Inspecting Commercial Condensing Boilers

At the recreational facility shown in the video, six interdependent boilers serve the building’s hot water loop, supplying components such as air handling units and VAV boxes. The Lochinvar units shown are condensing boilers designed to recover heat from exhaust gases, improving efficiency and lowering operating costs compared to conventional boilers. The facility manager served as the point of contact for the property and provided the background information that these units replaced the building’s original large steam boiler.

“Interdependent” means the boilers operate together in a staged cycle. One boiler functions as the leader, with the remaining units sequenced to balance runtime and reduce wear so no single boiler is overworked. Boilers can vary in complexity and design. For this reason, some inspectors choose to involve specialty consultants for boiler inspections.

Key inspection elements covered in the video include:

• Reviewing basic operating status using the digital displays
• Photo documentation practices, including locating manufacturer, model, and serial number labels
• Verifying the presence and general condition of required safety components, including pressure-relief devices

Learn more about inspecting boilers in the Inspecting Commercial HVAC Systems Online Course. It’s a self-paced course that includes a coursebook, inspection checklists, and a downloadable certificate upon successful completion.