AN OPEN LETTER TO SCHOOL
ADMINISTRATORS EVERYWHERE

Dear School Administrator:

Fall not only designates the beginning of the school year, it also marks the season for furnace, boiler, and water heater explosions.

I call this to your attention because now, more than at any other time of the year, is when your school system should check its furnaces, boilers,and water heaters. All of them.

Why?

Boilers can be negatively affected by inactivity. Having been out of operation for the past several months, controls, safety devices, and metal components subjected to heat and moisture in the boiler room environment can and do deteriorate.This equipment is the most susceptible to malfunction when it is brought on line for the new school season. Unfortunately, we are reminded of this more frequently than is necessary.

What can you do to preclude a disastrous event?

Foremost, you can communicate to school operations and maintenance personnel your concern and your commitment regarding boiler safety.

Secondly, you can make sure your operations and maintenance personnel are properly trained to safely operate your district's boiler system. If not, take immediate action to provide for this training. Today. It may be the only opportunity you have this school year to save a life or head off serious injury.

Lastly, but of no lesser importance, make sure that your district is performing prescribed maintenance. Whether accomplished by a maintenance organization or your own personnel, an on-going boiler and water heater maintenance routine should be an important part of your school system's operating procedure.

If your personnel lack the experience to properly evaluate the operating condition of your boilers, call in a qualified professional to inspect your boiler system. It is an investment that will provide you with piece of mind. Having an efficient, well maintained system is not only safer, it can yield many years of reliable service and appreciable operational economies.

Should you have any questions regarding your system, call your chief boiler inspector. For the name and telephone number of the chief inspector in your jurisdiction, just contact The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors at 614/888-8320. Or visit the National Board Web site at www.nationalboard org.

With many of us being parents, we in the boiler and pressure vessel industry fully appreciate the circumstances you face in making the hard financial decisions in your district. And that is why our industry stands ready to offer assistance.

As you are there for our children, we are there for you.

Yours truly,

Albert J. Justin
Executive Director

The National Board of
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors