Header too small?

steve_173

I'm having a new Intrepid put in. The plumber has the header one size smaller than the boiler riser (3"). There are split steam mains the same size as the boiler riser. I have no idea why he didn't use the same size pipe for the header as the riser. I'd think the header should be higher too as there seems to be room. Does this header need to be redone? Was he trying to save a few bucks on pipe?



Is that the equalizing loop going into the top back corner of the boiler? Won't that mean a problem for the one main connected further down the line?



<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/albumweb100">https://sites.google.com/site/albumweb100</a>

STEAM DOCTOR

Header

Need to double check but I think that all Intrepids need 3" header. It looks like you have 2". Which model do you have? Tell him outright that hes not getting paid if the installation doesn't meet boiler manufacturer's minimum specs.Header does appear to be high enough.

nicholas bonham-carter

small header

most headers are bigger than the risers to prevent water from being pumped up into the radiators, and squirting all over the room through the vents.

check the boiler installation manual online, and then you can show the plumber where he went wrong.--nbc

Steamhead

It's too small

the manual says 3-inch- was this guy using the instruction packet for a knee pad?



Here it is, on Slant/Fin's site:



http://www.slantfin.com/images/stories/Technical-Literature/installmanual_intrepid_tr_40.pdf



And here's one we just installed- a 4-section:

steve_173

Bigger than 3

Figure 4 and 5 don't show in Chrome. Works fine in IE.



What about the boiler vent not being in-line with the chimney vent? I think he was concerned about returns. Given how this header came out, I can't take chances. Moving the entire thing is not going to be easy.



Should I ask for a 3" header or larger? Should I ask for a higher riser?



Figure 5 has a 15" minimum spacing at the rear of the boiler. I can't tell what that is between. Is it saying the connection to the steam mains should not be until 15" after the rear 2" riser?



How would you pipe it into the split main?

Steamhead

Just like it shows in our pic

that last 15" is nice but sometimes there isn't enough room. But the header has to be 3-inch for this boiler to make dry steam. He's going to have to change what he has there.



And each steam main should have its own takeoff from the header.



I wouldn't worry about the vent pipe- they rarely line up perfectly.

steve_173

Boiler door clearance

Thanks all. It's redone. I have to check it.



With the Intrepid, does the door need to be accessible for servicing? In other words, should the water takeoff to the indirect clear the boiler door by going down first and then across? Should the gas pipe coupling to the burner be high enough to allow the door to swing once that is disconnected?

Steamhead

Yes it does

though a gas-fired setup won't need to be opened as much as an oil-fired one, you still need to be able to get in there.



Route the indirect pipe so the door won't hit it, and put a union after the manual gas shutoff valve so you can uncouple the pipe. The 120-volt burner wiring harness should already have a disconnect plug, so the only other thing would be to disconnect the thermostat wires at the burner. Then you can open the door.