InspectAPedia®   -   Search InspectApedia

 an octopus furnaceInspecting Heating Systems, Final Checks
Heating system inspection procedure

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how to inspect a heating system: final checks to make before leaving the boiler or furnace area

Heating system inspection procedure: final details.

This document presents the final inspection steps and operating suggestions when inspecting residential heating systems . The heating system inspection methodology involved is intended to be generalized to the forensic diagnostic inspection of any complex system in order to have the highest probability of detecting important safety or operating defects.

This sounds fancier than intended. Our object is to use an organized procedure for inspecting for defects, without losing the ability to discover unexpected problems as well. The methodology discussed includes both details specific to heating boilers (the full outline at "Contents") and more general complex-system inspection methods (listed immediately below).

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Final heating system inspection checks in the boiler or furnace room

Unsafe return air input at furnace © D Friedman at InspectApedia.com Article Contents

© Copyright Daniel Friedman 2008-2015 all rights reserved -- Tri-State ASHI Seminar -- Last update 08/03/2010 - first presentation November 6-7, 1993

Watch out: locating a return air inlet close to a heating furnace, particularly a gas or oil fired heater may be unsafe - as shown in our photo above. See UNSAFE DUCT OPENINGS

and also see BACKDRAFTING HEATING EQUIPMENT and also COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT BUILDINGS for additional details.

Operate the Heating Equipment

After all visual inspection turn on the heating system and observe its operation.

Watch out: if you think the heating system is unsafe for any reason, do not turn it on. Warn the parties involved orally and in writing right away and explain the hazards you observed.

Operating the heating system permits observations of operation anomalies such as noises, odors, leaks, or failure to deliver heat to the occupied space.

Turn the room thermostat(s) well above the current room temperature.

Watch the heating system start and operate.

Complete your observations and return the room thermostat(s) to their original setting.

Make a written note in your observations that you followed this procedure.

ASHI 9.2.B. The inspector shall operate the system using normal operating controls such as using the thermostat -

see THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING.

Heating System Operating Defects Observed During Operation

Heating Equipment Malfunction & Implications

What are the Implications of the Clues of Heating System Defects that You Observed?

Remember that even a subtle clue like drips at the bottom of a relief valve discharge tube can have profound implications for the condition of the heating system. Clues make more sense when you understand how the equipment works, its operating cycle, and the function of each component.

See DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-BOILER or see BOILER OPERATING PROBLEMS for an extensive list of heating system clues and what they mean for the safety, adequacy, or reliability of hot water heating systems

See DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-FURNACE for forced warm air heating system problem diagnosis.

See ELECTRIC HEAT if you are inspecting an electric heating system

See STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS & CONTROLS if you are inspecting a steam boiler.

Thought Sequences for Final Heating System Check

Heating Inspections: Safety Concerns for the Home Inspector

This section contains examples of steps to protect the inspector. It does not address safety concerns for the client/occupant.ASHI 9.3.A. The inspector is not required to operate equipment when weather conditions or other circumstances may cause equipment damage [or in the opinion of the inspector, may cause any sort of unsafe condition (added by DJF, NOT ASHI Standards)

...

Continue reading at INDOOR INSPECTION of HEATING SYSTEM or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see

Or see these

Heating System Inspection Procedure Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

FINAL BOILER/FURNACE ROOM INSPECTION CHECKS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to HEATING SYSTEMS

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Search the InspectApedia website

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification
when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

Comment Form is loading comments...

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.



ADVERTISEMENT