Boiler Prolonged Shutdown Checklist

The procedure that follows outlines the preparation of a typical oil-fired steam boiler for dry storage.

Shut down the boiler per the manufacturers service instructions and as briefly outlined
below.
- Lock out and tag the boiler power and controls.
- Shut off and secure the fire.
- After shutting off the fire, cut down on the draft to keep the refractory or brickwork
from cooling too fast. Rapid cooling can cause flaking or corrosion.
- Watch the water level.
- After the boiler has stopped steaming, close the main stop valve.
- After the pressure has dropped to one or two pounds, open the air cock so that no
vacuum forms in the boiler. In extreme cases, a vacuum can cause boiler tubes and
shells to collapse.
- Do not immediately close the main steam valve or the safety valve may still pop
open.

After the boiler is completely cooled, drain the boiler as directed in the manufacturers
service literature. Make sure you follow all federal, state, and local laws, rules, and
regulations that govern the discharge of the wastewater into the environment.

After the boiler is drained, flush out the water-side with fresh high-pressure water.

Thoroughly clean the fire-side surfaces of all soot and deposits from combustion.
- Brush out and/or vacuum up the loosened materials.
- Some oil-fired boilers have a water washing device used to clean convection
surfaces. Use this device as instructed by the boiler manufacturer.

Inspect all the fire-side metal surfaces for damage or corrosion.

Remove any scale or deposits from the water-side surfaces.

- Check for internal leakage or corrosion.

Check and clean the following:

- Low-water cutoff piping.
- Water level controls and cross piping connections.
- Blowdown piping, valves, and drains.

Check all water and steam piping, valves, and other components for leaks, wear,
corrosion, or other damage. Replace or repair any components, if needed.

Brush the refractories clean and inspect for damage.

Wash and coat the refractories using the material recommended by the boiler
manufacturer. Usually this is a high-temperature, air-dry mortar diluted with water to the
consistency of light cream.

Coat the fire-side surfaces with an anti-corrosive material recommended by the boiler
manufacturer.

After making sure that the boiler is dry and the fire-side is properly coated with
anticorrosive, place a desiccant inside as recommended by the boiler manufacturer.
Some boiler manufacturers recommend using the following:
- Quick lime at 2 pounds per 3 cubic feet of volume
- Silica gel at 5 pounds per 30 cubic feet of volume
- Calcium chloride at 3 pounds per 100 square feet of surface area

Put the desiccant in half-filled trays to allow room for the water absorbed by the
desiccant. Via the boiler access manholes and handholes, place half the amount of
desiccant inside the firebox and the other half on top of the tubes.

Close and seal all boiler openings, including handholes and manholes. Where needed,
use new gaskets.

Close all feedwater and steam valves.

Close the dampers and vents to prevent air from reaching the fire-side surfaces of the
boiler.

Maintain lockout/tagout so that no one can start the unit during shutdown.