An Interview With Retiring Executive Director Donald Tanner

An Interview With Retiring Executive Director Donald Tanner

Winter 2009Winter 2009technical Journal of the national Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel inspectors technical Journal of the national Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel inspectors

Cover Story8 90 YEARS OF SAFETY

Features3 REMEMBERING George Bynog

13 National Board Synopsis Update 14 Hot-Water Supply Boilers — By Jim McGimpsey

16 78th General Meeting in La Jolla

26 New Training Inspection Center

Departments2 Executive Director’s Message: The Past as Prologue

4 Perspective: Epilogue

6 Inspector’s Insight: Inspectors and Mass Production

32 Profile in Safety: Rodney Handy, Senior Boiler Inspector, Kentucky

34 Transition: Douin Named Executive Director; National Board Mourns Ben Whitley; Robert Aben, Mark Mooney, Joel Amato, and Donald Jenkins Elected to Board of Trustees; John Bell, John Siggers, Michael Burns, and Roy Perry Join National Board

37 Do You Know . . . Joy Green, Accounting Associate

38 Training Matters: Opportunities Abound

39 Training Calendar

40 The Way We Were: Jumping for Their Lives

The National Board Celebrates its 90TH Anniversary.Read more on Page 8.

BULLETIN cover photograph by Greg Sailor

David A. DouinExecutive Director

Richard L. AllisonAssistant Executive Director – Administrative

Paul D. Brennan, APR Director of Public AffairsDavid Culwell

Publications EditorBrandon SofskyManager of Publications

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Robert J. Aben Jr.Chairman

Mark MooneyFirst Vice ChairmanJoel T. AmatoSecond Vice ChairmanDavid A. Douin

Secretary-TreasurerDonald Jenkins

Member at LargeJack M. Given Jr.

Member at LargeBrian Krasiun

Member at Large Daniel C. Price

Member at Large

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Charles G. SchaberRepresenting authorized inspection agencies

(insurance companies)Greg McRae

Representing pressure vessel manufacturersBrian R. Morelock, P.E.

Representing boiler and pressure vessel usersEdward J. Hoveke

Representing National Board certificate holdersGeorge W. Galanes

Representing the welding industryCharles E. Perry

Representing boiler manufacturersLawrence J. McManamon Jr.

Representing organized labor

BULLETIN

The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors was organized for the purpose of promoting greater safety by securing concerted action and maintain-ing uniformity in the construction, installation, inspection, and repair of boilers and other pressure vessels and their appurtenances, thereby assuring acceptance and interchangeability among jurisdictional authorities empowered to assure adherence to code construction and repair of boilers and pressure vessels.

The National Board BULLETIN is published three times a year by The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, 1055 Crupper Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229-1183, 614.888.8320, nationalboard.org. Postage paid at Columbus, Ohio.

Points of view, ideas, products, or services featured in the National Board BULLETIN do not necessarily constitute endorsement by the National Board, which disclaims responsibility for authenticity or accuracy of information contained herein. Address all correspondence to the Public Affairs Department, The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, at the above address.

© 2009 by The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. ISSN 0894-9611. CPN 4004-5415.

WINTER 2009 • VOLUME 64 • NUMBER 1

By DAvID A. DoUIN, EXECUTIvE DIRECToR

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A s I reflect on what is an amazing milestone, it is with a sense of pride I report the National Board remains structurally sound and strategically poised to meet the

challenges of an exciting future. From my perspective, National Board’s forward direction

will not be unlike its past – save perhaps advances in technology. But technology has not made our organization the world leader it is today. The National Board’s success has always been – and will continue to be – about people and relationships.

Dedicated members and an exceptionally talented profes-sional staff are at the heart of what the National Board stands for. Complementing their efforts is an impressive roster of as-sociate organizations (some of which are older than the National Board itself) that have remained dependable and committed partners in the preservation of public safety. Among these: standards-developing organizations, safety and engineering groups, manufacturer and repair businesses, insurance com-panies, and regulators.

What makes our industry unique is how it has been able to work in collective harmony for many, many years. Consistent with the effectiveness of most mutually dependent relationships, success is directly proportional to the commitment of each party involved. As in 1919, the National Board today approaches its mission by achieving the highest quality standards. And like the National Board of decades ago, we have sought to meet the needs of a vital yet evolving industry.

Nowhere is this more evident than our continuing efforts to provide quality training to both new and experienced pres-sure equipment professionals. The recently opened Inspection Training Center (see page 26) on the grounds of National Board’s training campus is both state of the art and one of a kind. Here, novices and journeymen alike can obtain hands-on equipment experience all in one place. Add a series of new online training

courses being readied for release later this year, and it becomes abundantly clear why National Board remains the premiere standard for international pressure equipment education.

With demand for its services now worldwide, the National Board is in a unique position to accelerate involvement with the global community. To that end, we will be building bridges to those seeking our assistance.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of mutually beneficial relationships within our industry. Those who seek a closer association with the National Board have a number of options. In addition to training opportunities and participation in code activities, our 78TH General Meeting (May 11 – 15) in La Jolla, California (see pages 16 – 25) is an excellent way to per-sonally connect with National Board members, most of whom will be in attendance.

Sensitive to the needs of our industry, the National Board continues to expand the number of choices for those wanting to enhance their professional credentials and knowledge.

The past may be prologue, but for the National Board it is an unshakable foundation of knowledge 90 years in development.

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In this my first BULLETIN message, I would like to thank all of you who took the time to forward congratulatory messages regarding my election as Executive Director.

I am humbled by the trust placed in me by my fellow National Board members. Consistent with the commitment and dedication of my predecessors, I pledge to continue the noble traditions of our great and critically essential organiza-tion. It is a responsibility of epic proportion and one I take very seriously.

Let the next 90 years begin.

The Past as Prologue

Welcome to 2009 and the 90TH Anniversary of the National Board.

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By TERRy A. PARKS, MANAGER of fIELD SERvICES

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On Saturday, November 1, 2008, around 2:30 in the af-ternoon, I received one of those phone calls you never want to receive – one informing you a long-time friend

has been involved in an accident and has been killed. My good friend George Bynog was fatally injured that day in a one-car ac-cident on his way home to his wife Denise, his daughters Beth and Carolyn, and his home in Texas – one day after his retirement from the National Board.

My world changed forever, as it often does when you lose a good friend so unexpectedly. You see, George was much more than a friend to me; he was also my mentor and, twice in my life, my boss.

I first met George in early 1996, when I interviewed with him for a job as a deputy boiler inspector for the state of Texas. From our first meeting George and I became instant friends. I think our mutual backgrounds gave us many things in com-mon that we could discuss. And discuss we did, as George was always up for a lively debate on just about any subject at any time. Of course, like most of us, his opinion counted the most.His wife Denise honored me by asking if I would give part of the eulogy at the funeral service. I agreed with much trepidation: first, I was afraid I would not be able to get through it without blubbering like a baby; second, I did not know how to honor my friend in the short time I was allowed.

As I was contemplating what to say, I was reminded of the adage “Nothing is as constant as change.” Throughout our lives, we must deal with change; sometimes this change comes suddenly like the unexpected passing of a loved one or friend. Time never stands still; it marches steadily on and, with the marching, come the changes. I think the longer we live, the more we realize how short life is. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, we journey through our lives. I have come to understand that some of the things that are important in this journey are that we relish life as we live it and we find

joy in the journey. I have also come to realize we must share that joy with our families and friends.

George found joy in the journey and relished life as he lived it. His passion for life was always shared with his family and friends. George would not want us to mourn his passing for long. He

would want all of us who knew him to follow his example and relish this life as we live it and always, always find joy in the journey. I can hear him saying, “Do not shed tears of grief and be sorrowful that I have gone, but Cowboy Up and get on with life.” He once said to me that death is part of living; although not profound, it has brought me comfort when I think of his death. George did not waste the time he was given during his time on this earth; he made the most of it. His enthusiasm for life was infectious, and those of us that knew him are better for it.

I will cherish the memories I have of him, his friendship, and the opportunities I had to work with and for him. Those of us that had this privilege to work for him will remember him as the consummate teacher, always giving us opportunities to stretch our knowledge and abilities.

His words of wisdom often came in the form of an old coun-try adage, such as “You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.” This one I learned particularly well after I had a confrontation with a boiler owner as a deputy boiler inspector. Although I was in accordance with the law, using diplomacy and tact would have better served the situation. George in his wis-dom pointed that out with this adage. Those few words taught me so much, and I learned a valuable lesson, not only by what he said but also by the example he set. He could have given me a severe reprimand for my actions, but he chose to teach me a lesson in diplomacy.

I am grateful I had the experience of knowing him and that I was counted as one of his friends. My life is richer for it.

Fair winds, my friend.

Fair Winds, My Friend: Remembering George Bynog

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George Bynog (left) and Terry Parks at the 76TH General meeting in Grape-vine, Texas.

By PAUL BRENNAN, DIRECToR of PUBLIC AffAIRS

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Epilogue


It was during the funeral procession transporting Don Tanner to his final resting place at National Cemetery in Chattanooga. My eyes were immediately drawn to the car following the

hearse. Mr. Tanner’s candy apple red Cadillac DTS reminded me of the riderless horse often seen at state funerals symbol-izing the passing of a fallen warrior or leader.

I thought back to the numerous occasions I watched the humble native of Erin, Tennessee, climb into that vehicle with its tannish vinyl roof and head out the National Board parking lot. In seven and a half years, I can’t remember ever seeing Don Tanner’s vehicles dirty. Even in the dead of winter, that Cadillac always looked like it just came out of the showroom. And so it was this day.

I remembered the last several times I watched Mr. Tanner depart for the afternoon en route to the parking lot. It seemed an effort for him to make his way down the corridor. Pulling a black briefcase behind him, it appeared his feet weighed a hundred pounds. But he persevered. And once onboard the second floor elevator, his face yielded a sense of relief.

I was grateful his days of making that long walk from his office to his car were coming to an end. I could only imagine Mr. Tanner looking forward to life back in Chattanooga: endlessly focusing on his woodworking without having to navigate the bureaucratic quagmire that so engaged others of his rank and position.

It was a bittersweet feeling. While sensing the gratifica-tion Mr. Tanner must have felt, I selfishly wished he would continue as executive director several more years. On one of my last visits to his office, it saddened me to see he had already packed most of his personal items: his sprawling woodcut desk nameplate, model cars, a toy boiler . . .

Be it resolved: this relationship was coming to a close.I spent many wonderful hours in that office. Sometimes to

get his signature (which in terms of size was almost as big as the nameplate), conferring with him on the issue of the moment, or just listening to reminiscences of a spirited raconteur.

His last days at the National Board were spent in some discomfort. Catching his breath became more difficult each

day. It was far from what he wanted us to remember. Don Tanner, you see, was a very proud man. And that pride was consistent with his vision for the National Board.

In his younger days, Don Tanner was a hell-raiser. Years in the Navy begat stories he would relate all during his profes-sional career. And his inventory was vast. Some yarns were comical. Some were best told outside the presence of ladies. All were hilarious. No one was better at coaxing a tickle from the unsuspecting than National Board’s executive director.

