CONTENTS

FALL 2022
VOLUME 77
Joel Amato
Executive Director NUMBER 3
Michael Pischke
Assistant Executive Director - Administrative
Gary Scribner
Assistant Executive Director - Technical
Wendy White
Communications Director
Brandon Sofsky
Design Manager
Stephanie Campbell
Publications Editor

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Rob Troutt
Chair
ON THE COVER:
John Burpee Former C.O. Myers Safety Award
1st Vice Chair
recipients.
Milton Washington
2nd Vice Chair
Eben Creaser
Member at Large
Donnie LeSage
Member at Large
Matthew Sansone
Member at Large
Rick Sturm
Member at Large

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Patricia Becker
Representing boiler manufacturers

FEATURES COVER STORY

Phillip Cole
Representing authorized inspection agencies
(insurance companies)
Michael Quisenberry
Representing National Board stamp holders
Mark Lower
Representing boiler and pressure vessel users 3 2022 Registrations 16 35 Years of Excellence:
Teresa Melfi
Representing the welding industry
Timothy Simmons Reflecting on the C.O.
Representing organized labor
Thomas Vandini
4 "It Always Worked Before!" Myers Safety Award
Representing pressure vessel manufacturers

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
6 Pressure Relief Devices
Barb Catlett, Julie Diehl, Chad Mankins,
Kristen Pfeiffer, Brian Shafer Certified for Multiple Media DEPARTMENTS
– ASME Code Case 2787
The National Board of Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Inspectors was organized
2 Executive Director’s
for the purpose of promoting greater
safety by securing concerted action 8 2023 Edition of RCI-1 Message
and maintaining uniformity in the
construction, installation, inspection,
Changes
and repair of boilers and other pressure
vessels and their appurtenances,
24 Profile in Safety
thereby ensuring acceptance and 12 A Brief Look at Plate Heat
interchangeability among jurisdictional
authorities empowered to ensure Exchangers
26 Training Matters
adherence to code construction and
repair of boilers and pressure vessels.
28 Updates & Transitions
The National Board BULLETIN is
published three times a year by The 22 Remote Test Witnessing at
National Board of Boiler and Pressure
Ve s s e l I n s p e c t o r s , 1 0 5 5 C r u p p e r the National Board Testing 32 NBIC Update
Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229-1183,
614.888.8320, [Link]. Postage paid in
Laboratory
Columbus, Ohio.
Points of view, ideas, products, or
services featured in the National Board
BULLETIN do not constitute endorsement
by the National Board, which disclaims
responsibility for authenticity or accuracy
of infor mation contained herein.
[Link]
Address all correspondence to the
Communications Department, The Please Recycle
National Board of Boiler and Pressure This Magazine
Vessel Inspectors, at the above address. Remove Cover And
Inserts Before Recycling
© 2022 by The National Board of Boiler
and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. All rights
reserved. Printed in the USA. ISSN 0894-
9611. CPN 4004-5415.
[Link]
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 BULLETIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Sticking To Our Core Values:

A Revolutionary Approach
JOEL AMATO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

W
hen the weather allows it, something I enjoy doing at the National
Board headquarters is rounding up as many staff members as possible
to take a short walk outside around our campus. As we were walking
one day, I was fortunate to be next to Chad Mankins, a curriculum specialist from
our training department.

As we were discussing all the things going on at NBBI, Chad took a moment to
reflect and said, and I quote, “Changes at the National Board used to be evolu-
tionary, now they have become revolutionary.” This observation stuck with me.

As I consider the ways that we have evolved and progressed over the last several
years, it is also clear that we have maintained our core values: quality, customer
service, integrity, and teamwork.

I think it can be easy to hear the word ‘revolutionary’ and assume that it means
being on the cutting edge. While this is true in some cases, being revolutionary
can also mean getting back to the basics and staying true to the pillars that we
built our organization on. For NBBI, this means capitalizing on our core programs
while maintaining our core values. As I think back to why some of these pro-
grams were created in the first place, it is clear that the needs that they meet
are still present today. There is no need to update things unnecessarily– I am not
a fan of changing things just to change things.

When we choose to enhance certain offerings, we should have a specific goal in

mind and should revolve our change around meeting that goal.

As we continue to look toward the future of our organization, we want to ensure

that the changes we make are quality driven and provide benefit to our indus-
try. We want to provide exceptional customer service for our stakeholders. We
can achieve this with high integrity, and through teamwork, these goals are
achievable.

Whether it is enhancing what we already offer or rolling out a new, indus-

try-changing product, I want us to keep a missional focus and understand that
adhering to our core values will help us in providing the best services and
resources possible for the boiler and pressure vessel industry.

As we look to the future of the National Board, we can continue to set the gold
standard in our industry for many years to come while remaining true to who we
are and who we have been.

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 FEATURE BULLETIN

2022 Registrations
The National Board’s Certificate of Authorization to Register ensures a third-party inspection process, providing for uni-
form acceptance of pressure-retaining equipment by member jurisdictions. This important safety process is documented
via submission of data reports by the manufacturer to the National Board. These are the only reports for items carrying
the National Board registration number. Once registered, each report is maintained in a permanent file by manufacturer
name and National Board number.

The table below identifies boiler, pressure vessel, and nuclear vessel registrations by size for the past five fiscal years. The
NBBI fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30. The total number of registrations on file with the National Board at the end of the
2022 reporting period was 67,008,129.

SIZE FY 2022 FY 2021 FY 2020 FY 2019 FY 2018

BOILERS
square feet of heating surface
≤ 55 (A) 398,565 288,506 313,227 271,394 271,221
> 55 and ≤ 200 (B) 41,031 34,068 35,896 31,899 34,909
> 200 and ≤ 2,000 (C) 10,320 10,006 10,675 9,992 10,765
> 2,000 and ≤ 5,000 (D) 576 566 539 526 599
> 5,000 (E) 415 587 571 581 814
TOTAL 450,907 333,733 360,908 314,392 318,308

PRESSURE VESSELS
in square feet
< 10 (A) 1,186,608 1,071,061 1,156,917 1,172,450 967,870
> 10 and ≤ 36 (B) 308,144 284,894 270,438 296,996 260,768
> 36 and ≤ 60 (C) 64,283 55,082 65,751 64,189 57,772
> 60 and ≤ 100 (D) 13,033 12,329 17,234 19,504 17,913
> 100 (E) 18,020 19,121 24,476 27,110 25,511
TOTAL 1,590,088 1,442,487 1,534,816 1,580,249 1,329,834

NUCLEAR VESSELS
in square feet
≤ 10 (A) 50 109 115 172 147
> 10 and ≤ 36 (B) 5 22 2 73 76
> 36 and ≤ 60 (C) 1 0 0 1 11
> 60 and ≤ 100 (D) 11 0 1 5 5
> 100 (E) 1 0 1 9 27
TOTAL 68 131 119 260 266

TOTAL ATTACHMENTS* 116,619 98,774 114016 132,986 123,713

GRAND TOTAL 2,157,682 1,875,125 2,009,859 2,027,887 1,772,121

*An attachment is any type of additional information submitted with the primary data report.

For more information on the Authorization to Register program, access the National Board website at

CONNECT WITH US
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 BULLETIN FEATURE

“It Always Worked Before!”

JAMES R. CHILES

F
irst-time visitors to the ship Just two miles from today's Duluth lift bridge, shortly after
canal in Duluth, Minnesota, midnight on August 11, 1906, the steam freighter Troy was
hustle from nearby parking approaching another bridge across a narrow channel that
lots when they see the big lift connects the two main navigable bodies of water in Dulu-
bridge going up. They figure this th's waterway, the Duluth Harbor and the St. Louis River
means that in just a few short Channel.
moments, a big ship is going to enter the canal and pass
under the bridge. But then they reach the railings along the Known locally as the Interstate Bridge, and funded by the
canal and see that, while there is a ship approaching, it's still Great Northern Railway, the nine-year-old span was the only
miles away in Lake Superior. That can raise some grousing rail and road connection between Duluth and the neigh-
among ship-watchers along the canal's wall, and also among boring city of Superior, Wisconsin. The bridge had fixed
the drivers of cars and trucks lined up on Lake Street. All approaches at each end that led wagons and trains to a
vehicles on either side must wait until the lift bridge comes 485-foot-long center section – then one of the biggest in the
back to Earth. There's no other roadway that connects Park world. This center section could pivot to allow ships to pass
Point peninsula to the rest of Duluth. on either side. The process to swing the center section took
several minutes.

