Boilers are some of the most important appliances you can find in different properties. Whether it is a home, an office block, commercial space, a factory, or a massive industrial facility, there will be some form of boiler. It will be there generally to provide hot water and heat. Some provide steam for essential applications. Whatever the case, you need to ensure they are safe. In some cases you may even need a steam vent silencer to tackle the noise.
Flues
One of the most important details with many boilers is the flue. This is a pipe that ensures dangerous gases like steam and carbon dioxide are released from the appliance. Flues direct these gases safely away from the property, venting them directly to the atmosphere.
Almost every type of boiler will need some sort of flue. The only exception is old back boilers. So, combi, system, and steam boilers all generally need them.
Regulations
When you consider boiler flues, it is vital to ensure you comply with the latest regulations. They are in place to protect inhabitants of the property, neighbours, and even the environment in a number of cases. In some situations you will also want to consider whether a steam vent silencer is necessary; generally it will be for larger industrial boilers.
There are some very crucial regulations to think about, many that are similar to what you get with other types of steam vents. For example, the flue must be in a position so it is safely away from windows, doors, and vents. This is to ensure that the gases won’t find their way back into the property. Similarly, the flue must not be near any openings like these on neighbouring properties so you aren’t sending the gases into them.
Flues should also be a safe distance away from key building features such as gutters, downspouts, and soil pipes. The hot gases can cause serious damage to them.
It is also important to ensure flues are a sufficient height above the ground, especially if they face any kind of public space. Typically the minimum height is 2.1m, but more is wise if feasible. The idea here is it ensures that the gases will be venting safely above people.
The angle of the flue must be sufficient too. It has to ensure that any water droplets, chemicals, and other liquid emissions don’t flow back into the pipe and boiler.
Talk to us if you need a steam vent silencer
Flues and vents are really important with many types of boilers. However, as you’ve read, you need to ensure you follow the regulations to install them correctly. It is also worth thinking about the noise. There can be quite loud noises coming from them, especially when venting a high volume of hot steam and exhaust gas.
Ventx is proud to help industrial clients with tackling noise at their facilities. We can design silencers for almost any need, including loud steam vents and exhausts. Our solutions can bring the sound down to safer levels.
So, if you want a bespoke steam vent silencer, please contact us.