The younger Don Tanner liked a good party. But that all came to a rather abrupt end when he became National Board chairman. His responsibilities toward National Board members and staff would carve before him a conspicuous line he chose not to cross.

Putting his best foot forward every time he represented the National Board, Don Tanner still felt work should be fun. And he encouraged it. At the office. During General Meetings. While attending ASME and National Board committee meetings.

When he became executive director, the Tennessee na-tive – unlike numerous executives achieving an apex of suc-cess – didn’t change one thing about his values: who he was or what he was all about.

What many didn’t know about Mr. Tanner was his fond-ness for clothes shopping. Never one to pay involuntary servitude to fashion, he nonetheless directed a great deal of thought to his appearance. Each day the nattily attired executive director arrived at the office ready to deal with a new set of issues. A freshly starched collar smartly sported the omnipresent “DT” initial pin.

While Mr. Tanner seldom imposed his desire for per-fection on others, he certainly encouraged it. It was, in all certainty, a by-product of his time in the Navy.

Mr. Tanner could be pugnacious when he felt so inclined. And then there was the puckish side of him that suggested he could be – deep down inside – a bit of a rascal.

Outwardly, Don Tanner was a true southern gentleman. An exemplar of politesse. And that sometimes belied the pas-sion within. Occasionally quick to anger, he was more than occasionally predictable.

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An angry phone call from Don Tanner would often be followed by yet another call. Same subject. Different attitude. The caller: an apologetic executive director now cool and col-lected and back to the Don Tanner we all knew. And loved.

This was the measure of the man. Don Tanner wasn’t perfect. Just human.

He had a deep and abiding respect for the people who worked for him and with him. And he always gave credit where credit was deserved. I learned some time ago there is nothing in the world that couldn’t be accomplished if one didn’t mind who got the credit. Don Tanner personified that lesson.

As his tenure as executive director was winding to a close, I sensed a kind of isolation. The sudden realization of leaving his National Board family in Columbus, Ohio, was no longer speculative. He wanted to retire earlier in the year, but ambivalence compelled him to remain. When his decision no longer became an option, Don Tanner did something that was so Don Tanner: he took every employee – in department groups – to lunch. A gesture atypical for most individuals in his position, it was by his own estimation the very least he could do to demonstrate his heartfelt appreciation.

Don took a special liking to the title of his last interview in the National Board BULLETIN: “A Road Well-Traveled.” It was, in his opinion, the perfect description of a Tennessee youth leaving the farm to join the Navy at 17, serving his country for 22 years, becoming a civil servant for 25 years, and finally achieving a responsibility he most coveted.

He never considered his path coming to an end. Retire-ment was just another fork in the road.

And so it was with great anticipation Mr. Tanner looked forward to attending the October wedding of his stepson in Chattanooga. He did not foresee having to undergo open heart surgery. Nor did he foretell his breathing becoming more labored after the operation. He certainly never envi-sioned God calling him home to Chattanooga.

Donald Tanner passed away less than a week from re-tirement. As with most of his National Board predecessors, he would not walk away from the job he truly embraced. He would never lay claim to becoming only the second living retired executive director in National Board’s almost 90-year history.

And now, on this crisp fall afternoon in Chattanooga, his Cadillac came to a stop in front of an outdoor chapel where Mr. Tanner’s casket would rest before interment. One could not help but grin observing the spotless tire rims. As always, each was pristine. It was almost as if an immaculate car was a precondition of his departure.

A twenty-one gun military salute disturbed the afternoon solitude of the old soldiers’ resting place. Don Tanner would have loved this rich tribute.

I cast one last look at Don’s Cadillac as I departed the chapel. How apropos, I thought. The symbolism of a fallen leader. Our fallen leader.

While Don Tanner’s road has come to an end, there is a certain gratification knowing his leadership paved the way for the future of an immensely important organization.

Rest comfortably, Mr. Tanner. And thank you.

For service to your country.

For leading a great industry.

And for having touched our lives.

Yours was a life lived.

Mass production is utilized by manu-

facturers of heating boil-ers and pressure vessels. It follows the requirements of ASME Code Sections IV, VIII, Division 1, X, and XII when it is impracti-cable for the authorized inspector (AI) to perform each duty required by the code. These manufactur-ers can produce several hundred vessels per day.

This article will address the re-quirements in Section VIII, Division 1 and Appendix 35 specifically. Nor-mally, during fabrication of boilers and pressure vessels, the AI is involved from design through stamping and signing of the data report as described in the written quality control system. However, mass production requires the AI to be involved in an entirely different way.

The current words in UG-90 (c) (2) state that the manufacturer, in

collaboration with the inspector, shall prepare an inspection and quality con-trol procedure describing in detail how requirements of the code will be met. The procedure shall be submitted to, and receive the acceptance of, the autho-rized inspection agency (AIA). Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix 35 states (using slightly different words) that the manufacturer and AIA of record shall collaborate on the preparation of the detailed inspection and quality control procedure describing how some of the duties of the inspector will be assumed by the manufacturer. The inspection and quality control procedure must be included in the manufacturer’s written quality control system and receive the acceptance of the AIA, ASME desig-nee, and legal jurisdiction. If the legal jurisdiction chooses not to participate in the review of the manufacturer’s facility, the AIA then submits the proce-dure to the jurisdiction for acceptance. Revisions to the inspection and quality control procedure are subject to review and acceptance by the parties required for joint review (AIA, jurisdiction, and ASME designee).

During mass production, some of the AI’s duties are carried out by the manufacturer in accordance with the accepted inspection and quality control procedure. In some fabrication shops,

inspection of the completed operation may be performed by the individual performing the next operation. In other fabrication shops, the manufacturer has the quality control department perform inspection activities. Quality control may or may not inspect 100 percent of opera-tions. It all depends on what the accepted inspection and quality control program requires. However, the type of inspection procedures in place still does not alleviate the responsibility of the manufacturer for meeting code requirements.

Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix 35 provides not only the rules for the ac-ceptance of the inspection and quality control procedure but also the amount of coverage required by the AI. The ap-pendix addresses full-time coverage (40 hours per week), coverage when mass production operations are less than 40 hours per week, and when multiple-shift mass production operations are taking place.

No matter how inspection activities are performed by the manufacturer, the AI still has to monitor the quality program as required by the National Board Rules for Commissioned Inspectors, Section VIII, Division 1, and the AIA’s quality program. When the AI identifies problem areas, increased inspections of those areas may be required. Some of the areas in which the AI may need

6 NATIONAL BOARD BULLETIN / WINTER 2009 nationalboard.org

By JIM KEENAN, SENIoR STAff ENGINEER

Inspectors and Mass Production

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Welding on the C2 construction line

to perform additional inspections may include: material verification, review of NDE reports, review of radiographic film or digital records, witnessing per-formance of surface examinations, per-forming inspections of completed welds, witnessing hydrostatic/pneumatic tests, and verifying National Board numbers on completed vessels.

The one duty the AI cannot delegate to the manufacturer is signing the ASME Code Manufacturer's Data Report. In past years this was very time consum-

ing, sometimes taking several hours of the day because the AI was required to review a hard copy of each data report before signing.

Times have changed. The manu-facturer may now file data reports elec-tronically with the National Board. The manufacturer certifies and the AI reviews and signs the data report electronically. The data report is then submitted by the manufacturer to the National Board electronically. The National Board as-signs the manufacturer and AI a unique PIN for this purpose. When a manufac-turer does not file data reports with the National Board or does not file them electronically, each data report still has to be reviewed and signed by the AI. The biggest advantage of registering with the National Board is the manufacturer does not have to retain these data reports for three years. They are permanently retained by the National Board.

One major concern for an AI is the proper identification of a deficiency (nonconformance). In mass production the deficiency may not only affect one vessel but hundreds. Deficiencies that could cause concern are design errors, especially when code changes have not been properly incorporated; materi-als found not in compliance with the material specification; and fabrication deficiencies, such as undersize welds and

hydrostatic/pneumatic pressure tests not meeting code requirements.

These types of problems could be cre-ated by the fast pace of the production line leading to mistakes and missed inspec-tions by the manufacturer. When these mistakes are discovered, the AI must ensure the appropriate corrective action is accomplished by the manufacturer. De-pending on the severity of the deficiency, the manufacturer may even have to recall vessels to bring them into code compli-ance. These deficiencies could even be probable cause for an investigation by ASME or National Board.

To avoid these types of problems, the AI must ensure the manufacturer’s program is being implemented properly. Remember, the AI is assigned to the facil-ity to ensure code compliance. As previ-ously mentioned, effective monitoring by the AI will go a long way in helping to reduce these problems. Effective com-munication and supervision of the AI by the authorized inspector supervisor will also help in reducing these problems.

Mass production will continue into the future. But will it continue as we know it? One thing is certain: as long as items such as hot water heaters, air tanks, propane tanks, and heat exchang-ers are required in large numbers, mass production will continue in the boiler and pressure vessel industry.

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Inspectors and Mass Production


A Look Back, a Look AheadThe National Board at 90:The National Board at 90:

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nationalboard.org 9NATIONAL BOARD BULLETIN / WINTER 2009nationalboard.org

In December of this year, the National Board will celebrate 90 years of ser-vice and safety – service and safety not only to the

boiler and pressure vessel in-dustry but also to property and countless lives.

Much has happened at the National Board, particularly in the areas of training and new

technology, since it celebrated its 85TH anniversary in 2004. But before looking at the past five years and at what lies ahead, it’s appropriate, in light of the ad-vent of new Executive Director David Douin (see p. 34), to look back at how the National Board began and how, over the next 90 years, its executive directors helped shape it.

The National Board at 90:The National Board at 90:

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Carl Meyers(1919-1963)

E.O. Peterson(1964-1968)

Sam Harrison(1969-1985)


December 2, 1919: The BeginningFrom the mid nineteenth century to the early twentieth, boiler explosions were common. According to the American Society of Me-

chanical Engineers (ASME), “For want of reliably tested materials, secure fittings and proper valves, boilers of every description, on land and at sea, were exploding with terrifying frequency.” The explosions resulted annually in 50,000 deaths and two million injuries.

In response to this, ASME in 1915 published a boiler code setting standards for the design and construction of boilers and pressure vessels. The code was the first comprehensive standard in the world.

In June 1919 Carl O. Myers, Ohio’s chief boiler inspector, presented a paper to the American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA). In that paper he proposed, according to the History of The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, “an ‘Executive Committee’ be appointed to have full power and authority to formulate uniform qualification and examination requirements for boiler inspectors, to be used by all jurisdictions.” He also proposed “an applicant passing the examination [. . .] be issued a uniform certificate of competency by the state and a commission by a national board of representatives.” He requested the ABMA form a special committee to investigate his proposals and report on them at the September meeting of the ASME Boiler Code Committee. At that meeting Myers, a member of the special committee, again stressed the need for an organization that could enforce uniform qualification for inspectors in all jurisdictions. With three other chief inspectors, he drew up plans to form that organization.

