DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE  
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY STANDARDS  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory  
affairs by sections 19 and 21 of 1974 PA 154, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos.  
1996-2, 2003-1, 2008-4, and 2011-4, MCL 445.2001, 445.2011, 445.2025, and 445.2030)  
PART 24. TAR KETTLES  
R 408.42401 Applicability.  
Rule 2401. (1) This part applies to all of the following:  
(a) Portable tar kettles.  
(b) Tankers and yard storage units.  
(c) Material handling.  
(2) This part does not apply to a unit that is used for paving operations if the  
unit has a vessel which has a capacity of less than 15 gallons or a burner that has a firing  
rate of less than 5000 Btu's.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 408.42402 Tar kettle construction.  
Rule 2402. (1) A tar kettle vat for molten material shall be of welded construction and  
all other materials of the tar kettle, except tires, used in its construction shall be  
noncombustible. A tanker for molten material shall be braced and baffled to contain the  
load.  
(2) A cover for a tar kettle vessel shall be hinged, close fitting, and capable of  
smothering a fire inside the vessel, when in a closed position.  
(3) A discharge valve from a tar kettle vessel shall be a quick closing type with standard  
pipe thread.  
(4) Pipe, tubing, hose, and conductors used for hot material from a tar kettle or tanker  
shall be supported when above ground or floor level. Hose, tubing, pipe, and conductors  
running horizontally shall be supported at intervals that will prevent sagging.  
Connections shall be made with unions or couplings and shall be maintained free of  
leaks.  
(5) Where a pump unit is mounted on a tar kettle and the fuel container is an integral  
part of the pump, the pump unit shall be shielded from the tar kettle by a barrier of rigid  
noncombustible material.  
History: 1979 AC; 2013 AACS.  
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R 408.42403 Loading and operating.  
Rule 2403. A tar kettle or tanker shall have a qualified experienced operator in  
attendance at all times that the kettle or tanker is being fired. The operator shall not leave  
the ground area or be at a distance from the kettle or tanker that would prevent the  
operator’s immediate attention.  
History: 1979 AC; 1981 AACS; 2013 AACS.  
R 408.42404 Controls.  
Rule 2404. (1) A tar kettle and tanker shall be equipped with a working temperature  
gauge.  
(2) A yard storage unit or tanker purchased or constructed after August 9, 1974, shall  
have a level indicator to show the amount of the contents within the vessel.  
History: 1979 AC; 1981 AACS; 2013 AACS.  
R 408.42405 Fuel.  
Rule 2405. If a fuel tank is located less than 10 feet from a tar kettle or tanker, the fuel  
tank shall be shielded from the tar kettle or tanker by a barrier of rigid noncombustible  
material.  
History: 1979 AC; 2013 AACS.  
R 408.42406 Fire precautions.  
Rule 2406. (1) One or more portable fire extinguishers of the dry powder type having a  
total capacity of not less than 40 pounds shall be located not less than 10 feet nor more  
than 25 feet from a tar kettle being fired. An extinguisher less than 10 pounds shall not be  
provided.  
(2) A tar kettle shall not be placed less than 20 feet from combustible materials unless  
separated by a fire-resistant blanket.  
(3) A tar kettle shall not be placed less than 10 feet from a structure that extends above  
the highest part of a kettle, piping excluded.  
(4) A tar kettle shall not be placed in or upon a building except by permission of an  
authorized representative of the department.  
History: 1979 AC; 2013 AACS.  
R 408.42407 Material handling.  
Rule 2407. (1) The rope pulley shall be secured to the thrustout or hoisting jack in a  
manner to support not less than 3 times the weight to be lifted. The pulley groove shall be  
the same size as the rope.  
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(2) Where a structural steel or wood beam thrustout is used, it shall be designed and  
installed in a manner to support not less than 3 times the weight being lifted and prevent  
tipping and twisting. A wood thrustout shall be set on edge.  
(3) Where a counterweight is used, it shall be contained or secured in place to prevent  
slippage.  
(4) Where a manual or powered hoisting jack is used, it shall be designed and installed  
in such a manner as to support not less than 3 times the load to be lifted.  
(5) An employee shall not stand or walk under material being hoisted.  
History: 1979 AC; 1982 AACS; 1996 AACS; 2013 AACS.  
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