A commercial boiler may be a necessary piece of equipment in your facility. You and your employees are responsible for ensuring safe use and adhering to shutdown guidelines. However, you may lack the practical knowledge needed to go about this task. Fortunately, we have just the information you need to make certain that you maximise the benefits of boiler hire services and other resources. 

This article will discuss three main tips you should follow when you want to turn off your boiler and secure your commercial space. Take this as an opportunity to become well-oriented with the importance of precautionary measures and routine inspections. This way, you can address issues early on and avoid damages. 

  • Initiate the recommended preparation tasks before shutting down

You cannot simply switch off your boiler and expect it to have no issues. It’s because doing so can let the sludge at the bridles, allowing it to harden and allow corrosion. To shut down properly, you first have to reduce the load and place the firing rate in a lower position. That’s when you can blow down the boiler, its level controls, and the columns.

You should also consider doing a drain test of the critical level safety devices. After all, you already want to shut down the boiler, meaning it’s the perfect time to check to guarantee you have a backup just in case of an emergency. However, you should make certain a professional operator does this since it’s meant to simulate when your boiler is at a low water level until it disconnects the fuel. 

Once the boiler stops producing steam, you can use the manual shutoff valves. Just remember that different layups have various procedures. For instance, in wet layups, you can just turn off the feedwater to prevent damaging its control valve. Consult your boiler hire service professionals for further clarifications. 

  • Follow lock-out, tag-out protocols

It’s possible for your commercial facility to need more than just one boiler for a system. So if you have multiple ones for a centralised system, you need to open the vessel for inspections to adhere to safety protocols. 

You have to follow the “Lock Out, Tag Out” procedures. They allow you to isolate the boiler unit from all energy sources, which is a great precautionary measure. It’s best also to consult your product manual or talk to our team for more information. 

You should also avoid relying on a check valve to prevent backflow since it can leave you and your workers vulnerable to safety risks. It’s best to isolate and lock the pilot fuel, main, fuel, feedwater, stream, surface blowdown, continuous blowdown, chemical feed, atomising steam, and electrical power. This way, you are assured you are doing the right thing by protecting everyone. 

  • Make the right call with wet and dry storage

You have to remember that if your commercial boiler is shut off for a week, you need to look into either wet or dry storage procedures. Both can be confusing since they can easily be interchangeable if you are not well-versed with your system yet. Fortunately, if you talk to the right boiler professionals and follow the instructions carefully, you can learn to maximise it. 

For instance, let’s say your processing plant may be closed for at least three days. That’s when you may want to consider wet storage since it’s more cost-effective than dry storage. All you need to do is fill it completely with treated water and check for a buffer of oxygen scavenger. 

Wet storage can also keep your boiler from corrosion, and it’s more convenient to get it going. However, you do have to be wary of freezing and oxygen-based corrosion. It’s best to get oriented by an experienced operator to make a well-informed decision. 

Conclusion 

Having a commercial boiler can be tedious to maintain. Fortunately, you now have a better understanding of what to do. You just need to consult with the right experts to guide you through the process and help you keep your operations safe from boiler-related complications. 

Are you in need of reliable boiler rentals in London? We at London Climate hire can provide you with that. We also have a high-quality fleet of chillers, heaters, generators, and ancillary equipment for your convenient use and to boost efficiency in your facility. Contact us today to ensure safety and peace of mind!