On December 2, 1919, in New York City, Myers and six other chief inspectors brought those plans to fruition, forming an or-ganization called “The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.”

The rest is history – the 90-year history of the National Board.

Carl Myers (1919 – 1963)

From the start Mr. Myers, serving part-time as the National Board’s secretary/treasurer – a position which became full-time in 1939 and whose title changed to executive director in 1958 – saw a clear purpose for the National Board. In 1921 he told the ABMA, “The National Board is the states consolidated into one body which may be termed the enforcement body of the ASME Boiler Code Committee, and we have three primary objects in view, which are: one code, one inspector, and one stamp.”

From 1919 until May 9, 1963, when he died from a heart at-tack at the 32ND General Meeting in Baltimore, Mr. Myers devoted himself to the organization he’d helped found. Among his many accomplishments were initiating publication of the BULLETIN

in 1944 and his compiling and publication of the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC), which at the time of his death was in its sixth edition.

E. O. Peterson (1964 – 1968)

After Mr. Myers’s sudden death, the National Board Ex-ecutive Committee met in special session and appointed E. O. Peterson, who was director of inspections, as acting executive director. He was elected as executive director at the 1964 General Meeting in San Antonio.

With the demand during this time for larger-capacity boil-ers and with the adoption of ASME Section III, Nuclear Pressure Vessels, and Section VIII, Division 2, the National Board felt it

1919 1964 19671945 1969

First printed version of the National Board Inspection Code

1919 – 2001: Five Visionaries

National Board Training Course, Robinson Laboratory, The Ohio State University

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Sam Harrison(1969-1985)


In the mid 1960s foreign boiler and pressure vessel manu-facturers, prohibited from registering with the National Board and from using ASME code symbol stamps, began asking permission to use those stamps. At the 1967 General Meeting in Chicago, a representative of the US Department of State said the federal government was considering legal action against both the National Board and ASME to eliminate what it felt was a “non-tariff barrier to trade.” A lawsuit followed. The 1972 resolution, which Mr. Harrison participated in, provided for the issuance of ASME certificates of authorization to foreign boiler and pressure vessel manufacturers as long as their boilers and pressure vessels were registered with the National Board. As a result, the “Executive Committee” Carl Myers had proposed forming in 1919 was now a worldwide organization.

paramount to ensure inspectors had expertise to inspect such boilers and pressure vessels. In 1967 Mr. Peterson helped ac-complish this by establishing a training course in The Ohio State University Department of Welding. The course, taught by Ohio State engineering professors, included subjects such as nondestructive examination, welding, and metallurgy. It was endorsed by ASME and later expanded to include nondestruc-tive examination requirements of the code, quality assurance, ASME welding requirements, and other subjects related to code fabrication and inspection.

Sam Harrison (1969 – 1985)

On June 7, 1968, at his home in Columbus, Mr. Peterson, like Carl Myers, died suddenly. Meeting again in special session the National Board Executive Committee appointed Sam Harrison, whom Mr. Peterson had appointed director of inspections, as acting executive director. He was unani-mously elected as executive director at the 1969 General Meeting in Atlanta.

Three years after he assumed leadership, the National Board’s influence expanded globally. What helped incite this was the 1972 resolution of a federal lawsuit.

Under Mr. Harrison the National Board entered the modern age. It began using computers and storing duplicate microfilms of data reports in an underground vault in Pennsylvania. It revised the NBIC, expanded training courses, and, in 1977, started one on ASME Code Sections I, IV, and VIII, Divisions 1 and 2. It also developed three symbol stamps – “R,” “VR,” and “NR” – to provide evidence on repair nameplates that repairs had been performed according to the NBIC by an organization authorized to use the stamps. Under Mr. Harrison the National Board, which since the late 1930s had conducted pressure relief tests at The Ohio State University, built its own testing laboratory at the Picway Generating Station (12 miles south of Columbus). Tests began in February 1974. (In 1991, requir-ing additional space and upgraded systems, the lab moved into its current facility in Worthington, a suburb of Columbus.) Under Mr. Harrison, the National Board built a new headquarters on Crupper Avenue. It opened in May 1975.

Like his two predecessors, Mr. Harrison – the man who’d told National Board employees to call him Sam – died unexpectedly. On May 1, 1985, at the 54TH General Meeting in Salt Lake City, he suf-fered a heart attack. Of him the BULLETIN wrote, “Sam Harrison’s personal goals were relatively simple. He wanted every jurisdiction in the world to understand and accept boiler and pressure vessel standards and the objectives of the National Board.”

D. J. McDonald (1985 –1992)

Succeeding Mr. Harrison as executive director was D. J. “Mac” McDonald, who at a special meeting of National Board members on August 8, 1985, was unanimously elected. That same month, in his first BULLETIN Executive Director’s Message, he wrote: “It is our goal to be an aggressive leader worldwide in the safety aspects of inspection and quality control.”

Mr. McDonald backed up his words, securing a meeting on March 19, 1992, with Hungarian President Arpad Goncz, who was in Columbus to address the graduating class at Ohio State. In June, Mr. McDonald traveled to Hungary to meet with President Goncz and Hungarian trade officials about accepting North American boiler and pressure vessel codes and standards.

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Testing Laboratory at the Picway Generating Station

D.J. McDonald at a meeting in Hungarywith President Goncz

D.J. McDonald(1985-1992)

Albert J. Justin(1993-2001)

Training and Conference Center began construction in 1997

in which he felt the National Board excelled. To that end, the National Board built the 20,000-square-foot Inspection Training Center, which opened in October 2008 (see p. 26). The unique facility allows students to work on and inspect actual pressure equipment and, in the future, will transmit courses all over the world via Web-conferencing. Of the new building Mr. Tanner said, “When we combine this facility with our Training and Conference Center and online training, the National Board will offer the most comprehensive pressure equipment training curriculum in the world.”

During Mr. Tanner’s tenure, the National Board, in March 2003, began publication of the Synopsis of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Laws, Rules, and Regulations, which features jurisdictional requirements for construction, stamping, and field inspection, as well as contact information and state fees. A few months later the Synopsis was also made available on CD-ROM; in 2007 it was posted for free on the National Board Web site.

During his tenure, the NBIC Committee size and agenda were increased, the NBIC expanded, and the 2007 NBIC divided into three parts – installation, inspection, and repairs and alterations – to give users the option of buying what they need. Besides being available on CD-ROM, it was made available in 2008 on flash drive – on a module small enough to fit on a key ring.

Mr. Tanner’s other achievements as executive director included introducing the “NB” stamp, metrification, helping to pass South Caro-lina’s first boiler safety law, and establishing a new record for National Board membership (64). However, he seemed particularly pleased with what the National Board had accomplished with new technology.

A few weeks before his death (see p. 4), in his outgoing interview published in the fall 2008 BULLETIN, he said, “We have come a long way over the past seven and a half years. [. . .] Not only can members access an electronic version of the NBIC directly from the Internet, they can also communicate information and experiences with one another. Additionally, new technology has permitted us to make just about all of our published information available on the Web, most of it at no cost. This has [. . .] provided the industry with easy access to a considerable amount of critical resource data [. . .].”

And of the National Board’s future? Well, he had no doubt: “Outstanding. This is an organization poised for an exciting future. In addition to being financially solid, it has a certain momentum that will allow a productive transition into the new decade.”

January 5, 2009: A New Era BeginsOn January 5, 2009, David Douin,

former Illinois superintendent, began his duties as executive director – the National Board’s seventh since 1919. From the previous executive directors, who over 90 years helped to mold the National Board into an international organization, Mr. Douin inherits an organization that, as he says in his first Executive Director’s Message (see p. 2), “remains structurally sound [. . .] to meet challenges of the next 90 years.”

Of course no one can see exactly what those challenges will be. Certainly they’ll include, as they always have, ever-changing technology and the need for inspectors to stay abreast of it through ongoing training.

What is certain is that, in the upcoming years, the National Board will continue to promote uniformity in the industry and, by doing so, remain – in the words of D. J. McDonald – “a sentry of the public trust.”

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He called the meeting “outstanding – the best we could have hoped for.” From Hungary he traveled to Czechoslovakia to meet with that country’s officials. On Friday, June 26, he returned to Columbus; on Sunday, June 28, in early morning, he died at his home.

Mr. McDonald’s had been a vision of internationalization or, as the theme of the 1992 General Meeting had stated, “Building Bridges.” In his last Executive Director’s Message, he stressed the importance of trying to do that: “As a sentry of the public trust, the National Board must strive to cultivate those relationships which will help us protect the public.”

Albert J. Justin (1993 – 2001)

After Mr. McDonald’s death, A. M. Matthews Jr. served as acting executive director until March 1993, when Albert J. Justin, former chief boiler inspector of Minnesota, assumed the role of executive director.

Under Mr. Justin the National Board continued to commit itself to the basics of boiler and pressure vessel safety and the ongo-ing education of inspectors, building the two-story, 15,000-square-foot Training and Conference Center, finished in 1998.

The National Board also embraced and took advantage of new technology. In 1995 it introduced the NBIC on CD-ROM. In 1996, at the 65TH General Meeting in Louisville, it launched the National Board Web site – so accessible and popular that, in 1997, the National Board eliminated the annual publication of the Manufacturers and Repair Organizations Directory and began posting it online. In summer 1999 the National Board launched Electronic Data Transfer (EDT), which allowed manufacturers to use the Internet to file and retrieve their data reports.

Mr. Justin retired from the National Board on March 31, 2001. Before he left he said, in an outgoing interview, “Like many great or-ganizations, the National Board will continue to flourish. As a matter of fact, I think the next several years hold tremendous promise.”

2001-2008: A Long WayOn March 13, 2001, Mr. Tanner

was elected as executive director; he assumed the role on April 1. Al-though he brought with him more than 45 years of experience in the boiler and pressure vessel industry, he wasn’t reactionary but, as the BULLETIN wrote of him, “innova-tive and supportive of new ideas.” In fact, in his first interview as executive director, he said one of his short-term goals was “positioning the National Board for the future.” That he did – particularly in the areas of training and new technology.

Under Mr. Tanner, the National Board in February 2003 of-fered the first Pre-Commission Examination Course, a two-week course preparing students for the National Board Commission Examination. In June 2008 the first of several planned online courses – Controls and Safety Devices for Automatically Fired Boilers, better known as CSD-1– was made available. It offers quizzes (not graded), a graded final examination, and a certificate verifying the course was completed.

Although Mr. Tanner was enthusiastic about the online course and about developing more, he also felt there would always be “a need for intensive, hands-on, face-to-face instruction” – something

The National Board has completed its annual jurisdictional authorities survey for the purpose of updat-ing the 2008 SYNOPSIS OF BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS. Jurisdictions reporting amendments are individually listed below followed by the SYNOPSIS sections in which the adjustment(s) occurred.

