57
11
Start-up
Installation & Operation Manual
Check/control fill water chemistry
Conduct water quality testing prior to
installing the appliance. Various solutions
are available to adjust water quality.
Hardness between 5 and 12 grains per gallon
1. Consult local water treatment companies for hard water
areas (above 12 grains per gallon hardness).
2. Hardness levels that are above 12 grains/gallon can lead
to lime scale buildup throughout the boiler system. If the
fill water is below 5 grains/gallons, usually due to use of a
water softener, it is recommended to mix in some potable
water at the inlet to increase the hardness of the water to
above 5 grains/gallons.
pH between 6.5 and 8.5
1. pH levels below 6.5 can cause an increase in the rate of
corrosion. pH of 8.5 or higher can potentially cause lime
scale buildup.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) less than 350 ppm
1. Total dissolved solids are all minerals, salts, metals, and
charged particles that are dissolved in water.
2. The greater the amounts of TDS present, the higher the
corrosion potential due to increased conductivity in the
water.
Chlorine concentration less than 150 ppm
1. Do not fill boiler or operate with water containing
chlorine in excess of 150 ppm.
2. Filling with fresh drinking water should be acceptable.
3. Do not use the boiler to directly heat swimming pool or
spa water.
Freeze protection fluids
IMPORTANT
Fill water
The manufacturer recommends the following for properly
filling your boiler with the appropriate water chemistry for
closed loop boilers. Good fill water quality will help extend
the life of the appliance by reducing the effects of lime scale
buildup and corrosion in closed loop systems.
Ethylene glycol is toxic, DO NOT use as
your freeze protection. Ethylene glycol has a
sweet aroma which children and pets could
mistake as food and ingest; leading to death.
⚠
WARNING
Pre-Commissioning Cleaning
1. Prior to fill and start-up, flush the entire heating system.
2. Clean the entire heating system with an approved pre-
commissioning cleaner (comparable to Sentinel X300
or Fernox F3) in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendation to remove debris and prolong the life of
the heat exchanger.
3. Clean all water filtering devices in the system.
4. Flush the cleaning solution out of the entire system and
refill.
Boiler water
BOILER WATER CHEMISTRY
Specification
Range
Dissolved Solids
< 2000 ppm
pH Level
6.5 to 9.5
Chloride
< 150 ppm
• Monitoring pH, chlorides, TDS, and hardness
levels can prolong the life of the appliance by reducing
lime scale buildup, corrosion, and erosion. Check for
leaks to ensure that fresh water is not entering the
system.
• Continual fresh makeup water will reduce boiler life.
• Mineral buildup in the heat exchanger reduces heat
transfer, overheats the stainless steel heat exchanger,
and causes failure.
• The addition of oxygen carried in by makeup water
can cause internal corrosion in system components.
• Leaks in the boiler or piping must be repaired at
once to prevent excessive makeup water. For this
purpose, it is recommended to install a water meter
to easily check the amount of makeup water entering
the system. Makeup water volume should not exceed
5% of the total system volume per year. NOTE: When
makeup water is added, make sure the chemical
additives are added to maintain the correct level.
• An approved multi-metal corrosion inhibitor
(comparable to Sentinel X100 or Fernox F1) is
recommended at the correct concentration and in the
manner recommended by the manufacturer.
CAUTION
Do not use petroleum based cleaning or
sealing compounds in the boiler system.
Gaskets and seals in the system may be
damaged. This can result in substantial
property damage.
DO NOT use "homemade cures" or "boiler
patent medicines". Serious damage to
boiler, personnel, and/or property may
result.
Table 11A
Boiler Water Chemistry
