SafeBoilerRoom

Tip 1 - Keep the interior of your boiler clean. If tubes and other fireside areas are free of soot, the boiler burner fires less frequently, therefore using less oil. The more a burner fires, the more fuel is used.

Tip 2 - Keep your heating systems and controls clean. As soot continues to build up in the tubes or other fireside sections, it overflows and invades controls and other sensitive equipment areas. Not only does this cause needless repairs and costs, but it often occurs at unpredictable times. See the Soot Buildup v. Fuel Efficiency Page for more info.

Tip 3 - Keep valves clean so they will operate properly.

Tip 4 - Always begin your annual maintenance check in the spring and summer seasons. These are the best times to complete needed welding, refractory repairs, and other replacements before the next heating season begins. Your inspection program should include:
1. Checking for leaks in goosenecks, mud legs, stay bolts, horizontal and vertical seams and tube replacements.
2. Checking for disintegrating refractory in the combustion chamber(s), repair or replacement of refractory may be needed.
3. Replacing gaskets on all front, rear and chamber doors to prevent leaks.
4. Replacing all broken studs and bolts on all doors.

Tip 5 - Overhaul the burners. Inspect regularly the color of the burner's flame. It offers telling signs of oil and air mixture problems. If the boiler is giving off a dark orange or black smoke, there is too much oil and too little air. If the flame is very pale, then there is usually too much air and too little oil. Also conduct a combustion test to determine the fuel efficiency. Check belt motors and replace them if worn. Check the accuracy of your fuel oil gauge, and finally calibrate necessary controls.

Tip 6 - Maintain a boiler log on a continuous basis. A log serves as the basis for assessing how your boiler is running and what is being done to keep it in good shape. The log should be maintained on a daily, weekly and monthly basis so that annual cost projections for fuel and maintenance costs may be accurately calculated.

Tip 7 - Make some final heating system checks:
1. Record stack temperatures. Rising stack temperatures may indicate increased soot, poor efficiency, and potential ignition or burner failure.
2. Blow down the low water cut off and check the water feeder and gauge glass.
3. Check out return lines, flush and clean out mud legs.
4. Check the air vents on all the mains, risers and radiators in every room, office, apartment etc.

Tip 8 - As you prepare your boiler for the heating season, wipe down the burner parts and sweep the boiler room clean.

Good housekeeping rules in a boiler room are a great start to safety.