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Submission Guidelines



Writer’s Guidelines for the National Board BULLETIN
 
Thank you for your interest in contributing to the National Board BULLETIN. The BULLETIN welcomes article submissions appealing to a wide range of professionals in the boiler and pressure vessel industry. The viewpoints of engineers, manufacturers, scientists, inspectors, and users are sought on all aspects of boilers, pressure vessels, parts, and appurtenances, with an emphasis on safety, standards, codes, qualifications, rules, and regulations. To be considered for publication, please review the following guidelines.
 

Topics of Interest
 
The National Board is interested in publishing technical, tutorial, and application articles through topics related to the organization’s objectives and which promote:
  • uniform administration and enforcement of boiler and pressure vessel laws, rules, and regulations;
     
  • standards for acceptance of boilers, pressure vessels, parts, and appurtenances to assure safe operation;
     
  • one uniform code and one standard stamp to be placed on all registered boilers, pressure vessels, parts, and other objects constructed in accordance with the requirements of that code;
     
  • one standard of qualification and examination for inspectors who are to enforce the requirements of said codes;
     
  • safety testing facilities for safety relief valves or other boiler and pressure vessel appurtenances and the dissemination of the results of such testing in the interest of public safety;
     
  • the gathering and availability of information and statistics useful to members, inspectors, and others interested in boiler and pressure vessel safety.
 
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, issues relative to the safe operation, maintenance, construction, repair, testing, installation, instrumentation, and inspection of boiler and pressure vessels; safety valves and other unit components; testing codes and standards; risks and reliability; and training. Complete articles range 500-2,000 words. 
 
Presentations of a commercial or promotional nature will not be considered.
 

Submission Policy
 
Please submit an abstract or summary of the proposed article (English, 350 words max), along with a brief bio of the author(s) in a Word document via email to Kelley Youman at:
 
          kyouman@nationalboard.org
 
Or mail to:
 
          The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors
          Attention: Publications Editor
          1055 Crupper Avenue
          Columbus, OH 43229
 
Proposed articles should be original work and should not be previously published. Please indicate if the article is being simultaneously submitted to other publications. Accompanying graphics, charts, or pictures should be attached separately as .jpeg or .tif files at a minimum 300 dpi resolution.
 
All submissions are reviewed by National Board technical staff. Submission does not guarantee publication.
 
A complete article and/or graphics may be included with the abstract, but is not required. National Board will request the completed article if interested in the story. Please allow 2-6 weeks for a response.
 
Once the article is reviewed, changes – if necessary – will be recommended. Mutually acceptable changes between the author and National Board will be made.
 
Unless previously agreed upon in writing, all material published in the BULLETIN becomes copyrighted property of The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. This material may be reprinted only with written permission from the National Board Public Affairs Department and proper attribution.
 
After publication, National Board is pleased to provide complimentary copies of the BULLETIN at the author’s request.
 
Prospective contributors are encouraged to read recent issues of the BULLETIN before submitting. Past issues can be accessed electronically here.
 

Writing Tips
 
  • Develop an outline. An outline will assist the author in preparation of a well-balanced, comprehensible paper. 
     
  • Keep sentences simple. Avoid confusing sentences and paragraphs. Maintain clarity with words, sentences, flow, and structure.
     
  • Remember the basic parts of composition: introduction, body, and conclusion. 
     
  • Avoid personal pronouns and proper names. 
     
  • Spell out uncommon acronyms. A general rule is to spell out a word at first reference, followed up by the abbreviation in parenthesis. The abbreviation is then used in subsequent references. 
     
  • When in doubt about the reader’s comprehension, explain. If detailed explanations are necessary, provide a glossary of terms with the paper. 
     
  • Avoid starting sentences with numerals or abbreviations, especially when referring to artwork or diagrams (e.g., Fig. or Eq.). 
     
  • Use the International System of Units (SI) for all units of measurement. Use Arabic numerals. 
     
  • Supply brief captions if graphics/images are provided.