A message from the Chief
Hello, and thank you for reading The Boiler Room. There are some great opportunities coming up to learn the latest in technology and training. I hope you'll find this information useful. Please let me know if there are topics you'd like to see covered here. Send me a note at wiln235@Lni.wa.gov, and I'll try to include your idea.
Please recommend The Boiler Room to other boiler professionals. They can sign up here to receive it via e-mail.
Thanks for your interest!
- Linda Williamson, Boiler Chief
Puget Sound Energy offering natural gas boiler tune-up rebates
A tune-up can reduce the natural gas consumed by your boiler by up to 20 percent and increase its output. Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) natural gas customers can receive rebates for 100 percent of the tune-up cost, up to $600. Additional repairs that increase the efficiency of your boiler, including boiler replacement, may also qualify for PSE energy efficiency grant funding.
A tune-up can also restore a natural gas boiler to its normal efficient operating condition by detecting and correcting excess air losses, smoking, unburned fuel losses, sooting, fireside fouling and high flue gas temperatures. The boiler tune-up starts with measuring the oxygen concentration, flue gas temperature, and emissions. Then the air/fuel ratio is adjusted to the optimum point of combustion efficiency.
Learn more about the boiler tune-up rebate offer from PSE.
- What inspectors look for during inspections.
- History of the state Boiler Inspection Program.
- The most common problems inspectors find.
- How the resources on the Boiler web site can make your job easier.
- Your questions answered!
New Boiler Installer workshop planned for April 11
For the first time ever, L&I is offering a Boiler Installer Workshop to help installers achieve compliance with state boiler safety regulations and ensure customer satisfaction and safety.
This free one-hour workshop is part of Contractor Training Day, which will be held at Seattle Central Community College on April 11.
It will cover everything you need to know about boiler inspections, such as:
You may sign up for just this workshop or for other workshops offered throughout the day.
If you are interested in attending or would like additional information, please contact Shari Purves-Reiter, Outreach and Education Manager, 360-902-4733.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join others in your industry for this workshop. Sign up now!
Washington State Boiler Inspector Association meeting to focus on nuclear power production
Mark your calendar for the 44th annual Washington State Boiler Inspector Association meeting coming up Friday, March 14, 2008, in Seattle.
Due to the resurgence of the nuclear industry worldwide, the morning program will be focused on nuclear-power production. Dave Swank will be representing Energy Northwest, a company that recently celebrated its 50-year anniversary serving public power. Dave will be giving information about the past, present and future of the Columbia Generating Plant, Washington’s only operating nuclear generating plant.
Energy Northwest’s Columbia (nuclear) Generating Power Plant in Richland.
Following this presentation, there will be two presentations from Tetra Tech. One will cover the handling of nuclear waste and the other will be on new plant design. In the afternoon, Sierra Pacific will talk about another energy alternative, electric cogeneration at its Burlington-based lumber mill.
To round out the day, the National Board will discuss the new 2007 National Board Inspection Code, Cole Industrial will lead a discussion on repairs and alterations, and Tyco Valve will discuss safety-release valves.
The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Inn on Southcenter Parkway from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To learn more or for a registration form, visit the WSBIA web page.
Proposal considered for Boiler Operator Certification
As reported in the last issue, L&I received a request from Representative Steven Conway that we consider the possibility of enacting a statewide Boiler Operator Certification. L&I and the Board of Boiler Rules reviewed this proposal with its proponents and many industry representatives during a special meeting of the Board on Aug. 3, 2007. After much testimony and lengthy discussions, neither the proponents nor opponents of the proposal presented sufficient evidence supporting a public safety need for this type of licensing. As a result, on Sept. 19 the Board voted unanimously to not support the development of such a certification. These findings were reported to Representative Conway.
Board of Boiler Rules
Our next Board of Boiler Rules Meeting will be held:
March 18 & 19, 2008 at 10 a.m., Room 3
Tacoma Labor & Industries
950 Broadway, Suite 200
Tacoma, WA
Future meetings will be May 13 & 14, 2008. View the agenda and minutes from past meetings.
Washington State Boiler Inspectors Association (WSBIA)
The Washington State Boiler Inspectors Association (WSBIA) holds a lunch meeting on the first working Monday of each month to discuss current topics. The March 3 meeting will be held at:
Goldie's Airport Way
3924 Airport Way S.
Seattle, WA
44th Annual Washington State Boiler Inspectors Association Meeting
Friday, March 14, 2008
DoubleTree Inn
16500 Southcenter Parkway
Seattle, WA
To receive an invitation to upcoming events, contact the association at: wsbia14443@yahoo.com
As the Department of Labor & Industries Boiler/Pressure Vessel Section, we are working hard to provide you with quality customer service. Sign up for our Listserv and receive safety bulletins and news.
Please see the L&I Boiler Inspector Web page to find the inspector in your area.
For questions about boiler regulations, fees and forms, please contact:
Tony Oda, Technical Specialist
Phone: 360-902-4983
E-mail: odaa235@Lni.wa.gov
Alicia Curry, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 360-902-5271
E-mail: curb235@Lni.wa.gov
Karol Conly, Customer Service Specialist (Supervisor)
Phone: 360-902-5273
E-mail: conk235@Lni.wa.gov
Kay Piesch, Customer Service Specialist
Phone: 360-902-5272
E-mail: piek235@Lni.wa.gov
Annabel Schmidt, Customer Service Specialist
Phone: 360-902-5267
E-mail: schc235@Lni.wa.gov
Department of Labor & Industries
Boiler Program
Phone: 360-902-6400
Fax: 360-902-5292
The Boiler Room is a Web-based newsletter from the Department of Labor & Industries' Boiler Program.
