D RA F T RE G U L AT O R S Draft Regulator Position
Putting items in the right and wrong places BY G EOR GE L ANTHI ER
two books on the subject of draft and combustion it's the subject that still not only captures my attention but also keeps me going back to the greatest and most ignored statement ever written on oil burner service: "Faulty draft conditions cause more flame and combustion problems than any other single factor." Although many give me credit for that statement, it was
T
first printed in a manual on the installation of low-pressure Williams Oil-O-Matic oil burners published in the 1930s. It's an 80 year old statement that has never been more up to date than it is today. This article is also about some snail mail and e-mail, a few
phone calls I received and a few postings on my website discus- sion board. People get upset with me because I call out right from wrong. Sorry, but that's what it is and I'm not smart enough to make this stuff up in my own head. So here goes. The question was asked "Does the Massachusetts Code,
527CMR4.00, specify the location of a draft control?" Specifically, no, it does not, but in reality it does.
Figure 1
his is another article on one of my favorite subjects and the key to figuring out any combustion problem, draft. It's amazing that after writing dozens of articles and
That's not a trick question or a twisted answer, it's a good ques-
tion and touches on virtually everything we do every day. (People say there's no such thing as a stupid question; well, there's about nine in the oil heat service business, but who's counting and that's not one of them.) In reality you'll find that the Code, Regulation or Standard (NFPA31) in use doesn't specify where everything is supposed to go, you are supposed to know that or have read the instructions. The positioning of many items such as valves, controls, and
automatic devices is determined by only one thing, where does the manufacturer (OEM) want it installed and how does he want it installed. Although many in this business like to quote past practice, also known as "We always did it that way," or what seems to make sense to them, improper installation and the mis- use of many components is the leading cause of everything from oil leaks to smoke damage claims. It's important to note that although you may think your way
is better than every Code and an OEM's wishes, there is a state- ment that will trip you up in court every time. It states that "The equipment, appurtenances, controls and devices must be installed following the manufacturer's instructions." Regretfully, many of these devices are not.
14
SEPTEMBER 2011 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com