The Troy sounded its steam whistle that night and Captain
Robert Murray squinted at the bridge lights. Now less than
a mile from the bridge, he wasn't sure whether the bridge
had opened. By the time Murray realized the pivoting
section hadn't opened after all, his command to throw the
engines into reverse didn't keep the 3,700-ton Troy from
wrecking the north span. Because the allision immobilized
the south span as well, the channel was blocked to all
ships.

In drawn-out legal proceedings that went all the way to

Photo by John_Brueske the Supreme Court, the bridge operator claimed that the
Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge Troy was coming too fast and hadn't signaled its approach.
The Troy's owners said that the ship's master had indeed
Why raise the lift bridge when an approaching ship is still signaled, but the operator hadn't acted, and Captain Murray
so far away? A placard for visitors could explain that it's couldn't verify the bridge's position because he had been
to make absolutely certain an oncoming ship won't smash blinded by the lights.
into the 115-year old bridge. If the lift mechanism were to
stall, the bridge master would have time to call on the radio Murray said that he presumed the bridge would be open
and there would be enough distance for even the biggest by the time he reached it, because the operator's slow
ship, a thousand-footer, to change course and stay in Lake response to a ship's whistle “always seems to be the custom
Superior. of the bridge.”

“Well,” an impatient tourist might say, “what's the chance Exactly who did what and when couldn't be clearly estab-
of that happening? I've looked at lots of YouTube videos and lished, but the bottom line was clear enough: the wreckage
the Duluth lift bridge never has a hiccup.” left dozens of ships trapped in the harbor for a week, and
rebuilding the bridge took almost two years.
Put in general terms, they're saying, “Why bother? It always
worked before!” Now, the Interstate Bridge might look like a lesson from the
Book of Obsolete Technology, because it featured a swinging
That's a sometimes-fatal, always-expensive interview state- iron bridge, whistle signals rather than radio messages, and
ment in disaster records, and the proof isn't far away. reciprocating steam engines. So, how might the lesson of

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 the wrecked structure – the need to verify facts rather than it's spread to civilian aviation. It can be a lifesaver for any
presume them, the cost of laziness and complacency– relate air crew who should be concerned about hypoxia – oxygen
now? deprivation – during flight.

Be assured that the “it always worked before” mindset is still P – Is there enough oxygen pressure and quantity for the
at large, regularly wrecking equipment and sending people planned flight?
to the hospital…or the cemetery.
R – Check the regulator.
Here's just one way it happens: failing to check connections
between safety-critical hoses, valves, and pipes. Think of I – Check the flow indicator. It could be mounted on the
lines carrying high pressure gases, or live steam, or hazard- oxygen hose, or it could be part of the regulator. Put on the
ous liquids like corrosives, fuel, or hydraulic fluid. face mask and check that a steady flow is registering.

Case in point: the date was October 9, 1994, and the setting C – Check connections: between oxygen lines, plug-in cou-
was the Craney Island Fuel Facility. Craney Island is a major plings, and the mask.
refueling depot for Navy ships calling at Newport News,
Virginia. On this day, the fuel facility's staff wanted to check E – Emergency breathing equipment. Is this available for
the soundness of some fuel hoses when pressurized. The everyone on board in case of decompression, smoke, or
by-the-book way was to use a hydrostatic pump dedicated hypoxia?
for testing fuel lines. But for years, instead, the fuelers had
relied on borrowing the services of a pumper truck sum- In a ten-year survey of oxygen-deprivation incidents, the
moned from the facility's fire department. The tests took USAF's Aerospace Safety group found that a third of all
little time. “Class C” cases of hypoxia – mishaps that didn't result in a
crash and therefore were those in which human error could
The fire engine arrived, and the fuel facility's employees be analyzed – traced to a poorly executed, or ignored, PRICE
connected two sections of a 2.5-inch hose to the discharge check.
side of the pumper, where an operator from the fire depart-
ment stood by the controls. After he ran the pressure up to Later the Air Force sent a note to fighter pilots advising
150 psi, one of the hose connections failed. This launched a them that a cursory PRICE check doesn't count. A survey of
heavy brass fitting at the operator's leg, causing a very ugly pilots had revealed that many weren't detaching, checking,
compound fracture. and then refitting a critical connection that links the pilot's
oxygen-regulator hose to the airplane's oxygen supply.
Describing the mishap for SafetyLine magazine, Fire Chief This “CRU-60/P” connector had to be leak-tight in regular
Frank Kruppa described the cause as one that could have service, but also able to release cleanly at the right instant if
been detected beforehand with a quick inspection: the fuel the pilot were to eject. By inspecting the connector, a pilot
hose couplings weren't matched. The fuelers had connect- could check for proper release and then verify that seals
ed a coarse national-standard hose thread to a finer pipe and fittings were intact. Why does leak-tightness matter?
thread. Once the hose took pressure, the coarse thread Obviously, sufficient oxygen flow keeps the pilot alert,
stripped the threads off the opposite coupling. but equally important is that oxygen leaking into a small
compartment is a fire risk. Almost anything will burn in a
"Because this was such a simple operation,” Kruppa wrote, high-oxygen atmosphere.
“the firefighters dropped their guard and assumed all the
hose was connected correctly, and all connections would And this brings up the theme again. The Air Force bulle-
hold.” The mentality, Kruppa went on, was that “the fire tin speculated on why so many pilots were ignoring this
department had always done it this way.” And fixes did inspection in their PRICE checks: “Maybe it's because the
follow: the fuel depot had to buy their own testing pump, connector stays in the aircraft or because you've never had
and the fire department set a rule that only NFPA-rated a problem with one in all the years you've been flying – a
hoses would connect to the department's pumpers. All good result of the old 'it's always worked before' syndrome.”
changes, but they didn't restore the firefighter's leg, which
was left with multiple pins and rods. It was a high price to So, remember the danger of presuming a practice that's
pay. always worked before will go fine again today. Take a few
minutes to check that component or to make sure that your
This leads to a mnemonic in the field of pressure and con- counterpart has received and understood your safety-critical
nections that might help readers across many industries message. No huge effort is required: mainly, the daily recog-
remember how (and why!) to check critical connections nition that waiting for an emergency is not the time to check
before it's too late. The Air Force calls it a “PRICE check,” and on life or death matters.

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 BULLETIN FEATURE

Pressure Relief Devices Certified for

Multiple Media – ASME Code Case 2787
ROBERT VIERS, SENIOR STAFF ENGINEER

H
istorically, reclosing pressure Section XIII. The committee’s response place between tests. The valves must
relief devices have been capac- lays out specific testing and stamping operate properly and meet ASME toler-
ity certified for use on either requirements which must be met in this ances across all media with consistent
compressible or incompressible fluids, scenario. settings. The results of the provisional
but not both. While American Society testing are used to establish a flow
of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code Testing Requirements rating value for each media type.
provisions exist for valves used on econ-
omizers, where the valve can see either In order to apply Code Case 2787, the After the completion of baseline test-
steam, water, or a mixture of both, design of the valve must first under- ing and establishment of flow data,
valves for use on unfired vessels have go baseline testing to establish a flow a Manufacturer or Assembler applies
been limited to a single certified media. capacity rating for each media, in the for certification to construct and apply
ASME UV stamped valves could be same way as any other ASME/Nation- ASME/National Board Stamps to the
certified for compressible fluids such as al Board certified device. To establish device type. During this process,
air, gas, or steam service, and others for a flow rating for valves to be built to a National Board representative
incompressible liquid service, but there Code Case 2787, each valve is tested on witnesses the assembly, testing, and
traditionally was no overlap between each media for which the design is to setting of two sample valves at the
the two, and only one relieving capac- be certified, with no adjustments taking applicant’s facility. During production
ity with corresponding units could
be stamped on a valve’s nameplate.
ASME Code Case 2787 now allows for
UV stamped valves to be certified for
use on multiple media, including both
compressible and incompressible fluids,
provided they meet specific provisions.

The National Board Testing Laboratory

has seen a steady rise in the number
of tests performed on these types of
valves, which signals their increasing
popularity. As this is a relatively new
development that may catch some
people by surprise, revisiting the back-
ground and the requirements of this
case may be helpful.

ASME Code Case 2787

ASME Code Case 2787 is the result of

an inquiry asking under what condi-
tions a Manufacturer or Assembler of
a pressure relief valve may place more
than one certified capacity on the valve
nameplate and still comply with the
requirements of ASME Section VIII,
Div. 1, UG-129, which is now in ASME Figure 1 – Nameplate from a pressure relief valve constructed to Code Case 2787.

