The period of Lunar New Year is a bustling time as companies strive to finalize their year-end orders. Ensuring safety with industrial equipment like boilers is essential for maximizing production efficiency and minimizing unnecessary risks. Here are five essential points to consider when operating boilers during Tet.

1. Comprehensive Equipment Check Before Tet

Inspecting your boiler ahead of the busy season can help identify possible issues in advance.

• Evaluate the status of key elements including boilers, piping, water supply systems, safety valves, and pressure sensors.
• Inspect for indications of leakage at connections or areas of elevated pressure.
• Inspect for signs of wear and damage: verify that there is no corrosion, rust, or degradation in any components, particularly in equipment subjected to high temperatures and high pressures.

2. Fuel’s quality manage

The choice of fuel source plays a crucial role in both the efficiency of the boiler and the overall safety during operation. Kindly be aware of: 

• Conduct a thorough assessment of fuel’s quality: Verify that the fuel sources, such as wood chips, bark, and rice husks, comply with established standards, ensuring they are free from impurities and excessive moisture content.
• Fuel warehouse management:
  • Limit the risk of fire or explosion by avoiding the storage of fuel beyond its capacity.
  • It is essential for fuel storage to adhere to all fire safety regulations, include emergency exits, and be thoroughly equipped with fire extinguishers.
• Supply planning: Ensure stable fuel supply during Tet to avoid production disruption.

3. Ensure Operational Safety

Effective personnel and procedures are crucial for ensuring safe operations:

• Staff training:
  • Comprehensive guidelines for operating the boiler and addressing typical issues like pressure fluctuations and unusually high temperatures.
  • Conduct emergency rehearsal to ensure employees are prepared to respond swiftly.
• Parameter control
  • Consistently manage pressure, temperature, and water supply to guarantee system performance.
  • Establish alert limits to identify irregularities promptly.

4. Increase Regular Maintenance

Boilers are frequently required to operate at a high capacity on a continuous basis during Tet, therefore we should: 

• Daily maintenance: Perform a daily inspection, concentrating on components that are susceptible to issues, including water pumps, pressure relief valves, and control systems.
• Immediate repair: Address minor issues like water leaks or strange noises right away to prevent significant damage down the line.
• Regular cleaning: Remove deposits and dirt from the boiler to optimize heat transfer efficiency.

5. Prepare an Emergency Response Plan

For optimal safety, it is essential to have a comprehensive emergency plan in place:

• Firefighting equipment: Fully equip fire extinguishers, water hoses and fire protection equipment in easily accessible locations near the boiler and fuel storage.
• Pressure relief system: Ensure that the pressure relief valve operates effectively to handle when the pressure exceeds the safe level.
• Supervision assignment: Make a list of responsible personnel and assign continuous shifts during Tet holidays, especially during peak production hours. All operating staff must be provided with full protective equipment such as gloves, masks, and helmets.

Safety First

Operating the boiler during Tet is not only to ensure production progress but also to protect the safety of people and property. Fully implementing inspection, maintenance and response planning steps will help your factory avoid unfortunate risks.  If your business needs more advice on boiler maintenance or safety support equipment, please contact Viet Nam Zero Waste immediately to receive the most effective solution.