STATES

Alabama – Rules for Construction and Stamping; Arizona – Rules for Construction and Stamping and Inspections Required; Arkan-sas – Date of Law Passage, Rules for Construction and Stamping, Objects Subject to Rules for Construction and Stamping, Objects Subject to Rules for Field Inspection, and Miscellaneous; Colorado – State Department, Date of Law Passage, Rules for Construction and Stamping, Objects Subject to Rules for Field Inspection, Inspections Required, Inspection Schedule and State Fees (deleted) and Miscel-laneous; Florida – State Department and Rules for Construction and Stamping; Hawaii – Minor change to Objects Subject to Rules for Field Inspection and Fees; Kansas – Date of Law Passage and Rules for Construction and Stamping; Kentucky – State Depart-ment, Empowerment, and Miscellaneous; Louisiana – Date of Law Passage; Massachusetts – State Fees, Objects Subject to Rules for Construction and Stamping, and minor change to Miscellaneous; Michigan – State Department and Objects Subject to Rules for Construction and Stamping; Mississippi – Certificate of Inspection; Missouri – State Department and Rules for Construction and Stamp-ing; Montana – State Department; Nevada – State Department; New Hampshire – Rules for Construction and Stamping, Fees, and Miscellaneous; New Jersey – Inspections Required, Certification of Inspection, State Fees, and Miscellaneous; New York – Miscel-laneous; North Carolina – State Department, Date of Law Passage, Objects Subject to Rules for Construction and Stamping, Insurance Inspection Requirements, and State Fees (minor); North Dakota – Date of Law Passage, Rules for Construction and Stamping, Objects Subject to Rules for Construction and Stamping, and Miscellaneous; Oklahoma – Rules for Construction and Stamping and State Fees; Oregon – Rules for Construction and Stamping and Miscellaneous; Pennsylvania – Rules for Construction and Stamping and Insur-ance Inspection Requirements; South Dakota – State Department; Texas – Date of Law Passage, Rules for Construction and Stamping, Certificate of Inspection, State Fees, and Miscellaneous; Utah – State Department and Inspections Required; Washington – Date of Law Passage, Rules for Construction and Stamping and State Fees; West Virginia – State Department, Date of Law Passage, and State Fees; Wisconsin – Date of Law Passage, Rules for Construction and Stamping, Objects Subject to Rules for Construction and Stamping, Objects Subject to Rules for Field Inspection, Insurance Inspection Requirements, State Fees, and Miscellaneous.

NATIONAL BOARD SYNOPSIS UPDATE

CITIES

Albuquerque – Rules for Construction and Stamping; Denver – Municipal Department Detroit – Municipal Department and Municipal Fees; Miami-Dade County – Date of Law Passage, Certificate of Inspection, and Municipal Fees; Omaha – Minor change to Rules for Construction and Stamping; Seattle – Municipal Department, Rules for Construction and Stamping, Objects Subject to Rules for Construction and Stamping, Certificate of Inspection, and Municipal Fees; Spokane – Objects Subject to Rules for Con-struction and Stamping and Municipal Fees.

PROVINCES

Alberta – Rules for Construction and Stamping, Provincial Fees and Miscellaneous; British Columbia – Provincial Department, Rules for Construction and Stamping, and Objects Subject to Rules for Construction and Stamping; New Brunswick – Provincial Department, Date of Law Passage, and Rules for Construction and Stamping (minor); Newfoundland and Labrador – Minor changes to Provincial Department; Northwest Territories – Mi-nor changes to Rules for Construction and Stamping; Ontario – Minor changes to Provincial Department, Rules for Construction and Stamping, and Objects Subject to Rules for Construction and Stamping; Quebec – Provincial Department and Provincial Fees; Saskatchewan – Minor change to Provincial Department, and major changes to Provincial Fees.

NO CHANGES

States: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Geor-gia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia.

Cities: Buffalo, Chicago, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New Or-leans, New York City.

Provinces: Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Yukon Territory.

Territories: Puerto Rico.

Please be reminded: • SYNOPSIS data is subject to change without notice. Consequently, users should directly consult appropriate jurisdiction officials regarding any actions having significant financial, legal, or safety ramifications. • All data on the National Board Web site has been updated to reflect changes in the following categories:


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Of course nobody enjoys taking a cold shower or eating in unsanitary conditions. To ensure that nobody has to has been the traditional job of hot-

water supply boilers. These boilers produce large amounts of hot water for hotels, restaurants, apartments, laundro-mats, and car washes.

Hot-water supply boilers heat cold water to final temperatures not exceeding 250°F (120°C) and operate at pressures not exceeding 160 PSIG (1100 kPa) as defined in many jurisdictions. The 2007 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IV Rules for Construction of Heating Boilers, Article 7, defines the installation requirements for hot-water supply boilers.

Early hot-water supply boilers were constructed of cast-iron components that supported a circular copper coil with the flue outlet at the top of the device. The flames of combustion were on the bottom of these boilers in a circular burner con-structed of cast iron. The use of turbula-tors installed between the coil tubes was common practice to increase efficiency and reduce standby heat losses. The craftsmanship and unique design of these boilers can be seen today, as many are still operational in various locations throughout the world.

Modern designs of these kinds of boilers employ condensing technol-ogy with up to 96 percent efficiency. With the cost of fuel increasing at an alarming rate, these boilers are an attrac-tive and wise choice for high-volume hot-water requirements.

The construction of heat exchangers for these boilers utilizes stainless steel, copper, brass, or bronze that resist cor-

rosion and thermal shock. Internal baffles within the water passages of the heat exchangers maximize the heat transfer rate of the combustion products to the domestic water. In-ternal baffles also allow the use of PVC pipe for venting of products of combustion with no clearance to combustibles on some high-efficiency units.

The use of a modulating burner design on modern hot-water supply boilers allows the matching of the system

load and boiler capacity. Burner modulation helps eliminate short cycling, improving the service life of motors and individual components, which reduces maintenance costs to the owner. Air quality standards on some models meet the requirements for the allowable NOx emissions for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), Rule 1146.2.

Early hot-water supply boilers utilized natural circulation to circulate water between the boiler and the storage vessel. Natural cir-culation reduced the system’s ability to recover quickly when large amounts of hot water were required in hotels, restaurants, etc.

As technology progressed, electrically driven fractional horsepower, low-head, large-volume (GPM) circulation pumps solved this problem by increasing the heat transfer from the product of combustion through the heat exchanger to water. A common installer’s formula that can be used to calculate system capacity based on design temperatures and flow rate is: BTU/HR = outlet temperature-inlet temperature of boiler x flow rate (GPM) of pump x 501

If the manufacturer requires a 25° differ-ence between the inlet and the outlet of the boiler heat exchanger, and the circulation

By JIM MCGIMPSEy, SENIoR STAff ENGINEER

Hot-Water Supply Boilers

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Early 20TH-century RUDD Instantaneous Automatic Water Heater

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pump is rated at 16 GPM, the system will have an hourly capacity of 200,000 Btu/hr.

The 2007 National Board Inspection Code, Part 2, In-spection - 2.2.12.5 Fired Coil Water Heaters emphasizes that erosion, corrosion, vibration, and scale are areas of inspection. Erosion is directly proportional to the size and velocity of water flow through the coil; thus, proper sizing of the circulation pump and piping will mini-mize this concern. Corrosion in this type of system, which uses 100 percent makeup water that contains free oxygen, creates opportunities for extensive corrosion of heat exchangers. Vibration caused by hot spots or lack of flow may create water hammer, resulting in mechani-cal stresses. Because of varying qualities of domestic water, scale on the internal surfaces of the heat exchangers is a significant problem solved by periodic manufacturer recommended coil maintenance.

Because of jurisdictional code requirements and efficient heat exchanger design of modern hot-water heating boilers, multiple safety systems protect the heat exchangers from overheating and catastrophic failure due to loss of flow caused by pump failure or operational error.

The most common “loss of flow” protection device utilized is a flow switch. It utilizes a safety switch operated by a paddle in direct contact with the domestic water. Water circulated through the heat exchanger pivots the paddle from a “no-flow” position to a “flow position,” which actuates the safety switch. The safety switch transmits a

Hot-Water Supply Boilers

signal to the ignition safety system, operating and high-limit tem-perature controls, and other safety devices. The signal allows firing of the boiler if all safety requirements required by the jurisdiction have been satisfied.

Flow switches are directional devices and are designed to op-erate with system flow in the correct direction. A flow direction is indicated on the switch, and some can be adjusted to compensate

for piping and flow differences caused by various piping system designs.

In addition to the inspection of required safety devices as part of an inservice hot-water supply boiler inspection, the inservice boiler in-spector should examine the internal mechanisms of flow switches for signs of corrosion, leakage, or failure of the bellows assembly to operate prop-erly without interference between the paddle and the inside of the piping.

A qualified boiler operator should demon-strate operation of the flow switch and other safety controls as required by the jurisdictional authority to the inservice boiler inspector, us-ing proper boiler operating procedures and safety considerations.

The compact design and lightweight con-struction of modern hot-water supply boilers facilitates their installation through standard door openings. These compact boilers can be stacked, which allows multiple boilers to be installed in the footprint of one boiler, thus re-ducing construction costs and improving usable building space.

Modern civilization relies on a source of safe and economical hot water to maintain sanitary standards and customer satisfaction. So when individuals step into a shower after a long day at work or enjoy exotic cuisine at their favorite restaurant, they can trust the hot-water supply boiler will be working to provide them with a safe, abundant, and efficient source of hot water.

Conservationist Burkay Boiler, Courtesy of A.O. Smith Commercial Water Heaters

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C A L I F O R N I A7 8 T H G E N E R A L M E E T I N G

LA JOLLAM A Y 11 - 1 5

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C A L I F O R N I A7 8 T H G E N E R A L M E E T I N G

Is La Jolla a city, a town, or, as some residents call it, a village?

Ask three different people, and you’ll get three different answers. But whatever you call it, La Jolla – which some say was named after a Native American word for cave, “woholle,” and others, after the Spanish word for jewel, “la joya” – is a

beautiful place to visit just outside (or is that inside?) San Diego.Despite its 42,000 residents, La Jolla has a resortlike atmosphere. Since the 1880s, it has

been a popular vacation destination, abounding in ocean bluffs, caves, and beaches, includ-ing Windandsea Beach and La Jolla Cove. The seaside setting is ideal for those who like to swim, skimboard, surf, snorkel, and scuba dive.

But La Jolla offers many other activities besides the watery kinds. For golfers, there’s nearby Torrey Pines Golf Course, a municipal course where pros compete each year in the Buick Invitational. For shoppers, there are downtown boutiques and jewelry stores. For sightseers there’s La Valencia Hotel. Built in 1926, it was a retreat for silent film stars such as Greta Garbo, Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx, and Mary Pickford. There’s also Mount Soledad, which offers a mountaintop view of San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. For art lov-ers, there are many galleries as well as the La Jolla branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

La Jolla enjoys a beautiful, mild climate most of the year with January being the coldest month and August being the warmest. The temperatures in May average 69°F for a high and 58°F for a low, so it’s probably best to bring a sweater or light jacket, especially for the evenings.

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Award-Winning Hyatt Regency La Jolla

Just 20 minutes from the San Diego In-ternational Airport, the award-winning Hyatt Regency La Jolla provides re-

sortlike splendor for its guests. Sitting on 11 acres, the hotel includes 32,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space and 21 breakout rooms – everything guests need to experience another productive and in-formative General Meeting.

