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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about ASME-certified custom heavy metal fabrication, pressure vessel work, service areas, and field capabilities. At Boardman, we have been building heavy industrial equipment since 1910. Here’s what you need to know about who we are and how we operate.

What Does Boardman Do?

Boardman is a custom heavy metal fabricator based in Oklahoma City. Our team designs, engineers, and fabricates heavy industrial equipment, including ASME pressure vessels, distillation towers, storage tanks, reactors, and custom steel structures for clients across a wide range of industries. If your operation needs a precision-built piece of industrial metal equipment, Boardman builds it from start to finish under one roof.

How long has Boardman been in business?

Boardman has been fabricating since 1910, and that’s over 115 years of experience. The company started as a tank manufacturer serving Oklahoma agriculture and grew into a nationally recognized industrial fabricator while maintaining its founding commitment to quality and accountability.

What sets Boardman apart from other fabricators?

Here are a few things about our team that stand out:

  • Stewardship — Boardman treats your project like our own. That means transparent communication, accountability, and doing whatever it takes to meet your deadline.
  • Everything under one roof — Engineering, welding, cladding, testing, heat treatment, painting, and field installation. You manage one relationship, not five vendors.
  • You set the level of involvement — Bring a concept, bring your own drawings, or anything in between. Our team adapts to your workflow, not the other way around.
  • Decades of proven results — Longevity in this industry doesn’t happen without a consistent track record.
Where is Boardman located?

We are located at 1135 S. McKinley Ave, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Our facility encompasses 140,000 sq. ft. across four separate fabrication shops operating under one roof.

What industries does Boardman specialize in?

Our team has deep, documented experience in:

  • Oil & Gas Refining
  • Chemical and Petrochemical Processing
  • Gas Processing
  • Biofuels and Renewables
  • Hydrogen Production
  • Carbon Capture (CCUS)
  • Carbon Black Manufacturing
  • Lithium Extraction and Processing
  • Cryogenics

If your industry demands ASME-certified, engineered-to-spec heavy metal fabrication, Boardman has almost certainly built something like yours before.

Does Boardman offer on-site services?

Yes, our field service work is available in seven states

  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • New Mexico
  • Colorado
  • Arkansas
  • Missouri
  • Kansas.

If your facility is within that footprint, Boardman can dispatch a crew directly to you for on-site fabrication, installation, repairs, and inspections.

What types of on-site work can Boardman perform?

Within the field service states, our specialized crews can handle:

  • On-site fabrication of components that can’t be transported
  • Repairs and alterations (including R-stamp certified repair work)
  • Equipment installation and commissioning support
  • Inspections and nondestructive testing

What is heavy metal fabrication?

Heavy metal fabrication is the process of designing, cutting, welding, and assembling large-scale metal components and equipment built to withstand extreme industrial conditions, such as high pressure, high temperature, and corrosive environments. With Boardman, every piece is engineered and built to your exact specifications.

What makes heavy metal fabrication different from general metalwork?

Scale, code compliance, and consequence. Heavy metal fabrication involves industrial-grade equipment where failure isn’t an option. That means strict adherence to ASME, AWS, API, and AISC standards, not just good craftsmanship.

How long does a heavy metal fabrication project take?

It depends on complexity, size, and material availability. A straightforward vessel might take weeks. A large, multi-component project with custom engineering can take months. Boardman assigns a dedicated project manager to keep your timeline on track from day one.

Can Boardman fabricate custom one-off components or only high-volume runs?

Custom, one-off fabrication is at the core of what Boardman does. Most projects are built specifically to your specs, your drawings, and your application. If your needs go beyond a single component, reach out, and we can talk through what that looks like. Every project starts with a conversation.

What welding processes does Boardman use for heavy metal fabrication?

At Boardman, we use SAW (Submerged Arc Welding), MIG, TIG, and other multi-process welding methods. Our team holds over 1,000 qualified welding procedures, meaning they have a proven, code-compliant process ready for virtually any material and joint configuration.

Does heavy metal fabrication include field work or only shop work?

Both. We fabricate equipment in our 140,000 sq. ft. Oklahoma City shop and dispatch field crews to seven states, including OK, TX, NM, CO, AR, MO, and KS, for on-site installation, repair, and inspection.


What is an ASME pressure vessel?

An ASME pressure vessel is a container designed to hold gases or liquids at pressures significantly different from ambient. It is built and certified to meet the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC). The ASME stamp on a vessel indicates to inspectors, regulators, and clients that it was built to the highest-verified standard in the industry.

