M9403 - Boilers, furnaces

Operational Details
Boiler manufacturing is a specialized steel fabrication process. It involves the rolling and welding of steel plates and attaching steel caps on the ends. This forms a pressure vessel that can be used to hold liquid or gas contents under pressure. For this reason, the work undertaken must be done by "B" pressure welders who are certified to work on pressurized containers.

Furnace manufacturing may also include the fabrication of the super heater (boiler), fly ash collectors, and precipitators (for holding and transporting water). The steel used in this instance is plate steel rolled and formed to produce the super heater, which is used to heat water to the point it becomes a vapour. The steam is then used to power the turbines that produce energy in power plants. Equipment used includes metal brakes, shears, slitters, drill presses, punches, welders of various types (similar to the types used in heavy equipment manufacture). The manufactured equipment is used in power plants, or anywhere industrial sized furnaces and boilers are required.

While a steel fabricator of heavy equipment may do some pressure welding, it is only one of many processes that may be undertaken. A boiler manufacturer must use "B" pressure welding as an integral part of the fabrication process. X-raying of the welded joints is also required and inspections are necessary to ensure the vessel’s reliability.

Steel pipe facilities need large inventories of steel and because of this there must be a large area for storage of needed materials in the manufacturing process. Once fabricated, there is also a need to be able to store the completed products until they can be transported to the customer. Steel products may be stored in a compound adjacent to, or inside the fabrication shop. Large overhead travelling or gantry cranes may be used to move production and plate steel in and out of the fabrication facility.

SIC Codes
000000615 - Boilers, furnaces