6 N AT I O N A L BOA RD B U L L E T IN FALL 2022 [Link]

 ASME requirements at any point on any the media on which it was set and test-
media, the valve must be handled as a ed. A photo of an example nameplate
failure and replaced according to ASME is shown in Figure 1. Note the capacity
Code requirements. is marked two times, once in standard
cubic feet per minute (SCFM) and once
Stamping Requirements in gallons per minute (USG/MIN), show-
ing that the valve can be used either on
Code Case 2787 includes requirements gas or liquid service.
for the stamping of valves and name-
plates as well as testing. When a valve As more valve Manufacturers and
is constructed for multiple media, and Assemblers certify and sell valves con-
meets the testing requirements of the structed to Code Case 2787 and multiple
Code Case, it must have a permanently media valves become more prevalent,
attached nameplate stamped with the it will become increasingly important
Code Case number. The nameplate for inspectors, end users, and repair
must also be stamped with the rated and testing organizations to familiarize
relieving capacity and applicable units themselves with Code Case 2787 and its
for each certified media, regardless of requirements.
Figure 2 – A pressure relief valve
constructed to Code Case 2787
being tested on the National Board
Testing Laboratory’s nitrogen test
system.

testing at the applicant’s facility,

each valve shall be set using one of
the certified media to be marked on
the valve, with the exception being
that if the valve is to be certified for
steam service the valve must be set on
steam. The valves will then be sent to
an ASME certified testing laboratory
for verification testing.

During laboratory testing, each valve

must be tested on each media for which
the device type is to be certified. Each
valve must meet ASME tolerances for
set pressure and blowdown, where
applicable, as well as meet or exceed its
rated relieving capacity on each media
with no adjustments in between tests.
In the event where a valve may need to
be adjusted to meet laboratory blow-
down tolerance, the valve must first
pass set pressure and capacity testing
on every media. The valve can then be
adjusted and retested for set pressure,
blowdown, and relieving capacity on Figure 3 – The same valve being tested on the National
every media. If the valve fails to meet Board Testing Laboratory’s water test system.

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 BULLETIN FEATURE

2023 Edition of RCI-1

Changes
MIKE BURNS, SENIOR STAFF ENGINEER

T
he National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors’ (NBBI) Committee on Qual-
ifications for Inspection (CQI) held a two-day meeting in March 2022 to approve final
changes to the 2023 Edition of NB-263, RCI-1, Rules for Commissioned Inspectors, com-
pleting the two-year editorial cycle for this edition.

During this meeting, Rob Troutt, chair of NBBI’s Board of Trustees, communicated the Board’s
vision for the document, resulting in substantive modifications. These proposed changes,
along with previously voted upon changes from CQI, were placed on the Board of Trustees'
April 2022 agenda and were approved at that time. The approved changes are anticipated to
be the first in a series to migrate Part 1 of the publication, titled “National Board Commissions
and Endorsements,” from a time-based document to a personnel qualification standard (PQS)
document while mirroring the current language found in the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers’ (ASME) QAI-1 document.

In addition to minor editorial changes, major changes to the publication include the following:

Part 1: National Board Commissions and Endorsements

Paragraphs 1-6 Reinstatement of the a period of less than two (2) years, the
Commission/Endorsement commission and/or endorsement may be
reinstated provided the formerly Com-
Paragraph 1-6 Reinstatement of the Commis- missioned Inspector and the employer
sion/Endorsement was extensively revised complete and submit the Application for
and simplified. Significantly, any commission Reinstatement, and the formerly Commis-
or endorsement inactive for more than two sioned Inspector has completed continu-
years requires any currently required exam- ing education course(s) (see Paragraph
ination (new issuance) be taken to reinstate 1-8) for each commission and/or endorse-
the corresponding commission/endorsement. ment within twelve (12) months prior to
The paragraph now reads: the submittal date of the Application for
Reinstatement.
1-6 REINSTATEMENT OF THE
COMMISSION/ENDORSEMENT 1-6.3 The current employer shall certify
that the formerly Commissioned Inspec-
1-6.1 When a commission and/or tor has met the requirements as stated
endorsement has not been renewed for on the Application for Reinstatement.
more than two (2) years, the commission
and/or endorsement may be reinstated, 1-6.4 The Application for Reinstatement
provided the formerly Commissioned shall be evaluated by the National Board
Inspector and their employer complete staff and approved by the Executive
and submit the Application for Reinstate- Director.
ment, and the formerly Commissioned
Inspector shall retake and pass any Addition of Paragraph 1-9 Applications
required examination for the commission
or endorsement. Paragraph 1-9 Applications was added to
emphasize the employer’s responsibility to
1-6.2 When a commission and/or qualify and develop their inspectors.
endorsement has not been renewed for The new paragraph states:

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 1-9 APPLICATIONS

The Employer is responsible for the

development of candidates for NB
Commissions and Endorsements. The
Employer is also responsible for:

1-9.1 Providing for experience, educa-

tion, and training of candidates for NB
Commissions and Endorsements,

1-9.2 Ensuring Inspector and Supervisor

candidates are qualified and meet the
requirements specified herein.

1-9.3 Submitting applications for

commissions and endorsements for
Inspector and Supervisor candidates to
the National Board, certifying that the
candidate has the required experience
and training and that, for Inspectors,
qualified supervision will be provided to
ensure the Inspector satisfactorily fulfills
their duties.

Table 1 Qualification Requirements for

Commissions AI

The qualifying requirements for the AI

commission were revised and now include
language matching that found in ASME’s QAI-1
publication. The requirements in the table
now read:

• High school education [twelve (12) years or

equivalent educational system]
• Meet the requirements of Part 1-1
• Engaged for at least 80 hours of diversified
experience as an Authorized Inspector
trainee under the direct supervision of an NOTE:an ASME Certificate of Authorization, may
Authorized Inspector/ Authorized Inspector be credited toward the eighty (80) hour
Supervisor in accordance with the ASME requirement
B&PV Code. A maximum of eight (8) hours, • Satisfactory completion of the National
as an Authorized Inspector trainee partic- Board Authorized Inspector Commission
ipating as an observer in a joint review for Course (AI)

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 BULLETIN FEATURE

Table 2 Qualifications for Inspector Endorse- (8) hours as a Repair Inspector trainee
ments R participating as an observer in a joint
review for a National Board Certificate of
Further, the committee recognized the dif- Authorization may be credited towards
ficulty in obtaining all required on-the-job the eighty (80) hour on-the-job training
training (OJT) at National Board R stamped qualification requirement.
repair organizations. The qualifying require-
ments for the R endorsement related to OJT Part 2: National Board Commission and
were revised. Additional OJT is no longer Endorsement Examinations
required for holders of an AI commission. The
committee believed the OJT needed to obtain Early in 2022, NBBI was able to contract with
the AI commission was sufficient. Since much a vendor who could host all NBBI commis-
of the OJT revolves around reviewing welder sion and endorsement examinations. With
qualifications, welding procedure specifi- this new capability, the need to differentiate
cations, material test report reviews, etc., between exams that could be taken remotely
which are similar in both American Society and exams that could not was removed. This
of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure allowed the language to be consolidated and
Vessel Code and the National Board Inspec- condensed. It now reads as follows:
tion Code (NBIC), hours may now be obtained
by a blend of both. 2-0 SCOPE

The Repair Inspector Qualifications table now This Part describes the requirements for:
reads:
• Commission & Endorsement
• Satisfactory completion of the National Examinations
Board Repair Inspector Course (R). • Passing the Examination
• Holds either an Inservice Commission (IS) or • Re-Examination
an Authorized Inspector Commission (AI).
Holder of an IS commission: 2-1 COMMISSION & ENDORSEMENT
EXAMINATIONS
Eighty (80) hours of on-the-job training,
under the direct supervision of a Repair Commission & endorsement examinations
Inspector or Repair Inspector Supervisor/ or re-examinations are administered
Technical Manager, in the inspection upon completion of any requisite Nation-
of repairs/alterations in accordance al Board course as described in Part 1.
with the NBIC. A maximum of forty (40) Exams may be taken at:
hours of this on-the-job training may
be obtained from meeting Authorized 2-1.1 Any On-Demand provider location
Inspector on-the-job training (see Table 1, (scheduled at any time).
AI Commission).
2-1.2 Eligible National Board member
Eighty (80) hours on-the-job training in jurisdictions (upon request to the jurisdic-
the inspection of repairs/alterations in tion), on the first Wednesday in March,
accordance with the NBIC at either shop June, September, or December of each
or field locations. A maximum of eight year.

