I see problems with a new boiler.

Steve_175

1927 4 story brick apartment bldg in the Boston area. I was told it was built as an assisted living building with 24 small units. It has a single one pipe steam boiler. The boiler was replaced a couple of years ago. Boiler was likely oversized when the building was new due to the common practice of keeping windows open for fresh air. When the new boiler was installed I bet they just looked at what was there and replaced it.

The units get so hot most them have shut off at least one radiator. I saw a unit that had one of the radiators removed and the other was shut off. Owner was still too hot. Does not help that they are on the 1st floor over the boiler room. Told the owner I believed the pipes in the boiler room were likely not insulated. I finally got a look at the boiler rom and I was half right. The main vent is also woefully undersized.

I am just a general contractor trying to help a client get some info on what needs to be done to improve the situation. What do you think can be done to improve the situation.

Have you ever seen 3 presuretrols on an antler?

The door that leads outside has no glass in it. Completely open to the weather. I know the boiler need make up air but there has to be a better way.

It looks like the boiler has too much water in it and has not been flushed in awhile.

What is this?

This old girl is also in the room. I think it was originally used a trash incinerator.

mattmia2

The makeup air is probably about what is required although it could have a hood over it.

The redundant controls, at least the manual reset one and operating control are required for a boiler that size. It might be 2 stage, that might be what the 3rd is but 2 stage oil is a bit beyond my knowledge.

The near boiler piping is all wrong.

But the overheating is a control issue, whatever shuts it down on room temp one way or another isn't.

That asbestos covered boiler looks like the original boiler. I suppose someone could have repurposed it as an incinerator.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I would call @New England SteamWorks