Boiler Blog | Nationwide Boiler Inc.

At Nationwide Boiler, safety is a core value that extends beyond our facilities and job sites—it also applies to the roadways we travel every day. This week, we’re emphasizing the importance of roadway safety, recognizing that whether delivering equipment, visiting customer sites, or commuting to and from work, our employees and partners spend a significant amount of time on the road. Roadways connect us to opportunity, but without vigilance and responsibility, they can pose serious risks. 

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.3 million people lose their lives in traffic-related incidents each year, with millions more injured. Many of these tragedies are preventable. By staying alert and committed to safe driving practices, we can help protect not only ourselves but everyone we share the road with.

Common Causes of Roadway Accidents

Understanding what leads to traffic-related accidents is the first step toward prevention. Most road incidents aren’t just random and are the result of preventable behaviors or conditions. Some common causes include:

1. Distracted driving: Using a phone, eating, or anything that diverts attention.
2. Speeding: Driving faster than the posted limit or too fast for conditions.
3. Driving under the influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and reaction times.
4. Fatigue: Tired drivers are less alert and slower to respond.
5. Poor weather: Rain, fog, snow, and ice create hazardous conditions.
6. Ignoring traffic signals: Running red lights or stop signs.

Tips for Safer Roads

1. Know the Three Second Rule: The “three second-plus” rule means maintaining at least a three second following distance behind the vehicle in front when driving in ideal conditions. This distance gives you enough time to react and stop safely. However, when conditions worsen, bad weather, heavy traffic, or poor road surfaces, you should add extra seconds for each hazard.
    
2. Don’t Drive Drowsy: If you find yourself struggling to stay focused, forgetting parts of your drive, or missing signs, you may be driving drowsy. Watch warning signs like heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, drifting lanes, or inconsistent speeds. If you notice these, pull over safely to rest, stretch, or have some caffeine before continuing your trip.
    
3. Tire Safety: Check your tire pressure and tread at least once a month to stay safe on the road. Use the recommended PSI from your car’s door sticker or manual and make sure your tread depth isn’t worn below safe. Don’t forget to inspect your spare tire, rotate tires regularly, and watch out for damage after hitting curbs or potholes.
    
4. Obey Traffic Laws: Always obey traffic laws to help keep yourself and others safe on the road. This includes coming to a complete stop at red lights and stop signs, obeying posted speed limits, using turn signals before turning or changing lanes, and yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles when required.
    
5. Stay Focused and Buckled: Buckle up every time you drive and keep your phone out of reach. Seat belts are your first line of defense in a crash and significantly reduce the risk of injury or death. At the same time, distracted driving caused by phone use is one of the leading causes of roadway accidents. Make it a habit to buckle up, put the phone away, and protect yourself and everyone around you.
    
6. Clear Driver Policy: Create a clear driver safety policy that includes seat belt use, bans on cellphone and substance use, and crash reporting procedures no matter the severity. Always screen drivers for work purposes by checking licenses and driving records, even if they’re using personal vehicles for work.

Roadway safety is a shared responsibility that requires vigilance, respect, and care from every person on the road. By understanding common risks and following simple but effective safety tips, we can all help reduce accidents and save lives. To learn more about roadway safety and other important safety tips, visit the National Safety Council’s website at nsc.org.

Stay tuned for another safety topic next week as we celebrate National Safety Month!

June marks National Safety Month, and Nationwide Boiler is proud to participate by spotlighting key safety topics each week, in alignment with the National Safety Council’s official themes. We're kicking things off with a focus on Continuous Improvement—a core value that drives our safety culture forward every day.

At its heart, continuous improvement means never settling for "good enough" and always seeking ways to enhance processes, reduce risk, and ensure the well-being of every team member. Join us as we explore how small, consistent changes can lead to a safer, stronger workplace.

What is Continuous Improvement?

Continuous improvement is the ongoing effort to enhance processes, systems, and behaviors to achieve better outcomes. In the context of workplace safety, it involves regularly evaluating procedures, identifying potential hazards or inefficiencies, and implementing strategic solutions that reduce risk and promote employee well-being.

