Winter Weather Calls for a Freeze Protection Refresher

Every year when winter arrives, Nationwide Boiler takes extra care to inform customers of the importance of protecting their equipment in severe weather conditions. With colder weather, especially temperatures that are freezing and below, extra protection on rental boilers is necessary to avoid operational difficulties and costly repairs.

We have compiled a list of freeze protection recommendations to follow this winter for outdoor installations:

1. Enclose both the front and rear of the boiler area and use an external heat source.
2. Utilize an appropriate heat tracing method (electric or steam tracing) to all exposed stagnant water lines, as well as the main lines and piping components. This includes sensing lines (steam drum to CMR, high steam, and steam gauge), auxiliary low water cut-off, water column, level control blowdown, and main continuous blowdown (depending on the length of piping runs).
3. In addition to heat tracing on stagnant sensing lines, drain the lines and fill them with a 50/50 (water/glycol) solution, making sure to re-connect the line.
4. When an extended boiler down time is expected, or once the equipment is decommissioned and ready to ship back, completely drain the boiler and stagnant water lines.

Also, keep in mind the following:

• The lines mentioned above are considered stagnant lines and should be heat traced regardless of whether the boiler is in operation or not.
• The above are recommendations; use sound engineering judgement calls when there are concerns of possible freeze damage to equipment.
• The lessee is responsible for all freeze damage to rental equipment, so be sure to care for the equipment properly.

When water freezes, it expands and can damage the boiler lines and piping. Know the correct steps and take precaution when operating boiler equipment in inclement weather.