|
November, 1997 Newsletter |
|
|
November, 1997 Newsletter |
|
|
|
The Institute of Power Engineers
Toronto Branch Newsletter
Miura Boilers
The Toronto Branch received communication from two Power Engineers employed at Toronto East General Hospital. They had a concern about a recent installation of five Miura Boilers in their plant. The installation of these boilers replaced some boilers that were not more than seven years old. The sole purpose for the replacement of the boilers with Miura boilers was to eliminate the need for Power Engineers under the Act and regulations. The plant registration would change from a first class plant to that of a plant that does not require engineers. Most of the engineering staff had been let go by the time we were contacted. These gentlemen started to ask some questions in there minds about the registration of these boilers. The boilers were classified as being Coil Tube Boilers or Boilers of Special Design. The Act states that these boilers are not to have more than 75 imperial gallons water capacity each and not have a total of 250 imperial gallons total plant water capacity. The physical layout of the plant provided a unique opportunity to test the capacities of the boilers. Below the boilers there is a water treatment room. They were able to run a hose from an isolated boiler into 60 U.S. gallon drums. They proceeded to drain 3 full drums of water out of one boiler, and filled a fourth drum up 1/4 the way. Astonished that they had recovered more than 160 imperial gallons out of one boiler, they thought that maybe they did something wrong. They tested all the other boilers and found the same results. They contact the T.S.S.A. and reported their finding. They then contacted their Union and reported the test to them. The Union representative came out and witnessed the same test and then wrote to the Chief Officer of the findings also.
After some time had passed with not much action, the Power Engineers of the plant decided to contact the Toronto Branch of the Institute of Power Engineers. We were invited to come witness the same test. We spent an evening at the plant and witness the test, which was performed on #4 boiler. Sure enough more than 160 imperial gallons was drained from the boiler.
These engineers were passionate in their belief that these boilers were well over the upper limit of both the individual and total plant water capacity ratings. What they couldn't understand is that many of these boilers had already been installed in more than one hospital before theirs and that no one had found this problem. We confirmed their findings and reassured them that they were on the right track. The next day the Toronto Branch faxed a letter to Mr. Bob Little of the T.S.S.A. outlined our findings and re-enforcing the engineers concerns. The next day Mr. Little made an appointment to visit the plant to witness the test himself. Mr. Little saw the test and decided that Miura boiler should perform the test themselves in his presence to see how they come up with a figure of 49 imperial gallons per boiler as reported on their documentation. We received a fax from the engineers that outlined how the test was completed by Miura Boiler and even with some modifications made to the boilers they could not bring the boilers total water capacity down below the 250 imperial gallon limit. To date we have not had an official response to our letter from Mr. Little on the outcome of his inquiry, but we have heard from the Power Engineers of the plant that the plant has been rated as a first class plant. We feel very proud to have helped out Power Engineers in a crisis situation. We will be pressing to have the other locations where these boilers were installed be re-examined to see whether or not they are also not in compliance with the Act. We would also like to express our thanks to the two Power Engineers who did not take this lying down and worked hard for what they felt was right.
September Membership Meeting
The Toronto Branch had a membership meeting in September. This was the first meeting that we had in more than eight years. We took care of our regular order of business and we had a guest speaker who was Mr. John Siggers, the Assistant Chief Officer of the T.S.S.A. Mr. Siggers was very obliging to us. He answered questions on the inclusion of Ontario in the S.OP.E.E.C. system for examination of Power Engineers. The members present voiced their concerns about the possibility of a two-tier system in Ontario. Those with S.O.P.E.E.C. examination qualifications, which allow an engineer to apply his or her certificate in any Province in Canada except Quebec as opposed to existing Ontario certificate holder that would not be included automatically with the S.O.P.E.E.C. group. Upon hearing from the floor Mr. Siggers said that by the response from the floor there is obviously a concern among Power Engineers of Ontario. He said that he was open for suggestions and recommended that we put those suggestions in writing so that he could bring them up at the S.O.P.E.E.C. meetings that he attends with the other Provinces. It was a very good meeting that had some heated debate in which members got their viewpoint out on the floor. We would like to thank the members who came out to the meeting and expressed their point of view. We believe it is Power Engineers like these that will continue to make the difference in our profession, which will enable it to grow and thrive. The Institute of Power Engineers is the voice of Engineers and the direct voice of it's members where heard by the T.S.S.A. at our meeting.
February 98 Membership Meeting
We are planning to have another membership meeting in February of next year. We have already been in contact with a presenter for this meeting. A representative from Sheldon Valve will come out and speak on Safety Valve repair and replacement. Sheldon Valve specializes in on-site electronic safety valve
testing,, in-shop safety valve repair and certification in accordance with
TSSA. They are also the eastern Canadian stocking rep and assembler for
Crosby Valve, Watts safety valves and steam products, Oseco rupture discs
and FMC flow control products. He will be speaking on the following topics:
-TSSA legislative changes to the rules and regulations pertaining to safety valve repair
-how these changes will effect the role of the owner or the person in charge at your respective facilities.
They will have handouts and literature covering the above topics and will be prepared to answer any questions we may have pertaining to any aspects of safety relief valves.
