Document DdyRdKzm1NVgbvYeQ2B4jzdKM

workstands and protection from overhead hazards of ash deposits falling on men enter' ing boilers (Fig 18-3) Ventilation can be provided by portable power-driven blowers operated outside the boiler setting and having canvas tubes lead ing m through access doors Draft fans can be operated for short periods of time to pro vide ventilation also As a precaution against electric shock, many firms only permit 6- or 12-volt lights and tools inside a boiler Thev are connected to small portable power transformers outside the boiler Battery-powered lights are an even safer alternative All tools used inside a boiler should be properlv grounded, and along with extension cords, be thoroughly in spected before use When cleaning a boiler, men should wear safety hats, goggles, dust respirators, and heavy, leather-palm gloves Wearing safety shoes is also recommended (Fig 18-6) (See Chapter 38, "Personal Protective Equip ment ") Personnel working in confined areas should wear a lifeline, if necessary, and be kept under constant observation Boiler rooms As stated in the first part of this chapter, a boiler should be in a separate room Often a separate building is designed to house a boiler and its appurtenances This com partment or building, called a boiler room or boiler house, should be enclosed by fireresistant, gas-tight walls, with provision made for adequate outside air supplv for the fuelburning equipment It is desirable that the air intake be such that it cannot be inadvert ently closed, and that, if coal is the fuel, boiler room walls separate the boilers from any engine room, especially if refrigerating ma chinery is located there A boiler room should be so planned that the boiler(s) can be adequately maintained, even so far as pulling the tubes if necessary It is important to plan ahead so that an entire boiler could be replaced without unduly damaging the building Many engineers leave additional space m the boiler room to permit adding another boiler if plant demand makes this necessary, and if this is not pro vided, they design the building so that it can be enlarged if necessary without exces sive cost or structural damage Provision is often made so that a wall or large glass area will give way in case of an explosion inside the room Boiler room floors can become very slipperv and dirty, so a surface that can be easily cleaned should be provided Lighting. In addition to being well il luminated, the boiler room should have a source of emergency lighting Gauges and controls should be especially well lit so they can be read easily Exits, too, should be well lit and identified Exits Each boiler room should have two or more exits, one at each end of the room If a boiler extends more than one story above ground level, the room should have an exit at the boiler runway or floor level for each story This exit should lead to a fire escape on the outside of the building If the boiler room is in a basement (or sub basement) exits should lead to outside stair ways and runways, and should have landings leading to the exit doors Stairs, ladders, and runways. Some state and local boiler codes require the installation of stairs, ladders, and runways around boilers which extend 10 ft or more above floor level Even if not required by law, such access is desirable so that personnel can operate and service the boiler safely and without having to step on hot steam or water lines or stand on valve stems or handles Stairs, ladders, and runways must have handrails and toeboards Runways should be fabneated of steel grating to provide a non slip surface and at the same time permit cir culation of air Walkways should not be near water glasses or safety valve discharge areas where an operator might accidentally be scalded Boiler room emergencies So many boiler accidents have been in vestigated thoroughly that necessary pre ventive action is known exactly Safety professionals should know enough about boiler room procedures that they can be sure their units have all necessary protection (Fig 18-7) Rules for both routine and emergency boiler operation should be posted perma nently and legibly in the boiler room (Fig 481