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Smoke test

Boobie69
Boobie69 Member Posts: 13
in Gas Heating
Hello,
Can you perform a smoke test on a boiler that is not running? 2 plumbers are telling me that my chimney needs to be relined and it failed the smoke test...yet boiler not running. Just wanted to see if I was getting BSed.

Thanks

Comments

  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,430
    Sounds like BS. I've never heard of a smoke test for a chimney inspection....and you have gas heating? As an HVAC technician a smoke test for me is something I do with oil burners, but its part of checking how the burner is operating. Not the chimney. 
    MikeL_2STEVEusaPAIntplm.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,862
    Say what? A plumber -- unless he or she is also a chimney sweep -- is not qualified to tell you that your chimney needs to be relined. Period.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    SuperTech
  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,430
    I agree with Jamie.  I can usually tell if a chimney has issues by visual inspection when I remove the smoke pipe or while checking draft  during the combustion analysis process. I always recommend that my customers refer to a chimney specialist address any concerns and evaluate the condition of the chimney. 
    STEVEusaPAIntplm.
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
    SuperTech said:

    Sounds like BS. I've never heard of a smoke test for a chimney inspection....and you have gas heating? As an HVAC technician a smoke test for me is something I do with oil burners, but its part of checking how the burner is operating. Not the chimney. 

    @MikeL_2 Why did you disagree with what @SuperTech posted?

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,791
    A smoke test may refer to a leak test that's done with smoke in the ductwork (chimney?) to visually show leaks. It's required here for welded grease duct in commercial kitchens.
    EdTheHeaterManSuperTech
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,279
    Our utility used a smoke test on the sewer system.
    They were looking for open pipes that might allow storm water into the sewer. Smoke was supposed to come out of roof vents only.
    Some people had it in their basements from dry traps etc.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,862
    JUGHNE said:

    Our utility used a smoke test on the sewer system.
    They were looking for open pipes that might allow storm water into the sewer. Smoke was supposed to come out of roof vents only.
    Some people had it in their basements from dry traps etc.

    Oh those are fun! I've done a few cities...
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,279
    Being a small village we were able to notify people via the weekly newsletter. Other wise you may get 911 fire calls.
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,386
    I was just reading an article about Woodstock. Seems that over 1/2 of the attendees were doing a kind of smoke test.

    Not one arrest though.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    MaxMercySuperTech

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