGAR. Hon. CARL ALBERT, Enclosure. Speaker of the House of Representatives, (The attached draft bill is now H.R. 10309.) W ashington, D.C. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of a pro- posed bill "To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (P.L. 73-40), concern- H.R. 762 H.R. 762 4 GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Washington, D.C., January 17, 1974. Hon. LEONOR K. SULLIVAN, Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MADAM CHAIRMAN: This is in further reply to your request for the views of this Department with respect to H.R. 10309, a bill- To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), concerning safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes. The Act of June 13, 1933, requires that boilers and pressure vessels for use on ships must be built in such a way as to theoretically with- stand up to four times their normal operating pressure without failure. The bill would delete this requirement and would authorize the Com- mandant of the Coast Guard to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. We recommend enactment of the bill. The bill would permit the Coast Guard to utilize current technology in setting standards and would allow periodic upgrading of such standards in keeping with technological advances. We have been advised by the Office of Management and Budget that there would be no objection to the submission of our report to the Congress from the standpoint of the Administration's program. Sincerely, KARL E. BAKKE, General Counsel. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, as amended, changes in existing law made by the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman) : SECTION 4433 OF THE REVISED STATUTES, AS AMENDED (46 U.S.C. 411) SEC. 4433. The board of supervising inspectors is hereby empowered to prescribe formulas, rules, and regulations for the design, material, [and] construction, and operation of boilers, unfired pressure vessels, piping, valves, fittings, and other appurtenances [thereof, and steam piping] for use on vessels subject to the provisions of this Act. [The maximum working pressure shall be determined by formulas pre- scribed by the board of supervising inspectors, and no such boiler, pressure vessel, or appurtenance thereof shall be designed or operated where the factor of safety is less than four: Provided, That the mini- mum thickness and maximum allowable working pressure of valves, fittings, and other appurtenances shall be determined by formulas pre- scribed by the board of supervising inspectors.] H.R. 762 Calendar No. 996 93D CONGRESS } SENATE ~ REPORT No. 93-1034 2d Session AMENDING THE ACT OF JUNE 13, 1933 (PUBLIC LAW 73- 40), CONCERNING SAFETY STANDARDS FOR BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES JULY 29, 1974.-Ordered to be printed Mr. MAGNUSON, from the Committee on Commerce, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H.R. 10309] The Committee on Commerce, to which was referred the bill (H.R. 10309) to amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), con- cerning safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass. PURPOSE The purpose of the bill is to amend the Act of June 13, 1933, to provide greater flexibility in the safety standards applicable to boil- ers and pressure vessels by allowing the Coast Guard through the regulatory process to set more realistic standards, consistent with current technology. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION The original statute to be amended was passed in 1933. It pro- vides that the maximum working pressure for marine boilers and pressure vessels shall be based on a safety factor of four. A "factor of safety" of four requires boilers and pressure vessels to have material thicknesses and design construction to withstand a pressure four times the design operating pressure without failure. Since 1933, significant advances have been made in the manufac- ture and testing of construction materials, in the technology and tech- niques of boiler and pressure vessel fabrication and in the methods 38-010 2 3 of stress analysis. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers DEPARTMENTAL VIEWS (ASME) has developed boiler and pressure vessel codes to reflect these advancements in technology, materials, workmanship and quality GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, control, and they are continually revised by committees of technical Washington, D.C., April 1, 1974. experts. These codes provide for a safety factor of three rather than Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, four. This new safety factor, combined with a detailed stress Chairman, Committee on Commerce, analysis and more comprehensive requirements for construction and U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. control, assure an equivalent or higher standard for safety. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN This is in further reply to your request for If the Coast Guard is not permitted to use the ASME Code or the views of this Department with respect to H.R. 10309, an act "To similar current standards, economic and technical handicaps will be amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), concerning safety imposed on the American shipbuilding industry. Various liquefied standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes." flammable gas pressure type tanks, offshore floating nuclear power The Act of June 13, 1933, requires that boilers and pressure vessels plants, and nuclear ship propulsion system could utilize the revised for use on ships must be built in such a way as to theoretically with- code without a reduction in the level of safety. stand up to four times their normal operating pressure without fail- ure. H.R. 10309 would delete this requirement and would authorize the COMMITTEE ACTION AND CONCLUSION Commandant of the Coast Guard to set boiler and pressure vessel standards through the regulatory process. On March 27, 1974, the Committee gave public notice that it was We recommend enactment of H.R. 10309. This act would permit the considering H.R. 10309 and invited interested parties to submit writ- Coast Guard to utilize current technology in setting standards and ten statements on the bill by April 10, 1974. No comments were re- would allow periodic upgrading of such standards in keeping with ceived. On June 4, 1974, the Committee ordered the legislation favoi- technological advances. ably reported without objection. We have been advised by the Office of Management and Budget that there would be no objection to the submission of our report to the Con- COST ESTIMATES gress from the standpoint of the Administration's program. Pursuant to requirements of Section 252 of the Legislative Reorgani- Sincerely, zation Act of 1970, the Committee estimated that there will be no ad- KARL E. BAKKE, ditional cost to the Government as a result of the enactment of this General Counsel. legislation. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, Washington, D.C., May 2, 1974. The proposed legislation makes changes in existing law as follows Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new Chairman, Committee on Commerce, matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. is shown in roman) : DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Reference is made to your request for the views of the Department of Transportation concerning H.R. 10309, a SECTION 4433 OF THE REVISED STATUTES, AS AMENDED, (46 U.S.C. 411) bill "To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), concern- SEC. 4433. The board of supervising inspectors is hereby empowered ing safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other to prescribe formulas, rules, and regulations for the design, material, purposes." [and] construction, and operation of boilers, unfired pressure vessels, The bill modernizes the existing safety standards for marine boilers piping, valves, fittings, and other appurtenances [thereof, and steam and pressure vessels. The statute, as amended, would authorize the piping] for use on vessels subject to the provisions of this Act. [The Coast Guard to maintain a more realistic position, one consistent with maximum working pressure shall be determined by formulas pre- current technology, in the safety regulation of marine boilers and scribed by the board of supervising inspectors, and no such boiler, pressure vessels. pressure vessel, or appurtenance thereof shall be designed or operated H.R. 10309 is a legislative proposal of the Department of Trans- where the factor of safety is less than four Provided, That the mini- portation. We strongly urge its favorable consideration by the Com- mum thickness and maximum allowable working pressure of valves, mittee on Commerce. fittings, and other appurtenances shall be determined by formulas pre- The Office of Management and Budget advises that, from the stand- scribed by the board of supervising inspectors.] point of the Administration's program, there is no objection to the submission of this report for the consideration of the Committee. Sincerely, RODNEY E. EYSTER, General Counsel. S.R. 1034 O H.R. 10309 Ainety-third Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the twenty-first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and seventy-four LIBRARY An Act FORD To amend the Act of June 13, 1933 (Public Law 73-40), concerning safety GERALD standards for boilers and pressure vessels, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 4433 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (46 U.S.C. 411) is amended as follows: (1) By deleting the word "and" before the words "construction of boilers,". (2) By inserting the words ", and operation" before the words "of boilers, unfired". (3) By inserting after the words "unfired pressure vessels" the words "piping, valves, fittings,". (4) By placing the word "other" before the word "appurtenances". (5) By deleting the words "thereof, and steam piping". (6) By deleting the second sentence including the proviso. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.