Alex's theories brings up a question

Unknown

And alot of smoke did come from the draft regulator . But it wasn't the only place it came from . Alex stated that a draft diverter could let flue infiltrate a basement with a blockage of the chimney . But what might happen if the chimney gets blocked and there is no draft regulator for the boiler ?

Dave Palmer_3

you know

It comes out everywhere or blows off the flue pipe

Steamhead

I've seen this happen

The problem was debris in the bottom of the chimney that partially blocked the smoke pipe, and the solution was obvious.

The positive-pressure condition that resulted in the smoke pipe, actually held the draft regulator closed. Now, some flue gas did leak out, but not much (though any amount is too much). When I saw this, it was obvious what was happening. BTW, I wasn't there to fix the boiler, but called the owner's attention to it and she said go ahead and clean it! They have switched oil suppliers since then, and rightly so.

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kevin

Here is a did you know...

Smith boiler actuall says that unless mandated by code that they would prefer you did not use a baromeric draft control on there oil series 8 boilers....and I have had some biurner guys with Pensotti/ riello set up say the same thing....kpc

Paul_6

Thats because the series 8

is a Positive pressure over fire. They actually have a "blast gate " type damper on the breach connector. I have found occasion to install a barometric if the chimney has too much draft. some of the smaller boilers are positive over fire as well. a barametric is not required in every situation. Paul

J.C.A.

The only.....

Series 8 boiler I've installed was 1 block back from the ocean and , personally, I wouldn't have felt comfortable installing it without a draft regulator. JMHO, but being at the top of a bluff, and with a marginal chimney, I felt much safer . If the draft exists to install this "pressure fire boiler" with out it , by all means ...do it . If the draft is influenced by ANYTHING.....I suggest a regulator on a tee .., as close as possible (not in )to the breech . Chris