Operate boilers safely!

With the onset of the heating season, cases of explosions of heating boilers and units are becoming more frequent, especially when using household boilers serviced by owners without special training who have not studied the recommendations on their operation rules.

Safe operation of heating equipment without accidents is only possible if safety requirements are met. Failure to comply with these requirements or neglecting them may sooner or later lead to tragic consequences.

Based on practice, the main cause of boiler ruptures is the freezing of heating systems with the cessation of water circulation, which leads to a sharp increase in pressure. Freezing of heating systems usually occurs in attic spaces with uninsulated or insufficiently insulated expansion tanks.

In the absence of water circulation in the heating system, when fuel burns inside the heating surfaces of the boiler, water begins to boil, accompanied by an increase in pressure. When critical pressure is reached, the heating surfaces of the boiler are destroyed. The release of a large volume of steam and steam-water mixture from the damaged boiler causes an increase in pressure inside the room and, consequently, the destruction of the load-bearing structures of the building. Often, in such situations, people suffer injuries of varying severity and steam burns.

To prevent boiler explosions, it is recommended to:

1. Ensure that the shut-off systems on the supply and return pipelines to the boiler are open, as well as all shut-off devices installed on the heating system.

2. Drain the condensate from the lower pocket of the chimney for boilers operating with natural draft.

3. Inspect the tops of the chimneys and ensure there is no frost or blockage. If any malfunction of the chimneys and ventilation ducts is detected, the use of this equipment is prohibited.

4. Before starting the boiler ignition, open the make-up line of the heating system and the control line for filling the expansion tank. The outflow of water from the control line indicates that the heating system has not frozen. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the pressure on the manometer installed on the boiler does not increase.

5. If no water flows from the control line for filling the expansion tank, and the pressure on the boiler, as determined by the manometer installed on it, increases and reaches the pressure in the water supply network, this indicates that the heating system is frozen. In this case, it is strictly prohibited to ignite the boiler.

In case of freezing of the heating system, it is necessary to:

1. Determine the location of the freezing in the heating system (usually the connection point of the expansion tank with the heating system).

2. Thaw the frozen area and only then, when water flows from the control line (with the make-up line open), can the boiler be gradually ignited, while constantly monitoring the pressure on the boiler using the manometer installed on it.

If the pressure on the boiler begins to approach the maximum allowable, it is necessary to urgently stop the firing and remove all fuel from the boiler.

It should be remembered that when thawing boilers in attic spaces, do not use an open flame – this may lead to a fire. Thawing can be done with hot water, sand, or special devices for thawing pipes.