Boiler Inspection

Hullo everyone,

I'm involved in the restoration of a small yet fairly substantial NG locomotive. It's the ex Royal Arsenal 0-4-0T 'Woolwich'. Avonside 1748 of 1916.

We need a boiler inspection to ascertain costs, not to certificate her. This leads me to two questions.

1) Will an initial inspection require the tubes to be removed?

2) Will the inspector need to see the underside of the foundation ring?

Also, does the Association of Independent Boiler Inspectors have any contact details? I've tried the web without finding a direct contact but I'm sure I saw an advert from them in one of the railway magazines.

With many thanks in advance

Ian Bull

 

This link may help you.

Welcome to the National Steam Car Association

 

Whilst I've no doubt you could find a boiler inspector happy to give an inspection with the tubes in, I think most would desire they be removed along with any lagging & cladding so they can see both the internal and external condition of the barrel.

The "Association of Independant Boiler Inspectors" was set up a couple of years ago after an attempt by the "National Traction Engine Trust" to introduce their own boiler inspection scheme didn't meet with universal approval by the boiler inspectors expected to implement it. The Association is not run by NTET in any way, but the x13 independant inspectors who comprise the Association do work alongside NTET due to road steam boilers forming a proportion of their work.

Contact details for the x13 inspectors who make up the Association are published on the National Traction Engine Trust's website.
Whilst the aim of the AIBI is to standardise inspections, if you speak to those in the road steam movement I'm sure you will find opinions on different inspectors will vary :whistle:.


Ian.

 

I very much concur with this last comment. There are some well-known inspectors that, personally, I'd stay clear of. Anybody can inspect a boiler if you err on the safe side and condemn most things.

Ideally, you need to have sufficient knowledge of boilers to know what wants doing yourself and use the Inspector to confirm (or otherwise) your own opinion. I get the impression from your post that this knowledge is lacking. If this is the case, I'd even be tempted to get two independent opinions and query any differences. It could save you a lot of money. You also have to realise that what is acceptable to the Inspector and fit for purpose for the next 12 months is not necessarily what will be fit for purpose for the next 10 years.

When you come down to getting quotes, you need to have a comprehensive written specification detailing all work. You can also ask for extra prices for additional work that might be necessary (i.e. cost for replacing additional stays), even if it is unlikely to be needed as, once the boiler is at a contractors works, additional unpriced work is a licence to print money.

 

An inspector can only report on what can be seen so the more that is accessible the more accurate the diagnosis. But there are no rules as such, if you want it assess as it stands then that can be done. I frequently get asked to assess railway loco boilers and could assist if you require.

Regards

Graham Morris

Graham Morris Engineering Ltd

01327 872148




QUOTE=Ian Bull;447192]Hullo everyone,

I'm involved in the restoration of a small yet fairly substantial NG locomotive. It's the ex Royal Arsenal 0-4-0T 'Woolwich'. Avonside 1748 of 1916.

We need a boiler inspection to ascertain costs, not to certificate her. This leads me to two questions.

1) Will an initial inspection require the tubes to be removed?

2) Will the inspector need to see the underside of the foundation ring?

Also, does the Association of Independent Boiler Inspectors have any contact details? I've tried the web without finding a direct contact but I'm sure I saw an advert from them in one of the railway magazines.

With many thanks in advance

Ian Bull[/QUOTE]

 

Many thanks to those who've replied and particularly those who kindly sent me personal messages.

Just after I wrote I went down with an uncommon cold. I don't want anything like it ever again and I apologise for not replying earlier. I'll reply to the PMs very shortly.

All the best

Ian Bull

 

Hello

I am replying to this thread on the official AIBI account as chairman of the AIBI.

The AIBI was set up with the objective of raising the quality and consistency of boiler inspections.
The AIBI has the probably the widest experience in heritage style boilers of any organisation in the world.

There has been a lot of behind the scenes work to get the AIBI up and working as a professional organisation. This has now been done.

AIBI's website is under construction at aibi.org.uk and we can be contacted at info@aibi.org.uk

Martin Clark MSc BEng CEng MIET MSOE MBES
Chartered Engineer
Chairman AIBI
info@mgceng.co.uk