At Nationwide Boiler, we understand that safety is not a static goal, it’s a journey. A truly effective safety culture evolves over time through consistent reflection, innovation, and collaboration. We strive to create an environment where safety is always at the forefront, and where lessons learned lead to lasting, meaningful change.

Why Continuous Improvement Matters

Even the most comprehensive safety programs can become outdated if not reviewed and improved consistently. Hazards change, regulations are updated, and new technologies and best practices emerge. By adopting a mindset of continuous improvement, we ensure our safety protocols remain dynamic, relevant, and impactful.

Continuous improvement in safety leads to:

• Fewer incidents and injuries: By identifying risks early and addressing them proactively, we create a safer workplace for everyone.
• Higher employee engagement: When team members see that their feedback and observations are valued, they become more invested in maintaining a safe work environment.
• Boosted morale and efficiency: A safe workplace is a productive one. Confidence in safety measures allows employees to focus on their work without unnecessary worry.
• Stronger regulatory compliance: Staying aligned with evolving safety standards ensures we meet or exceed industry and legal requirements.

A Shared Responsibility

Continuous improvement only works when everyone is involved. From management to employees, each of us plays a vital role in maintaining a safe environment. When we remain curious, proactive, and open to change, we build a workplace where safety is second nature. To discover more about how Nationwide Boiler is dedicated to practicing safety, please read our detailed blog article here.

Celebrate National Safety Month with Nationwide Boiler, and stay tuned for another safety topic next week!

The 2025 Western Regional Boiler Association (WRBA) Conference, held March 25-27 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, brought together boiler industry professionals for a dynamic exchange of ideas, insights, and innovations. Scott Best, Sales Engineer at Nationwide Boiler, presented an insightful session on deaerators, emphasizing the critical role deaerators play in maintaining efficient boiler operations.

Spotlight on Scott Best’s Presentation: "A Deep Dive into Deaerators"

Best’s presentation provided a comprehensive overview of deaerators—essential yet often overlooked components of boiler systems. He emphasized their crucial role in emoving dissolved gases from boiler feedwater, helping to prevent corrosion and enhance overall system efficiency.

Deaerators play a vital role in removing dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide from boiler feedwater. This process prevents corrosion, improves heat transfer, and ensures the longevity of boilers and auxiliary equipment. 

Best explained the key principles of deaerator operation, including how pegging steam interacts with feedwater to effectively strip away dissolved gases. It is important to maintain pegging steam at the saturation point to maximize deaeration efficiency. Best also discussed the impact of high-pressure condensate on the deaerator’s energy balance and outlined strategies for recovering heat that would otherwise be wasted.

Proper sizing of feedwater pumps is crucial for ensuring sufficient Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH), which helps prevent cavitation and maintains pump efficiency. Best clarified the difference between overflow capacity and working capacity, helping operators understand how to size and operate deaerators within optimal ranges.

The session covered various types of deaerators, including tray-type and spray-type designs, and provided guidance on selecting the right type based on system requirements. Best offered practical tips on monitoring performance, conducting routine maintenance, and troubleshooting common issues to ensure long-term reliability.

Benefits of Optimized Deaerator Performance

By applying best practices for deaerator operation and maintenance, operators can significantly enhance boiler performance. Improved heat transfer and reduced energy consumption lead to increased efficiency, while minimizing corrosion-related damage extends the lifespan of equipment. Additionally, optimized deaerator performance enhances system responsiveness, ensuring greater operational reliability. These benefits not only improve daily operations but also help reduce downtime and lower long-term costs associated with repairs and replacements.  

Deaerators play a fundamental role in maintaining boiler system efficiency and reliability, yet they are often overlooked. As Best outlined, neglecting these components can lead to inefficiencies, reduced equipment lifespan, and costly repairs. By shedding light on this critical topic, we at Nationwide Boiler reinforce our commitment to industry education and providing customers with practical, effective solutions. 