What ASME certifications does Boardman hold for pressure vessel fabrication?

Boardman holds ASME Section VIII Division 1 and Division 2 U-stamps for pressure vessel fabrication, and the National Board R-stamp for repairs and alterations. The company also adheres to AWS, API, and AISC code standards.

What is the difference between ASME Division 1 and Division 2?

Division 1 covers the majority of pressure vessel applications and uses a more prescriptive design approach.

Division 2 applies to higher-pressure, more demanding applications and uses an alternative design-by-analysis method, allowing for thinner walls and lighter vessels when engineered correctly. Boardman is certified for both.

What types of ASME pressure vessels does Boardman fabricate?

Boardman builds drums, separators, reactors, accumulators, heat exchangers, and other custom pressure vessels for refining, chemical processing, gas processing, hydrogen production, carbon capture, and more.

What are Boardman’s maximum pressure vessel dimensions?

Boardman fabricates pressure vessels up to 16 feet in diameter, 200 feet in length, and 350 tons in weight, all within our Oklahoma City facility.

What materials does Boardman use for ASME pressure vessel fabrication?

We use carbon steel, stainless steel, low-alloy steels, and clad materials. All of these are selected and fabricated to meet ASME code requirements for the specific pressure and temperature conditions of your application.

Can Boardman repair or alter an existing ASME pressure vessel?

Yes. Boardman holds the National Board R-stamp, which authorizes the company to perform code-compliant repairs and alterations on ASME pressure vessels, both in-shop and on-site within its field service states.


How does a project with Boardman typically begin?

It starts with a conversation about your project scope, specifications, and timeline. From there, you decide how involved you want to be. Options include:

  • Handing Boardman a concept and letting the in-house engineers handle everything through delivery
  • Providing your own drawings or P&IDs and letting Boardman fabricate to your specs
  • Any level of collaboration in between

You drive the level of involvement. Our specialized team works around your project structure.

What makes heavy metal fabrication different from general metalwork?

Scale, code compliance, and consequence. Heavy metal fabrication involves industrial-grade equipment where failure isn’t an option. That means strict adherence to ASME, AWS, API, and AISC standards, not just good craftsmanship.

Does Boardman assign a dedicated point of contact for my project?

Yes. Each project is assigned a dedicated project manager who handles communication, scheduling, and coordination across all phases, such as:

  • Engineering
  • Fabrication
  • QA/QC
  • Delivery

You won’t be chasing down multiple departments for updates.

Can I see examples of past projects?

Of course! Boardman maintains a project gallery featuring past fabrication work, including pressure vessels, separators, reactors, distillation towers, and more. View the Project Gallery →


Can Boardman handle urgent or emergency fabrication projects?

Yes, we offer dedicated Emergency Fabrication Services. Our team can fast-track engineering, expedite material procurement, and run multiple shifts to compress timelines when your operation can’t wait.

24/7 Emergency Line: 405-634-5434 

Does emergency availability apply to clients outside Oklahoma?

Yes, emergency fabrication is available to any client, regardless of location. At Boardman LLC, our fabrication ships nationwide, and for clients within the field service footprint (OK, TX, NM, CO, AR, MO, KS), an on-site crew can also be mobilized when the situation calls for it.

Still Have Questions?

You shouldn’t have to chase down answers or wonder if your fabricator truly understands what’s at stake. Reach out today, talk through your project, and make a plan that works for you.

Definitely a great team effort between HFS and Boardman to get this knocked out quickly with no mistakes.  Appreciate you and your teams help getting this across the finish line!

Reliability & Inspection

HF Sinclair

The BFS team is very responsive, conduct quality work, and produce detailed reports.  They have excellent level of support, responsiveness and quality work!

Construction Manager

Vestas

“I am glad you guys do the newsletters. Educate AND do the work. Most don’t do this. It is similar to what Dave Ramsay says about looking for a Financial Advisor… look for one with a heart of a teacher.”

Equipment Engineer

Fluor

“I would like to go out of my way to say this is the quickest I have seen a vessel come together. Your ability to manage this on such short notice does not go unnoticed and definitely will earn you some more business. Your professional approach and ability to keep this moving was amazing! I was hoping to see this thing through to the end and see about getting some Guiness world record trophy on our walls.”

Mechanical Engineer

Chevron

“Just wanted to send a quick thank you for sending these newsletters. I really enjoy them and share them with others at the office.”

