When your company's boiler requires a major repair or needs to be replaced, you are at risk of losing many days of productivity which can negatively affect your bottom line. Before the inevitable happens, you should seek to build a relationship with a reputable supplier of temporary boilers in order to have reliable service during an unplanned outage or scheduled repairs. Use the following guidelines to help you devise a backup plan and survive using a temporary boiler.

Prepare a Space for a Temporary or Mobile Boiler

As soon as you realize that your boiler will be out of commission, you need to begin preparing a space for a temporary boiler so you can continue providing heat and hot water to your facility.

You need an enclosed space for the temporary boiler or an area next to your facility where a mobile boiler room can be parked or mounted on a weather-protected skid. You are responsible for providing fuel, electric power and a water supply for the temporary boiler, not the boiler rental firm.

Auxiliary equipment you need to provide may include power cables, hoses, water softeners, expansion tanks, fuel tanks and circulator pumps. You may be able to purchase or rent these devices from the boiler supply firm.

Obtain Permits and Adhere to Time Limits

Chances are that your municipal government will require you to apply for a permit to house a temporary boiler on your property. Some temporary boilers are housed in parked trailers outdoors.

Make sure to have a valid permit when the boiler arrives in order to stay in compliance with regulations and avoid fines. If you are installing a temporary boiler due to a natural disaster or some other unforeseen circumstance, some local governments provide streamlined applications so you can obtain a permit as soon as possible.

Permit applications may also require you to provide specifications about the temporary boiler and the name and contact info of the boiler rental firm.

Make sure that you stay on schedule for replacing a permanent boiler so you do not run afoul of limitations on temporary devices. Some state governments will not allow you to run a temporary boiler for more than a few months. You may also have to wait a full year to install another temporary boiler.

Follow Safety Protocol

When you determine the setting for your temporary boiler, you need to have the space inspected by a qualified boiler technician.

It is important to follow the same type of safety procedures you have in place for your permanent boiler. This includes:

• Keeping the space clean and free of obstructions near boiler vents and air intakes
• Maintaining boiler log sheets
• Scheduling regular maintenance checks
• Training employees how to use the temporary boiler equipment
• Posting safety information in a visible area including details on what to do in case of a fire
• Wearing appropriate safety attire in the boiler area such as gloves, goggles and a hard hat

In addition, do not store flammable products near the boiler and keep a fire extinguisher within reach. The temporary boiler room area should not be a space you use as a multi-purpose storage area.

You should also make sure that your general liability and boiler insurance covers operating a temporary boiler. If not, update your commercial insurance policy.

Be Prepared for Boiler Removal

When it is time to remove your temporary boiler, you must complete several tasks before the device is ready for transport. Pre-shipment tasks include draining, washing out and opening the boiler. You do not want to incur extra charges for returning a damaged or dirty boiler.

Schedule an inspection of the device to make sure it is safe to move. Auxiliary equipment that you rented should be cleaned and inspected as well. For more about this topic, contact a company that rents temporary boilers.