S.C. Legislature Gives Final Approval to Boiler Safety Legislation in Wake of Deadly Explosion

The American Insurance Association (AIA) has commended South Carolina legislators for moving quickly to enact the Boiler Safety Act, which for the first time will require state-certified installation, maintenance and inspection of boilers.

S. 581 passed in the wake of a deadly boiler explosion earlier this year at a plant in southeast Columbia. The bill now goes to Gov. Mark Sanford (R) for his signature.

“Unfortunately, it took a tragic accident to finally convince legislators that a strong boiler safety law was long overdue in South Carolina,” said Raymond Farmer, assistant vice president, southeast region. “Such a law will ensure that all potentially hazardous boilers are registered, constructed according to sound safety standards, and inspected regularly. Moreover, it will give the state the authority to shut down the operation of a boiler that presents a risk of imminent harm.”

The property/casualty industry conducts jurisdictional inspections for about 80 percent of all registered boilers and pressure vessels in the United States.

Consequently, the AIA has been an outspoken proponent of boiler safety legislation. In South Carolina, S. 581 is based largely on model legislation developed by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

Upon Gov. Sanford’s signature, Wyoming will be the only state without a boiler safety law.