The Ministry of Emergency Situations reminded about the safe operation of heating boilers in the winter period
Water circulation stops in the pipes while the fuel is burning, causing the water inside the sections to boil. The steam pressure inside the system begins to rise rapidly. At some point, a critical point is reached. It is impossible to predict the consequences of destruction. When a boiler ruptures, a large volume of steam-water mixture is released into the confined space. In the best-case scenario, it will end with broken windows; in the worst-case scenario, the building will be destroyed, which can lead to injuries and casualties among the population.
Homeowners should remember that they need to constantly monitor the water level in the boiler and heating system, as a decrease in its volume below the permissible level leads to overheating of the boiler surfaces. And the ingress of cold water onto red-hot metal also leads to an uncontrolled increase in pressure.
Do not forget about the products released during fuel combustion. In the absence of draft in the chimney, carbon monoxide formed during combustion enters the room. It easily binds to blood hemoglobin and is one of the most dangerous in its effect on the human body.
Inhaling air containing only 0.1% carbon monoxide leads to fatal poisoning in less than three hours.
Before starting the boiler, the homeowner must ensure that the shut-off devices are open on both pipelines – the supply and return. All shut-off devices installed on the heating system must also be opened. Accumulated moisture must be removed from the condensate collector at the base of the chimney. The condition of the chimney head and flue channels must be checked. They should be regularly cleaned of blockages and icing.
– Before firing up the boiler, open the system's makeup line and the expansion tank filling control line until water appears from it, – explained Igor Nikolaevich. – If it doesn't flow, the pressure rises and approaches the maximum permissible, immediately stop the fuel supply. It is necessary to determine the location of the heating system freezing, thaw it, and check if water flows from the control line when the supply is open. Only then can the boiler be fired up, while monitoring the readings of pressure gauges and thermometers.
It is forbidden to use boilers not equipped with safety automation and control and measuring instruments, faulty instruments, or to arbitrarily disconnect or dismantle them. It is also prohibited to start up the boiler when the outside air temperature is below freezing if there is no water circulation in the heating system, and to store flammable, lubricating, and wiping materials near the unit.
Remember that in case of fire, gas odor, or detection of instrument malfunctions, it is necessary to call specialists: Ministry of Emergency Situations phone number 101; gas emergency service phone number 104.
Installation, adjustment, and maintenance of heating boilers must be carried out only by specialized organizations. In doing so, their employees are obliged to train the unit users and make a note of this in the passport.