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Tennessee Board of Boiler Rules approves variance for McKee Foods, grants contingent repair license to Wilson Boiler Service
Summary
At its Dec. 11, 2024 quarterly meeting, the State of Tennessee Board of Boiler Rules approved a contingent attendants variance for McKee Foods, granted a repair license to Wilson Boiler Service contingent on business and contractor licensing, adopted guidance on attendant requirements for certain electric power boilers, and tabled a proposed 180-day notification rule for variance inspection readiness.
The State of Tennessee Board of Boiler Rules met on Dec. 11, 2024, and approved several operational items, including a contingent variance for McKee Foods and a contingent repair license for Wilson Boiler Service, while tabling a proposed procedural limit on variance inspection notification.
Chairman David Baughman convened the quarterly meeting. Chief Boiler Inspector Jimmy Watson presented the boiler-unit report, describing 2024 annualized inspections to date, delinquency rates, active variances, and state code violations. Watson identified Southern Hills Medical, Carlex Glass and Clover Bottom Developmental Center as upcoming inspection sites and described an incident at Strawberry Plains involving attempts to introduce animal fats into two boilers; the chair suggested the board begin reporting insurance data for such incidents.
During new business, Lional Dunnavant, representing Combustion & Control Solutions, and Brian Cavin, representing McKee Foods, explained McKee Foods’ request for an attendants variance covering 10 boilers and said the existing variance issue stemmed from e-stop switches that were not hardwired. Dunnavant described the company’s procedure to replace the old radio alarm system and agreed to correct typographical errors in the emergency manuals and add a revisions page. Board Member Micah Lashley asked about the emergency-duty list and was told it may change with shift rotations. Lashley moved to approve Variance Request 24-04 contingent upon inspection by the Chief or Assistant Chief and completion of the manual revisions; Richard Scott May seconded the motion and, after a vote, the motion carried.
Travis Wilson, representing Wilson Boiler Service, requested a repair license to perform erection, repair and alteration work on boilers in Tennessee and described demand from a Chattanooga customer and potential additional work. Chairman Baughman and board members questioned whether the company held a Tennessee business license and whether jobs over $25,000 would require a mechanical contractor’s license. The board approved Wilson Boiler Service’s license application on the condition that the company obtain a Tennessee business license and, where applicable, a mechanical contractor’s license for jobs exceeding $25,000.
On board cases and interpretations, Chief Inspector Watson introduced Board Case BC 24-02, a proposal that would require companies holding an approved variance to notify the State within 180 days that they were ready for inspection or lose the variance. Marty Toth recommended instead a one-year limit, and staff discussed allowing extensions; Melissa Owens flagged contradictory wording in the draft. The board agreed the language needs revision and tabled BC 24-02 for further work.
The board adopted BI 24-01, clarifying that attendant requirements apply to electric power boilers converted or defined at 5 horsepower and above, placing those units under the one‑hour rule for attendant variance requirements. The board also discussed BI 24-02 (walkways, runways and platforms between adjoining boilers and pressure vessels), debated terminology and the board’s interpretive limits relative to the NBIC, and scheduled a working session to refine language. BI 24-03, covering mobile rolling platforms and their permitted use in inspections, was read into the record and approved as written after discussion of safety and OSHA considerations.
Open discussion concluded with Chairman Baughman thanking attendees for participating. The board set quarterly meeting dates for 2025 and adjourned at 11:33 a.m.
Votes at a glance: Variance Request 24-04 (McKee Foods) — approved, contingent on inspection and manual revisions; Wilson Boiler Service repair license — approved, contingent on Tennessee business license and mechanical contractor’s license for jobs over $25,000; BI 24-01 — adopted; BI 24-03 — adopted; BC 24-02 and BI 24-02 — tabled for further drafting and a working session.
The board’s next quarterly meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2025.
