On the safe operation of domestic boilers
During the heating season, explosions of solid fuel boilers are observed in private sector residential buildings. The main reason is the violation of operational requirements, namely the absence of water circulation in the heating system.
It is no secret that during fuel combustion in the boiler, water boils, accompanied by a pressure increase. When critical pressure is reached, pipes or boiler sections rupture. Due to the release of a large volume of steam and steam-water mixture from the damaged boiler, the pressure inside the room increases, and as a consequence, it may be destroyed, and people inside may suffer burns and injuries.
To protect yourself and your loved ones, it is necessary to perform at least a minimum number of operations that will prevent boiler explosions.
For this purpose, it is recommended to:
Ensure that the shut-off valves on the supply and return pipelines to the boiler are open, as well as all shut-off devices installed on the heating system are open.
Remove condensate from the lower pocket of the chimney.
Inspect the chimney heads and flue channels and ensure they are free of ice and blockages.
Before starting to ignite the boiler, open the heating system make-up line and the expansion tank filling control line. Water flowing from the control line indicates that the heating system has not frozen. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the pressure on the pressure gauge installed on the boiler does not increase.
If water does not flow from the expansion tank filling control line, and the water pressure in the boiler increases and reaches the pressure of the water supply network, this indicates that the heating system has frozen. In this case, it is strictly forbidden to ignite the boiler. It is necessary to identify the freezing point of the heating system, thaw it, and only then, when water flows from the control line (with the make-up line open), can the boiler be gradually ignited, constantly monitoring the water pressure in the boiler using the pressure gauge installed on it.
If the water pressure in the boiler begins to approach the maximum permissible level, it is necessary to immediately stop the fuel supply to the boiler and remove the burning fuel from the boiler to a safe place. In this case, the heating system is not heated.
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO:
use homemade boilers not equipped with safety automation and control and measuring instruments;
operate faulty boilers (boilers with faulty pressure gauges, safety devices) and to arbitrarily disable or dismantle them;
start up the boiler at sub-zero outdoor temperatures in the absence of water circulation in the heating system;
store flammable, lubricating, and wiping materials near the boiler.
To avoid incidents during boiler operation, it is necessary to constantly monitor their operation, the presence of a sufficient amount of water in the heating system and its circulation, to replenish the system with water if necessary, periodically check the serviceability of safety devices and control and measuring instruments (pressure gauges, thermometers), the condition of thermal insulation, and be sure to pay attention to shut-off valves – the taps on the supply and return pipelines must be open.
It is possible to avoid emergency situations if you realize that operating domestic water heating boilers is not a simple task. To preserve life and health, it is necessary to observe all measures for the safe operation of boilers.