Скачать или смотреть Steam Piping Accident Costs 10 US Navy Sailors their Lives!

The accident aboard the USS Iwo Jima is discussed. This ship experienced a high pressure steam accident when the wrong fasteners were installed by a contractor on the ships high pressure steam system to hold valves together that were rebuilt in port.
Knowledge of this incident came to me in a very personal way. I had worked with a naval officer who was actually at the scene. My friend and colleague David Petersen was a Master Chief Boiler Technician at the time. This incident is described in a presentation that Mr. Petersen gave to the National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspectors and a public link to that presentation follows:

http://www.nationalboard.org/PrintPag...

As the proud father of a Combat Marine Veteran I appreciate all in the service of our country. I only hope that you can use knowledge of this incident to make real changes at your facility so that these kinds of accidents never again have to be repeated. If you should do this, it would honor the lives of these sailors and their sacrifices.

Welding critical piping joints and flanges in high pressure steam systems requires special certifications, procedures, and demonstrated skills. There are often no requirements and or procedures for bolted pressure connections. It's assumed that flanged connections can be done by anyone with little training. THIS IS NOT THE CASE! There are often special fasteners required, they must be checked, correct flanges need to be specified and their condition also assessed. Gasket materials must be carefully chosen and then finally the assembly and tightening of fasteners must be accomplished according to a protocol that assures the proper clamping force.