(a) The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 for the design, construction, installation, repair, use and operation of boilers in Connecticut. Such regulations shall conform as nearly as possible to the Boiler Code of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the National Board Inspection Code, both as amended, and shall prescribe requirements as to the construction, installation, repair, use and inspection of boilers in the interest of public safety. The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall hold hearings for the purpose of securing aid in the formulation of such regulations. Such hearings shall be public and representatives of all parties interested shall be given an opportunity to be heard.

(b) Any person may apply to the State Building Inspector to grant variations or exemptions from, or approve equivalent or alternate compliance with, standards incorporated in the regulations adopted under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, and the State Building Inspector or a designee may approve such variations, exemptions, or equivalent or alternate compliance where strict compliance with such provisions would cause practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship.

(c) Any person aggrieved by any decision of the State Building Inspector or the State Building Inspector’s designee pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may appeal to the Commissioner of Administrative Services or said commissioner’s designee not later than thirty days after receipt of the notice of such decision. Any person aggrieved by any ruling of said commissioner or designee may appeal therefrom to the Superior Court in accordance with § 4-183.