It’s heating season again, and with the temperatures on the decrease, you’ll want to turn your boiler on. Most boilers are located in small rooms or basements, which also serve as storage and janitorial closets.
Like us, boilers also want to be able to breathe and have a private home.
COMBUSTION – THE Science Behind it
Gasoline is burned in boilers, and this requires oxygen. To facilitate combustion, most boiler rooms use combustion air from outside. The boiler may not fire properly if the air intake is blocked by packaging or particles like leaves. It could damage the boiler, or result in incomplete combustion and carbon monoxide.
Another common mistake is that a person who means well will often block the combustion air intake with insulation or cardboard to keep the boiler room warmer when it’s very cold outside.
Installing powered louvers that are connected to the interlock system is one way to keep the boiler room warm. The louvers remain closed until the boiler attempts to fire up, when they open and allow the boiler to operate. The louvers close again when the boiler turns off to keep the room warm and prevent freezing.
CLEAR THE CLUSTER
Another common problem is the litter in boiler rooms. Carton containers and cleaning supplies must be kept at least 3 ft away from the boiler. Gasoline, paint thinners, and solvents are all flammable liquids that shouldn’t be stored in the boiler room. While it may be tempting, do not lay rugs and mops on top of or against a boiler in order to dry them.
Also, install a carbon-monoxide detector in every boiler room.
ANNUAL CHECKUP
You should have your boiler serviced or tuned up annually by a certified technician if you own a home or business. Remember to keep them handy:
- Examine and clean burners
- Examine and check temperature or stress control
- In this case, check the operation of the low-water gasoline cutouts and movement switches.
- Check for a change in the combustion air or a change to the burner, flue rollout/spill or change.
- Perform a fuel manifold or flue fuel assessment test
- Examine the flue and check for obstructions.
- Verify that the feedwater is managed correctly to maintain the correct level or stress
Preventive maintenance can help to ensure safe, environmentally friendly operations; prolong the life of tools; and avoid lost earnings or additional costs related to business interruption.
