Boiler Safety Developed by Western Iowa Tech Community College This material was produced under a grant (SH-16634-07-60-F-19) from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does the mention or trade names, commercial products, or organization imply
endorsement by the U.S. government. Boiler Room Hazards A Risk Of Explosion Exists High Pressure steam Combustion Gases
Chemicals Moving Machinery Hot Surfaces Communication is Critical Boiler operation information is communicated to the
boiler operator starting the shift to specify any special procedures required. Boiler Log The boiler room log lists boiler operation data that can be
used to increase boiler safety and efficiency as well as identifying a potential malfunction. Water Level The Normal Operating Water
Level (NOWL) should be approximately in the middle of the gauge glass. Try Cocks Try cocks are used to
determine the boiler water level if the gauge glass is not functional. Water Column And Gauge Glass Blowdown The water column is blown down first and then the gauge glass to remove any
sediment. Water should enter the gauge glass quickly when the gauge glass blowdown valve is closed. Safety Valve The springloaded pop-off
safety valve pops open when steam pressure exceeds the MAWP. Safety Valve Test
Safety valves are routinely tested to ensure proper operation and must be serviced by an authorized manufacturer representative. Burner Control System The safety devices are all
wired through a burner controller. This will shutdown the fuel supply to the burner. Flame Scanner Test When testing the flame scanner, the
flame scanner sensor is covered to simulate a flame failure. Water Treatment Water must be treated for safety. Minerals can cause
a build up of deposits and cause overheating of boiler parts. Carryover & Carryover occurs when a high boiler water level causes water
particles to be carried into steam lines. Bottom Blowdown During a bottom blowdown, the boiler should be under light load and the water
level should be at the NOWL. Steam Valves Steam valves are opened slowly and gloves are worn to prevent burns.
Handhole Covers Manhole and handhole covers are removed to provide access to boiler parts during a boiler inspection. Boiler Inspection
All internal surfaces are exposed and cleaned prior to the boiler inspection. Pumps and Other Equipment Pumps should be checked periodically to ensure proper bearing
temperatures and checked for any unusual vibration. Do not wear loose clothing around moving parts. Steam Traps Steam traps are checked for proper operation when
determining the cause of a steambound feedwater pump. Protective Clothing A face shield along with safety glasses provides eye protection when
working with feedwater chemicals. Fire Safety Plan A fire safety plan includes the locations of fire alarms, fire extinguishers, the main electrical breaker, fire main,
and exits for each area of the facility. Chemical Safety Containers that contain hazardous materials
must be labeled, tagged, or marked. Lockout/Tagout Lockouts and tagouts are applied to equipment to
prevent injury from energized circuits and equipment operation during maintenance and repair. Accident Reports An accident report details facts about an accident in
the facility and is required for insurance claims.