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 2-1.3 The National Board offices. a) Be under the complete admin-
istrative control of the Authorized
2-1.4 Other locations approved by the Inspection Agency employing the
Executive Director. Inspector.

2-2 PASSING THE EXAMINATION b) Be secured in such a way as to

prevent revisions, additions, or
A score of 70 percent or more is required deletions to entries which have
to pass National Board examinations. been previously logged in the diary.
Information about each examination is Entries shall be made in such a
available on the National Board’s Busi- way so that no information can be
ness Center/Education Center (national- entered between previously entered
[Link]). text, lines, or other information.

2-3 RE-EXAMINATION c) Contain a means for other

AIA personnel, such as alternate
An applicant failing an examination may Inspectors or Supervisors, within
be eligible to take another examination. the Authorized Inspection Agency to
An applicant who fails the examination review diary entries, as required.
three (3) times in a twelve (12) month
period shall not be permitted to take d) Electronic diaries shall include
the examination for at least twelve (12) a provision for signatures by a PIN
months following the last attempt. (Personal Identification Number) or
other secure means.
Part 3: Inservice Inspection
Glossary of Terms
Paragraph 3-1 related to Inservice Inspector
Supervisors and Technical Managers sub • Removed parts c) and d) of Employ-
paragraph 3-1.7 was struck as the require- ment definition which is now covered
ment was incorporated into other organiza- in other accreditation documents.
tional documents.
The 2023 Edition of RCI-1 will be avail-
able this fall. All active NBBI Commis-
Part 6: Inspector Diary, Monitoring and Use
sioned Inspectors will be mailed a com-
of Commissions
plimentary copy. It becomes permissive
to use on January 1, 2023 and will be
Section 6-2 was revised and consolidated
mandatory July 1, 2023. The CQI is now
to ensure paper and electronic diaries had
focused on the 2025 Edition of RCI-1,
consistent requirements between the two. It
along with the other documents it is
now reads:
tasked to maintain.
6-2 DESCRIPTION OF THE INSPECTOR
DIARY

6-2.1 The diary shall be either bound

(not loose-leaf) or electronic and shall
as a minimum:

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 BULLETIN FEATURE

A Brief Look at Plate Heat

Exchangers
TIMOTHY GARDNER, P.E., SENIOR STAFF ENGINEER

I
nspectors encounter a wide variety of pressure-retaining items in their careers. One of
those rather unique items is the plate heat exchanger (PHE). All inspectors should know
basic information about these heat exchangers and how they are addressed in the Ameri-
can Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code) Section VIII,
Division 1, Appendix 45.
4
7

A plate heat exchanger is a heat exchanger 5

made up of plates which are stacked together
to form flow passages that allow heat trans- 9
fer from one fluid to another. Appendix 45
of Section VIII, Division 1, lists three types of
plate heat exchangers:
6
-A fully welded plate heat exchanger which
2
is an assembly consisting of fully welded heat 3
transfer plates and its supporting frame. The
heat transfer plates are fully welded to form a 6
plate pack. One or more of these plate packs
can be assembled in the frame.
9
-A gasketed or semiwelded plate heat 8
exchanger which is an assembly of compo-
nents consisting of gasketed or semiwelded
heat transfer plates and its supporting frame.
1
See Figure 1.
1
-A brazed plate heat exchanger which is
an assembly consisting of fully brazed heat Legend:
transfer plates. The heat transfer plates are 1 = feet (optional) 6 = frame compression bolts
stacked on top of each other and brazed 2 = heat transfer plates 7 = upper carrying bar
3 = fixed end plate 8 = lower guide bar
together. The nozzles can be located on any 4 = moveable endplate 9 = connections
fixed endplate. See Figure 2. 5 = support column

A plate heat exchanger and components are Figure 1: Typical plate heat exchanger with
shown in Figure 1. components identified.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the heart of a typ- PHE. These are contained within a framework
ical plate heat exchanger contains heat trans- consisting of a fixed and movable endplate
fer plates, or one or more welded plate packs designed to contain the pressure and pro-
in the case of a group of heat transfer plates vide an attachment location for the connec-
welded together, or one or more plate packs tions. Holding the end plates in place are the
where a group of plates are brazed together. frame compression bolts, and giving the heat
See Figure 3 for an example of heat transfer exchanger structure are the support column,
plates and the typical flow path through a upper carrying bar, and lower guide bar.

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 The plates for the heat exchanger in Figure 3
are in a herringbone design to give strength
and are separated typically by elastomer gas-
kets. See Figure 4 for typical end and middle
plate gasket configurations.

There are two additional terms that are

defined in Appendix 45 that apply to PHEs.
One of those is the connection plate which
is an intermediary “endplate” located in the
plate pack that permits additional nozzles,
additional fluids, and redirection of flow
patterns. The other is a divider plate or turn-
ing plate, which is a plate that changes the
direction of the flow of the fluid in a two-pass
or larger heat exchanger.

Figure 2: Brazed plate heat exchanger.

Figure 3: Flow path through and configuration of a

typical plate heat exchanger.

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 BULLETIN FEATURE

(A) PLATE (B) PLATE (END) PLATE

Figure 4: Typical plate heat exchanger gasket layouts.

There are ASME Code requirements unique For determining the maximum allowable
to plate heat exchangers that are found in working pressure (MAWP) of fully welded
Appendix 45 of ASME Code Section VIII, PHEs and brazed PHEs, proof tests according
Division 1. For instance, when plate heat to UG-101 shall be used. The proof tests shall
exchanger designs are not quite configured as be acceptable to and witnessed by the AI.
the examples above, or when fixed or mov- For plate packs using gaskets, the MAWP may
able endplates have a nonuniform pattern, be determined without performing proof
they shall be in accordance with U-2(g), i.e., testing or design calculations for the gasket-
using a method other than “design-by-rule.” ed plate pack, providing the thickness of a
Components of PHEs that have applicable single wall or double wall heat transfer plate
rules within Section VIII, Division 1, shall be is not less than 0.014 inches (0.35 mm), the
designed according to them. Recall that an PHE containing the plate packs is not used
Authorized Inspector (AI) has the duty to veri- for lethal service, and the MAWP for the
fy that these design calculations are available. heat exchanger is determined considering all
other pressure-retaining parts such as end-
Other differences include how the ASME Code plates, bolting and nozzles. Plate packs using
treats the heat transfer plate material. The gaskets shall be designed to contain a pres-
heat transfer plates within a plate pack may surized fluid without leaking to a pressure of
be fabricated of a metallic or nonmetallic at least 1.3 times the PHE's MAWP.
material other than a Section VIII approved
material if there is a published Code Case Calculation procedures for nozzle reinforce-
allowing its limited use for that purpose. The ment, welded connections, studded con-
AI shall verify that the materials used comply nections, and frame compression bolts shall
with Section VIII and that any Code Case that all be per the usual Section VIII, Division 1
is used is current and not annulled. paragraphs. Design calculations for fixed and

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 moveable endplates may be accomplished
using design-by-analysis techniques or closed-
form equations using the allowable stress
values per UG-23. The design method must be Telltales
validated using a pressure test, strain test, or identify leaking
similar method to show the analysis produces
predictable results. The AI shall verify that
gaskets.
these tests are done and that the results are
acceptable. Figure 5: Plate heat exchanger gasket with
telltale.
The PHE shall be hydrostatically tested in Plate Heat Exchanger Telltale
accordance with UG-99 or pneumatically test- been pressurized with a fluid such as water.
ed in accordance with UG-100, but the heat A plate that is wet but should have been dry
transfer plates shall not be included when indicates the leaking plate. Some Manufac-
determining the lowest stress ratio. Like any turers provide a telltale hole in the gasket to
other pressure vessel, an AI must witness this help indicate leakage as shown in Figure 5.
test. The other type of leakage generally occurs
due to an issue with the gasket, such as a cut,
As expected, a U-1P or U-3P shall be com- another type of damaged gasket surface, or
pleted by the Manufacturer for each PHE or the presence of a foreign object. To determine
same day production run of identical vessels the leakage origin, it is usually necessary to
in accordance with Appendix 35 for mass pro- disassemble the plates at the area indicated
duction vessels, respectively. The Inspector by the leak.
signs these forms after they have confirmed
that the proper stamp or marking has been Knowing this basic information about plate
applied. heat exchangers as well as all the other
types of pressure-retaining equipment is an
Inservice Inspectors need to be familiar with important part of being an effective inspector.
plate heat exchangers as well. For new instal- Understanding the types of PHEs, the associ-
lations, there should be room for removing ated terminology, and ASME Code rules asso-
and installing individual plates or plate packs ciated with them should help any Authorized
and compression bolts. Besides the normal Inspector who is assigned to a shop manufac-
inspection items associated with installed or turing these items. Any Inservice Inspector
operating pressure vessels, there are some who is required to perform an inspection on
unique problems to look for. a PHE should now have a basic understanding
of their construction and the various ways
One of these unique problems is plate leak- that leaks can occur.
age. Leakage can occur in two forms. One is
differential leakage where one fluid leaks into Note: Some content in this article has been
the other fluid path due to a gasket failure. pulled from ASME Code Section VIII, Division 1,
Sometimes the plate itself may have cracks or Appendix 45.
holes. The other form is leakage to the out-
side of the plate caused by a gasket failure.
The former type usually requires disassem-
bly of the heat exchanger after one side has

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 BULLETIN COVER STORY

Reflecting on the C.O.

