If a steam boiler is being taken out of service, what step should be taken first?

When taking a steam boiler out of service, the first step should be to release the pressure within the system. This is critical for ensuring safety during the decommissioning process. Releasing the pressure helps to prevent any risk of injury or damage that could occur if the boiler were to still be under pressure when maintenance or further steps are attempted.

Though operating the soot blowers might be part of a regular maintenance routine to remove soot buildup for efficiency, it is not the first priority when the boiler is being taken out of service. Lowering the temperature and closing the fuel supply are also necessary actions but should only be performed after the pressure has been safely released. Therefore, the correct initial step is to release the pressure to guarantee a secure environment for the subsequent procedures in the shutdown process.