Fire tube steam boilers are an alternative to water tube boilers. While you will save money by choosing a fire tube steam boiler for your firm, cleaning, repair and inspection can be more difficult due to parts that are more difficult to access. However, by having the right procedure in place, regular maintenance can be routine and manageable. 

Daily Maintenance

This type of boiler must undergo a regular inspection to make sure that it can be operated safely. The easiest part is the daily inspection. Every day, a technician should inspect the interior to make sure there are no leaks.

Raise the steam pressure to the point where the safety valves lift. Then, the safety valves should be compared to the pressure gauge. Make sure to follow the 10% pressure rule. The boiler pressure must not increase more than 10% within 7 minutes. Also, the safety v/v must not exceed 3% of the approved working pressure.

The boiler requires several valves and fittings to allow for it to function properly. The fittings that are attached directly to pressure parts are called boiler mountings. You must check each fitting to make sure they are working properly. Carry additional fittings with you to replace on a daily basis.

Bi-Monthly Maintenance

Perform a washout of the fire tube steam boiler every 15 to 30 days. The process begins by performing a boiler blowdown. This is when you will waste much of the water in the boiler using steam pressure inside the boiler.

Drain the remainder of the boiler water through mudholes by removing the washout plugs. Then, you must clean the entire boiler using a high-pressure water jet. By using a water jet, you will be able to rinse down areas of the boiler that are difficult to reach.

Once the boiler has been rinsed out, you can begin inspecting the boiler for any parts that are defective. Look for evidence of pitting or cracking throughout the boiler. If the core is experiencing any calcination, replace it.

Annual Maintenance

You should only inspect certain components once a year. This includes:

• Safety valves
• The pressure gauge
• Injectors

During this annual inspection, you should also consider performing a hydraulic pressure test. While this type of boiler requires a bit more effort to clean, the cost savings can make it worth it. The annual checkup is also a great time to hire a third-party repair technician who may notice problems you might have missed.