I
f you were to travel back to 1987, the world would look
quite different than it does now. Your morning news-
paper, which would only cost 25 cents, would highlight
the release of movies like The Princess Bride, Dirty Danc-
ing, and Good Morning Vietnam. If you were in the market
for a new Ford Mustang, you could drive one off the lot
for under $10,000 and fill it with gas that costs less than
a dollar per gallon. Turning on your television, you might
see the New York Giants defeating the Denver Broncos
in Super Bowl XXI, or Ronald Reagan giving a presiden-
tial address. The year 1987 also marked the inception of
the National Board’s Safety Medal, and while times have
changed since its advent, the defining characteristics of
this award’s recipients have remained the same.

The Introduction of the National Board Safety Medal

The cover of the October 1986 edition of the BULLE-

TIN announced that the National Board Safety Medal
would premiere in 1987. An advertisement in the journal
explained the award as being established to “honor indi-
viduals for outstanding contributions to safety in the boiler
and pressure vessel industry.”
A snippet from a 1987 BULLETIN of Mrs. Harrison with the award.
Blanche recently passed away on September 29, 2022. She was 95
years old.

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 Members of the newly formed National Board, including C.O. Myers, in 1920 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Myers Safety Award

The 56th General Meeting, held in 1987 in New Orleans,
Louisiana, marked the inaugural year of the Safety Medal,
which was posthumously awarded to former Executive
Director Samuel F. Harrison, Sr. In honor of her late hus-
band, Blanche Harrison attended the General Meeting to
accept the award.

The National Board reached out to Harrison’s son, Samuel

F. Harrison, Jr., to discuss his late father and the impact
that recognition within the industry can have.

“With the help of numerous talented professionals, Sam

Harrison led the National Board through a period of
growth and expansion enabling the NBBI to reach out
and bring the message of ‘One Code, One Inspector, One
Stamp’ to a world stage and by doing so, further enhance
boiler and pressure vessel safety, saving countless lives in
the process,” said Harrison Jr. “Recognition provides the
industry, in general, with an opportunity for self-assess-
ment, to look at their contributions and skill sets and how
they may be put to better use for the benefit of others and
the enhancement of public safety.”

Blanche Harrison accepting her late husband's award

from Executive Director D.J. McDonald.

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 BULLETIN COVER STORY

Photo By Brandon Sofsky

C.O. Myers' grandsons, Robert and James Myers, accept the C.O. Myers Safety Medal on behalf of their grandfather at the 88th General
Meeting.

C.O. Myers: A Lasting Legacy

This award, the highest honor bestowed by the National

Board, received a name change in 2019. National Board
founder C.O. Myers was posthumously presented the
award at the 88th General Meeting, and in his honor, the
Safety Medal became known as the C.O. Myers Safety
Medal. His grandsons, James and Robert Myers, were pres-
ent at the meeting to accept the award on behalf of their
grandfather.

Myers was a boiler inspector for the state of Ohio and

eventually assumed the role of Ohio’s chief inspector. In
June 1919, Myers sent the American Boiler Manufacturers
Association a letter recommending the creation of a “Exec-
utive Committee” that would be comprised of representa-
tives from each state that enforced a boiler inspection law.
This committee would have the final authority on creating
uniform qualifications and examination requirements for
boiler inspectors.

On December 2, 1919, Myers and six other chief inspectors

formed the committee and Myers was appointed the first
secretary-treasurer. It was here that The National Board of
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors was founded. Over
the years, the National Board has remained paramount in
the world of boiler and pressure vessel safety, thanks to
the organization that Myers implemented over 100 years C.O. Myers.
ago.

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 “
As we look to the future, we can all aspire to
reach the high level of integrity this award
embodies as we keep the legacy of this
award alive for years to come.
– Joel Amato, National Board Executive Director

NBBI Executive Director, Joel Amato, presenting

Chuck Withers the C.O. Myers Safety Award
Photo By Brandon Sofsky

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 BULLETIN COVER STORY

Myers passed away in 1963 from a heart attack. During All letters are submitted to the current National Board
his 44 years of service to the National Board, Myers was executive director by the end of the calendar year, and
instrumental to the organization’s growth, helping 61 the winner is announced at the following year’s General
jurisdictions become National Board members. Myers Meeting.
also was responsible for the compilation and publication
of the first edition of the National Board Inspection Code More information about the nomination process can be
(NBIC), which these jurisdictions adopted. At the time of found on the National Board’s website.
his passing, he was a senior member in years of service
to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Past Recipients
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee and a Fellow of the
1st Samuel F. Harrison, Sr.* 1987
American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
2nd Leonard P. Zick 1988
Safety Medal to Safety Award 3rd Helmut Thielsch 1990
In early 2022, the decision was made to update the look 4th Wilford L. Garvin 1991
and feel of the C.O. Myers Safety Medal. The decision was 5th Guy A. Arlotto 1992
made to change the medal into a standing glass award
that could easily be displayed on the recipient’s desk. The 6th Donald J. McDonald* 1993
C.O. Myers Safety Medal changed to the C.O. Myers Safety 7th Charles W. Allison 1994
Award, with the first recipient of the new design being
Chuck Withers at the 2022 90th General Meeting in New 8th Richard E. Jagger 1995
Orleans, Louisiana. 9th William E. Brown* 1996
10th Charles E. Ford 1997
“The idea for the redesign originally came from former
National Board member Donald Cook of California. He was 11th Robert J. Cepluch 1998
committed to moving NBBI forward and improving and 12th Morris L. Snow, Jr. 1999
adapting the way that we do things. The change of the
name to the C.O. Myers Safety Medal in 2019 also began 13th Arthur I. Snyder 2000
the conversation of updating the form of the award itself. 14th Ronald C. Howard 2001
The redesign, which resulted in the new C.O. Myers Safety
Award, reflects our commitment to evolve and advance as 15th George Bynog 2003
an organization while continuing to prioritize safety within 16th Duane R. Gallup* 2005
the industry,” said Joel Amato, NBBI executive director.
17th Albert J. Justin 2006
Nomination and Selection Process 18th W. D. Doty 2007
19th E. A. Steen 2007
To be considered for the C.O. Myers Safety Award, letters
of recommendation must be submitted by three individu- 20th Charles H. Walters* 2008
als who are acquainted with the candidate and can attest
21st Ken K. T. Lau 2009
to his or her safety contributions within the boiler and
pressure vessel industry. At least two letters must be from 22nd Robert V. Wielgoszinski 2010
National Board members. Each letter must include a brief 23rd Domenic Canonico 2012
biography of the candidate, comprised of positions held,
National Board involvement, participation in industry activ- 24th Robert Reetz 2013
ities, and any honors and awards known to the individual 25th George W. Galanes 2014
making the nomination.
26th June Ling 2015
One or more of the following four qualification categories 27th Madiha El Mehelmy Kotb 2016
can be used to make a credible case for the candidate:
28th Richard L. Allison 2018
• Leadership 29th C. O. Myers* 2019
• Governmental Affairs/Statesman 30th Donald Cook* 2021
• Education/Training
31st Chuck Withers 2022
• Code and Standards
*These recipients were awarded posthumously.

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 Reconnecting With Past Recipients

The National Board reached out to several past C.O. Myers Safety Award recipients to ask what winning this award meant
to them.

Chuck Withers
Madiha Kotb
2022 Recipient
2016 Recipient

Photo By Brandon Sofsky Photo By Brandon Sofsky

“Receiving any recognition for doing your best is always “The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspec-
appreciated and humbling, but never expected. I am proud tors has historically been and continues to be a magnetiz-
to be recognized and receive such a prestigious award ing force that bring different stakeholders together. The
coming from a great safety organization. Founder C. O. qualification criteria for the safety medal and the list of
Myers displayed insight and dedication to safety and gave recipients highlight how our system is a holistic one and it
us a model to follow for over 100 years. is like a chain that will be as strong as its weakest link.

