IBC Technologies Inc.
38
VFC 15-150 and VFC 45-225
4 MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING
4.1 BOILER
MAINTENANCE
The owner is responsible for general care of
the boiler. Improper maintenance of the
boiler may result in a hazardous condition.
4.1.1 General Care
Keep combustible materials and flammable
liquids and vapours away from the boiler.
Keep vent terminals clear of obstructions
(snow, dirt, etc.).
CAUTION: Label all wires prior to
disconnection when servicing controls.
Wiring errors can cause improper and
dangerous operation.
4.1.2 Inspection
Inspection of the boiler is to be performed
annually by a qualified service technician
.
Venting
Check vent terminals for and remove any
obstructions (e.g. leaves, dust, other debris).
Check for holes or leaks in venting.
Replace venting as needed.
Examine for any signs of moisture caused
by sweating intake air pipes; insulate as
required.
Condensate Traps
Open PVC union to drain, watching for
mud / debris. Flush and refill.
Burner
Remove burner to inspect for extent of
fouling. Blow clear using compressed air.
Evaluate the magnitude of clearing
required, and establish a reasonable burner
inspection schedule. Some boiler / locations
may call for annual service, others showing
clean burners will only need attention every
2 – 5 years. Consider adding air filtration if
burner requires cleaning every year. In
alternate years, visually inspect burner
through sight glass. Ensure flame is stable
and without excessive fluttering. Normal
flame pattern is evenly distributed over the
burner surface.
If burner is operating improperly, remove
and clean or replace. Use a CO
2
analyzer to
determine proper combustion. CO
2
level
should be 9.0% (for natural gas) or 10.2%
(propane).
When re-installing burner, ensure it is
inserted so that the seam (that runs along
the length of the metal-fibre surface) is
placed as far away from the ignitor as
possible (180° rotation arc away). Also
confirm spark gap is
1
/
8
”. Confirm visually
by removing viewport, turning gas supply
OFF, and allowing the boiler to run through
an ignition cycle. Compare the spark length
with the spark rod diameter, which is the
same
1
/
8
” (e.g. use the rod as a reference).
Heat Exchanger
During burner inspection (with the burner
removed), examine the heat exchanger
tubes adjacent to the burner’s normal
position. In areas of poor gas quality, there
may be a buildup of black plaque (typically
sulfur). Other fouling agents: airborne
volatiles.
The VFC heat exchanger has a larger
surface area and significantly larger flue-
paths than other condensing boilers;
consequently it has more resilience to
fouling. Clean when the gaps between the
tubes become blocked with plaque, in
accordance with Technical Memorandum
2006-04. Anticipate action every 2 - 5 years
for typical residential use, or 1 – 3 years at
commercial applications.