Page 2 of 2

New Communication Venues
Communication within the industry also has changed significantly. In the past, boiler explosions were communicated via local news outlets and some trade publications. The incidents were easy to miss; at best, word filtered through days or weeks after the accident had occurred. Today, accidents can be communicated with much greater immediacy.

Current methods of communication run the gamut from Websites to blogs, Twitter, Rich Site Summary (RSS) feeds, and Facebook. It no longer is accurate to assume people are getting most of their information from newspapers and local television stations. While those still are useful venues, most Americans now get their news from up to five different sources.

For the boiler-inspection industry to remain relevant and up to date with technological advances that are changing the country—and, in fact, the world—it must continue to increase awareness about the importance of vessel safety and communicate via the most-popular venues used by the public.

Savvy organizations have uploaded everything from specification sheets to operating manuals online. The once-tedious process of manual research has been transformed into 24/7 information searchability at your fingertips/keyboard. Rapid information dissemination might be the key to saving lives in a preventable accident.

Technologies on the Horizon
What types of technological developments can be expected for the industry's future? One key development likely will be the adoption of radio-frequency-identification (RFID) chips. Already in use in many other industries, these chips store product data that can be accessed from several meters away. Unlike a bar code, which creates a uniform ID for a product, RFID is more complex, creating a unique number for each object of a product. It is likely that pressure vessels eventually will be equipped with these chips, or "tags," which will store information, such as manufacturing data or jurisdictional number. As storage and tag costs decrease, the capacity for information likely will grow to include everything from inspection history to facility contact information.

If each vessel's tag could send data to a mobile device, upon entering a building, an inspector could receive a list of all of the equipment in the facility and be able to access stored information, including details about previous service calls or alerts about newly installed equipment. After an inspection is complete, data could be sent in real time via wireless Internet to a designated central server. Once in the server, the data could be uploaded automatically into various reports and forms and filed electronically with any necessary jurisdictions or governing bodies. This streamlined e-filing process ensures the accuracy and integrity of collected information, eliminates errors that can occur when information is transcribed from written reports, and avoids mountains of paperwork.

Early Adopters Lead the Way
With any technology, a small group of early adopters typically will lead the way in investing in, experimenting with, and demanding functionality to make a process easier or better. The majority of people watch from the sidelines to see how it all unfolds, while others resist change at all costs. Many in the last group say that new technology is no substitute for a good inspector conducting a quality inspection. Technology never will replace a good inspector; however, that is not the goal. Technology should be used to enhance an inspector's ability to do his or her job. No technology can replace the expertise of a National Board or AIA inspector.

For excellence in vessel safety to be achieved, technology that can improve inspection processes must be embraced, and end-users must be educated. The average end-user does not always fully understand his or her equipment. Education can lead to a greater appreciation and validation of the inspector's role in ensuring facility safety. The extent to which the boiler-inspection industry will continue to embrace technology is unclear. It is up to all of us to communicate its benefits. A concerted effort to move forward can help cement the inspection industry as a progressive field that embraces change and opportunity.

Stephen Kleva is the chief executive officer and president of Insparisk, a national safety-inspection company and parent company of City Spec Inc., which inspects low-pressure boilers in New York City. Since joining City Spec more than 10 years ago, he has helped develop new technology to accelerate the company’s new services and pursued expansion into other regions.

Did you find this article useful? Send comments and suggestions to Associate Editor Megan White at megan.white@penton.com.