“Over the years I have realized that most people want to “Recognizing individuals who have made significant
do things the right and safe way, but all that is needed contribution to increase safety of the boiler and pressure
is education, training, and communication. C. O. Myers vessel industry is a way to celebrate not only their indi-
and the 30 previous award recipients realized these vidual accomplishment, but also our collective effort and
requirements and dedicated their lives to NBBI and ASME success. It puts our industry in the spotlight for all the
to ensure all organizations and personnel understand right reasons. It highlights the importance of what we do
numerous safety codes, standards, and laws pertaining to ensure and enhance public safety and inspires people to
to pressure equipment safety. I am extremely humbled, get involved.”
thankful, and grateful to be part of such an elite group of
hard working and resolute individuals.”

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 BULLETIN FEATURE

Remote Test Witnessing at the National

Board Testing Laboratory
ROBERT VIERS, SENIOR STAFF ENGINEER

A
little over two years ago,
COVID-19 disrupted the status
quo for everyone. The lock-
downs and restrictions that came in
response to the pandemic effectively
put a stop to our normal ways of life
and business.

Due to travel restrictions and safety

concerns that arose early on, one of
the National Board Testing Laborato-
ry’s benefits – that is, the ability for
pressure relief device manufacturers,
assemblers, and repair organizations to
witness the certification tests of their
sample devices – was put on hold. The
National Board, as well as the rest of
Example of a remote test witness video conference on the National Board Test Lab’s
the world, had to roll with the punches medium pressure nitrogen test system. The device under test is shown in the upper right
to rise above difficulties presented by corner. The test report for the device is shown in the center. Live pressure and temperature
the pandemic. We all needed to learn readings, as well as an estimate of the flowing capacity from the test system’s flow meter
to work within the new normal. are on the left side.

Challenges present opportunities customers to safely witness their test- accessible than ever. With the introduc-
for growth, however. In working to ing, the National Board Testing Labo- tion of remote test witnessing, cus-
overcome the challenges and allow ratory has made test witnessing more tomers can watch their devices being
tested over a live video stream without
ever needing to leave their office. When
scheduling laboratory testing, custom-
ers simply need to indicate that they
want to witness the testing remotely.
The laboratory staff will then organize
a video conference meeting and send
an invitation to those witnessing the
testing.

Each test system at the National Board

Testing Laboratory has been equipped
with audio and video equipment to
allow for the live streaming of tests.
During remote test witnessing, cus-
tomers have a live video feed of the
Example of a remote test witness video conference on the National Board Test Lab’s steam device being tested, as well as live
test system. The device under test is shown in the upper right corner. The test report for readings of pressure, temperature,
the device is shown in the center. Live pressure and temperature readings are on the left and flow rate from the laboratory’s
side, which includes a live reading of the system’s steam quality. data acquisition program. Customers

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 can also communicate directly with the National Board’s test
engineers and technicians over voice or instant messaging, as
well as see test reports as they are completed. This gives wit-
nesses the opportunity to ask questions or discuss a device’s
performance just as if they were physically in the laboratory.

Even as COVID-19 restrictions have eased and in person

witnessing has resumed at the laboratory, remote test wit-
nessing remains a valuable option for many customers. While
witnessing testing in person is beneficial, it may not always be
feasible or cost effective. Remote test witnessing allows cus-
tomers who cannot spare the manpower to send a witness to
the laboratory, or international customers who would have to
travel from the other side of the globe, to see their devices
in action while avoiding days of lost time and additional costs
due to travel. It also gives customers the convenience of
knowing their test results in real time. Audio equipment for communicating with witnesses. Witnesses also
have the ability to use an instant messaging system to communi-
As the world continues to work through the struggles of the cate with lab personnel, which is often utilized when the noise level
pandemic, we are finding that some of the changes that were of the device being tested makes voice communication difficult.
Instant messaging can also be useful for international customers,
made out of necessity can actually be beneficial long term,
where the use of modern translation software can help eliminate
and the option for remote test witnessing is no exception. language barriers.

A webcam installed on the laboratory’s high/medium pres- A webcam installed on the laboratory’s steam test stand, which
sure nitrogen test console. The camera can be rotated to give gives the witness a view of their device while it is being tested.
views of both the medium pressure nitrogen test system (in
background), and the high-pressure nitrogen test system (not
pictured).

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 BULLETIN PROFILE IN SAFETY

Trevor Seime work for us, so we just did it. The

sooner you got the work done, the
better off you were.”

Chief Boiler Inspector for the In April of 1986, 15 days shy of his
17th birthday, Trevor and his family
State of North Dakota were dealt a cruel hand that became a
defining moment in their lives.

“The state of Alaska called to inform

us Dad was missing,” Trevor shares.
“The state hired Dad’s construction
company to make a man-made lake
to slow down a fast-moving river.
When the project was finished, Dad
and my older cousin Craig needed to
move equipment back to the trailers
on the other side of the lake. They
determined that by the time Craig
drove the truck around the lake, Dad
could drive straight across with the
backhoe crane on a Cattrac and reach
the other side at the same time. Dad
did all the calculations: the weight of
Photo by Deborah Kates the equipment, the length across the
lake. He and Craig took four-wheelers

I
out and measured the ice every six
t’s been said that life is not a says, “because I spent all my child- feet – finding it to be between 10-12
matter of holding good cards, but hood summers in Kenmare helping feet deep.
of playing a poor hand well. North my grandparents (Clifford and Pearl
Dakota Chief Boiler Inspector Trevor Kling) on the farm. There was always “That morning my cousin took off
Seime has experience with this from a work to be done, especially as I got in the truck and waved goodbye to
literal and figurative perspective. older. When I was younger I couldn’t my dad, and Dad took off on the ice.
turn the wrench like grandpa could.” When Craig reached the trailers, my
“I love, love, love playing cards,” he Instead, he was put to work in other dad was nowhere to be seen.”
says. “Cribbage and pinochle are my ways.
favorites.” His zest for card games is Craig circled back in the truck, taking
rooted in family. “My mom and dad “I started driving a grain truck when a four-wheeler with him. Duane
taught me. We would play for hours. I was nine. Grandpa cut 2x4’s and wasn’t there, so Craig drove out onto
And during the long North Dakota tarp-strapped them to the brake and the ice searching for his uncle. About
winters, Grandpa and I’d play all eve- gas pedals so I could reach them. two-thirds of the way across, he saw
ning. He loved it as much as I did.” The clutch pedal was so hard to it – a perfect square in the ice where
push down, I had to grab hold of the the equipment fell through. Divers
Chief Seime was born and raised in steering wheel, stand up on the pedal, searched for days before it was called
Colorado, big brother to two sisters. and pull myself down so I could get off. Three agonizing months later, the
His parents, Duane and Emily, were enough force to push the clutch in.” state of Alaska called again: Duane’s
high school sweethearts from the He’d drive off to cultivate the north body had been recovered.
northwest corner of North Dakota in quarter of the field all on his own.
the little farming town of Kenmare. “Not a single day goes by that I don’t
His father worked in construction and “It’s hard to explain because most miss him. Not at all. My grandparents
his mom was a housewife. people don’t understand farm life. It’s stepped up and stepped in after Dad
a work ethic. My grandpa taught it passed away. Let’s just say I wasn’t in
When Trevor was 13, the family relo- to me. I grew up with it. We were all a good place. I don’t know how they
cated to Kenmare. “Moving to North farm kids and understood that nobody put up with me. I went into a deep,
Dakota was like going home,” Trevor else was going to come and do the dark hole.”

