It’s always important to ensure your steam boiler is performing at its optimal level.

Anything short of optimal leaves your operation exposed to higher energy costs, downtime, safety issues, costly repairs and even more costly replacement.

It’s always important to ensure your steam boiler is performing at its optimal level. Anything short of optimal leaves your operation exposed to higher energy costs, downtime, safety issues, costly repairs and even more costly replacement.

Periodic preventive maintenance – whether performed by in-house techs or by a trusted contractor like AB&M – is the first step to top performance.

If you’re tackling this task in-house, check first to see if your maintenance department has a boiler safety checklist in place. Such a form will walk you through the required inspections step-by-step. If no such form exists, it’s time to call a boiler expert.

Here are your priorities for a boiler maintenance check-up:

Annual Internal Inspection (or more frequently, as needed)

• Inspect the fireside surfaces for leaks
• Replace all parts affected by wear, including gaskets to re-seal the combustion inspection covers that were removed to clean the fireside surfaces
• Remove the burner and thoroughly wash and clean the mesh, where applicable.
• Replace old igniter, flame rod and gaskets
• Select the right water treatment to prevent scale deposits and oxidation.
• Examine and clean flame sensors, ignitor, and burner assembly (or more frequently if efficiency drops)
• Check operating control settings and test safety controls (low water fuel cutoff and burner controls)
• Re-start the equipment and adjust combustion using a calibrated analyzer.
• Inspect the steam traps where applicable.  Rebuild or replace as needed.
• Conduct slow drain test to ensure low water cutoff is working properly

Daily Basis

• Conduct quick drain test to ensure low water cutoff is working properly
• Inspect burner flame. If a natural gas flame looks different from the typical blue color, take corrective action
• Check temperature readings and/or pressure readings to make sure all are within the designed range
• Inspect around and under your boiler equipment for leaking water
• Make sure the area around the boiler is unobstructed and free of materials that may cause obstruction
• Watch for any error codes or service codes on the display panel if at all applicable
• Listen closely for any unusual vibrations or noises from the equipment
• Visually inspect combustion air openings, exhaust vent piping, and all discharge lines (including condensing boiler drains) for any indications of leakage, deterioration, or signs of blockage
• Examine the relief valve discharge piping and boiler relief valve for any noticeable signs of leakage or weeping
• Ensure all boiler connections and wiring is intact
• Test to ensure water pH levels are within the proper range

American Boiler & Mechanical is here to help with your preventive maintenance needs, as well as issues or questions regarding process piping. For on-site help contact us at 800-235-5377 or through our website at www.americanboilermech.com.