TITLE: Pool and Spa Heaters Exempt from Regulation as a Boiler or Pressure Vessel

DOCUMENT #: 2021-1-DHS

DATE ADOPTED: August 11, 2021

ADOPTED BY: Indiana Department of Homeland Security – Boiler and Pressure Vessel Section

This document identifies the extent to which pool and spa heaters are regulated under the Indiana Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules contained in 675 IAC 30 (BPV Rules).

Prior to LSA Document #20-627 going into effect on July 1, 2021, pool and spa heaters, generally, were not regulated under the BPV Rules. These items were not regulated because they were not considered "closed vessels", and therefore did not meet the definition of a boiler or an unfired pressure vessel. However, although these items, generally, were not regulated, confusion existed in the industry regarding whether these items fell outside the scope of the BPV Rules. To address this confusion, the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Commission), among other things, expressly excluded "pool/spa heaters" from regulation under the BPV rules in LSA Document #20-627. See 675 IAC 30-1-2(f)(23). In creating this express exemption, the Commission defined the term "pool/spa heater" in 675 IAC 30-4-38.1 and included it within the definition of "boiler" in 675 IAC 30-4-5.

However, the express exemption of vessels meeting the definition of "pool/spa heater" did not address pool or spa heaters that did not meet the definition contained in 675 IAC 30-4-38.1 and additional questions have arisen regarding whether these items are regulated under the BPV Rules. To address these questions, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security adopts the below policy.

A pool or spa heater that does not meet the definition of "pool/spa heater" contained in 675 IAC 30-4-38.1 because it exceeds the limits of item (2) or (3) of that definition (the Btu per hour heat input and outlet water temperature restrictions) is not regulated under the BPV Rules so long as the item: (1) is not considered a "closed vessel"; and (2) does not meet the definition of any other terms identified in 675 IAC 30-4-5(b). For purposes of this policy, a pool or spa heater will be considered a "closed vessel" if it has intervening valves on the return or discharge piping, has a reduction in size in the return or discharge, or generates more than circulating pump pressure.