22
START-UP CLEANING
It is very important to clean a new steam boiler after it has
been installed and put into continuous operation.
This must be done to remove any accumulation of oil,
grease, sludge, etc., which may be present in system.
These substances may cause boiler water to foam and
surge, producing an unsteady water line, throwing
water into steam header, and possibly preventing steam
generation.
Follow skimming and blow-down steps in order to remove
contaminants.
Skimming and Blow-down
New boilers must be skimmed at time of installation to
remove threading oil and other impurities that float on
surface of water.
1.
Remove cap from skimmer female adapter tee and pipe
to floor drain or bucket. See Figures 3 and 4 page 10.
Raise water level to skimmer tapping.
2.
Fire burners to maintain water temperature of 180-
200°F.
3.
Feed water to boiler to maintain water level. Adjust
water feed rate to maintain continuous flow of 1 gallon
per minute. Do not allow boiler to steam.
4.
Continue skimming until water runs clear. This may
take several hours.
5.
Drain boiler completely to remove any foreign material.
6.
Fill boiler to water line.
•
Fire burners, allow normal steam pressure to build up.
•
Run connection from boiler drain valve to safe
discharge point outside.
•
Shut off gas burners, open drain valve, allow all of
water in boiler to drain out.
• Close drain valve.
•
Allow boiler to cool, slowly refill boiler to water line.
•
Repeat this step as many times as necessary until
blow-down water is clear.
7.
Following final blow-down, allow boiler to cool.
•
Add fresh water slowly up to normal water line.
• Start burners.
• Maintain at least 180°F for 15 minutes to remove
dissolved gasses from fresh water.
•
Shut off burners.
8.
Allow system to operate for one week to give majority
of system dirt a chance to work its way back to boiler.
•
Check water in gauge glass. Gauge glass should be
dry above water line.
•
Water line should not bounce more than one inch
when boiler is steaming.
•
If you see water droplets carrying over from top of
gauge glass, or excessive bouncing of water line,
boiler needs further cleaning.
•
Take water sample and boil it on stove to see if it
foams. If it does, this indicates boiler needs to be
cleaned.
NOTICE
Clean water with no additives is essential to proper
operation of your boiler and heating system. Boiler
cleaners and chemical cleaning, if used and not
rinsed properly, may be harmful to the system
.
If cleaning is necessary, repeat skimming and blow-down
procedure above. A long skim will be all you need to clean
the boiler.
In more troublesome cases it may be desirable to flush the
system while, in very extreme cases, it may be necessary
to chemically clean and flush heating system.
Consult boiler manufacturer before introducing any
chemicals into boiler.
Check water level frequently. Be sure top and bottom
valves on gauge are always open so actual water level is
shown at all times.
WARNING
Following service procedures must be performed
by qualified service agent. Boiler owner shall not
attempt these steps. Failure to do so could result in
death or serious injury.
!
WARNING
Burn Scald Hazard. Water temperatures in excess
of 125°F. Failure to follow these instructions could
result in death or serious injury.
!
PN 14683003 Rev. O [10/01/2021]
