Forced-draft Boiler Vrs Induced Draft Boiler

What does the Engineer of Record have to say?

If it is a historical building, I suspect the "engineer of record" might be in a cemetary!

Good answer, thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge. I also agree with Doorman ..... An engineer needs consulted <read paid> for their expertise in a complete and safe installation; public safety being paramount.

GA. ID fans have the added advantage that because the boiler is under a slight vacuum there is less chance of dangerous gases leaking into the confined space of a building.

The disadvantage is that they have to withstand hot gases.

You did not say what the square footage of the area you intend to heat is, or the design temperature for the installation. The size of the boiler has everything to do with it.

Whether induced draft or forced draft will be a characteristic of the boiler one purchases, and the venting is pre-determined by the manufacturer.

I suspect this is a very big boiler and someone is going to have to help you.

It is unlikely you will be able to pull this job off without some municipal or State Inspector looking at it, but this does not say you will absolutely have to involve a Professional Engineer. Getting in with a competent contractor may be sufficient.

However, meeting the standards for LEED certification, if that is your intent, is difficult. You would be misguided to only be seeking a LEED certified boiler.

It should be the duty of our highly paid government civil servant Inspectors to assist and guide citizens, within certain limits, however they are can be joined at the hip to the local contractors - sort of a form of corruption.

If you go it alone study the fuel gas codes - NFPA 54 is the most readable. The codes are the best source on this information, although dated because they speak less to pressurized Class III and Class IV vents.

Class II, III, and IV gas utilization equipment cannot be connected to conventional chimneys meant for Class I equipment.

Basically this is how it works:

Class I Nonpositive vent pressure and above the condensation temperature

Class II Nonpositive vent pressure and below the condensation temperature

Class III Positive vent pressure and above the condensation temperature.

Class IV Positive vent pressure and below the condensation temperature.

You see, it is about the vent (or chimney), not the boiler! I am certain you have a Class I vent. Most high efficiency equipment is Class IV.

Good luck!

Wrong

Please explain why I am in error so we all know!

There are induced draft Boilers and there are forced draft Boilers. The gentleman asked simply which design would we recommend. Your answer attempted to discredit his question and gave no useable answer. That's all.

LEED does not certify boilers. IMHO, LEED does nothing but charge fees for paperwork, Certificates, and

If the building is Historical, restore the original equipment and make it part of the historic tours that you give.

If you want high efficiency, use solar panels for "free" heating.

Dear Guest,

You have not mentioned the capacity and duty meant for the boiler and the exit temp. of flue gas you intend to maintain.

If the capacity is small, your 100 Feet height of the building excluding basement is 30.48 Metres and this height should be sufficient enough to create a good draught, thereby you can save power and hence reduce operating cost.

If your LOCAL LEGISLATION allows, you can have 55 Metres height Chimney, initial cost will be high, operating cost will be less and pay-back period for this chimney may be 3 years.

DHAYANANDHAN.S

Retrofit the old boiler. I love doing that. With your conditions you already will have a changing induced draft situation so forced draft with draft controls are appropriate. What are your emissions requirements? Steam/hot water? What type is the boiler that you are going to remove. Feel free to email me I may be able to help you shine with your customer.