Checklist
Daily Boiler Inspection Checklist
A comprehensive daily inspection checklist for boiler operators — covering water treatment, blowdown, controls, combustion, and safety devices.
5 min readUpdated July 2026
Water Treatment
- Test boiler water TDS: Take a sample and check conductivity. Adjust blowdown if TDS exceeds the limit (typically 3000–3500 ppm).
- Test feedwater hardness: Verify zero hardness. If hardness is detected, check the softener and regenerate if needed.
- Check pH: Boiler water pH should be 10.5–12.0. Adjust chemical dosing if out of range.
- Check chemical dosing: Verify dosing pumps are operating and chemical levels are adequate.
- Test dissolved oxygen: Feedwater oxygen should be below 0.02 ppm. Check deaerator operation.
Blowdown
- Bottom blowdown: Perform bottom blowdown once per shift (3–5 second bursts × 2–3 times) to remove sludge.
- Surface blowdown: Check TDS controller operation. Verify continuous blowdown valve position.
- Check blowdown temperature: Verify blowdown water is cooled in the blowdown tank before discharge.
Controls and Safety Devices
- Test low-water cutoff: Blow down the float column and verify the burner shuts down. Record the test.
- Check water level gauge: Blow down the gauge glass to verify it's clear. Verify level matches remote indication.
- Verify safety valve: Visual inspection — check for leaks. Gently lift the test lever if fitted (only when boiler is at >75% operating pressure).
- Check pressure gauge: Verify pressure is stable and within normal range. Tap the gauge to verify the needle isn't stuck.
- Check combustion air pressure switch: Verify it trips the burner when air is insufficient (test during shutdown).
Combustion
- Observe flame: Check flame through the inspection port — should be stable, blue (gas), not impinging on refractory.
- Check flue gas temperature: Record the stack temperature. An increase indicates fouled tubes.
- Check fuel pressure: Verify fuel pressure is within the normal range.
- Listen for unusual noises: Humming, rumbling, or pulsing indicates combustion problems.
General
- Check for leaks: Walk around the boiler and check all flanges, valves, and fittings for water, steam, or fuel leaks.
- Check motor temperatures: Feel the feedwater pump, fan, and fuel pump motors — should be warm, not hot.
- Record all readings: Complete the boiler log: pressure, temperature, water level, fuel consumption, steam flow, blowdown events.
- Check alarms: Verify the alarm panel is clear of active alarms.
How CHI can help
Ask CHI about daily boiler inspection tasks and to explain any item you're unsure about. The CHI assistant can help you create custom checklists for your specific equipment, explain each inspection point, and flag items that need attention based on your equipment's condition.