More information on this meeting will follow.
Price Costco Membership
Toronto Branch members are applicable for Price Costco membership. Price Costco, better known as "Price Club" and "Costco" warehouses, is the pioneer of warehouse clubs which offers over 4,000 wholesale brand name products year round. Many locations also offer expanded services such as: in-house bakery, a fresh meat counter, a tire centre, fresh produce, optical centre, photo developing, and much, much more! The Toronto Branch will re-imberse $5.00 to first time IPE Costco memberships with proof of membership. Please forward your receipt to Toronto Branch Treasurer at:
88 Corporate Drive, Suite 511. Scarborough, Ontario,
M1H 3G6
Annual membership fee is $42.80 (incl. GST) which includes a free spouse card.
RISK FREE: If at any time you are not completely satisfied, Price Costco will refund your current year's membership fee.
Golf Tournament Sponsors Needed
The Toronto Branch Annual golf tournament is coming up in May of next year. We are looking for hole sponsorships. Every year all holes sell out. If you would like to take out a sponsorship on one or more holes they will be reserved on a first come first serve basis. And what we mean by that is that payment must be received in order for you to retain that hole. Sponsorship allows you a full colour 11" x 17" sign, placed on the tee off area of your choice of hole. You will also find your company logo in our sponsorship area of our web site. We would also link a web site from our site to yours, if you would like. Sponsorships are $200 per hole or two holes for $300. We use this money for costs associated with the tournament and donations to charitable organizations.
For more information or to reserve a hole please contact Ralf Klopf who's number is at the end of this newsletter.
Would you like a link to your web site
We have an area on our web site that is devoted to links to other sites. We will put your site in as a link if you request it. You can find our site at www.ipe.org Please visit the site and e-mail our webmaster of your wish to be linked.
E-mails from members
The following e-mails have been received by our webmaster.
I wish to thank you for the enjoyable evening at the September 17 membership meeting. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of the Miura Boiler issue and the talk with Mr. Siggers. Although the turnout was small, I believe if we continue to have guest speakers such as Mr. Siggers and have valid technical discussions pertaining to our profession, we will move ahead and hopefully have more members out to the meetings.
Once again, thank you.
Colin Andrews
Note: Thanks for your e-mail Colin, we hope also that more members come out to our meetings. It was very informative. As you read the Miura Boiler investigation has come out in our favour at this point.
The next e-mail is from our National President in regards to our web site. Well done. A very attractive set-up and although there are quite a few images, it loads quickly.
One concern, in doing a search (through Yahoo), the .IPE. address would not come up. The only address that appeared with "IPE" as the search request was www.ipe.ab.ca which is the Institute of Pharmo-Economics.
Rick Wennerstrom
National President
Note: We have registered with YAHOO quite some time ago. As of Sunday November 16 1997 YAHOO Canada and YAHOO America now have Institute of Power Engineers - Toronto Branch list. Just type in "IPE" at the Search prompt and we will pop up.
The next e-mail is from a member in the Ottawa Branch,
Just thought I'd pass along kudos for a job well done on your web page. I believe that these will be important tools for us to see growth in the IPE and better share information which is a fundamental reason for joining in the first place. We look forward to establishing our own page in Ottawa and hope we can do as well as you folks did!
Jeff Clark, Treasurer, Ottawa Hull Branch
Note: Thanks Jeff. We are proud of our efforts and hope to expand it from what it is now. Please let us know what your Web site address is when you have it on line.
Plant Tour
The Toronto Branch is having a plant tour of Pearson International Airport power plant. The date and time of the tour is November 27, 1997 at 7:30pm. There is an accompanying flyer with this newsletter that gives direction to the plant. We hope to see many of you there. Please call Don or Mark to register for the tour. These numbers are needed to give to the plant.
Certificate Renewals
A certificate holder (any class) that fails to renew their certificate by the time specified on a renewal notice issued by the M.C.C.R. will have their certificate placed in suspension until the requirements have been met. Un-renewed certificates will be cancelled after the first full year has lapsed.
Individuals who have not renewed their certificate will be notified of the suspension within 30 days, advising them they may not continue to work in the capacity of their certification until the suspension has been lifted.
Certificate holders who have not renewed their license or who have failed to meet the information requirements for a period longer than one year, and are requesting a re-instatement, will be considered as new applicants, and will be subject to the same certification requirements of a new applicant.
Certificate holders will receive a notice to renew from the M.C.C.R. In addition, the certificate holder will also receive a Statement of Work Experience, on which they will indicate their work activity in the occupation over the previous year. Failure to return this Statement along with the required fee will result in a suspended certificate.
Mailing Addresses
Some of our members did not receive a magazine due to the fact that the electronic processor of Canada Post did not recognize their addresses. If you received a letter from the National stating this fact, please respond with your correct address. Even though you received the letter asking for the correct address, the address format was not good enough for the electronic sorting that Canada Post does for magazines. Please check it carefully for any corrections and return it to the National Office.
Letters
If you have any letters or comments that you would like published in the newsletter please feel free to write to the Newsletter address: 134 Queen Street, Bradford, Ontario. L3Z 1L3
E-mail - results@rampagegraphic.com
