Webster Mechanical Engineering (WME) provides professional forensic investigations in the areas of boiler and pressure vessel construction, installation, operation, maintenance, repairs, and inspection.
Catastrophic failures of boilers and pressure vessels are extremely dangerous and damaging due to the sudden release of energy stored in the pressurized steam or compressed air (or other compressed gases). Fortunately the catastrophic failure of new boilers and pressure vessels is quite rare. Most catastrophic failures occur on aged units that are improperly maintained, repaired by non-ASME certified personnel, provided with insufficient inspection routines, or operated by unqualified operators.
WME provides on-site examinations of boiler and pressure vessels involved in property damage and personal injury incidents to determine the condition of the boiler or pressure vessel at the time of the loss; to review its original construction and installation; to review the required documentation of repairs or alterations to pressure retaining components; to document its operating history; and to evaluate the quality of maintenance and inspection programs.
WME conducts laboratory examinations and testing of boiler and pressure vessel components and appurtenances to determine the cause and conditions contributing to the incident.
The examinations of boilers, pressure vessels, and the connected appurtenances are made in accordance with:
- National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspection Code (NBIC)
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes
- ASME CSD-1 Control and Safety Devices for Automatically Fired Boilers
- National Fire Protection Association NFPA 85 Boiler and Combustion Hazard Code
- Applicable State jurisdiction boiler and pressure vessel codes
Our principal engineer’s professional experience includes a seven year tenure as an Authorized Inspector commissioned by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, during which he conducted State jurisdictional certificate inspections on boilers and pressure vessels ranging in size from small heating boilers to large industrial power boilers. His field experience as an Authorized Inspector provides a unique perspective on losses involving boilers and pressure vessels.
