steam boiler

nicholas bonham-carter

don't forget to make sure the new boiler is fired to OUNCES [12 is ideal] of pressure and not pounds.
this will follow more closely the original design ,which may even have dipped lower in its youth when fired with coal.
air venting on the mains should be checked too.
-good luck--nbc

niece

steam boiler

Help Please.
My Aunt had an old coal converted burner recently replaced with a Weil Mclean boiler. Copper pipe was used on both the supply and return lines.
A gentlemen not involved with the install noted the following:
The steam boiler does not have the proper header.
No hartford loop.
The installer did not skim the boiler.
The pipe is copper rather then iron and it is not insulated.
I have told the general contractor that this is to be settled prior to any money being exchanged.
Any thoughts. I have already read on this site regarding hartford loops, and the pipes. By what I have read the copper should be changed to iron? Advice needed. The plumber that performed the install insists he does good work and everything is as it should be. I feel he is trying to take advantage of my aunt who is a senior citizen.

upsellovoto

Only black iron pipe is permissible on a steam boiler. Copper can be used only on the return, but iron is preferable.

One easy way to resolve any question is to look at the installation manual for the boiler. The plumber should install per the manual. Exactly to what the manual says.

Oil: http://www.weil-mclain.com/downloads/literature/gold/sgoboilermanual.pdf

Gas:

Steamhead (in transit)

Steve, here's that gas link

for the W-M EG series 4:

http://www.weil-mclain.com/downloads/literature/eg/egboilermanual.pdf

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Bruce M_2

Installation Manual

Make sure that the installation manual, operation manual and any warranty papers are left near the boiler or in yor aunt's possesion. While the person who installed the boiler may be a good plumber, he is certainly not a good steam boiler installer. It may be helpful to tell us where your aunt lives as there might be a well-qualified steam boiler installer in your area who can correct the incorrect piping. Incorrect piping on a steam boiler is not only a safety issue but it also has a direct impact on operation and economy. You should also tell us the exact model of the boiler and the type fuel. If you can post a picture of the boiler and piping here, you will receive help from the masters of steam.

niece

More Info

Thanks for all of your help so far.
The model Number is SGO series 3 oil fired natural draft steam boiler. A pressure control automatic feed was installed, does this negate the need for the Hartford loop?
My Aunt lives in Whitestone NY. Since the entire job is not complete , nor paid for I believe they should install it properly. BUT, do you guys come to perform an inspection? A Technician from Petro came to "look" and said all looked good, obviously NOT.
Any recommendations are appreciated.
How do we know if the new boiler is fired to ounces and not pounds? There is also rusty water in the gauge which I have read on this site it means the system is taking on too much feed water correct? This is quite a saga. Thanks for all of your help and any recommendations for an inspection.

Barbara

niece

steam boiler

Does anyone know if it is code in NY for iron pipe and not copper for the steam boiler or is that a universal standard?

Steamhead (in transit)

Took me a bit to find it

but here are a couple of pics of how a 9-section SGO looks when installed properly. The pipes are insulated but you can see the black iron union nut. Note that on this job, we built a new 3-inch drop header and ran the steam from this into the system's original 5-inch header. This makes some nice dry steam!

The Hartford Loop is there, but hard to see in these pics. EVERY boiler needs a Hartford Loop. An automatic feeder is not a substitute for the Hartford Loop.

Not sure what Code is in force in your area, but steam boiler makers frown on copper steam piping whether it's against Code or not.

The dirty water was probably washed back from the system, and needs to be flushed out. Then any remaining oil on top of the water must be skimmed. These pics were taken before we flushed and skimmed the boiler, you can see the dirty water in the glass.

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