National Board Inspection Code

The National Board Inspection Code, published by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, Columbus, Ohio, is helpful. Any repair, however, is acceptable if it is made in accordance with the rules of the Pressure Vessel Code. 

The mean time to failure of various instrumentation and equipment parts would be known from the manufacturer s data or the employer s experience with the parts, which then influence inspection and testing frequency and associated procedures. Also, applicable codes and standards—such as the National Board Inspection Code, or those from the American Society for Testing and Materials, American Petroleum Institute, National Fire Protection Association, American National Standards Institute, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and other groups—provide information to help establish an effective testing and inspection frequency, as well as appropriate methodologies. 

NBIC. National Board Inspection Code. ANSI/NB-23. National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, USA, 1998. 

Design Basis/Requirements Inspection/Test Procedures InspectiorVTest Frequencies Inspection/Test Acceptance Criteria Repair and Alteration Procedures ASME, API 520, API 521, API 530, API RP 537 NBIC (National Board Inspection Code), API-510, operating experience Operating experience Manufacturer s recommendations Manufacturer s recommendations... 

Inspection Authority The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors is composed of the chief inspectors of states and municipalities in the United States and Canadian provinces which have made any pari of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code a legal requirement. This board promotes uniform enforcement of boiler and pressure-vessel rules. One of the board s imporiant activities is providing examinations for, and commissioning of, inspectors. Inspeciors so qualified and employed by an insurance company state, municipality, or Canadian province may inspect a pressure vessel and permit it to be stamped ASME—NB (National Board). An inspector employed by a vessel user may authorize the use of only the ASME stamp. The ASME Code Committee authorizes fabricators to use the various ASME stamps. The stamps, however, may be apphed to a vessel only with the approval of the inspector. 

Many of the building codes used initially in North America were imported from Europe by the early settlers. In 1630, the City of Boston building code stated No man shall build his chimney with wood nor cover his roof with thatch. In 1865, the City of New Orleans adopted an ordinance requiring the inspection of buildings for public use. In 1905 the National Board of Fire Undeiwriters published the first national building code in the United States, the Recommended National Building Code. 

This board promotes safety and uniformity in the construction, installation, repair, maintenance, and inspection of pressure equipment. It promotes safety and educates the public and government officials on the need for manufacturing, maintenance, and repair standards. The board offers comprehensive training and education for inspectors and pressure equipment maintenance professionals. The board promotes an inspection process through the commissioning of inspectors. Inspectors must pass a comprehensive examination administered by the national board. The board also sets worldwide industry standards for pressure relief devices and other appurtenances. The board investigates pressure-equipment incidents involving code compliance. The board develops installation, inspection, repair, and alteration standards for the National Inspection Code. 

Design working pressure. On the process side, normally 250 psi (17.6 kg/cm ). In steam or hot water space, 100 psi (7 kg/cm ) (higher pressures available if needed). AU vaporizers built in the U.S. are designed, inspected, and National Board stamped in accordance with the ASME Code. Vaporizers built outside the U.S. may be supplied per ASME, TUV, Stoomwezen or other local codes as required. 

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