SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES Form no : 08/02

VELS UNIVERSITY Date : 15/02/2012

THALAMBUR Issue no : 02/12
Rev. no : 00

COMPLETE SURVEY OF BOILER

AIM:-
To study the complete survey of boiler.

Boiler surveys or inspection are carried out at regular intervals due to following
reasons:-
 Boilers are inspected to maintain the class requirement.
 Regular internal and external examinations during such survey constitute the
preventive maintenance schedule the boiler through to have a safe working condition.

Frequency of surveys:-
 Water tube high pressure boilers are surveyed at 2yearly intervals.
 All other boilers including exhaust gas boilers are surveyed at 2yearly intervals until they
are 8yrs old and then surveyed annually.

Scope of surveys:-
1. A complete boiler survey allows us to check out if any build up deposits has taken
place and deformations or wastage of plate work, piping or any of the various parts
which may compromise the safe working order of the unit.
2. The survey should include finding reasons for any abnormality found and should also
ensure that any repair carried out does not affect that safe working order of the boiler.
3. A complete survey means full internal and external examination of all parts of the
boiler and accessories such as super-heater and all mountings.
4. The examination may lead the inspector to require hydraulic testing of pressure parts
or thickness gauging of plate or tubes that appear to be wasted and eventually assign a
lower working pressure. The seating tools, hangers and rolling stays are also to be
checked for good working condition.
5. The survey is not complete until the boiler has been examined under steam and the
following items dealt with:

a) Pressure gauge checked against a test gauge.

 SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES Form no : 08/02
VELS UNIVERSITY Date : 15/02/2012
THALAMBUR Issue no : 02/12
Rev. no : 00

b) Testing of water level indicators and protective devices.

c) Safety valves adjusted under steam to blow off at the required pressures.
d) The oil fuel burning system examined.
e) Testing of remote control gear for fuel shut off valves.
For gas fired boilers, the chief engineer floats the safety valves at sea at the first opportunity.
Survey record is not assigned until a statement is received from the C/E conforming the
pressure at which the safety valves were set.

Survey consists of:-

a) Examination of the item.
b) Statement whether a problem/defect exists.
c) Determining the cause of problem.
d) Define the repair and whether temporary/permanent.

Arrangement before survey:-

 Boiler must be sufficiently cleaned and dried to make a thorough examination possible.
 Boilers should be manually wire-brushed to clean the internal surfaces.
 In case of difficulty in manual cleaning chemical cleaning with hydrochloric acid plus an
inhibitor to prevent acid attacking the metal without affecting removal of deposits is the
best procedure.
 For oil contamination, alkali boil-out using tri-sodium phosphate solution (which
produces a detergent action) is essential prior to acid cleaning. Thorough water flushing
must be carried out after acid cleaning to avoid acid concentrating in crevices and
captive spaces.
 All internals, which may interfere with the inspection, has to be removed.
 Wherever adequate visual examination is not possible, surveyor may have to resort to
drilling, ultrasonic or hydraulic testing.
 All manhole doors and other doors must be opened for a reasonable time previous to
survey for ventilation.
 If another boiler is under steam arrangement of locking bar and other security devices
must be in position preventing the admission of steam or hot water to the boiler under
survey. The smoke trunking (separating device); exhaust gas shut off etc. must be in
position and in proper working condition.
 SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES Form no : 08/02
VELS UNIVERSITY Date : 15/02/2012
THALAMBUR Issue no : 02/12
Rev. no : 00

 Plants staff or repairers staff should stand by the manhole in case of emergency and to
take note for defects/ repairs required.
Before survey, the surveyor should acquaint himself with the boiler type in question
(drawing carried on board) and during the survey it is advisable to follow a planed routine in
order not to miss parts of the boiler or important items.

RESULT:-
Thus the survey of boiler is learnt.