When banking a fuel oil-fired boiler, what should you do?

Banking a fuel oil-fired boiler is a process used to maintain a warm and safe condition in the boiler when it is not in operation or when its output is lowered to meet demand. The action of shutting off the forced draft (FD) fan is linked to this process because it stops the airflow that feeds the combustion area. This step is crucial to ensure that the boiler does not continue to burn fuel when it is not intended to, thus preventing unnecessary fuel consumption and promoting safety by reducing the risk of an uncontrolled fire.

When banking the boiler, it is essential to manage the combustion conditions appropriately. Shutting off the FD fan allows the remaining heat within the boiler to be preserved without introducing additional air that could lead to combustion resuming unintentionally. Monitoring and managing the combustion air supply is crucial during this stage, but increasing it or maintaining it while banking would counteract the purpose of protecting the boiler and managing heat effectively.

Furthermore, reducing the feedwater flow or turning off the burner immediately could either disrupt the water levels or create conditions that might lead to boiler damage if not monitored correctly. The primary goal during banking is to stabilize the system, ensuring safe management of heat and combustion processes. Hence, turning off the FD fan is the appropriate action in this