Nationwide Boiler’s Continued Leadership

Nationwide Boiler’s participation at WRBA 2025 exemplifies our dedication to fostering education and innovation within the boiler industry. As a leader in providing reliable boiler solutions—from rental boiler equipment to custom control systems—we consistently demonstrate our expertise through thought leadership at key industry events.

By focusing on best practices for deaerator selection, operation, and maintenance, Nationwide Boiler aims to help customers optimize their steam systems for greater efficiency and sustainability. For more information on Nationwide Boiler's deaerator solutions and other boiler-related services, visit www.nationwideboiler.com or contact Scott Best at sbest@nationwideboiler.com.

In today’s volatile industrial landscape, supply chain disruptions and rising costs are reshaping how businesses acquire critical equipment. For steam users, these challenges are especially severe, with lead times for large watertube boilers now stretching to 50 weeks. Nationwide Boiler’s in-stock boiler program offers immediate access to high-quality boilers, mitigating risks such as escalating costs and unpredictable tariffs.

The Growing Need for Immediate Solutions

Supply chain delays have become a persistent issue across industries, driven by factors like material shortages, logistical bottlenecks, and fluctuating global markets. For steam plant operators, these delays can jeopardize production schedules and operational efficiency.

Nationwide Boiler's in-stock boiler program addresses these challenges, offering ready-to-ship solutions that eliminate long manufacturing lead times.

Advantages of Nationwide Boiler’s In-Stock Boiler Program

At Nationwide Boiler, we have built our reputation on reliability and foresight by maintaining an inventory of new and reconditioned boilers tailored to meet the needs of diverse industries. Our in-stock boiler inventory includes a robust selection of high-demand equipment ready for immediate shipment—no long lead times, no surprises.

Our stock boiler program features brand-new Babcock & Wilcox 200,000 lb/hr superheat watertube boilers, currently one of the only units of its kind available for immediate purchase, as well as a wide range of Hurst firetube package boilers from 200 to 800 HP. Whether you need saturated or superheated steam, low or high pressure, we have solutions on hand to meet urgent project timelines and evolving plant requirements.

Several key advantages of Nationwide’s in-stock boiler program:

• Reduced Lead Times: Unlike custom-built boilers that take months to manufacture, in-stock boilers can often ship within days or weeks of an order.
• Cost Stability: With potential tariffs driving up costs unpredictably, purchasing a stock boiler provides protection from price surges associated with raw materials.
• Immediate Engineering Support: Pre-prepared engineering drawings are available for all stock boilers, streamlining project planning and installation.
• Pre-Purchase Inspections: Customers can inspect equipment before purchase to ensure it meets their exact specifications

A Strategic Response to Tariff Uncertainty

One of the most pressing concerns for industrial buyers today is the impact of potential tariffs on steel and other imported materials. Tariffs can cause sudden spikes in equipment costs, making it difficult for businesses to budget effectively. By investing in boilers that are already manufactured and priced, companies can sidestep these uncertainties. Nationwide Boiler’s in-stock boiler program allows customers to lock in pricing at the time of purchase, avoiding unexpected cost increases that could derail projects.

Why Choose Nationwide Boiler?

In an environment where time, cost, and reliability are critical, Nationwide Boiler’s in-stock boiler program delivers a practical and proactive solution. By offering immediate access to high-quality firetube and watertube boilers—including large-capacity units and complete system packages—we help businesses avoid costly delays and navigate market volatility with confidence.

We also offer one of the world’s largest and most versatile rental boiler fleets, including mobile boiler rooms, trailer and skid-mounted boilers, plus auxiliary equipment like feedwater systems, economizers, and emissions control equipment such as the CataStak™ SCR system. Backed by expert support and decades of industry experience, we’re here to keep your operation moving forward—on time and on budget.

Explore our stock boiler inventory to find the ideal match for your project and reach out today for a quick quote. Our team of experts will promptly match your needs with the right equipment, and provide the information and support necessary to keep your business running smoothly.