Near Boiler Plumbing Help (Burnham PIN7SNI-ME2)

mjc4370 · March 2021

I am a homeowner that recently had a gas conversion done in my 100 year old home. They put in the boiler listed above. The more I read about steam boilers in Dan's book the more questions I have. I noticed that there is only 1 feeder being used and the other side of the boiler is capped. The feeder leads up and into the equalizer. See the attached photos? My research tells me that both should be used but since I'm a homeowner and not a plumber I would love some feedback before I reach out to the installer.

Zipper13 · March 2021

I don't know the exact model, but that looks just like mine. Mine also only has one riser used. My understanding is that that is less important than the rest of the near boiler piping, which others here will weigh in on no doubt. at any rate I can see that the near boiler piping is more correct than mine.

Mine works fine with the single riser. I've read that while both riser ports can be used, an advantage of there being two spots available (even if only one is used) on top is that it makes it easier on teh installer by allowing an extra option to avoid obstructions.

ethicalpaul · March 2021

It depends on the size of the boiler and it's indicated in the installation manual, which you should have a copy of near the boiler (the installer should leave it there because the inspector needs it to be there)

KC_Jones · March 2021

According to the manual from Burnham the IN7 is supposed to use both risers. So they piped it wrong.

bucksnort · March 2021

Are you having problems with heat? If not why are we worried because a book says it should? A book doesn't cover every situation. Now if there is a heat problem the installer will be on the hook to explain why it's not working.

Steamhead · March 2021

Au contraire, @bucksnort - the "book" is what the manufacturer says is proper for that unit, so with only one riser that installation is wrong. Not only that, but the horizontal portion of the header needs to be 3-inch, and the installer only used 2-inch, so that's wrong too.

The manual is here: https://app.catsy.com/app/share/782/o/lightboxes/4067983986

You'll note that the riser from the header is 2-inch but then connects to a 2-1/2" or 3" steam main with a reducing coupling. That alone would indicate the near-boiler piping is wrong. There is enough radiation on this system that the larger piping is needed.

@mjc4370 , they need to re-pipe this. The improper piping will reduce your efficiency and may cause banging.

pecmsg · March 2021

KC_Jones said:
According to the manual from Burnham the IN7 is supposed to use both risers. So they piped it wrong.

bucksnort said:
Are you having problems with heat? If not why are we worried because a book says it should? A book doesn't cover every situation. Now if there is a heat problem the installer will be on the hook to explain why it's not working.

The manual wants both risers used, when are "WE" allowed to rewrite the manual?

If this was inspected (Code being a bear bones minimum standard) it wouldn't pass due to 1 riser.

JUGHNE · March 2021

How about a skim port? There is a plug somewhere for that, something you want removed and a nipple with at least a cap installed, before it get steam welded into place.

How about the existing bull head tee on what looks to be 2 separate mains?
No mention of this in the book, but I would guess many pros here would perhaps have 2 steam main risers.

Cleaning instructions are also included in the book as part of the installation.

Did the contractor do an EDR count of your radiators? You could be oversized (common occurrence) which will drop your efficiency even more.

mjc4370 · March 2021

There is a skim port on the right side of the boiler near my indirect water heater. The company did come out and measure all of the radiators and sized this based on those measurements. I have a 3300 sq ft. home and it has 14 radiators. I don’t seem to be having issues currently but I also wouldn’t know if its less efficient than it should be. I guess my real concern is that since I paid almost $ for the conversion I want it done right and I do not want the warranty to be voided because it’s not installed correctly.

EBEBRATT-Ed · March 2021

@mjc4370

This is easy. They didn't follow the manufacturers MINIMUM piping requirements. Will it work? Maybe. But you may pay in problems down the road and in higher fuel bills.

Look at the water level while it is steaming. Is it steady? A little bouncing is ok

Find the boiler manual or download it if it's not there. There will be a piping diagram for your model boiler.

As far as pipe sizes go just so you can check what you have

1 1/2" pipe is about 2" OD
2" pipe is 2 3/8 OD
2 1/2" is about 3"
and 3" pipe is 3 1/2 OD

Too bad because it looks like they did a nice job other than undersizing the pipe

bucksnort · March 2021

Steamhead said:
Au contraire, @bucksnort - the "book" is what the manufacturer says is proper for that unit, so with only one riser that installation is wrong. Not only that, but the horizontal portion of the header needs to be 3-inch, and the installer only used 2-inch, so that's wrong too.

The manual is here: https://app.catsy.com/app/share/782/o/lightboxes/4067983986

You'll note that the riser from the header is 2-inch but then connects to a 2-1/2" or 3" steam main with a reducing coupling. That alone would indicate the near-boiler piping is wrong. There is enough radiation on this system that the larger piping is needed.

@mjc4370 , they need to re-pipe this. The improper piping will reduce your efficiency and may cause banging.

Good call. I missed that they had down sized piping.
As for install instructions, if the owner ever had a warranty claim and a boiler rep came out the owner would be SOL.

Near Boiler Plumbing Help (Burnham PIN7SNI-ME2)

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