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Barometric Damper

Mike camperlengo
Mike camperlengo Member Posts: 13
in THE MAIN WALL
Can someone explain the proper operation of the barometric damper. Mine is secured shut with two screws wedged into the edges? In that case why have it?

Comments

  • Big Ed
    Big Ed Member Posts: 1,117
    Draft Regulator

    The draft regulator is adjusted to mantain proper draft over the fire .If the chimney pulls too much the damper will open , pulling in air from the boiler room rather then over the fire . To adjust you need a draft gauge and the manufactures recommended setting...


    Why is your's shut ? Poor chimney ?Poor draft?
  • kevin coppinger_4
    kevin coppinger_4 Member Posts: 2,124
    another question....

    would be what does he have for a burner....a lot of guys I know say if a riello is used to NOT use a barometric...true? kpc

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  • John Lenhart
    John Lenhart Member Posts: 25
    Barometric damper

    You might want to visit Field Controls at www.fieldcontrols.com Hope this is helpful.
  • Al Letellier
    Al Letellier Member Posts: 781
    barometric dampers

    I think it depends more on the boiler than the burner. Riellos generally work great in any situation. Some boilers are designed to be pressure fired and don't call for a damper, but I've had to use them anyway in high draft situation. Heck, we even have a boiler with 3 baros on it, just too much draft to keep a good fire. "Do what you gotta do"!

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  • Jim Davis
    Jim Davis Member Posts: 305
    Barometric

    The function of the barometric is to maintain a fixed pressure at the outlet of an appliance. Normally they are preset with no weights to provide a -.02"W.C. pressure at the outlet. If the main chimney draft is -.02" the barometric stays closed. If the draft is -.03" then the barometric opens and relieves -.01" from the room. If you do not control the pressure at the outlet, you have no control of the air at the burner. To set barometrics for the proper draft of an appliance and combustion analyzer is needed. Draft is proper when all readings are stabile. If the total flue pressure is positive barometrics should not be used and the opening should be sealed. If just the appliance is positive then barometics are still needed to maintain this pressure. Equipment can operate without them but not safe or efficient!
  • Mike camperlengo
    Mike camperlengo Member Posts: 13


    I have a Well Mclain boiler with a Beckett oil burner.
    I noticed that there is an opening in the cement seal under where the flue enters the chimney? This does not seem good, but my guess is that this is providing the draft? I want a Pro to check this out for me. Do I call a chimney guy?
  • jim sokolovic
    jim sokolovic Member Posts: 439
    Is the opening...

    an 8" x 8" square, about a foot or so below the flue pipe? This would usually be the chimney cleanout opening, which should have a swing-out door on it. Although I seem to remember seeing it sometimes used as a barometric damper location, but then it would have a round opening. I can't say how proper that location works for that purpose - it doesn't seem appropriate to me though. If the opening is just around areas of the flue pipe itself, then it should be sealed with the proper cement. Either way, have someone inspect at least the chimney base for soot / scale accumulation while they are there. Hope this helps.
  • Jim Davis
    Jim Davis Member Posts: 305


    Call an HVAC guy. Patching the hole will change the burner set-up.
  • Mike camperlengo
    Mike camperlengo Member Posts: 13


    The hole is just below the vent pipe as it enters the chimney. Incomplete cement job around the pipe. The clean out is about a foot below.
  • jim sokolovic
    jim sokolovic Member Posts: 439
    Mike, is there a barometric damper...

    on the flue pipe itself then? If so - have it adjusted for the proper draft, the smoke test done to adjust the burner settings, and CO level checked after the work is done, as Jim Davis alluded to. Anyone else have any comment on a barometric damper that is installed in the chimney itself, above or below the flue connection (out of curiousity)?
  • Dale
    Dale Member Posts: 1,317
    Oil or gas

    Was the boiler replaced, some gas boilers have their own dillution air opening and a barometric should not be used in addition to this opening. Perhaps who ever put in the new boiler was really cheap and just left in the old barometric as a piece of pipe.
  • Paul Bock_2
    Paul Bock_2 Member Posts: 40
    you gota love

    some of these old buildings around portland with 6 to7 story chimneys. Paul.
This discussion has been closed.

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