Project Management

Kestrel Engineering

“Thank you for all your help on this order. Please let your team know that everything Boardman has done for this order has been top notch!”

Mechanical Engineer

Worley

“It was a real pleasure working with you and your team. I wish all vendors would have the same high quality team!”

Expeditor

Worley

“Your engineering team has gone above and beyond for our current projects. We have thrown quite a few changes at them and they have dug into code details that are not normally required to satisfy the requests of some of our SME folks. They are always available, even when they’re off or on weekends to help answer any urgent questions. I tried to find something we can do to help recognize the extra efforts, but could not come up with anything. Thank you for the efforts and willingness to work with us so closely on these urgent jobs.”

Mechanical Engineer

Chevron

“It was great pleasure and it was sure a huge effort pulled by Boardman organization. Promoting such events are very helpful to the engineering community in general but very few places realize the same. Boardman being exceptional and very hospitable place to be for this event. I want to say Thank You Boardman!”

Mechanical Engineer

Chevron

“The class was an excellent use of time and has increased my industry knowledge. Good mix of both end user and design engineer attendance which drove discussions into new directions. I will highly recommend to my firm for attendance next year.”

Mechanical Engineer

S&B Engineering

“Thank you and everyone at Boardman for an excellent 2 days of training and exceptional hospitality. While it gave me the opportunity to get out of the office for 2 days, it was also a great training/refreshing opportunity for me and on top of it, I got to visit your facility, which I think is quite impressive. Hope to have some more work in your shop soon. There are several folks here who were amazed when I told them that you guys had welding stations set up and each of us got to weld and try out as many as 4 welding processes. Please keep me posted on the next training session.”

Vessel Engineer

Burns & McDonnell

“I just wanted to say thank you very much to you and your team for all of the work that you put in to make this seminar possible. I was very impressed with the quality of the seminar. It is the best technical seminars I have been to. The classroom intermixed with shop time made the experience a one of a kind. The instructor is a wealth of knowledge. I was also very impressed with the care and concern that you had for those attending. You guys have superb customer service. I really appreciate the opportunity and it means a lot.”

Mechanical Engineer

MKEC Engineering

“Thank you guys very much for putting together the Pressure Vessel Fabrication presentation. I’ve heard great things from about the vessels currently in your shop. We look forward to building a long lasting relationship.”

Corrosion/Materials Engineer

Phillips 66

“The Boardman team’s expertise, experience and processes made our project easy. The communication between their team and mine ensured our project ran smoothly. I knew I could count on the work they sent. I look forward to working with a company that communicates well and takes pride in their work.”

Mechanical Engineer

Worley

“I just wanted to share some photos of the Deisobutonizer being lifted into place yesterday. None of this would have been possible without your efforts in both the manufacturing and transport of the tower. This is the largest structure on the project and you all deserve a lot of credit for this milestone. It was not only a pleasure to work with you all on this fabrication and hauling to site of the monstrosity but it was a privilege to have such a team behind us to make this happen with no incident and what on the surface seemed child’s play. You all should be very proud of yourselves and your collective teams and firms, without you none of this was even conceivable.”

Materials & Logistics

Cenovus Superior Refinery

“I worked with Boardman on a project involving multiple vessels. The team’s impressive knowledge of ASME Section VIII Div 1 was critical to the success of the project. I enjoyed seeing the vessels in person during an engineering design course at the Boardman facility. The team always kept me in the loop and ensured quality work from fabrication through shipment.”

Mechanical Engineer

Black & Veatch

“Boardman was great to work with from the initial bidding phase through procurement. It is clear that they value relationships and are very professional. I have worked with Boardman in the past, and they continue to meet the requirements of our projects and owners. I value our relationship and hope to continue to work with them in the future.”

Sr. Procurement Manager

Black & Veatch

“Thank you for the high level of communication on this project and the effort put into making things work. So far this project has gone smoothly and our efforts have not gone unnoticed. Specifically the time invested in making sure the anchor bolt pattern matched their existing foundation. Not sure if it is my place to say but you are highly regarded at this refinery.”

Mechanical Engineer

Merrick Engineering

“I am continually impressed with the level of quality and professionalism on this project from the beginning.”

Inspector

HF Sinclair

“Boardman was very professional throughout the engineering and design of this vessel. They did a really good job on fabrication.”

Project Manager

Chevron Phillips Chemical