Boiler Room Shutdown

[TraneMan]

I have been the HVAC controls industry for over 13 years and have seen some plans and specifications that require the following:
A manual means at the boiler room entrance to shutdown all gas fired boilers.

Could anyone direct me to appropriate Code or Standard that requires this? Is this a International building Code, NFPA or local code.

I am aware of refrigerant room shutdown thru a refrigerant monitor.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[CountOlaf]

I found a couple of specific state codes that require it which have very similar language, so I'm guessing it was derived from somewhere else like the NFPA or perhaps ASME CSD-1 as you suggest. Here's the specific language from North Dakota (I think):

1. A manually operated emergency shutoff switch or circuit breaker must be located just outside the boiler room door and marked for easy identification. Consideration should be given to the type and location of the switch to safeguard
against tampering. If the boiler room door is on the building exterior, the switch must be located just inside the door. If there is more than one door to the boiler
room, there must be a switch located at each door.
2. The emergency switch or circuit breaker must disconnect all power to the burner controls.
3. This requirement is limited to single and modular boilers exceeding 400,000 Btu/hr input installed after January 1, 2006.

 

[Wareagl487]

I believe it is NFPA 85 that covers this requirement.

Andy W.

 

[ChrisConley]

If it is NFPA, you could try cross-posting at:

http://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=184

 

[CountOlaf]

Wareagl487,

Perhaps you could cite the specific code section in NFPA 85...I'd like to read it.

 

[gepman]

I didn't see it in NFPA 85. It sounds as if it would either be in your mechanical code or your fire code.

 

[CountOlaf]

Yeah I didn't see it either in NFPA 85. My former post was an attempt at sarcasm. I don't have a copy, but from an alterantive forum (ICC), someoone there cited ASME CSD-1, paragraph CE-110. Again, the local (state or other) codes would have to either spell it out directly, or incorporate ASME CSD-1 by reference (as my state, MI, does).

 

[Wareagl487]

Guy's I SWEAR I've seen this in some code - somewhere.... I just can't remember - second thing to go with age..

I did find this blurb in Kibart Inc. Consulting Engineers Newsletter:

The ASME CSD-1 Code (Controls & Safety Devices for Automatically Fired Boilers) requires that Boiler Rooms have a manual switch, installed at an accessible location just outside the boiler room door for emergency shutdown of the boiler(s).

I do not have a copy of of this ASME section to confirm though.

But I'm still thinking I've seen it documented somewhere else too....

Andy W.

 

[ChrisConley]

I don't have it in front of me, but what about ASHRAE 15-2004 (Saftey Standard for Refrigeration Systems)? I know it references the refrigerant monitoring and shutdown, but don't recall any requirements for manual switch...

 

[willard3]

IMC covers this in chapt 10, 1006.8.

IMC governs where I am; don't know where you are.

 

[Wareagl487]

This is from IMC 2003:

1006.8 Electrical requirements. The power supply to the electrical control system shall be from a two-wire branch circuit that has a grounded conductor, or from an isolation transformer with a two-wire secondary. Where an isolation transformer is provided, one conductor of the secondary winding shall be grounded. Control voltage shall not exceed 150 volts nominal, line to line. Control and limit devices shall interrupt the ungrounded side of the circuit. A means of manually disconnecting the control circuit shall be provided and controls shall be arranged so that when deenergized, the burner shall be inoperative. Such disconnecting means shall be capable of being locked in the off position and shall be provided with ready access.

WoW!! I wouldn't be able to determine I needed an emergency shutdown switch at the exterior door from that.

The IMC 2003 Commentary states:

The intent of this section is to require wiring and a grounding arrangement that will not allow control devices to be bypassed as a result of a conductor that has faulted to ground.

No mention of this being an Emergency Shutdown is made.

I still think I've seen it somewhere else in a more user friendly verbiage - may be in my state's (Georgia) Boiler Safety Code....But can't find that either...

Andy W.

 

[CountOlaf]

Willard: What issue of the IMC--I looked at 2006, 2003 and 2000 (although mine is the State incorporation of the IMC and it may have "not included" something) and I don't see it?

 

[TraneMan]

Thanks all! That's good information to know.

It's good to know the codes and standards behind the plans and specifications that we work from. The present project we are working on is more of a design build project.

I think on the present project we will go ahead and add this boiler emergency stop switch to cover ourselves.

 

[gepman]

Except for the control voltage limitation, just following the National Electrical Code would meet the IMC 1006.8 requirements.

 

[Pintek]

Required by ASME CSD-1-1998, section CE-100.


"A manually operated remote shutdown switch or circuit breaker shall be located just outside the boiler room door and marked for easy identification. Consideration should be given to type and location of the switch to safeguard against tampering. If the boiler room door is on the exterior, the switch should be located just inside the door. If there is more than one door to the boiler room, there should be a switch located at each door. The switch must shutdown all power to the burner controls......and so on. Very long section.

 

[goldnwhite]

This can also be found in the NBIC Appendix I, Section I-2430. The language is identical to that posted by Pintek above from ASME.