National Board Assistant Executive Director-Technical Gary Scribner (far right) discusses equipment
located in the Inspection Training Center (ITC) during a tour of National Board training facilities.

The National Board Hosts Delegation from Thailand

The National Board hosted seven delegates from The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) this week while attending the ASME/NB CA-360 Workshop, which was held at the National Board Training and Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio.

The delegates in attendance were: Mr. Sayan Pansang, Assistant Director, Mechanical Maintenance Division; Mr. Pattanapong Khantha, Assistant Director, Mae Moh Power Plant Production Division; Mr. Thaweesak Thaviroon, Chief, Mechanical Maintenance Division; Mr. Sahathep Joipradit, Engineer Level 10, Mechanical Maintenance Division; Mr. Jongrak Pararat, Engineer Level 10, Mae Moh Power Plant Production Division; Mr. Jirat Angsutamatuch, Head, Boiler Maintenance Section 2, Mae Moh Power Plant Production Division; and Mr. Pradit Moomuangsong, Head, Boiler Maintenance Section, Mae Moh Power Plant Production Division.

The delegates’ main area of interest was in learning how the United States utilities are regulated and how ASME, National Board, and jurisdictions work together to promote the safe use of boilers and pressure vessels.

The events were coordinated by National Board Assistant Executive Director-Technical Gary Scribner; ASME Managing Director of Conformity Assessment Jon Labrador; and ASME Conformity Assessment Director of Product and Personnel Certification, Paul Lang.

The delegates toured National Board facilities and attended presentations on the topics of National Board training and the safety valve testing lab. They also toured two power plants in West Virginia: Mountaineer Plant and Mitchell Plant; and visited two renewable energy facilities in Columbus, Ohio.

During the visit, EGAT members gained valuable knowledge of the ASME and National Board relationship, and how the two organizations work together to protect and ensure the safety of pressure equipment construction, continued operation, and through inspection.

A follow up workshop is planned for February 2020 in Thailand, with the goal of gaining better understanding of utilizing ASME and NBIC codes, as Thailand moves to adopt codes to promote public safety.

National Board technicians and engineers perform a safety valve test at the National Board
Testing Laboratory as Pressure Relief Department Director Joseph Ball and the Thai delegation look on.