Easily accommodating travelers, the Hyatt Regency boasts more than 400 oversized rooms and several suites. Each room offers a view of either the pool or “restaurant row.” From the deluxe linens and pillow-top mattresses to the pristine furnishings, these rooms truly allow guests to relax. Further amenities include a generous work area, wireless Internet access, iHome Stereo with iPod dock, and minibar.

When guests leave their rooms, there’s plenty to enjoy around the hotel premises. A 24-hour business center al-lows guests to keep up with work. The Sporting Club workout center allows them to get in some exercise.

Within a few more paces is “restaurant row.” Options include Café Japengo, recog-nized as one of the best restaurants in San Diego. It offers Pacific Rim Cuisine and Sushi. Flemings Steakhouse and Wine Bar serves the finest-quality hand-cut prime steaks. The Melting Pot offers a unique fondue dining experience. And Michael’s Lounge, where guests can socialize after dinner, offers a varied beverage list.

Minutes away from many San Diego attractions, the Hyatt Regency provides a place to relax after visiting the Del Mar Racetrack, Sea World®, beaches, the San Diego Zoo, and downtown La Jolla.

After spending just a few hours – never mind days – guests will quickly see why this is a landmark destination.


HOTEL

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Monday, May11

Opening Session

10:15 a.m. Remarks Mike Love, Beach Boy *

General Session

1:00 p.m. INVITED - TBA

1:30 p.m. CODES & STANDARDS- NEW COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES David Lang, Chair ASME POSt COnStRuCtiOn COMMittEE 2:00 p.m. GLOBAL NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE Barry Bobo, Vice President, uS nuclear Services HARtfORD StEAM BOiLER inSPECtiOn AnD inSuRAnCE COMPAny

2:30 p.m. Break


3:15 p.m. SOLAR STEAM GENERATOR DESIGN AND APPLICATION Robert E. fishman, President, CEO, and Chairman AuSRA, inC.

3:45 p.m. DESIGN, MAINTENANCE, AND NAVY POLICY IN THE 1905 EXPLOSION OF USS BENNINGTON (PG-4) Broeck n. Oder, Chair DEPARtMEnt Of HiStORy SAntA CAtALinA SCHOOL


* AutOGRAPH SESSiOn witH MR. LOVE tO fOLLOw OPEninG SESSiOn.

Preliminary ProgramThe National Board

of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors &

ASME Boiler and Pressure Committee

General Meeting notices

Participants and guests are encouraged to dress in a business-casual style for all hotel events except the Wednesday banquet (where ties and jackets will be the evening attire).

Distribution of any and all literature other than informational materials published by the National Board and ASME is strictly prohib-ited at the General Meeting.

To obtain a preregistration discount of $45, all forms and fees must be received by April 30.

On-Site Registration Desk Hours:

Sunday, May 10 . . . 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 11 . . . 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 12 . . . 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

General Meeting Registration is required in order to receive the special $209 room rate at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla.

Reminder: General Meeting details can also be found on InfoLink! located on the National Board Web site at nationalboard.org.

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78TH General Meeting


PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

Mike Love formed the Beach Boys in the early 1960s with his cousins Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, and

classmate Al Jardine. As the lead singer for 40 years, he has provided the vocals for numerous Beach Boys' hit recordings, including: Surfin’ Safari, Surfin’ USA, Little Deuce Coupe, Be True to Your School, Fun, Fun, Fun, Little Saint Nick, I Get Around, When I Grow Up (To Be Man), and California Girls.

One of the world’s most recognized voices, Mr. Love provided bass vocals for Good Vibrations, Do It Again, and I Can Hear Music.

The Los Angeles native also co-authored eleven Top 10 singles with Brian Wilson, among which were: Fun, Fun, Fun, I Get Around, Help Me, Rhonda, California Girls, and Good Vibrations. He is also co-writer of the Beach Boys' most popular song: Kokomo.

The Beach Boys have performed all over the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Mr. Love is a longtime supporter of environ-mental causes and creator of the Love Founda-tion, which supports national environmental and educational initiatives. He also serves as a member of the board of directors for Incline Vil-lage in Nevada, an organization for which he has raised over $1 million.

Legendary Beach Boy To Keynote 78TH National Board General Meeting


KEYNOTE

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The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors has an-nounced B.J. Thomas and Billy Joe

Royal as the featured performers for the 78th General Meeting Wednesday Eve-ning Banquet in La Jolla, California.

Recreating their renowned Rain-drops & Boondocks tour performed across North America, these legend-ary entertainers will conclude Gen-eral Meeting activities at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at 8:30 p.m., May 13, 2009.

B.J. Thomas is identified with a variety of music hits recorded over four decades including the Oscar-winning Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head, the million-selling (Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song, his stylish cover version of Hank Williams’ I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, I Just Can’t Help Believing, Hooked on a Feeling, Rock and Roll Lullaby, No Love, Everybody is Out of Town, Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Beach Boys’ classic Don’t Worry Baby, and the theme song from the long-running situation comedy Growing Pains: As Long As We Got Each Other.

The Hugo, Oklahoma, native has authored two books as well as having written and performed com-mercial jingles for Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Bell Telephone.

Another musical veteran of four decades, Billy Joe Royal is perhaps best remembered for his hit recording of Down in the Boondocks. (Reportedly, this 1965 song was recorded in a sep-tic tank which had been converted to an echo chamber.) Other memorable records include I Knew You When, Cherry Hill Park, Hush, and Tell It Like It Is.

Born and raised in Valdosta, Geor-gia, Billy Joe Royal has been connected with some of the greatest entertainers in the music industry such as Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison. At the age of

14 he began performing on the Georgia Jubilee with the likes of Ray Stevens, former Wednesday Banquet performer Jerry Reed, Joe South, and guest stars from the Grand Ole Opry.

Over the years, Billy Joe Royal has worked with such entertainers as Neil Diamond and Tom Jones. He can be fre-quently found performing on the strip in Las Vegas and in Reno, Nevada.

Legendary Beach Boy To Keynote 78TH National Board General Meeting

B.J. Thomas and Billy Joe Royal To Headline Wednesday Evening Banquet

Billy Joe Royal

B.J. Thomas

nationalboard.org nationalboard.org 21NATIONAL BOARD BULLETIN / WINTER 2009

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If unique is what you seek: be sure to be on board for the Cedros Avenue Design District Shopping Tour.

This quirky district is the focal attraction of Solana Beach, a tiny community (four square miles) in northern San Diego County. And it’s inhabited by creative people just being, well, creative!

Cedros Design District is two and a half blocks of more than 75 distinctive boutiques and galleries. Here in this former light-industry district (complete with railroad tracks), guests will marvel at renovated mid-century buildings that include a signature row of attached Quonset huts – all designed for maximum shopping pleasure.

And what variety!This quaint district is a showcase for home decor and

furnishings, women's clothing and accessories, art works in many media, and whimsical gifts. It is also one of the most visited shopping destinations in Southern California.

To say Cedros Design District offers an uncommon shop-ping experience is an understatement. Each independent purveyor prides him or herself on a selection of merchandise exclusive to his or her individual shops. And because the district is devoted to local artists and crafts people, shoppers can be assured their purchases will be one-of-a-kind.

Looking for an imported ceramic urn or handwoven tapestry? How about a treasured antique or handsome abaca fiber-crafted chair? A unique piece of art glass? Handmade jewelry? Maybe an outstanding framed photo for the living room or den? The possibilities are endless.

In addition to the shops and boutiques, guests will also see a stylish Quonset-hut-designed Amtrak station in the midst of Cedros Design District. It is here visitors travel to and from Los Angeles to patronize one of the San Diego area’s most remarkable marketplaces.

Not interested in shopping?Guests can also take in the rather modest-sized beach

with crumbling bluffs, a pedestrian walkway that parallels the railroad tracks, a nearby heritage museum, or a peaceful bird sanctuary that sprawls over a river estuary.

Many who have visited Cedros Design District have likened it to strolling the streets of Europe inclusive of cafés and taverns.

All guests will be returned to Hyatt La Jolla by five o’clock in time to enjoy evening activities.

This tour requires a modest amount of walking.

NOTE: Registrants are not permitted to attend tours intended for designated guests. Guests and family guests desiring to at-tend National Board tours must sign up in advance at National Board registration desk. Because some events may be limited in size, no guest or family guest participation is guaranteed or implied. It is responsibility of guests to make necessary regis-tration arrangements before tour registration is closed.

ALL TOURS DEPART FROM HYATT LA JOLLA FRONT STREET ENTRANCE

Cedros Shopping Tour1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of www.vincentknakal.com


GUEST TOUR

Monday, May 11

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Climb aboard for an adventure General Meeting guests may never get the chance to experience again!

Here’s an opportunity to participate in a real sail-boat regatta in San Diego Bay – either as an active crew member or spectator. And no sailing experience is required!

Motor coaches will pick up guests promptly at 10:30 a.m. for a short excursion to San Diego Harbor. Here guests will be divided according to their choice of participation.

Those opting to race will be assigned to a sailboat with a US Coast Guard-licensed captain and required equipment. All crews will be comprised of fellow guests (six per craft).

And then the fun begins!After completing a special time trial course, sail boat

crews will participate in competitive sailing races with real race judges to score and determine winners.

A sailboat will be available for those only wishing to watch the regatta and simply enjoy the warm San Diego sun and bay mist.

Each sailboat will have delicious box lunches on board along with coolers filled with water, iced tea, and soda.

Winners will be celebrated at a special awards ceremony and presented with custom t-shirts to commemorate the event.

Guests will return to the Hyatt La Jolla at 3:30 p.m. Each will have recently obtained tans and stories aplenty.

TOUR SIZE FOR THIS ACTIVITY WILL BE STRICTLY LIMITED TO FIRST 125 GUESTS REGISTERING AT NA-TIONAL BOARD'S REGISTRATION DESK.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This tour is not recommended for those who are pregnant, persons with back or neck problems, or individuals with serious injuries. RECOMMENDED: Comfortable walking or deck shoes (no sandals), outdoor or beach clothing, sunscreen, and hats. Guests who take part do so of their own choosing and undertake any and all risk. The National Board assumes no

responsibility (financial or otherwise) for this tour. Participant acknowledges aforementioned conditions by registering for this event.

NOTE: Registrants are not permitted to attend tours intended for designated guests. Guests and family guests desiring to at-tend National Board tours must sign up in advance at National Board registration desk. Because some events may be limited in size, no guest or family guest participation is guaranteed or implied. It is responsibility of guests to make necessary regis-tration arrangements before tour registration is closed.


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GSan Diego Bay Sailing Regatta10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of www.vincentknakal.com


GUEST TOUR

Tuesday, May 12

This year’s always adventuresome Wednesday tour involves visiting two of the most exciting military destinations in Southern California: the USS Midway

aircraft carrier and the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.Departing the Hyatt La Jolla at 8:30 a.m., all General

Meeting participants will travel via motor coach to the USS Midway Museum. Here, everyone can choose to take a docent tour or self-guided tour of the longest serving aircraft carrier in US history.

