How To Reduce Steam Boiler Risk | Boiler Safety Precautions

Posted on March 28, 2018

Boiler Safety & It’s Importance

Boiler Safety Precautions:
Boiler explosion history tells that an industrial boiler is a potential bomb. Steam
boilers have been known to explode when not maintained. We found reported incidents
in Unchahar NTPC Power Plant and Bihar boiler blast.

Boiler Explosion Image Credit Indialivetoday

What Causes Industrial Boiler Explosions?

Exports say, based on steam boiler explosions history & analysis, boiler explosions can
always be prevented.
There are few common failures and causes of boiler explosion in power plants, such as
failure of the safety valve, corrosion in boilers.
Reckless management is the main cause of every accident. After extensive research on boiler
explosion accidents and causes behind boiler blasts, we collected few industrial steam boiler
safety precautions & tips for boiler maintenance staff.

Boiler Safety Precautions to Avoid Boiler

Explosions
Precautions to be carried out at Start in Steam
Boilers:
1. Hydraulic should be carried out at a defined pressure before the start of a boiler.
2. Check if the pump inlets are open at the start of a boiler.
3. Install an automatic ash removal system such as rotary valves in a boiler so as to
prevent the accumulation of ash in a furnace or other equipment. The accumulation
may result in the blockage or excessive heating of boiler parts resulting in its
failure.
4. Pump priming must be done at the start of the boiler.
5. All loose and wrong connections must be checked and make sure to rectify the
connections before starting your boiler.
6. A trained and a technical boiler operator must be hired for operating your boiler.

Precautions to be carried out Regularly:

1. Never operate boiler above the design pressure and check for the safe operation
of Safety valves as well as fusible plugs.
2. Regular cleaning of the perforated line is necessary
3. Stainer must be installed before the pump & check for its proper functioning to
remove dirt particles from boiler feed water as this prevents the blockage of a feed
line.
4. Water must be treated before feeding it to the boiler to prevent the accumulation of
dirt in a Boiler shell.
5. Regular inspection and maintenance of boiler including its accessories and valves to
check for possible failures and cracks are necessary.
6. Make sure that the boiler vents are not restricted by any kind of obstruction such as
cloth etc.
7. Always check for the leakages of steam, water, air and flue gases from any suspicious
place.
8. Follow boiler manual for safe and efficient working of your boiler.
9. The panel should be cleaned regularly and should be kept in a cool and an isolated
place away from your boiler.
10. Check if all the hot parts of the boiler are insulated, do not touch the parts with bare
hands where the insulation is not provided.
11. Maintenance of both FD Fan and ID Fan is important and regularly check for greasing
in all the movable parts for the ease of operation.
12. Regular cleaning of movable mechanical parts is necessary.
13. Do not increase the frequency of a drive above 50 Hz for the safe operation of motors.
14. Pressure switch, Mobrey and Pressure Gauge should be checked for their proper

Precautions to be carried out Occasionally:

1. Occasionally clean the boiler tubes to prevent any ash deposition or scaling inside or
outside the tubes. Failure to do so will affect the boiler efficiency and will eventually
overheat the tubes leading to the tube leakage problems.
2. The ratio of primary and secondary air must be maintained in accordance with fuel
feeding.
 3. Periodically check burner operation back pressure and line pressure to prevent any
thermal hazards.

Boiler Safety Precautions [ Infographics ]

Infographics have our top tips for avoiding steam boiler explosions in your steam
plant. Steam Boiler safety precautions infographics are print-friendly so you can print it and
use it as boiler safety manual for your boiler maintenance staff.