Why It Pays to Maintain Your Boiler

While modern boiler

installations tend to be
highly sophisticated
with many self-
monitoring and self-
regulating features, it
pays to maintain and
follow a rigid
maintenance and
inspection schedule.
Studies have shown that,
on average, 7% of boiler
fuel costs are a direct
result of poor
maintenance.
The following boiler maintenance tips have been adapted from the Cleaver-Brooks
Boiler Room Guide, an extensive document referring to various topics including
General Boiler Description; Inspections; Start-up; Routine Operations; Shutting Down;
and Theory of Combustion and Thermodynamics.

Boiler maintenance tips

 Know your equipment. Keep the boiler manufacturer’s manual and data in a
special file and ensure that staff consult this information whenever in doubt.
 Maintain complete records. Individual components should be listed on indexed
cards or computer data base by model, serial number and date of installation.
 Establish a regular boiler inspection schedule.
 Establish and use boiler log sheets.
 Establish and keep written operating procedures updated. A detailed start-up
procedure is essential in standardizing boiler room routine.
 Emphasize good housekeeping.
 Keep electrical equipment clean.
 Maintain adequate fresh air supply. Filters must be kept clean. In severe winter
weather, the room may need to be heated to an acceptable ambient temperature.
 Keep accurate fuel records.

 Emphasize safety in all aspects of boiler operation.

Recommended Gas/Oil Fired Boiler Inspection Schedules
It is very important that preventive maintenance be performed on an established
schedule. Following are recommendations on schedules as well as suggestions
to assist in maximizing the uptime of your boiler and associated equipment.

Daily* Weekly Monthly Semi-Annually Annually

Check water Check for tight Inspect burner Clean low water Clean fireside
level closing of fuel cut-off(s) surfaces
 valves
Blowdown Check fuel and Analyze Check oil Clean
boiler air linkage combustion preheater breeching
Check
Blowdown Inspect Clean waterside
indicating lights Check cams
water column refractory surfaces
and alarms
Check Check Clean oil pump
Inspect for flue Check oil
combustion operating and strainer and
gas leaks storage tanks
visually limit controls filter
Treat water
Check safety Clean air Check fluid
according to the Inspect for hot
and interlock cleaner and levels on
established spots
controls air/oil separator hydraulic valves
program
Record boiler
Check low Review boiler Check pump
operating Check gauge
water cutoff(s) blowdown coupling
pressure/ glass
operation procedures alignment
temperature
Record Check for leaks,
Check Remove and
feedwater noise, vibration, Reset
combustion air recondition
pressure/ unusual combustion
supply safety valves
temperature conditions
Check
Record flue gas Check all filter Inspect mercury Check oil
operation of all
temperature elements switches pumps
motors
Record oil Check general
Check fuel Check boiler
pressure and burner  
systems feed pumps
temperature operation
Check Check
Record gas Check belt
lubricating oil   condensate
pressure drives
levels receivers
Record Check flame Check
Check chemical
atomizing scanner lubrication  
feed systems
pressure assembly requirements
Check general Tighten all
Check packing
boiler/burner     electrical
glands
operation terminals
*Daily items may be performed more than once daily.
Reproduced with kind permission of the Ontario Natural Gas Association.