Interesting question today relative to flooding

Tim McElwain

I got a call this afternoon about a wall hung "Sealed Combustion" boiler vented to outdoors. It was in a basement which had water up to the top step in the basement. It has an indirect for DHW. The tech who called me had tested it all out now that water has gone down and it is fine and the indirect is fine. All of the circulators on this unit and zone valves were above water and are working fine. There was absolutely no water in the unit.



FEMA inspector along with local mechancial inspector stated that it all must be replaced.



What do you think? I would really like to hear from manufacturers on this one. FEMA tends to follow recommendations of GAMA (Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association) which state that any appliances under water should be replaced.



I guess my question is on these new units is how water tight are they?

Mark Eatherton

So, essentially the boiler was completely submerged?

Is that correct?



ME

Tim McElwain

Mark to the best

of my knowledge as I was not at the actual sight water was up to the top step on the cellar stairs so that would put it under water. The tech who called me was suprised when he arrived and found when he opened the unit there was no water inside. The customer had shut off all services to the house before evacuating so the unit was not running while under water.

Mark Eatherton

I'd replace it...

The controls have been submerged. THe blower has been submerged. Something is eventually going to create problems.



Even though it is a "sealed" combustion unit, the condensate trap on the bottom of the boiler IS going to let the water seek it's own level, which means the combustion chamber, and its refractory got wet too.



I concur with the inspectors. Replace it. Too much liability hanging on this one.



ME

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)

hi-n-dry or lo-n-wetted

Regs say if it was submerged it must be replaced. Time was we tore em down and dried em out, replaced shorted or burned out components and put em back into sevice. Not any more - I don't have enough liability ins to take that kind of you're-now-on-your-own-pal risk.

Tim McElwain

Here is the answer

I do agree by the way that any equipment that is flooded should be replaced. When I was with the gas company this was our policy. I have seen some real horror stories when only repairs were done on submerged equipment. 

 

The manufacturer of this unit stated that if it was left in they would not cover the warranty and they recommend complete replacement. They also advised that it has been their experience that insurance companies will often cover full replacement but not repair.

 

So no matter what it must be replaced.