Managing a Commercial Boiler Room

Commercial boilers provide heating in buildings and facilities used for business purposes. Boilers are either electrical or oil-powered and generate the steam or hot water needed for industrial purposes. They operate at high temperatures and pressure, so repair or maintenance requires specific expertise. Managing a commercial boiler room gets special attention in this article because commercial boilers are machines that require careful handling.

Industrial and Commercial Boilers

How do you select the right boiler for commercial use? Ask an experienced plumber to provide a detailed evaluation of the steam pressure and volume needs you require. Consider seasonal load requirements as some commercial or industrial applications demand more significant steam and hot water volumes at specific times.

Commercial services boilers will not generate the correct heat if too small. Conversely, the wear and tear from the on and off cycles will not be cost-effective if your boiler is oversized. The technical input from experts with the right know-how is invaluable.

Integral to any business property is the right boiler for commercial use. The output demands determine the size of kilowatts; bigger commercial and industrial boilers emit more kilowatts and supply more hot water.

Many boiler manufacturers give guidelines in Heat Loss Calculations. We recommend that experts advise you to certify and guarantee installation, maintenance schedules, and repair service level agreements.

Different types of Boilers

There are many different types of industrial and commercial boilers. Some boilers are suitable for specific facilities. Large residential buildings, hotels, event facilities, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, factories, universities, education institutions and other similar premises install commercial boilers.

A Water-tube Boiler: Water-tube boilers are used for industrial and commercial applications, and these boilers are suitable for use in a wide range of applications. A water-tube boiler generates steam from the water circulating inside tubes heated externally. Large amounts of steam produce high pressures by making the water tubes pass through a fuel-powered furnace.

A Fire-tube Boiler: A fire-tube boiler is one of the most basic boilers. The hot gas from the fuel-powered furnace is channelled into fire tubes. The fire tubes run through the water-containing vessel within the boiler. The gasses heat transfers through the tube walls into the water by thermal conduction. A fire-tube boiler is generally compact, but this mechanism doesn’t achieve very high output steam pressure.

A Condensing Boiler: A condensing boiler is a water heater fuelled by either oil or gas. The latent heat from condensed water vapour in exhaust gases heats water in the boiler returning from a central heating system. They require less heat from the burner and are known for their efficiency, lower carbon footprints and lower energy costs.

An Electric Boiler: An electric boiler heats hot water without burning oil or gas. As they use electricity, they operate quietly and are simple to install. There are no combustion considerations, and they provide a perfect solution when the use of gas is prohibited, or strict emission regulations are in force.

The Commercial Boiler Room

Because commercial boiler systems can pose a risk of explosion, most commercial or industrial organisations house them in a separate boiler room with limited access. Only authorised people are allowed to enter the room. The boiler can explode when it fails to contain the power generated due to mechanical or personnel errors. Errors are financially costly and can be fatal.

The commercial boiler room should be just that – a room for the boiler – and not used as storage space for other items. Make maintenance easy by setting the boiler in plenty of manoeuvring room. Keep the room tidy and well-lit to avoid injuries. Using a boiler room as a storage room can increase the chances of accidentally storing flammable products.

Conduct regular inspections and check the hygiene of the boiler room. Search for leaks in the pipe systems. Ensure all boiler parts function to expected standards. Keep boiler rooms well ventilated, especially if the boiler is oil-powered. Improve air circulation with at least two openings in a boiler room, preferably at opposite ends of the room.

Air circulation prevents the production of toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Carbon Monoxide also reduces the boiler’s efficiency due to incomplete fuel combustion, which is always a red flag to an experienced engineer. Build your boiler room on separate grounds if you can. Additional open space ventilation features avoid safety issues.

Keeping Operational Logs

Keeping operational logs is an essential record of everything in the commercial and industrial boiler room. Every employee and technician entering the room should record their findings in the active log and submit their report to the relevant authorities. Records help you to avoid potential boiler problems, identify potential hazards and arrange maintenance inspections on schedule. Mount instructions where they are visible. Create checklists to trace the causes of boiler malfunctions.

Safety First

Implement a safety first policy by setting standard protocols for every visit to the boiler room. Safety First Protocols accompanied by checklists will help operators avoid costly mistakes. Conduct regular team training and scenario drills. When you need to outsource installation, maintenance or repair of your commercial boiler, use reliable servicing companies like ours.

We are the Commercial Boiler Room Experts

Commercial and industrial boiler rooms (and boilers) need professional installation, maintenance and repair. We offer our services and expertise at competitive rates. Talk to us about the reliable services that our customers expect. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like any further information.



This website uses cookies and asks your personal data to enhance your browsing experience. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your data is handled in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).