Safety, Codes, and Environmental Compliance
Domain 9: Safety, Codes, and Environmental Compliance
This domain tests code-required inspections, safety valve testing, lockout/tagout, confined-space and hot-work permits, emissions limits, and waste streams.
Core rules
- Boilers and pressure vessels must be inspected and repaired under the applicable code and jurisdiction; records must be retained. Safety valves must be tested and sealed by qualified personnel.
- LOTO requires isolation, lock and tag, release of stored energy, and verification of zero energy before work.
- Confined-space entry requires atmospheric testing, ventilation, attendant, and rescue plan. Hot work requires combustible-free area and fire watch.
- Air emissions include NOx, CO, SO2, and particulates; permits set limits and monitoring. Boiler blowdown, demineralizer regeneration, and cooling-tower chemicals have discharge limits.
- Refrigerant recovery and recordkeeping are required; venting is prohibited.
Worked example
A boiler burns 1,000,000 ft3/day of natural gas with heat content 1,020 Btu/ft3. Heat input = 1,000,000 x 1,020 = 1.02 x 10^9 Btu/day = 1,020 MMBtu/day. If the NOx emission factor is 0.05 lb/MMBtu, NOx = 1,020 x 0.05 = 51 lb/day. The reasoning: convert fuel to heat input, then multiply by the factor in matching units.
Traps
Treating codes as advisory; skipping stored-energy verification; assuming a permit covers a changed fuel; and overlooking recordkeeping for refrigerant or emissions.