And speaking of history, the 47-year life span of this cel-ebrated carrier is without equal. Commissioned in 1945, the Midway’s career witnessed the surrender of Japan in WWII, the Cold War, Vietnam, and the era of détente. It even served as the flagship for Desert Storm. And it was the USS Midway that set new standards of naval aviation in the latter half of the 20th century.

Departing the USS Midway, guests will be transported to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar for an afternoon that will not be soon forgotten. Miramar is one of the most sought after destinations in San Diego, yet one of the most difficult to ac-cess (government photo identification required). It served as location of the 1986 movie Top Gun.

Top Guns: By Air & By Sea8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.


Wednesday, May 13

Motor coaches with Marine escorts aboard will be driven right onto the flight line tarmac where guests will receive a rare close-up look at Marine Medium Helicopter squadrons as well as the Marine Aerial Refueling and Transport Squadron 352. Guests will also observe squadron members keeping 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing operations running and prepared for various aircraft day-to-day training. (Chances are excellent everyone will witness several takeoffs and landings.)

Rich with military history, Miramar’s location once served as a practice field for Charles Lindberg’s Spirit of St. Louis (constructed in San Diego) prior to the aviator’s historic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. During the 1930s, the Navy briefly used the air base for helium dirigibles.

While visiting Miramar, guests will be treated to a specially prepared luncheon at the Officer’s Club (keep an eye open for club locations featured in Top Gun).

Following a very busy day, guests will be transported back to the Hyatt Regency La Jolla in plenty of time to prepare for the Annual National Board Wednesday Evening Banquet.

TOUR SIZE FOR THIS ACTIVITY WILL BE STRICTLY LIMITED TO FIRST 315 GUESTS REGISTERING AT NA-TIONAL BOARD'S REGISTRATION DESK.

This tour involves a modest amount of walking and requires secu-rity clearance (international guests must provide passport numbers and date of birth prior to event). Government photo identification required for all guests.

NOTE: Guests desiring to attend National Board tours must sign up in advance at National Board registration desk. Because some events may be limited in size, no guest or family guest participation is guaranteed or implied. It is responsibility of guests to make necessary registration arrangements before tour registration is closed.

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Mail or Fax Registration Form

Name

Name on Badge

Title

Company/Affiliation

Telephone Fax

Address

Email

Guest Name

Guest Address

Additional Guest* Name

Additional Guest Address

*Additional guests (16 years of age or older) may register for a fee of $195.00 each.

Those requesting special or handicapped facilities are asked to contact the Public Affairs Department at 614.888.8320.

FEESOnly one registration fee will be charged for each attendee

and one guest (guest program participant).

General Meeting Preregistration Fee ....................... $ (includes ONE banquet ticket)

Registration fee is $350.00 if received on or before April 30.Registration fee is $395.00 if received after April 30.

Additional Guest Fee(s) Additional guests at $195.00 each ................... $

(Each includes ONE banquet ticket)

Additional Banquet Ticket(s) Additional tickets at $60.00 each...................... $

AMOUNT ENCLOSED ...... $

To preregister by telephone or fax using yourVISA, MasterCard, or American Express, contact the National Board

at 614.431.3203, or fax 614.888.0750.

o VISA o MasterCard o American Express

Card # Exp. Date

Cardholder’s Name

Signature

All checks and money orders must be payable in US dollars to:The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors

Preference for registration confirmation: o Email o Fax o Mail

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 30Accounting Department Only: AMOUNT $ DATE

While the National Board and the Hyatt Regency LaJolla will

do everything possible to accommodate all General Meeting

visitors, registered participants will be given first priority for all

discounted sleeping rooms. In the event of a sold-out hotel, the

National Board reserves the right to cancel the reservations

of anyone in its room block not preregistered for the General

Meeting. It is therefore strongly recommended participants

register for the General Meeting before securing room reser-

vations. Additionally, it is suggested participants make their

hotel arrangements early to ensure availability. Those seeking

special room rates but failing to register for the National Board

General Meeting will not be guaranteed the discounted $209

nightly rate.

Online registrations are accepted using a secure Web site form accessible via InfoLink! at nationalboard.org.This allows General Meeting attendees to process payment, receive

a receipt, and an email confirmation — all online at time of registration.

Hotel reservations are the responsibility of attendees and can be made through the

Hyatt Regency La Jolla by calling:

800.233.1234

To receive the $209 nightly group room rate,*reference Group Name:

The National Board

Group rate reservations must be received byApril 14

Room refunds only available with 72-hour prior notification. (Rates based on availability after April 15.)

* Group rate for General Meeting registrants only

General Meeting Hotel Information

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Online Registration Form — NEW!7

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One of a Kind: The New Inspection Training Center

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On A u g u s t 2 8 , 2 0 0 7 , t h e N a t i o n a l B o a r d b r o k e g r o u n d o n a

new training facil i ty at i ts head-quarters in Columbus. Performing the groundbreaking, shovels in hand, were former Executive Director Donald Tanner and current Executive Director David Douin, at the time chairman of the National Board Board of Trustees.

In his remarks to the board that day, Mr. Tanner said, “I am proud to say this new facility will be one of a kind – a place for all boiler and pressure ves-sel inspectors to expand their body of knowledge. This has all been made pos-sible by you, the National Board Board

One of a Kind: The New Inspection Training Center

of Trustees. It is through your vision and support the National Board will be able to strategically position itself to meet the challenges of a new generation.”

The Inspection Training Center, dedi-cated on October 8, 2008 (see sidebar), is one of a kind, providing students with a comprehensive experience in pressure-equipment inspection. The 20,000-square-foot one-story building contains a flow-through lobby that al-lows visitors to enter without distracting the students and staff and offers views of the landscape and water features. When visitors enter, they notice the boiler room, which provides heating, air conditioning, hot water, and electrical power.

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Robert Smith, vice president at Schooley Caldwell Associates, the Co-lumbus architectural firm that designed the building, says, “The room has glass doors and piping and systems painted to indicate which items are associated with which systems. The valves, gages, flues, pumps, and tanks are all func-tional and allow someone to observe the systems in a safe manner.”

The building also contains two classrooms that can be opened into one large classroom. Though naturally lighted, the classroom has automatic shades to allow students to focus on overhead or PowerPoint displays. It is

equipped with the very latest Internet technology, including the capability to transmit courses worldwide via Web-conferencing – something the National Board plans to use in the future. Finally the building contains a wing for Na-tional Board staff engineers, who are available to answer students’ technical questions; and an 8,000-square-foot room for hands-on inspection.

According to Smith the build-ing uses “green” concepts. “Durable masonry materials, energy-efficient metal wall panels, thick-tapered roof insulation, high-efficiency boilers, and T-8 fluorescent lighting fixtures – all

these help to reduce energy costs for now and the future.”

The new center is the fruition of a concern the National Board expressed a couple of years ago. In October 2006, at a Board of Trustees meeting, Mr. Tanner presented a report lamenting the diminishing practical experience of new inspectors. To remedy this he suggested the National Board build a new facility where new inspectors could get hands-on training and where experienced ones could learn new skills.

The report included a three-part concept, developed by National Board

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INSPECTION TRAINING CENTERstaff, for the proposed facility, which would sit on company property. First, it would contain actual non-operating safety valves and sec-tioned boilers and pressure vessels showing all working parts. Second, it would contain workstations for the demonstration of various non-destructive examination techniques. Third, it would allow the National Board to increase the types of train-ing courses it offered.

With the board’s approval, the National Board conducted a feasibility study, investigating the market for potential students and making long-term plans for the facility, including possible ex-pansion. The National Board also hired Schooley Caldwell, which had worked on the Training and Conference Center, to develop conceptual designs and estimate construction cost.

Smith says it took about eight weeks to move from conceptual design studies to schematic design approval. “Both the Board of Trust-ees and National Board staff wanted the building to blend with the two existing buildings and complement the features and functions provided. The use of similar materials – dark masonry and brown metal siding – are the same on all three buildings. The planting beds, shared parking areas, and water features all add to the ‘com-mon’ area of the campus.”

Smith says the inspection room was the focus of the new center. “This space needed to be large, with a high, clear span roof that would allow several boilers and pressure vessels to be trucked in and set up for inspection. It would have lab-quality lighting and provide training sta-tions for hands-on work with valves and pressure vessels.”

In February 2007, National Board staff presented a detailed proposal for construction of the Inspection Training Center (as it was now called) to the Board of Trustees. The board approved the proposal. In August, Corna Kokosing Construction Com-pany, the general contractor for the Training and Conference Center, be-gan work– which Smith says wasn’t without its difficulties.

“We encountered several prob-lems with the existing water service pressure from the water mains that fed the building. This required analy-sis of the existing water supply piping and changes to the water meter. We also added a booster pump to ensure continuous water flow at a constant pressure. Completing the project in a year was also difficult, but the strong cooperation between the National Board, design team, and contrac-tor solved that problem. This is the

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INSPECTION TRAINING CENTER

second building on-site that the same team worked together to accomplish the project on time and on budget.”

The Inspection Training Center was finished on June 15, 2008. On June 30 staff engineers moved into their new offices.

Providing classroom instruction for about 60 students, the new center supplements the nearby Training and Conference Center, which provides instruction for about 200 students. Manager of Training Kimberly Miller says, “We have already started using the new classroom, which has allowed us a great deal of flexibility in managing larger class sizes.”

As for the hands-on inspection room, she says, “We are currently working on filling it with equipment – much of which has been donated by industry. At this time we have several pieces already in place, with many more being altered to accommodate training needs. For example, we received a fan-tastic glass-lined vessel from Eastman Chemical in Tennessee. It is being cut down in size for better placement in the room as well as to allow students to view the inside.”

She says the National Board will continue to add equipment. “We would

like to have several of the larger items as permanent features in the space, but have enough movable pieces to customize the inspection area to the class being taught. This will be an ongoing project for us – always looking to update or expand upon what we already have available.”

One challenge Mr. Tanner foresaw in providing hands-on training was the necessity for the National Board to define and carefully prepare new courses to meet the needs of a “new generation” of inspectors. But as he said at the August groundbreaking, “It is a challenge the National Board is proud and obligated to meet.”

And indeed the National Board is meet-ing that challenge. According to Ms. Miller, “There is a brand new Introduction to Inspec-tion Course (INTRO) in development that will be designed around the equipment. The Pre-Commission Examination Course (PEC) and the Authorized Inspector Course (A) will also be revised to include some time in the room to cover topics which we can teach in greater detail now that we have such great visuals.” A couple of existing courses, she says, already perfectly lend themselves to hands-on training: the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repair (RO) and Pressure Relief Valve Repair (VR) Seminars.

n October 8, 2008, at its headquarters in Columbus, the National Board dedi-cated the Inspection Training Center. Performing the cer-emonial ribbon-cutting were guest speaker John Kasich, Fox News contributor and former US Congressman from Ohio; National Board Assistant Executive Director – Admin-istrative Dick Allison; Na-tional Board Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Aben; Manager of Training Kimberly Miller; and National Board Assistant Executive Director – Technical George Bynog.

