4 furnace component maintenance tips

Carrying out timely maintenance on your furnace spare parts and components is vital in order to prevent unforeseen stoppages in the future.

In the event of unexpected failures, having a spare part ready will allow you to continue operating normally.

In this article we will share some tips to help you maintain your equipment in optimal condition.

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Tip # 1: Use an NFPA recommended flame detector

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The NFPA standard states the following:

• Use self-checking flame detectors or a detector rod in equipment that operates for more than 12 hours continuously.

• For other equipment, use ultraviolet photocells or a detector rod.

• The flame detector must be located in the upper section of the burner to prevent it from getting dirty from the lower section.

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Nutec Bickley carries flame detectors from leading brands in the market such as Dungs, Siemens, Honeywell, Kromschröder, etc.

These kits are factory ready with the ignition schedule configured and are in compliance with the NFPA standard.

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Tip # 2: Using pressure regulators

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NFPA regulations mandate the use of relief valves after regulators.

• So, in the case of failure, these act as a preventive intervention to relieve pressure and to prevent the equipment from being damaged.

• We have Fisher, Sensus, American Meter, and Dungs regulators and we provide repair kits for regulators.

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Tip # 3: Proper inspection of furnace components

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Spark Plugs

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• Check they are not grounded or dirty

• Check that the cable is in good condition and has good insulation

• Ensure the gap is at the correct measure (calibration)

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Regulators

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Check the condition of the diaphragms and springs; check for dirt inside the regulator, air tightness, etc.

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Valves

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• Check their air tightness with leak tests as set out in NFPA 86

• Ensure they are closing when they should be closed

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Photocells and Filters

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From time to time they require cleaning, depending on how dirty the environment is

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Tip # 4: Monitor the expected lifetime of instruments

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Almost all equipment has a very long lifetime, so only needs to be replaced when damaged by high temperature conditions, environments with chemicals that cause degradation, or some other external factor.

• Valves (especially cyclic ones) have a certain working lifetime, usually measured in cycles.

• In the PLC it is possible to monitor to what extent the valves are operating, in order to predict when they will reach the recommended number of cycles and will need replacing.

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At Nutec Bickley we have the technical knowledge to select and supply the best equipment for combustion systems. Contact our qualified advisors to learn more about all the solutions we have available for you.