About the safe operation of household boilers

During the heating period, explosions of solid fuel boilers are observed in residential houses of the private sector. The main reason is the violation of operational requirements, namely the lack of water circulation in the heating system.

It is no secret that when fuel burns in the boiler, water boils, accompanied by an increase in pressure. When critical pressure is reached, the pipes or sections of the boiler are destroyed. 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, its destruction is possible, and the people inside may suffer burns and injuries.

To protect yourself and your loved ones, it is necessary to perform at least a minimal number of operations that will help prevent boiler explosions.

For this purpose, it is recommended:

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

Remove condensate from the lower pocket of the chimney.

Inspect the tops of the chimneys and flue channels and ensure that there is no frost or blockage.

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.

If no water flows from the control line of the expansion tank and the water pressure in the boiler rises and reaches the pressure in 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 determine the location of the freezing in 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 manometer installed on it.

If the water pressure in the boiler begins to approach the maximum allowable, it is necessary to urgently 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 thawed.

IT IS PROHIBITED:

to use homemade boilers that are not equipped with safety automation and control-measuring devices;

to operate faulty boilers (boilers with faulty manometers, safety devices) and to disconnect or dismantle them without authorization;

to start the boiler at negative outdoor temperatures in the absence of water circulation in the heating system;

to store flammable, lubricating, and wiping materials near the boiler.

To avoid incidents during the operation of boilers, 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, to periodically check the integrity of safety devices and control-measuring instruments (manometers, thermometers), the condition of thermal insulation, and to pay attention to shut-off valves – the taps on the supply and return pipelines must be open.

Avoiding emergency situations is possible if one is aware that the operation of household water heating boilers is far from simple actions. To preserve life and health, it is necessary to follow all safety measures for the operation of boilers.