Preventive Maintenance

Preventive Maintenance contracts can include annual, semi-annual, or quarterly inspections as necessary to keep your boiler room equipment operating safely and efficiently. This approach assures plant management that essential maintenance is being performed. It also establishes a figure for budget purposes. Contact us for a proposal; many major steam users find a Preventive Maintenance contract a smart investment.

FIVE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE STEPS FOR YOUR BOILER

1. Equipment Installation. Install only boiler and pressure vessel equipment registered with the National Board. Such equipment will be manufactured in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Most jurisdictions and insurance companies mandate National Board registration.

2. Replacement Parts. Purchase only first quality OEM replacement parts for any boiler or pressure vessel repair or maintenance effort.

3. Training. Adequately train all personnel who regularly use or maintain a boiler or pressure vessel. Do not allow a general maintenance person to assume the responsibilities for day-to-day operation of any boiler or pressure vessel unless that person has had specific training. (Cleaver Brooks Customer Training Schedule)

4. Safety & Efficiency Testing. Establish a regular, periodic safety testing and efficiency-monitoring program for all boilers. Develop a checklist. Make sure everyone who encounters the boiler understands the cautions and warnings and who to call for help. For assistance in developing a preventive maintenance and efficiency program you may want to consider implementing a Preventive Maintenance Contract.

5. Repairs. Require that all welded repairs be performed by National Board "R" stamp holders who are properly trained and qualified to repair boilers and pressure vessels. These repairs have very specific protocols to help prevent recurring failures or accidents. "R" stamp repairs signify strict repair and/or alteration requirements have been met and verified by a commissioned National Board inspector.

The need to regularly check water level controls and the waterside of the pressure vessel cannot be overemphasized. Most instances of major boiler damages are the result of operating with low water or the use of untreated or incorrectly treated feed water. Here’s an example of how a boiler log can also help increase uptime and reduce fuel costs. After taking readings for one week you notice that the boiler stack temperature has been climbing. By reviewing your log sheets, you also determine that the gas pressure has increased a couple of inches of water column per day. Looking at the two pieces of information, you might conclude that the problem lies with faulty gas pressure regulator producing possible sooting causing a reduction in heat transfer.

The boiler log sheet allows you to make an intelligent, informed decision, based upon historical data. Not a guess based upon spur of the moment reaction.

If you would like to begin a boiler log program, please contact us.