In recent years, there has been an increase in accidents related to explosions of domestic hot water boilers installed in residential and public buildings in our country.
In recent years, there has been an increase in accidents related to explosions of domestic hot water boilers installed in residential and public buildings in our country.
The majority of incidents occur at the beginning of the heating season or during thaws, when the monitoring of heating systems installed in cottages, residential buildings, as well as small rural shops, pharmacies, and other premises, is relaxed. At the same time, at night, the thermometer reading can drop significantly below zero, which can lead to partial freezing of pipelines and expansion tanks. They most often freeze in attic spaces if they are not insulated or poorly insulated. Water stops circulating, which sharply increases the pressure in the boiler and can lead to an explosion. A large volume of steam released into the room where the boiler is installed increases the overall pressure in the room, resulting in the destruction of the building's load-bearing structures. People sustain injuries of varying severity and steam burns.
To prevent boiler explosions, it is RECOMMENDED:
1. Ensure that the shut-off systems on the supply and return pipelines to the boiler are open, and that all shut-off devices installed on the heating system are also open.
2. Drain the condensate from the lower pocket of the chimney for boilers operating with natural draught.
3. Inspect the chimney heads and ensure there is no icing or blockage. If any faults are found in the chimneys or ventilation ducts, the use of this equipment is prohibited.
4. Before starting to ignite the boiler, open the heating system make-up line and the expansion tank filling control line. The outflow of water from the control line indicates that the heating system has not frozen. It is necessary to ensure that the pressure on the gauge installed on the boiler does not increase.
5. If water does not flow from the expansion tank filling control line, and the pressure on the boiler, as indicated by the gauge installed on it, increases and reaches the pressure of the water supply network, this indicates that the heating system has frozen. In this case, it is strictly forbidden to ignite the boiler. It is necessary to identify the location where the heating system has frozen (usually at the connection point of the expansion tank to the heating system), thaw it, and only then, when water flows from the control line (with the make-up line open), can the boiler be gradually ignited. Throughout this process, you must constantly monitor the pressure on the boiler using the installed gauge. If the pressure on the boiler begins to approach the maximum permissible pressure according to the device's specifications, it is necessary to immediately stop firing and remove all fuel from the boiler.
When thawing boilers in attic spaces, do not use open flames, as this can lead to a fire. Thawing can be done with hot water, sand, or special pipe thawing devices.
Gas Appliances:
Please remember that the use of domestic gas appliances and equipment not intended for space heating is prohibited. For instance, some individuals use gas stoves with lit burners for heating purposes. Stoves are not designed for this! Open flames consume oxygen in the room, leading to insufficient levels for proper burner operation. Incomplete combustion of gas due to oxygen deficiency results in the formation of carbon monoxide. Exposure to air containing 0.2% carbon monoxide for 1 hour is harmful to health, and at a concentration of 0.5% carbon monoxide, remaining in the room for 5 minutes is life-threatening.
It is forbidden to use gas equipment or other heat-generating units and devices if chimneys and ventilation ducts are faulty. Any instances of faulty chimneys and unauthorized gas appliances must be reported to the gas supply organisations!
In case of fire, call the rescue service at 101 or 112.