Document peZ6eqrd1jekXoZNK1KRzXzJ7

REPORT ON WASHINGTON, D. C, TRIP Wednesday, August 26, R, C, Parlett met with NIMA members Wash ington representatives to discuss how NIMA could best work with Government agencies in preparation of insulation specifications, advise and assist in Government insulation research and act as a clearing house on Government insulation problems, Washington representative we were able to contact and who were present were Chester Dix Mundet, G, J. Goll - Keasbey Mattison, Walter P, Sinclair - Union Asbestos Sc Rubber, R, L, Strickland - Gustin-Bacon, B, H, TowerJohns-Manville, A, E, Kincaid, Jr., - Owens-Corning* Other Washing ton representatives would undoubtedly be present at any future meetings, A number of items of technical nature now under investigation by Government agencies were mentioned a6 problems to be considered by NIMA such as Navy Specification for Glass Pipe Insulation, Corps of Engineers Tests at Bureau of Standards on Underground Conduit Insula tion, Refrigeration Insulation Study by BRAB (Building Research Advisory Board), etc. R, C* Parlett explained the organization of NIMA and how the Technical 8c Research Committee functions. After considerable discussion those Government representatives present recommended that NIMA consider the following: 1. A government-industry NIMA group should be able to accomplish more than single members working separately in developing government specifications, research and technical laison with Government agencies* 2. Government agencies have frequently expressed their desire for an industry group to work with and would be receptive to such, 3. That individual member companies Washington representatives would have more time available for direct company workif general problems were handled by the Association's Washington, D. C,, group, 4. That NIMA establish a Washington, D, C,, representative group which would meet informally perhaps once a month and consider Government problems affecting NIMA, This group to have a local 2- - Cha;vman for the purpose of settia g dates and transmitting suggestions and problems to the Technical & Research Committee or other Committees if interested. That members of this Wash ington group alternate in attendance at regular meeting of NIMA to become familiar with general industry problems and to give Government industry viewpoints. It was decided that various members of the group together with the Technical Advisor call on different government agencies the following day, with the following results: Thursday, August 27, Messrs, Sinclair and Parlett called on Henry Robinson, Bureau of Standards, Heat Transfer Section, to discuss the possibility of the Bureau acting as a conductivity-calibration reference laboratory for the industry, Mr, Robinson explained that at present the Bureau did not have sufficient ASTM type equipment or the personnel to run calibration samples for the industry as a whole. He stated', however, that our visit was opportune as he showed us a new type appara tus which they are developing and which he expects to have completed in one to two more years. He states indications are that this apparatus will have advantages over present ASTMtupe in that (1) more accurate at all temperatures, (2) a single apparatus will test from -400 F to { 2200 F, (3) provide a ready means of calibrated discs or cylinders to other laboratories at a cost of $300, to $400, Work to date on the project is well advanced it was stated* A small diamietey flat disc apparatus has been tested and a 12" diameter flat plate is nearly com pleted* A 1-1/2" diameter ceramic core has been made for a pipe tester but a larger one will be built in time* Mr* Robinson expressed a desire to have NIMA review the results of this development work at a later dat e when test results have been completed. La the mean time he recommended a reference article on statistical testing which might help in planning cooperative k tests within the industry on present ASTM apparatus. Also on August 27, Messrs* Tower, Sinclair and Parlett inspected the test apparatus at the Bureau of Standards on which Underground Conduit Tests are being run. These tests are a continuation of the work being done for BRAB, for federal construction agencies such as Corps of Engineers, etc,, in developing test methods for specifications. Present test3 consist of subjecting sectional type pipe insulation enclosed in a metal conduit to a cycle of 24 hours soaking with the conduit half filled with water, 72 hours boiling and 48 hours drying v/ith various quantities of air passed thru the conduit. Steam in the test pipe is maintained at . 125 psig. Results of the tests to date could not be learned due to the absence of Mr, Achenbach on vacation. - 3- At a luncheon meeting August 27, Capt. McGillicuddy, Bureau of Ships, was made acquainted with the purposes of NIMA Technical & Research Committee in working with his department on Navy insulation problems and specifications. Present were Messrs. Kincaid, Tower, Sinclair and Parlett, Later on August 27, Messrs, Strickland and Parleti called on Mr* Chilcote, Code 344, Bureau of Ships in reference to status of certain Navy specifications on which NIMA had made recom mendations. He advised that Proposed Spec PCS 5640 on Fibrous Glass would not be put through with the NIMA recommended changes given to the Navy in Mr. Barahartfs letter of July 9, 1959. He stated that Spec MIL-2781C which covers various types of hihg temperature pipe insul?.tion and had been in the interim form for some time had now gone to ` the printer in final form. Spec MIL-2819 which covers various block insulations was being revised to eliminate the hardness requirements which had become obsolete.