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 After high school Trevor enrolled at It took some time and help from his He would know - he is the chair of the
NDSU. He didn’t return for a second Indy connections, but Trevor was NBIC Historical Task Group and of the
year. Instead, he enlisted in the Navy. eventually dealt a winning hand: an Interpretations Task Group, sits on
“I didn’t want to think about my dad. inspection job opened in the state. the Subgroup and Subcommittee of
You can’t think much in boot camp. I “How it worked out for me I have no Repairs & Alterations, and is a mem-
went back to what I knew: hard work. idea. I called Bob Reetz (then chief) ber of the NBIC Main Committee. He
It was the best thing that happened to and told him I was looking for a job. holds IS, AI, and R commissions and
me,” he recalls. “I overheard my mom He said, ‘How fast can you get to Bis- endorsements.
tell my wife Becky that when I left for marck for an interview?’”
the Navy I was a wreck, but I came His advice to new (and seasoned)
back a man.” He worked with Bob for nine years inspectors: don’t go into an inspec-
and then assumed the role of chief tion looking to find something. “An
High scores on his SAT and ASFAB after Bob retired. “Becoming chief has inspection with no deficiencies is a
enabled him to start as an E-4 Petty been the highlight of my career. It was good day. It means someone is pay-
Officer 3rd Class. After a year and a half the job I wanted since the day Bob ing attention and taking care of their
in nuclear school, he was recruited as hired me.” equipment. If you do find a problem,
a nuclear sub prototype instructor in find out why and where it came from,
upstate New York and worked in that As for National Board membership, but be personal with the people you
role for two years. The last four years of Trevor says, “It means everything to deal with and educate them about
his service he spent on the USS Pitts- me. I was a member for two months the issue. People skills go a long
burgh, a fast attack submarine. before I attended my first General way.”
Meeting in 2015. Everyone was so
During his second year on the Pitts- welcoming. Knowing I had the support When he’s not inspecting an oil rig
burgh, the ship was dry docked in of NBBI membership was a good feel- or doing committee work, Trevor
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He and ing. I knew I was in a good place.” and Becky enjoy spending time with
a shipmate went into town and wan- their grandchildren and camping on
dered into an arcade, where he met An inspecting chief, Trevor pulls his weekends. “It’s nice to run away and
his future bride, Becky. Now married fair share of field inspections. His not have to think for a few days. I do
for 27 years, the pair enjoy three jurisdiction oversees approximately enough of that during the week,” he
adult children and two grandchildren. 12,000 objects. “It’s trickier being an jokes.
Trevor also has a grown child and inspecting chief. I’ve got to manage
two grandchildren from a previous my time to get my own work done and And of course, he still enjoys cards.
marriage. support my other three inspectors. Rumor has it he’s pretty good, so
The four of us are self-sufficient. They any challengers might think twice
After his time in the Navy, Trevor was rely on me to pull my own share. No before sitting down with him to a
employed with Hartford Steam Boiler one’s going to do it for me.” friendly game of Cribbage. During
in Indianapolis, where he worked for his naval service he won the boat-
two and a half years. He made fast Trevor is active on the National Board wide Cribbage tournament two
friends with then deputy inspector Inspection Code (NBIC) committee. years in a row.
Danny Willis (who became chief of “I take my service on the NBIC very
Indiana), then chief Anthony “Bud” personally. It’s important to me. The Trevor might say he hasn’t always
Meiring, and Walter Beach, who Trev- work we do sets a precedent for all played his hands well, but his life
or credits for teaching him the codes. the other work we do as inspectors. trajectory tells a different story: one
We must keep up with technology of a young man who suffered unimag-
But even then, Kenmare was calling. changes. People depend on us to do inable loss but who found his way full
“I would still go back to Kenmare that work.” circle back to North Dakota, where
to work on the farm every chance I family ties are strong and work is
could. Even in the Navy I’d take my For those interested in code work, meaningful. Some might consider that
leave to fly home and work on the Trevor’s advice is to find something a ‘target score.’
farm. It was what I knew. The last time that you have a vested interest
we went home, we were driving out in. “You’ve got to have skin in the “Inspection for public safety is
of Kenmare on our way back to Indy, game, otherwise you won’t put in important work that needs to get
and I told Becky, ‘This is the last time the effort and time that committee done. I keep my head above water
I’m leaving.’ Two months later I found work takes above and beyond your and do what I need to do - just keep
a job and we moved home.” role as a chief.” going.”

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 BULLETIN TRAINING MATTERS

New Format and Delivery: Boiler and

Pressure Vessel Repair Seminar
KIMBERLY MILLER, DIRECTOR OF TRAINING

O
ver the years, the Boiler and Pressure teach this seminar, which is slightly longer
Vessel Repair (RO) Seminar has been than where we started.
consistently taught in person. And
although there is much to be said for con- Today, the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repair
sistency, there is also something to be said (RO) Seminar is an instructor-led class deliv-
about change. ered remotely to students via our virtual
classroom. It is held four hours a day, 12:30
With the onset of the pandemic in 2020, p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, for five days. Depend-
change was inevitable. The RO Seminar was ing on the time zone a student is in, they may
shelved as our focus turned to the cours- work in the morning and log into class for
es the boiler and pressure vessel industry the afternoon or join class each morning and
needed us to teach. As we began to emerge return to work after lunch. The hope is this
from the worldwide shutdown, we pulled the new schedule and remote delivery will allow
seminar off the shelf, deciding it was time for even more people in the industry interested
a change in our approach to this training. in learning about boiler and pressure repair
to attend the RO Seminar, while avoiding
First, we looked at our audience. History missing a full week of work as well as the
showed most students having attended this added cost of travel.
training were from organizations perform-
ing repairs and/or alterations, or R Stamp Prior to the need for virtual classrooms, the
holders. Considering a typical work schedule training department was on track to build a
for an R Stamp shop, we understand it can studio space to facilitate the creation of other
be difficult for many individuals performing types of material such as videos and graph-
these duties to be absent to attend training, ics for our online courses. That space now
especially during specific times of the year. includes a dedicated virtual classroom for
We recognize this is even more true in today’s trainings such as the RO Seminar. With con-
work environment. struction underway, we are already planning
new training topics we can offer virtually, and
Next, a review of seminar topics was conduct- maybe even a few recorded podcast learning
ed. Understanding many individuals attending sessions. Stay tuned for more information on
this training are with organizations at the this in 2023.
beginning of the accreditation process, it was
decided to maintain the time spent discuss-
ing accreditation requirements. This is also a
great review for those heading towards their
renewal. In addition, we determined there
would be value in extending the sessions on
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME) Code calculations and performing
alterations to provide students with a more
solid foundation in these areas. With adjust-
ments in time and content of other sessions,
we decided 20 hours would be needed to best

26 N AT I O N A L BOA RD B U L L E T IN FALL 2022 [Link]

 UPDATES & TRANSITIONS BULLETIN

2023 Classroom Training

Courses and Seminars

Commission/Endorsement Courses (AI) Authorized Inspector Commission Course

In-Person Tuition: $3,200
(N) Authorized Nuclear Inspector Course Remote (Virtual) Tuition: $3,700
In-Person Tuition: $1,600 7.2 IACET CEUs Issued
Remote (Virtual) Tuition: $1,850 March 6-17, 2023
CUT LINE

2.8 IACET CEUs Issued May 8-19, 2023 (Remote via Zoom)
April 24-28, 2023 (Remote via Zoom) June 12-23, 2023
August 14-18, 2023 September 18-29, 2023 (Remote via Zoom)
(NS) Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisor Course October 30-November 10, 2023
In-Person Tuition: $1,600 (R) Repair Inspector Course
Remote (Virtual) Tuition: $1,850 In-Person Tuition: $1,300
2.7 IACET CEUs Issued Remote (Virtual) Tuition: $1,550
August 21-25, 2023 2.0 IACET CEUs Issued
(IS) Inservice Inspector Commission Course January 9-12, 2023 (Remote via Zoom)
In-Person Tuition: $3,200 March 20-23, 2023
Remote (Virtual) Tuition: $3,700 June 26-29, 2023
7 IACET CEUs Issued July 24-27, 2023 (Remote via Zoom)
January 23 – February 3, 2023 (Remote via Zoom) November 13-16, 2023
April 17-28, 2023
Continuing Education Seminars
CUT LINE

July 10-21, 2023

August 7-18, 2023 (Remote via Zoom) (VR) Pressure Relief Valve Repair Seminar
October 9-20, 2023 In-Person Tuition: $1,600
(B)(O) Inspector Supervisor Course Off-Site Tuition: $1,700
In-Person Tuition: $1,600 2.6 IACET CEUs Issued
Remote (Virtual) Tuition: $1,850 January 23-27, 2023
2.7 IACET CEUs Issued June 5-9, 2023
April 17-21, 2023 (Remote via Zoom)
July 10-14, 2023 (RO) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repair Seminar
December 4-8, 2023 Remote (Virtual) Tuition: $950
0 IACET CEUs Issued
March 27-31, 2023 (Remote via Zoom)
October 23-27, 2023 (Remote via Zoom)

All training is held at the National Board Training Center in Columbus, Ohio, unless otherwise noted (for remote learning
via Zoom). Class size is limited and availability subject to change. Check the National Board website for up-to-date
CUT LINE

availability.

