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Utica Boiler and LWCO maint.
Edward A. Carey
Member Posts: 48
I found something interesting a few days ago. I was inspecting a Utica boiler installation, (not my install), and I found that the Utica specs and the McDonnell & Miller specs, differ for the same boiler.
The boiler is an oil steam. A Utica label on the boiler states that the boiler "must be installed & serviced by qualified machanics in accordance with local codes and THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE MANUFACTURER".
Another Utica label on the boiler states that the LWCO on the boiler should be flushed daily until there is no sediment, and then ONCE A MONTH DURRING THE HEATING SEASON. There is no mention of blowing the boiler down while the boiler is operating, or up to temperature, (operating pressure in a steam boiler), or of any requirement of annual disassembly and cleaning of the LWCO.
The McDonnell & Miller spec furnished with the same boiler state the maintenance that I have always accepted as correct. The control bust be blown down 2 to 3 times durring the first week, and at "LEAST ONCE A WEEK THEREAFTER". Also MM states that the LWCO must be disassembled annually, to remove all sediment and debris.
It appears that Utica is instructing contractors and homeowners to do maintenance that is different than McDonnell & Miller expects, on the same MM LWCO. The Utica maintenance is also considerably less comprehensive.
It also appears that maybe someones brother-in-law was hired at Utica to write the labels for the Utica boiler, and he does not have a clue what the control manufacturer actually wants done for their control.
Interestingly enough, this new Utica was installed to replace a boiler that dry fired. The MM #67 LWCO on the dry fired boiler was coated with sediment that immobilized the float. That LWCO was only 2 years old. The Home Owner said that he flushed it once a month, when the boiler was not running. He never had it disassembled and cleaned over that 2 year period.
Seems like the HO was performing LWCO maintence that would be up to Utica boiler standards, and cooked his boiler in the process. That alone says a lot.
What are your thoughts,
Regards
Ed Carey
The boiler is an oil steam. A Utica label on the boiler states that the boiler "must be installed & serviced by qualified machanics in accordance with local codes and THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE MANUFACTURER".
Another Utica label on the boiler states that the LWCO on the boiler should be flushed daily until there is no sediment, and then ONCE A MONTH DURRING THE HEATING SEASON. There is no mention of blowing the boiler down while the boiler is operating, or up to temperature, (operating pressure in a steam boiler), or of any requirement of annual disassembly and cleaning of the LWCO.
The McDonnell & Miller spec furnished with the same boiler state the maintenance that I have always accepted as correct. The control bust be blown down 2 to 3 times durring the first week, and at "LEAST ONCE A WEEK THEREAFTER". Also MM states that the LWCO must be disassembled annually, to remove all sediment and debris.
It appears that Utica is instructing contractors and homeowners to do maintenance that is different than McDonnell & Miller expects, on the same MM LWCO. The Utica maintenance is also considerably less comprehensive.
It also appears that maybe someones brother-in-law was hired at Utica to write the labels for the Utica boiler, and he does not have a clue what the control manufacturer actually wants done for their control.
Interestingly enough, this new Utica was installed to replace a boiler that dry fired. The MM #67 LWCO on the dry fired boiler was coated with sediment that immobilized the float. That LWCO was only 2 years old. The Home Owner said that he flushed it once a month, when the boiler was not running. He never had it disassembled and cleaned over that 2 year period.
Seems like the HO was performing LWCO maintence that would be up to Utica boiler standards, and cooked his boiler in the process. That alone says a lot.
What are your thoughts,
Regards
Ed Carey
0
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