NBBI: safety since 1919

The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) was created in 1919 to promote greater safety to life and property through uniformity in the construction, installation, repair, maintenance, and inspection of pressure equipment.

The National Board membership oversees adherence to laws, rules, and regulations relating to boilers and pressure vessels. Its members are the chief boiler inspectors representing most states and all provinces of North America, as well as many major cities in the United States.

The National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) , published by the NBBI, is the most important international regulations for the maintenance, repair and alteration of boilers and pressure vessels. It ensures that the high manufacturing standards of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) are upheld in operation and is recognized in more than 100 countries.

Functions

The National Board's functions include:

• Improving safety and educating the public and government officials on the need for developing uniform manufacturing, maintenance, and repair standards;
• Offering comprehensive training programs in the form of continuing education for both inspectors and pressure equipment professionals;
• Developing a qualified inspection process by commissioning inspectors ending with a comprehensive examination administered by the National Board;
• Championing worldwide industry standards for pressure relief devices and other appurtenances through the establishment of an international pressure relief testing laboratory;
• Creating a repository of Manufacturers’ Data Reports through a registration process;
• Accrediting qualified repair and alteration companies, inservice Authorized Inspection Agencies, and Owner-User Inspection Organizations;
• Investigating pressure equipment accidents and issues involving code compliance;
• Developing installation, inspection, repair, and alteration standards (National Board Inspection Code).

NBBI Certification

NBBI Certification is a certification for the construction or repair of pressure equipment. The new construction certification verifies a manufacturer's or assembler's quality control system in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) / Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Sections I, IV, and VIII. The repair certification follows quality control standards in accordance with the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC).

This certification is for companies who are involved in the design, fabrication, assembly, inspection, installation, or repair of boiler and pressure vessel components. Pressure equipment includes products such as power boilers, heating boilers, pressure vessels, fibre-reinforced plastic vessels and transport tanks.

Certification entails a review of a company's quality manual and implementation of their quality program. The review is performed by inspection agencies authorized by NBBI.