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 BULLETIN UPDATES & TRANSITIONS

2022
Members’
Meeting
& Chiefs’
Technical
Seminars
N
BBI members from across North
America gathered October 4-6,
2022, at the National Board head-
quarters in Columbus, Ohio, for the annual
Members' Meeting. During the three-day
event, members heard updates on Nation-
al Board initiatives, including training and
jurisdictional outreach. Members attended
two days of technical seminars on topics
including boiler drum level instrumentation,
NBIC Part 3 updates, JRS developments, the
2023 Edition of RCI-1, laser welding, and
tube sheet repairs. Members also received
hands-on training at the National Board’s
Inspection Training Center, with Lincoln Elec-
tric providing a welding demonstration and
Elliott Tool Technologies showcasing a boiler
tube installation and removal.

28 N AT I O N A L BOA RD B U L L E T IN FALL 2022 [Link]

 NBBI F
ive National Board members were awarded mem-
bership service awards from the Chair of the Board
of Trustees, Rob Troutt, at the October Mem-
bers’ Meeting. Christopher Cantrell, state of Nebraska,

Membership
received a 15-year membership award. Benjamin Craw-
ford, state of Georgia, and Matthias Mailman, Northwest
Territories, each received a 10-year membership award.
Five-year membership awards were presented to Donald

Awards
Ehler, province of Nova Scotia, and Robert Bunte, state
of Iowa. Awardees received a pin and certificate. Current
National Board members are eligible to receive an award
upon completion of five years as a member and at the
end of every five years thereafter. Additionally, certifi-
cates of appreciation were awarded to Ed Kawa, Don Kin-
ney, and Steve Townsend (not pictured), for their work
on National Board Policy BOT 5.1, Peer Review Board.

Chris Cantrell Robert Bunte Benjamin Crawford

Donald Ehler Matthias Mailman Don Kinney and Edward Kawa

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 BULLETIN UPDATES & TRANSITIONS

Member Retirements
Steven Townsend retired as chief boiler inspector for the province of Prince Edward Island
on August 26, 2022. Mr Townsend was an NBBI member for 11 years and spent nearly 30
years in the boiler and pressure vessel industry. Before working for Prince Edward Island, he
worked for 18 years as a shift engineer responsible for the maintenance and operation of
central heating plants and steam and ammonia refrigeration systems.
Steven Townsend
Edward Hilton retired as chief boiler inspector for the commonwealth of Virginia on Septem-
ber 1, 2022. An NBBI member for 14 years, Mr. Hilton spent more than four decades work-
ing in the boiler and pressure vessel industry. Prior to working for the state, he worked at
Virginia Power as an NDE Level III. Mr. Hilton also worked at Atlas Machine and Iron Works,
Precision Inspection, and Trans-Eastern Inspection.

William Anderson retired from his role as director/chief boiler inspector for the state of
Mississippi on September 30, 2022. Mr. Anderson served in the US Army. He is a boilermaker
journeyman and was involved in the new construction of boilers in the early 1970s. Between
1973 and 2004 he was employed with Tennessee Valley Authority and supervised the con-
struction of boilers in coal, fossil, and nuclear plants. From 1986-1988 he served as trustee
on the Executive Board of Boilermakers 455 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Mr. Anderson was Edward Hilton
the recording secretary of boilermakers there from 1989-1991. In 1986, he represented
Boilermakers Local 455 at the TVA Wage Conference and was an elected delegate to the
27th Consolidated Convention of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship
Builders, Forgers and Helpers representing Boilermakers Local 455. He joined with the state
of Mississippi in 2012 and has been an NBBI member since 2016.

Advisory Committee Updates

William Anderson
Mike Quisenberry was appointed by the Board of Trustees to a three-year term on the National
Board’s Advisory Committee. Mr. Quisenberry, president of Lone Star Steamworks, LLC, represents
National Board stamp holders.

Mark Lower and Timothy Simmons were each reappointed by the Board of Trustees to a second three-year term. Mr. Lower,
program manager at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, represents boiler and pressure vessel users. Mr. Simmons, executive
director of construction sector operations division for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, represents organized
labor.

Call for Articles

The National Board continuously welcomes submissions of story ideas for future issues of the BULLETIN. Article topics
should appeal to a wide range of professionals in the boiler and pressure vessel industry. The viewpoints of engineers,
manufacturers, scientists, inspectors, and users are especially helpful with an emphasis on safety, standards, codes,
qualifications, rules, and regulations. Please submit an abstract or summary of the proposed article (350 words max)
along with a brief bio of the author(s) via email to Stephanie Campbell at scampbell@[Link].

30 N AT I O N A L BOA RD B U L L E T IN FALL 2022 [Link]

 NBBI News
American Welding Society's (AWS) Technical Activities Committee (TAC) Meeting

NBBI hosted the American Welding

Society's (AWS) Technical Activities
Committee (TAC) Meeting July 26-27
at the NBBI Training and Conference
Center. In-person attendees received
a tour of the Inspection Training
Room, an 8,000-square-foot facility
that houses a unique collection of
boilers, pressure vessels, and related
equipment used to engage students
in hands-on inspection training.
Photo By Brandon Sofsky

Technical Activities Committee attendees touring the NBBI Inspection Training Room.
PVMA Fall Meeting

The 2022 PVMA Fall Meeting was held at NBBI's headquarters September 12-13. The event consisted of several meet-
ings, including meetings for the Technical and Code Issues Group and the Member Services Committee.

Photo By Brandon Sofsky

Attendees of the PVMA Fall Meeting together at the golf outing.

Save the Date

NBBI & ASME Events

• NBIC Committee Meeting, January 9-12, 2023 – Charleston, South Carolina

Industry Events

• 2023 ABMA Annual Meeting, January 13-16, 2023, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, CA
NBBI Programs
• C.O. Myers Safety Award letters of recommendation due, December 31, 2022
• NBBI Technical Scholarship applications due, February 28, 2023

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 BULLETIN NBIC UPDATE

July 2022 NBIC Meeting

Overview
JONATHAN ELLIS, STAFF ENGINEER

T
he July 2022 NBIC Committee meetings were held at
The Alexander Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana. More
than 150 people, made up of committee members,
visitors, and National Board staff, attended the meetings
in-person and virtually. In total, 13 committee meetings
were conducted:

• NR, Historical Boilers, and Interpretations Task Groups.

• Installation, Inspection, Repairs and Alterations, and
Pressure Relief Devices Subgroups.
• Installation, Inspection, Repairs and Alterations, and
Pressure Relief Devices Subcommittees.
• NBIC Executive Committee.
• NBIC Main Committee.
During these meetings, committee members and visitors
collaborated on 96 business items. By the end of the week,
the committees:

• Approved 18 proposals for code change.

• Marked 10 proposals to be submitted as letter ballots to
the committees. Photo By Brandon Sofsky
• Reviewed and closed nine code change proposals with no
action.
• Approved three new interpretations. • Task Group FRP Chair: Debra McCauley.
• Reviewed and closed one interpretation request with no • Subgroup Installation Chair: Joe Brockman.
action. • Subcommittee PRD Vice Chair: Adam Renaldo.
The Main Committee also approved a change to the defini- During the Main Committee meeting, NBBI Assistant
tion of the “General Interest” category in NB-240, National Executive Director-Technical Gary Scribner presented three
Board Inspection Code Procedure. The new definition will awards. Bob Wielgoszinski was presented a National Board
allow for other jurisdictional employees to become mem- Certificate of Appreciation for the over twenty-five years of
bers of the NBIC committees. This revision to NB-240 will service he has provided as a member of Main Committee.
go into effect after being approved by the NBBI Board of Jim Getter and Melissa Wadkinson received awards for
Trustees and the American National Standards Institute. their five years of service on the Main Committee.

In addition to addressing business items, three officer elec- If you are interested in attending the NBIC meetings and
tions were held for Task Group Fiber Reinforced Pressure being involved in its development process, contact the
Vessels (FRP), Subgroup Installation, and Subcommittee NBIC Secretary at NBICSecretary@[Link]. For the latest
Pressure Relief Devices (PRD). Here are the results of these news on the NBIC and committee meetings, visit the
elections: Inspection Code tab at [Link].

32 N AT I O N A L BOA RD B U L L E T IN FALL 2022 [Link]

Headquarters, Training and Conference Center,
and Inspection Training Center
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Phone 614.888.8320
Fax 614.888.0750

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7437 Pingue Drive
Worthington, Ohio 43085-1715
Phone 614.888.8320
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