Boiler safety and repair

by | Jan 14, 2015 | Air Conditioning

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Boilers are basically a vessel, fired by gas, oil or electricity that are used to heat water which in turn becomes steam. As boilers operate at very high pressures they can be considered as dangerous. The steam that is generated in the boiler is used to generate power when they drive a turbine and generator or to heat homes, commercial or industrial facilities. Even with routine maintenance a boiler will periodically show signs of a potential problem and in cases like this a technician who is skilled in boiler repair in Des Plains is called upon to investigate the problem and remedy it. Due to the very high pressure that boilers can develop they are equipped with safety features, but even the best pressure relief valves can fail. When this happens the boiler can release the pressure instantly, literally becoming a lethal weapon.

Boiler operators are trained, these operators are intimate with all the workings of a boiler, in particular they must be most familiar with the operating instructions and the contents of the operating and service manuals that come with a boiler when it is first installed. The operators are responsible for the equipment, they must be constantly aware of the potential for leaks and all safety devices.

Older boilers were insulated using an asbestos blanket or lagging. Asbestos is known to be harmful to human reparatory systems and should be removed but in the interim the asbestos should be checked periodically for any signs of deterioration. If any breakdown of the asbestos is noticed it must be removed and replaced with an approved insulation material. If an old boiler should shown any evidence of cracking or a bulge in the vessel boiler repair in Des Plains must be undertaken as a matter of urgency.

Bringing a boiler on line is a process that must be done slowly, cold water must never be injected into a system which is up to heat already as any sudden temperature change can result in a boiler explosion or the vessel may be deformed. As boilers are fired by potential lethal fuel the operators and maintenance personnel must be constantly on the lookout for any evidence of a fuel leak. Prior to starting a boiler it should be purged, the air/fuel ratio must be exact and the flame and draft must be ideal otherwise excessive smoke and contaminates can be the result.

The boiler must be kept in a well ventilated room which is kept spotlessly clean, devoid of all dust and debris. There must not be any flammable materials anywhere near the boiler. When the engineers who do boiler repair in Des Plains leave the boiler room, they will have cleaned any materials which may have spilled while making the repairs. Boilers have very hot surfaces, even though they are insulated, thus, there must be plenty of room around the boiler to move without injury.

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