Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Burns Phillips, Interim Commissioner

What are the requirements to operate boilers and pressure vessels in Tennessee?

• The Boiler Division of the Tennessee Department of Labor grants the permits that are necessary to install boilers and pressure vessels in commercial establishments in the state.

• All facilities with boilers and water heaters of more than 100,000 Btu/hr are required to obtain a permit-to-install from the state Department of Labor prior to installation.

• Applications for installation permits are available here: http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/regscompl/boiler_forms.shtml  No fee is required.

• Tennessee does not require a license to operate a boiler except in Shelby County. To obtain a boiler operating license for Shelby County, call (901) 222-8396 or write City of Memphis, Mechanical/Gas, 6465 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38134.

• The Department of Labor Boiler Division inspects large boilers every two years and smaller boilers once a year.

• Facilities with boilers must have a designated person who checks the boiler every 20 minutes.