After the ceremony, National Board members, staff, and guests retired to the Inspection Train-ing Room for a luncheon and program. Mr. Allison welcomed the audience of more than 175 attendees and honored those who played a significant role in the building’s completion. Mr. Kasich challenged the audience to hold true to their values and remain dedicated to safety. Ad-dressing several areas of life, he brought the National Board to the spotlight, saying, “In this organization, there is no room for error.” Referring to the Inspection Training Center, he said the new building will help students “real-ize their purpose and responsibil-ity” in the boiler and pressure vessel industry.

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Rodney Handy Senior Boiler Inspector, Kentucky

Rodney Handy is the type of guy who likes to help people.

A longtime alto sax player, he volunteers each Sunday to play with his church’s music ensemble. In the summer, he coaches men’s and coed softball teams. If that isn’t enough, Rodney also serves as presi-dent of the high school band booster parents association.

Not only helpful, the Kentucky chief boiler inspector is also known as being downright courteo us, if not chivalrous. Heck, in junior high he was the type of person who would save a school bus seat for a young lady.

Growing up in north-central Kentucky will do that to a guy. Just ask Rodney.

Born in Georgetown (located in the northwestern shadow of Lexington), the six-year member of the National Board was the benefactor of a “typical rural town” upbringing that was by Rodney’s recollection, “pretty uneventful.”

If there is one childhood memory that brings a smile to the Kentucky offi-cial’s bespectacled face, it is the fondness for music he has enjoyed “for as long as I can remember.” In high school, Rodney held a number of part-time jobs includ-ing working on a tobacco farm, waiting tables, and ushering at the renowned Rupp arena. “But a lot of my time was spent hanging out with fellow [high school] band members.”

One of those band members was the girl for whom the school bus seat was reserved. Her name was Allison, and she and Rodney struck up a friendship when the former moved to Georgetown

during eighth grade. The friendship evolved into dating during high school. But when graduation presented itself, the two headed different directions.

“Up until that point in my life, I never gave serious consideration to my future,” Rodney explains. “At one time I thought I might want to go to law school, or perhaps attend the police academy.” (Rodney’s older brother was a police of-

ficer.) But the Kentucky National Board member had “a feeling” as to what he needed to do after high school.

“My brother and dad had both been in the military,” he reveals. “It was only natural I followed their footsteps.” And so in August of 1979, the Georgetown native entered the Navy.

With Allison headed to the Univer-sity of Kentucky to pursue a degree in


Buffalo Trace Distillery Photograph by Jeff Rogers

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economics, the couple decided if their relationship was meant to be it would withstand the test of time.

As with many new recruits, Rod-ney tested to determine an avocation. High test scores gave him the option of becoming either an electronics or boiler technician. “At this point in my life, the only boiler I had ever observed was at my high school gym-nasium,” he explains. “But I thought working on boilers would give me more hands-on responsibility.”

Eight months of schooling allowed Rodney to begin fleet duty as a 3RD Class Petty Officer. His assignment: the USS King.

The chief boiler inspector quickly discovered an appreciation for the Navy. “It was probably the hardest experience of my life, but it was also one of the most satisfying,” he smiles. Additionally, Rodney notes, the Navy allowed him to visit parts of the world he normally wouldn’t have.

“Italy, Spain, Turkey, Pakistan, Peru, Panama, Ecuador, Columbia, Brazil, Uruguay . . . even Djibouti,” he reels off with a chuckle. “Whereas many sailors spent time enjoying a city’s social setting, I loved visiting historical and cultural sites. Meeting people.”

Nearly five years at sea, Rodney regularly wrote to Allison. “It was tough keeping up our relationship, but I knew it would work,” he emphasizes. “And even though I enjoyed being in the Navy, for me it was no way to start a family.”

During the last six months of his tour, the state inspector was placed on

emergency leave and shipped to the reserve center in Lexington, Kentucky. “My dad was dying of Leukemia, and my brother was suffering from a brain tumor,” he discloses.

Rodney’s enlistment resulted in more than just a free trip around the world. “I had a good opportunity to watch Navy boiler inspectors,” he recollects. “They would always show up in their white suits and enjoyed a lot of respect. They were almost papal-like.”

Shortly after discharge, the Ken-tucky official was offered an inspector’s job with an insurance company in De-troit. “It wasn’t exactly where I wanted to go,” he admits. Subsequently, Rodney put in an application with the Com-monwealth of Kentucky in the event an inspector’s position would open.

Three months after taking a job at the University of Kentucky run-ning the school’s chillers, Rodney received a call and a job offer from the state to begin work as an inspec-tor. “I started in November of ’85 and received my commission in March of ’86,” he recalls.

If it wasn’t for new wife Allison, Rodney admits he might not have passed the commission exam’s math section. “It‘s always good to have an economics major in the house,” he laughs.

Rodney’s membership in the Na-tional Board predated his appointment as head of the state’s boiler division by nearly eight months. It is believed to be the only occasion a (senior) inspector has held National Board membership without being the chief jurisdiction authority.

“My predecessor resigned his mem-bership in April of 2003,” he explains. “In order to continue Kentucky’s participa-tion, I was appointed to serve as a mem-ber until my promotion to chief inspector in December of that same year.”

Under Rodney’s direction, Ken-tucky has streamlined and updated its registration system to ensure timely certificate processing for the jurisdic-tion’s 24,000 registered boilers and pressure vessels. “Because we’re self-sustaining, it is important our accounts receivable are handled with efficiency and accuracy.”

Rodney credits the department’s operational effectiveness to his staff of six inspectors, two trainees, and two office staff. “And I can’t forget the out-standing support we receive from our current commissioner and director,” he adds.

Curiously, the Georgetown native is not the first in his family to become familiar with pressure equipment and the National Board. “Claude Woods, Al-lison’s grandfather, was Kentucky chief inspector and a member from 1970 until his death in 1978.”

The Handys have one daughter (Jessica) who literally followed the footsteps of her one-time band-march-ing parents.

Sitting next to each other, Allison and Rodney talk of jobs, music, and their daughter. Taking his wife’s hand, the Na-tional Board member gushes: “She was my high school sweetheart . . .”

Realizing the faux pas, he quickly adds: “And still is . . .”

Who said chivalry is dead . . .


Buffalo Trace Distillery Photograph by Jeff Rogers

National Board Technical Scholarship

The National Board reminds all applicants that the final deadline for the National Board Technical Scholarship is February 28, 2009. This scholarship is available only to children, step-children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of past and present staff and members of the National Board as well as to children, step-children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of past and present Commissioned Inspectors employed by a member jurisdiction.

Each year, the National Board offers up to two $6,000 scholarships to selected students meeting eligibility standards and who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in certain engineering or related studies. Further eligibility requirements include current full-time enrollment in an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. or Canada and a cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Award recipients will be notified by March 31, 2009.Full requirements are listed on the National Board Web site under ABOUT US. For any questions or further information,

please contact Scholarship Coordinator Connie Homer by email at [email protected].


Douin Named Executive Director

The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors elected Illinois Superintendent David Douin as its new executive director. He succeeds Donald Tanner, who passed away October 25, 2008. The announcement was made by Robert Aben, chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Mr. Douin was elected at a meeting of the membership on November 19 at National Board headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. He assumed his new duties in Columbus on January 5.

The Illinois state official is the seventh executive director to head the internationally recognized safety organization since its formation in 1919.

“Mr. Douin has served more than 10 years on the Board of Trustees, seven of which as National Board chairman,” explained Mr. Aben. “He comes to the National Board with outstanding leadership credentials reflecting 35 years’ experience in the pressure equipment industry.”

A native of Decatur, Illinois, Mr. Douin began his career as a boilermaker apprentice in 1974. Following completion of the appren-tice program, he became boilermaker foreman in 1979. The Illinois official passed the National Board Commission examination and joined the state in 1982. In 1990 he became both director of the Illinois boiler inspection department and a National Board member.

In addition to his ASME committee work, Mr. Douin was an active member of the National Board Board of Trustees. Elected second vice chair in 1997, he was elected by the membership to fulfill the unexpired term of then chairman Donald Tanner in February of 2001. He was reelected chairman twice before resigning the position last September.

Mr. Douin holds National Board Commission No. 9943 with “A” and “B” endorsements.

David Douin

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It is with deep sadness the National Board announces the November 25 passing of past National Board Chairman and retired North Carolina Boiler and Pressure Vessel Division Director Bennie L. Whitley. He was 81.

Mr. Whitley served nine years in the Merchant Marines and two years with the US Army before joining the North Carolina boiler and pressure vessel program, in 1956. After 30 years with the state, he retired July 31, 1986, and joined the National Board field staff.

“Ben Whitley was a dedicated and highly respected member of the boiler and pressure vessel industry,” says former National Board Acting Executive Director Richard Allison. “Few could match his professionalism and commitment to safety. We extend our sincere condolences to the entire Whitley family for their loss.”

Mr. Whitley is survived by his wife Janice, daughter Dara, and son Sterling.

Ben Whitley

Mark Mooney

Robert Aben

Donald Jenkins

Joel Amato


Robert Aben, Mark Mooney, Joel Amato, and Donald Jenkins Elected to Board of Trustees

National Board members elected Robert J. Aben Jr. chairman of the board at a membership meeting on October 7. The Michigan chief boiler inspector replaces Illinois Superintendent and Chief Inspector David Douin, who resigned from the position in September. Aben was elected as first vice chair in 2008. A 14-year veteran of the US Coast Guard, Mr. Aben served as a boiler inspector for Hartford Steam Boiler before becoming assistant chief inspector for the state of Michigan in 1989. The Trenton, Michigan native became chief inspector and a member of the National Board in 1990. Mr. Aben holds National Board Commission No. 9586 with “I,” “N,” and “NS” endorsements.

In addition to Mr. Aben’s election, National Board members also voted Mark A. Mooney and Joel T. Amato first vice chair and second vice chair respectively. Mr. Mooney serves as as-sistant chief of inspections for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A member of the board of trustees since 2001, he was elected second vice chair in 2006. Mr. Mooney’s elevation to first vice chair fills the vacancy left by Mr. Aben.

Mr. Mooney has more than 22 years’ experience in the boiler and pressure vessel industry. Prior to joining the commonwealth, he served as boiler operator, shift supervisor, and chief engineer for Bechtel-Semass Operations. Mr. Mooney was also an instructor for L. J. Technical and a service engineer for Mooney Engineering. He started with Massachusetts in 1996 and was elected to National Board membership in 1998. Mr. Mooney holds National Board Com-mission 12062.

Minnesota Chief Boiler Inspector Joel Amato fills the vacancy on the board left by Mr. Mooney. Mr. Amato has served as chief inspector since 1999, the same year he was elected to the National Board. Previous to joining the state, Mr. Amato was employed by Stroh’s Brew-ery as a power plant operator. He also served as a boiler inspector with Kemper Inspection and Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. A veteran of the US Navy, Mr. Amato was elected to the board of trustees in 2006 as a member at large. He holds National Board Commission No. 11907 with “A” and “B” endorsements.

