37 & 31 Series Boilers - What Manufacturer?

oberkfell

Novice HVAC person.  In fact, I know nothing about boilers.



I am getting ready to remove a cast-iron boiler from a house I purchased and cannot find a nameplate on the boiler.   However, I have the original paperwork that came with the boiler.  The documents are dated 6-1-62 and at the top says 37 series all fuels boiler, and is basically a parts list.  The boiler is oil-fired. There is one insert in the document that says National - U.S. Radiator Corporation.   Since the house is in another state and I do not have access to it at the moment, I was wondering if you thought it was a sectional boiler.  I'm just trying to see what I am getting myself in to.



The parts list says the total cast iron weight is approximately 200 lbs.



I can't figure out if the boiler has sections or just one piece.



I have attempted to attach a picture.



Thanks,



Rick

Steamhead

It's definitely a National sectional boiler

and may have asbestos insulation. Not sure where you're located, but in many areas you need a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to get rid of it. Oh, and the weight is undoubtedly much more than 200 pounds!



Is this a steam or hot-water system?

oberkfell

Asbestos?

Thanks for the reply, I live in Illinois.











The previous owner indicated it was a hot water boiler used to heat an

adjacent greenhouse.  Kinda a weird setup.  An oil-fired boiler in the

residential structure heating the adjacent greenhouse.  I have a UST

removal contractor removing the fuel oil tank.











The boiler has been tested for asbestos, but I have yet to receive the

results.  There was insulation on the inside of the clean-out doors,

fire brick and flange gaskets.  However, the inspector indicated there

may be gasket material and/or boiler putty between the sections and at

the base.  There was no visible insulation beneath the boiler jacket in

the limited areas checked.











Any other areas on the boiler where asbestos may be located?  











Thanks

Steamhead

I think they covered

all or most of the asbestos possibilities. And that must be one heck of a greenhouse! Either that or the boiler heated more than the greenhouse.



The setup for heating that greenhouse is not as farfetched as it sounds. When these boilers ran on coal, they often centralized their combustion in one boiler or (in larger installations) one location. For example, before we had antifreeze for cars, garages were often heated from the main steam or hot-water boiler in the house. This way, the dirt and smoke were more easily managed, and the boiler room could be made fire-resistant.



If you're in Chicagoland, the boiler guy to know is Dave Bunnell, owner of Boiler Professionals.

oberkfell

Thanks

Thanks for the information.  The greenhouse is appx. 95'x25'.  The guy used to grow and sell many different plants in there.  As you indicated, the garage and adjacent storage shed were also heated by the boiler.  So approximately 3,000 SF was heated by the boiler.



Thanks Again.