More info re:boiler from a few days ago...

Ann_2

I had a wonderful pipefitter take a look at the boiler with me and this is his rundown. (He would help me more, but he is not set up for heavy-duty boiler work).

Any suggestions/info are/is greatly appreciated.

Steamhead

Ann, the attachment didn't work

If you can save it in JPEG format and re-post it, it should work. Or, copy the text and paste it into your post.

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Mike22

boiler walk down for Ann:

(Ann was having trouble posting so I am re-loading, hope this isn't redundant.)
Ann just bought an 8-plex (4 apt up, 4 down), has an old boiler and cast iron radiators, and she was told by boilerman it could die at any time? Not sure if that is the case so I am helping Ann gather information and learn about her new, old boiler! I am not up on the latest so I sent her too those who know...."The Wall"

Information on the boiler that supplys hydronic heat to 8 plex:

(Hot water boiler)

American Standard, Heating Plumbing, Water tube:
Boiler label plate: No: W-1029, 13 B,
Without Baffles: Water-3570
Hand Fired: 15702-52W

Appears to be sectional cast iron boiler. Appears to have 7 sections between the front and back plate.
The water tubes are vertical, fire flows horizontal through 3 pass (I guess) from gas nozzle to exhaust out the back of boiler.
Was origianlly oil fired but has been converted to Natural Gas years ago. (very clean on the inside)
Expansion tank is located in attic above boiler so not readly visible.
Inlet and outlet of boiler appears to be 2" or 2-1/2"
Height of boiler is about 5 ft, width 4 ft and length about 7 ft.
Horizontal exhaust with damper out back of boiler that feeds into a brick chimney. (no power vent/auto close damper.)

1.) Any guess as to original BTU of this boiler?

Potable hot water is heated by gas water heater in another room. (Original Heat exchanger abandoned.) No longer a BTU factor if new boilers are used.

Boiler piping has a new main circ pump. Taco.
Relief valve looks good and pressure reducer on boiler feed is holding at 12 psi cold.
Piping in boiler room is not insulated and leaves boiler room under ground. (all pipes exposed look in excellent condition.)
Boiler room is un-attached to 8-plex in laundry/boiler room.
Boiler appears to be coated with insulation, assuming asbestos.
Backflow preventer is dripping, will have serviced.
No visible leaks on boiler tubes when sitting cold. Did not fire unit at this time. Not being used at this time as only for heat.
Front service doors swing open for view of vertical water tubes, no leakes noted although it appears by streaks out
front doors that water had dripped out before.

O.k. That is the basic's, There doesn't appear to be anything wrong with unit from basic visual inspection. Just old.
I did not get a chance to fire boiler and listen so not sure if sediment/calcium build up (Popping sound) would be there, may be just fine inside tubes?


Boiler was inspected by State inspector (Washington state) in 1989, (yellow sticker attached to boiler) but no other stickers before or after that date?


Ann stated that the Boiler man said it probably time for a new boiler....not sure if he was making a statement or if it is truely time to replace. My impression is that it is old, but no critical time to replace...but it could die tomorrow I guess.

2.) Replacement question: Would this be a good application for a Multiple-boiler system using primary/secondary pumping?

3.) Should Ann go High-Tech (condensing) or just use usuall cast iron...and what might be a right size (200K ?, 300K) 2 or 3 boilers? Guestimate...she can have a heat loss done later, just trying to get your rough thoughts.

3.) Current boiler has asbestos covering it. Ann has plenty of room on other side of wall to set smaller boilers and abanding old boiler in place and lock door. (not to mess with cost of removing existing boiler/asbestos at this time).
Supply and return lines can be easily routed to other side of wall, as with gas and power and straight shot up for vent's with auto/damper. Possibly a quick, clean install.

4.) Last one, what might be a rough estimate that she may be looking at for setting two smaller cast-iron boilers, piping, running power and gas ..rough estimate?

Your input is greatly appreciated.

S Ebels

\"Do the heat loss later\"

Correction, Do the heat loss now. We can't even begin to guess costs or if you need multiple boilers until the actual load of the building in known. First things first.