Replacing Mr. Amato as member at large is Kansas Chief Inspector Donald Jenkins. Prior to joining the state, Mr. Jenkins worked as a paper mill machine operator before becoming a boiler operator for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Born in Aitkin, Minnesota, the US Navy vet-eran became chief boiler inspector for the Indian Affairs organization in 1982. In 1996, after a 29-year career with the bureau, Mr. Jenkins joined the state of Kansas as chief boiler inspector. He previously served on the National Board Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2008. Mr. Jenkins holds National Board Commission No. 11837.

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Michael Burns

John Siggers

Roy Perry

John Bell

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John Bell, John Siggers, Michael Burns, and Roy Perry Join National Board

John E. Bell has been elected to the National Board representing Detroit. He is supervising boiler inspector for the city. Mr. Bell was employed as a commercial foreman for plumbing, HVAC, pipe-fitting, and boiler installation. He later taught these subjects at high school and community college prior to joining the city. For the last several years, he has been employed with the city of Detroit as a mechanical inspector. The new chief attended the Detroit Institute of Technology and Sienna Heights College. He holds a bachelor’s of applied science degree in plumbing and heating. Residing in St. Clair Shores, Mr. Bell holds National Board Commission No. 13291. He and his wife Francine have four children, Joshua, Amy, Esther, and Abigail.

John Siggers has been elected to the National Board representing British Columbia. He is safety manager for British Columbia Safety Authority. Mr. Siggers began his career working as a first-class steam plant operator for Nova Scotia Power. He then went to work as a boiler and pressure vessel inspector for Commercial Union Insurance of Canada before becoming assistant chief officer for the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations in Ontario. He subsequently returned to Nova Scotia as chief examiner. In June he joined the province of Brit-ish Columbia as safety manager. Mr. Siggers holds National Board Commission No. 11027. He resides in Abbotsford with his wife Heather and two children.

Michael Burns has been elected to the National Board representing Florida. He is chief boiler inspector for the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Mr. Burns was employed by Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB) from 1987-2002, rising from a trainee to a field service supervisor. After returning from a deployment with the US Navy, he rejoined HSB as an inspector in the Florida area. He became chief in Florida in August. Mr. Burns was graduated from Farmingdale State College, a campus of The State University of New York, with degrees in air conditioning technology and business administration. He was also graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in management. The new chief served in the Navy from 1983 to 1986, serving on the USS Thomaston LSD 28 and the USS Horne CG-30. He was deployed to Kuwait from 2005-2006. Mr. Burns holds National Board Commission No. 10495 with “A” endorsement. Residing in Jupiter, he and his wife Janet have two daughters.

Roy L. Perry has become National Board member representing Nevada. He is safety manager for the mechanical unit. Mr. Perry joined Factory Mutual as a consultant in 1978. He consequently worked for various insurance companies from 1985 to 1992. Employed by Nevada for the past 17 years, Mr. Perry served as boiler specialist and supervisor before becoming the chief inspector. The new chief attended Golden West Community College, studying general education. His career in boiler inspection began in the US Navy, where he served from 1965 to 1973, as well as from 1976 to 1978. Mr. Perry lives in Las Vegas and holds National Board Commission No. 8788.

37NATIONAL BOARD BULLETIN / WINTER 2009 nationalboard.org nationalboard.org

Joy GreenAccounting Associate

If asked to describe National Board employee Joy Green, you’d probably never think of using the epithet “Big Ugly woman.” First, even if it were remotely true, it’s

not very nice; second, it’s not remotely true.But that’s exactly what the late Richard McGuire, former

manager of training at the National Board, used to call her: “Big Ugly woman.”

Joy laughs and says, “Whenever he saw me, he’d say, ‘How are you doing, Big Ugly woman?’”

No, he wasn’t being mean. Known for his ribbing, he was just referring to where she’d been born – Big Ugly, West Virginia, a small community near Charleston. “It was named,” Joy says, “after the man who first settled there. He was kind of unsightly. But the Big Ugly area is beautiful.”

She lived there until 1967. At that time, when in high school, she moved with her mother and father, and three siblings to Columbus. After graduating from Columbus North High School, she joined AT&T, where she worked for 24 years as an operator. When it downsized in 1994, she took a buyout – “one of the best things” she could’ve done, she says, since, soon after, she started at the National Board in the order department. In 1998, after working in filing and data entry, she moved to accounting. As accounting associ-ate she’s mainly responsible for accounts receivable. Besides liking the people she works with, she likes – alluding to the strictness at AT&T – “not having to tell anyone I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

Joy and her husband Chuck, of whom she says, “To know him is to love him,” met on a blind date. He’s a re-tired mailman and works part-time at a store that sells Ohio State Buckeyes memorabilia. They have six children and 14 grandchildren, all of whom are nearby. Joy and Chuck live on a 10-acre farm near Centerburg, Ohio (northeast of Columbus). On five acres partitioned off to keep out rabbits, raccoons, and deer, they grow green beans, tomatoes, hot peppers, cabbage, and okra. On Saturday mornings from the end of May through October, they sell the produce at the Delaware Farmers’ Market. They’re shrewd sellers. “Chuck will go to the grocery store and check prices, then we’ll lower ours a little. This past year was really good, a buyer’s year. Everything was gone.”

When not working or tending their acreage, Joy and Chuck enjoy traveling. They’ve gone to Scranton, Pennsylva-nia, to visit the Steam Train Museum; Gettysburg; Wheeling, West Virginia; Washington D.C.; and Niagara Falls, where they took the Maid of the Mist boat ride for a close-up view of the falls.

In other spare moments Joy especially enjoys crocheting, which she learned three years ago from fellow National Board employee Jane Rager, and sewing, which she’s been doing for years. “I crochet scarves, blankets, and ponchos,” she says. “Recently my mother taught me how to sew throws. For Christmas I made them for all my granddaughters – seven girls from three to 13. They were all pretty excited, since I made them with their favorite themes, like princesses and ballet dancers. I even made a little one for my youngest grandson. He insists on taking it to bed every night.”

Photograph by Greg Sailor

“Do You Know . . .?” is a BULLETIN feature introducing readers to the dedicated men and women who comprise the National Board staff.

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Opportunities Abound

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Flash back to April 1998. The very first class ever conducted in the National Board’s new Training and Conference Center was held. It was a Manufacturer

and Repair Organizations Seminar, and 13 students from various companies and areas around the United States, Canada, and Denmark were in attendance.

Now flash forward to December 2008. More than a decade has gone by since that first class, and in that time there have been more than 765 classes conducted by the training department for over 7,500 students. Countless hours devoted by instructors in preparation for those classes lead up to over 1,000 weeks of classroom instruction, most of which took place on campus in Columbus, Ohio.

Leading into 2009 the opportunity to attend National Board training is abun-dant. The training department will con-duct over 35 classes either in Columbus or on the road this coming year. Over 1,300 students are estimated to attend a course or seminar from the 2009 schedule, which will include endorsement courses, con-tracted training, jurisdictional inservice seminars, repair seminars, and team leader training. That is approximately 205 days of training, which translates to over 1,400 hours of classroom instruction!

The growth in the days of training is because the National Board has recognized a need to increase the number of classes conducted due to industry demand. Two ad-ditional courses, Authorized Inspector Course (A) and Authorized Nuclear Inspector Course (N), have been added to the 2009 training calendar for a total of six and three, respectively. The goal is to be able to train more students while keeping the class sizes to a number that will allow personal attention to be given to students whenever necessary.

The new training schedule also has a newly expanded three-day Boiler and Pressure Repair Seminar (RO). While still of-fering the traditional two-day version, this new option spends

additional time on the accreditation process itself, which will prove especially useful for those organizations and individuals new to the accreditation process.

The Pressure Relief Valve Repair Seminar (VR) will join the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Seminar (RO) on the road again this year. Training staff will be in Houston for both seminars in March and then up to Minne-sota for an “RO” Seminar in mid-April.

As many of you in the industry are aware, the National Board has recently finished construction on its brand new Inspection Training Center. This new facility includes an additional classroom as well an area dedicated to hands-on training. The new inspection room will open in 2009 once equipment placement is finalized. Not only will current courses be revised to include sessions in the facility, but a brand new Introduction to Inspection Course is under development to be revealed in the fall.

Online training will also be back in 2009 with the unveiling of the National Board In-spection Code Parts 1, 2, and 3 courses being debuted. They will join the updated and more interactive Controls and Safety Devices (CSD-1) online course that is already available on na-tionalboard.org. Online training is a perfect way to stay updated on the NBIC and CSD-1 codes as well as a great way to obtain the continuing education credit required under the Rules for Commissioned Inspectors, NB-263.

2009 is going to be an exciting year for the National Board’s training department. For more in-formation on training and/or information on registering for training, please visit the Web site at nationalboard.org.


(PEC) Pre-Commission Examination Course — Complete Course TUITON: $2,500 May 11-22

Week Two Course (only) TUITON: $1,190 May 18-22

(RO) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repair Seminar — Two-Day Course TUITION: $400 April 15-16 (Minnesota) (VR) Repair of Pressure Relief Valves Seminar — TUITION: $1,250 March 2-6 (Texas)

(A) Authorized Inspector Course — TUITION: $2,500 April 27-May 8 June 8-19

(N) Authorized Nuclear Inspector Course — TUITION: $1,250 July 6-10

CONTINuINg EDuCATIONAl OPPORTuNITIES

ENDORSEmENT COuRSES

TR

AIN

ING

CALEN

DAR

All seminars and courses are held at the National Board Training and Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio, unless otherwise noted, and are subject to cancellation.

For additional information regarding seminars and courses, contact the National Board Training Department at 1055 Crupper Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43229-1183, 614.888.8320, or visit the National Board Web site at .

REGISTRATIoN foRM

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Hotel ReservationsA list of hotels will be sent with each National Board registration confirmation.


TH

E W

AY W

E W

ER

E Jumping for Their LivesStockport, England

March 1851. Monday. 5:00 p.m. It seemed like any other night at Marsland's Cotton Factory,

but something was about to go terribly wrong.

Situated in the middle of Stockport, England, on the bank of the Mersey River, the factory, which

carried out spinning, weaving, and bleaching, was owned by Mr. Henry Marsland. The mill was ex-

tensive, and right in the middle stood two large steam boilers.

About half past five – with everyone still at work – the larger of the two boilers exploded, killing

19 workers and injuring five more. The boiler, which landed about 40 yards from its original spot, was

a large cylinder, 40 feet long and 12 feet in diameter. It weighed more than 11 tons. After the explo-

sion, fire quickly spread through the building, forcing some workers to jump through windows into

the river.

An investigation was launched the following day, but the exact cause was never determined. The

investigators surmised there may have been a flaw in the iron or a weakness in the stays. The explo-

sion occurred in a new 30-horsepower boiler calculated for a pressure of 30 psi. It was operating at 24

psi when it exploded.

Because of the explosion, more than 350 people lost their jobs, although some were able to con-

tinue working in other parts of the mill.


Documents

An Interview With Retiring Executive Director Donald Tanner