---
title: "Boiler checklist"
description: "A boiler checklist grouped by frequency, from daily checks of the water, burner, and gauges to monthly interlock tests and annual inspection."
---

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# Boiler checklist

A boiler checklist grouped by frequency, from daily checks of the water, burner, and gauges to monthly interlock tests and annual inspection.

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## Daily

| Task | Required | Photo required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Inspect | | |
| Check the overall condition, and that the safety systems are in place. | Required | No photo required |
| For steam boilers, blow down and test the low-water cutoff. | Required | No photo required |
| For steam boilers, blow down the gauge glass and the boiler. For low-pressure steam, blow down the makeup feeder. | Required | No photo required |
| Check that the burner flame looks right for proper combustion. | Required | No photo required |
| Check the boiler and its system for leaks, and that the control linkage is sound. | Required | No photo required |
| Check that steam pressure varies as expected under load and the water level is stable. | Required | No photo required |
| Check that the boiler-room air temperature is within design limits and the motors run at normal temperature. | Not required | Photo required |
| Check that the water treatment system is working. | Required | No photo required |
| For oil firing, clean the filters and strainers, and check the oil is at the right temperature before burning. | Required | Photo required |
| Switch off or sequence the boilers that are not needed. | Not required | No photo required |
| Log | | |
| Complete the daily log: fuel, flue-gas temperature, makeup water, and steam pressure. | Required | No photo required |
| Records | | |
| Record the maintenance and the parts in the log. | Required | No photo required |

## Weekly

| Task | Required | Photo required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Controls | | |
| Test the flame-failure cutoff and its timing, and check that ignition and flame-failure detection work. | Required | No photo required |
| Check that flame signal strength, pilot and main, is within the manufacturer's range. | Required | Photo required |
| Check that the pilot and main fuel shutoff valves close. | Required | No photo required |
| Check igniter and burner operation. | Required | No photo required |
| Test the water-level control: with the feedwater pump stopped, the control stops fuel to the burner before the water falls below the recommended level. | Required | No photo required |
| Check that flue-gas oxygen at the selected firing rates is within the recommended range. | Not required | Photo required |
| Check that relief valves are not leaking. | Required | No photo required |
| Water and equipment | | |
| Check the chemical treatment tank level, and the control and atomising air compressor oil level. | Required | No photo required |
| Check for water or steam leaks, failed traps, corroded pipe, or damaged insulation. Check that the damper and fuel-valve linkages are tight and the damper seals are sound. | Not required | No photo required |
| Records | | |
| Record the maintenance and the parts in the log. | Required | No photo required |

## Monthly

| Task | Required | Photo required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Interlocks | | |
| Test the fan and air-pressure interlocks. | Required | No photo required |
| Test the main burner fuel safety shutoff valves for leakage. | Required | No photo required |
| Test the low-fire start interlock. | Required | No photo required |
| Test the high-pressure and high-temperature interlocks. | Required | No photo required |
| For gas, test the high and low gas-pressure interlocks. For oil, test the pressure and temperature interlocks. | Required | No photo required |
| For hot water, test the low-water cutoff. | Required | No photo required |
| Lift each safety or relief valve by hand, and check that it operates. | Required | No photo required |
| Water and equipment | | |
| Review the water treatment results and adjust the treatment. | Required | No photo required |
| Check that the combustion-air openings to the room and boiler are adequate and clean. | Required | No photo required |
| Lubricate motor and equipment bearings. | Required | No photo required |
| Check the fuel system gauges, pumps, filters, and lines. | Required | No photo required |
| Check belts, packing glands, and gaskets. Check for air leaks at access openings and at the flame scanner, and for hot spots on the casing. | Not required | No photo required |
| Records | | |
| Record the maintenance and the parts in the log. | Required | No photo required |

## Semiannual

| Task | Required | Photo required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Controls | | |
| For steam boilers, slow-drain test the low-water cutoffs. | Required | No photo required |
| Test the safety and relief valves. | Required | No photo required |
| Inspect the burner and flame-failure components, and the wiring of interlocks and shutoff valves. | Required | No photo required |
| Recalibrate indicating and recording gauges. | Required | No photo required |
| Check the steam and blowdown piping and valves. | Required | No photo required |
| Check the combustion control system. For oil, check the atomisers and strainers. | Required | No photo required |
| Records | | |
| Record the maintenance and the parts in the log. | Required | No photo required |

## Annual

| Task | Required | Photo required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Inspection | | |
| Have the boiler inspected by a commissioned inspector. | Required | No photo required |
| Drain the boiler, open manholes and handholes, and clean the waterside and fireside. | Required | Photo required |
| Inspect the refractory, and repair it. | Required | Photo required |
| Controls and valves | | |
| Recondition or replace the low-water cutoff. | Required | No photo required |
| Leak-test all fuel valves, and test the operating parts of the safety shutoff and control valves. | Required | No photo required |
| Test every control and safety device. | Required | No photo required |
| Adjust combustion with test instruments. | Required | Photo required |
| Test the pilot turndown. Check the coils and diaphragms, and replace the gaskets. | Required | No photo required |
| Replace flame-failure tubes, scanners, or flame rods as the manufacturer directs. | Required | No photo required |
| Test pressure gauges against a calibrated standard. | Required | Photo required |
| Fuel and feedwater | | |
| For gas, clean the drip leg and strainer. | Not required | No photo required |
| Recondition the feedwater pumps, condensate receivers, and deaerator, and clean the electrical terminals. | Not required | No photo required |
| Records | | |
| Record the maintenance and the parts in the log. | Required | No photo required |

This checklist covers a boiler’s daily, weekly, monthly, semiannual, and annual checks, with the log entry for each. Where the boiler maker’s manual gives a different interval or value, follow the manual. Where local boiler rules set more, follow them.

## Sources

- [National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, *Suggested Maintenance Log Program*](https://www.nationalboard.org/PrintPage.aspx?pageID=240)
- [US Department of Energy, Federal Energy Management Program, *O&M Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency*](https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf)
- [Arizona Administrative Code R20-5-417, maintenance and operation of boilers](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arizona/Ariz-Admin-Code-SS-R20-5-417)

## Import it into FixAhead

Upload this file in FixAhead's maintenance procedure import, as a signed-in owner or manager. Each frequency loads as its own procedure, with its sections, tasks, and each task's Required and Photo required marks. If your account already has a procedure with the same name, this one is skipped and the existing one stays as it is.

Maintenance procedures are on the Pro plan, as [pricing](/pricing/) shows.

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