solid fuel back boiler

[mjt]

Hi

been to look at at job today where they want (amongst other things) a coal fired back boiler which they no longer use draining and decommisioning however they want the option of using the coal fire in future. As it is not being removed there will be no gurantee of removing all water etc there is obviously some element of danger in not doing this right.

What is the best way to decommision and leave the fire useable?

 

[justlead1]

Hi Drill a couple of holes through the jacket of the boiler, this will stop any pressure being built up when heated. Tell the client steam may appear for a few minuets when a fire is lite. Cut the probably copper f&r out and rush them to the scrap yard.

 

[tamz]

Just drain it and cut the pipes off and leave them open. Drill a couple of 10mm holes through the boiler. Any water left in the boiler will evaporate in a few weeks or boil off if they light a fire.
If you feel like it you could fill it with silica sand too by pouring it in through the drilled holes and tapping the boiler with a hammer to settle it.

 

[SimonG]

Apparently you are no longer "supposed" to do this. I remember a few months back one of the lads bringing an article to a job specifically about decommissioning back boilers stating that the whole thing has to be pulled out and a new fireback put in.

The back boilers are not rated for the temps without water and will crack and split, this was all in the article.

Just can't remember where the article came from.

Upshot is that we still drill as usually customer wont pay for ripping the living room to bits but we advise that it may need doing within a few years.

 

[mjt]

Thanks for this SimonG - i will word this very carefully to the custard then