While they are not adequately maintained and inspected, boilers can be risky. Annually multiple unnecessary shutdowns, breakdown, and accidents happen involving industrial boilers in various industries, including food processing, chemical and refining industries. Breakdowns of boilers can be very costly in terms of business income losses, property damage and equipment’s repairs. They can also be catastrophic, resulting in deaths and key structural damages to facilities, equipment and plants. In comparison to the adverse effects of unintended plant shutdowns, the cost of maintaining, repairing and inspecting boilers is much less. No plant owner would want to imagine a situation where boiler breakdowns would cause equipment downtime or emergency shutdowns. Aim at ensuring that you have a stable energy supply for your boilers. You can use review sites such as Britainreviews.co.uk to have a look at uk energy companies list reviews. Aim at choosing the positively reviewed companies to supply your boiler energy needs. Some safety tips you need to adhere to while dealing with heat boilers include.
Include a water-gauge glass
Though most boilers come with safety devices that help to measure the level of water. As an important additional safety measure, the operator should ensure that they confirm the actual water level that is in the system. This will help prevent instances where scale and sludge build-up will lead to indications of false levels. Certain boiler also lacks an automatic water feeder, and in such systems, for safe operations, the operator should always ensure that they check the level of water at least once weekly. When the water levels fall to very low levels, it can result in heat loss and, in worse scenarios, can cause explosions. On the other hand, too high water levels will prevent the efficient raising of steam.
Safety valves
The safety valve is one of the most imperative safety devices of the industrial boiler. Various failures can happen on the boiler system, resulting in internal pressure build-up within the boiler. The safety valves ensure that pressure from the boilers is relieved. Depending on a boiler’s capacity, its drum has around two to six valves. The superheater outlet will have two to three valves on each side, and the superheater pipe will have a single electromatic relief valve. The outlet and inlet sides of reheater pipes should also have safety valves.
Safety valves have a simple design, and their operation is fairly straightforward. However, operators should regularly check the valves ensuring they are well maintained and clean. If there’s a build-up of corrosion within the valve limiting flow, this could affect the boiler’s pipes. Seek the services of an experienced plumbing company if the operator is not experienced in maintaining boiler valves.
Schedule for regular maintenance and inspection
Maintenance of boilers is essential. In your facility, have a maintenance schedule that you always stick to. The maintenance schedule will help identify and rectify any problems before they become serious. The best ways to guide you while creating your boilers maintenance schedule is by using the boilers manufacturers recommendations, operating sheets and maintenance record to come up with the preventive maintenance schedule. Some other things that the schedule can be based on include
- Former repairs done on the boiler
- The boiler operating conditions
Always ensure the boiler room is clean, safe and straightforward
An important safety tip for the boiler room is to ensure that you use it only for housing the boiler. Never should the boiler room be utilised as a multipurpose storage area. In addition, the boiler room should have enough ventilation to ensure adequate circulation of air in the boiler’s burner, thus preventing partial combustion of fuel and carbon dioxide production. Also, ensure that the boiler room is kept clean, free of unnecessary items.
Have emergency trainings
Always be prepared and have the skills needed in case of any emergency in the boiler room. Therefore, ensure that anyone who will, be spending their time in the boiler room is taken through emergency training sessions. The training is important as it will help the workers in the room know how to respond appropriately in an emergency.
Keep monitoring new equipment
When new equipment is installed on the boiler or when repairs are done, there is a need to monitor the boiler room extensively to ensure that everything is working appropriately. The time after repair is critical for any boiler system, and a trained expert should always monitor the boiler, ensuring that it runs safely and efficiently.
In conclusion, with this article, you have the important safety tips you need for your boiler, thus ensuring it operates efficiently.