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Contact Information: Joe Corliss 12300 Twinbrook Parkway Suite 610 Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 443-1046 jcorliss@hqe.ihs.gov Activity: Mechanical Keyword: Boilers Background: It was discovered that boilers had never been inspected by a qualified inspector. A qualified inspector was hired and he discovered the heat exchangers were severely deteriorated and a code violation existed because both temperature and pressure relief valves were discharging into a common pipe that wasn’t large enough to handle the discharge of both valves simultaneously. The inspector wouldn’t issue a certificate of operation until the heat exchangers and the relief valve discharge piping was replaced. This occurred in September when the heating season was a few weeks away. Lessons Learned: Plan for boiler inspections and repairs prior to the beginning of the heating season. Don’t assume that design professionals will catch every design/construction mistake during inspection/acceptance of a new facility. Trust but verify. Recommended Action: Become familiar with pertinent and practical aspects of the edition of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act that has been adopted by your State or other authority having jurisdiction. Get to know your boiler inspector and observe what happens when a boiler undergoes an external and internal inspection. Don’t forget to consider that initial and refresher training for boiler operators, maintenance mechanics, and facility managers is important. Location: Anadarko Indian Health Center Program: OCAO/Fac. Management Branch Date: 07/13/2001