Steam Trap Survey Checklist

Pre-Survey Preparation

• Create a trap register: List every steam trap with ID, location, type, size, manufacturer, and installation date.
• Gather tools: Ultrasonic tester, infrared thermometer, stethoscope, clipboard/tablet, PPE.
• Review P&IDs: Study the piping and instrumentation diagrams to understand the steam system layout.
• Check previous survey: Review the last survey results to identify recurring problem traps.

For Each Trap

1. Confirm trap ID and location matches the register.
2. Record trap type, manufacturer, and orifice size.
3. Measure inlet temperature (should be at steam saturation temperature for the operating pressure).
4. Measure outlet temperature (should be cooler than inlet for a working trap).
5. Test with ultrasonic tester — record sound pattern (cycling, continuous, silent).
6. Visually inspect for external leaks, corrosion, insulation damage.
7. Check installation — is there a strainer? Test valve? Is the trap accessible?
8. Record result: Pass / Failed Open / Failed Closed / Leaking.
9. Take a photo of the trap and any issues found.
10. Tag the trap with updated status (if using a tagging system).

Post-Survey Reporting

• Summary statistics: Total traps, number failed open, failed closed, leaking, overall pass rate.
• Cost of failures: Estimate annual steam waste from each failed trap (based on orifice size, pressure, and hours of operation).
• Priority list: Rank failed traps by cost impact — fix the biggest wasters first.
• Replacement plan: Specify correct replacement trap type and size for each failure.
• Trend analysis: Compare failure rate to previous surveys — is it improving or worsening?

Survey Frequency