Review With Owner; Cleaning Boiler Heating Surfaces; Boiler Relief Valve - Williamson-Thermoflo GWA 3 Series Manual

12 Service and maintenance
Check/test. . . . . . . . . .
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Diaphragm- or bladder-type — welded gas tight with a
rubber membrane to separate the tank pressurizing air and
the water. May be located at any point in the system, but
most often found near the boiler.
• Systems with this type of expansion tank require at
least one automatic air vent, preferably located on top
of an air eliminator, as shown in examples in Manual
Section 3, page 10.
2. If relief valve has tended to weep frequently, the expansion
tank may be waterlogged or undersized.
Closed-type tank — tank is most likely waterlogged. Install
a tank fitting if not already installed. Then check fill level
per fitting manufacturer's instructions. If fill level is cor-
rect, check tank size against manufacturer's instructions.
Replace with a larger tank if necessary.
Diaphragm- or bladder-type — first, check tank size to be
sure it is large enough for the system. If size is too small,
add additional tank(s) as necessary to provide sufficient
expansion. If tank size is large enough, remove tank
from system and check charge pressure (usually 12 psig
for residential applications). If tank won't hold pressure,
membrane has been damaged. Replace tank.

Boiler relief valve

1. Inspect the relief valve and lift the lever to verify flow as
in the following warnings, excerpted from a relief valve
manufacturer's warning label. Before operating any relief
valve, ensure that it is piped with its discharge in a safe
area to avoid severe scald potential. Read Manual Section
3, page 10, before proceeding further.
Safety relief valves should be reinspected AT
LEAST ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS, by a
licensed plumbing contractor or authorized
inspection agency, to ensure that the product has
not been affected by corrosive water conditions
and to ensure that the valve and discharge
line have not been altered or tampered with
illegally. Certain naturally occurring conditions
may corrode the valve or its components over
time, rendering the valve inoperative. Such
conditions are not detectable unless the valve
and its components are physically removed
and inspected. This inspection must only
be conducted by a plumbing contractor or
authorized inspection agency — not by the owner.
Failure to reinspect the boiler relief valve as
directed could result in unsafe pressure buildup,
which can result in severe personal injury, death
or substantial property damage.
Following installation, the valve lever must be
operated AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR to ensure that
waterways are clear. Certain naturally occurring
mineral deposits may adhere to the valve,
rendering it inoperative. When manually operating
the lever, water will discharge and precautions
must be taken to avoid contact with hot water and
to avoid water damage. Before operating lever,
check to see that a discharge line is connected
to this valve directing the flow of hot water from
the valve to a proper place of disposal otherwise
severe personal injury may result. If no water
flows, valve is inoperative. Shut down boiler until
a new relief valve has been installed.
Part Number 550-142-320/0720
GWA Series 3 Gas-Fired Water Boilers – Boiler Manual
2. After following the preceding warning directions, if the relief
valve weeps or will not seat properly, replace the relief valve.
continued
Ensure that the reason for relief valve weeping is the valve
and not over-pressurization of the system due to expansion
tank waterlogging or under sizing.

Review with owner

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1. Review the User's Information Manual with the owner.
2. Emphasize the need to perform the maintenance sched-
ule specified in the User's Information Manual (and in this
manual as well).
3. Remind the owner of the need to call in a licensed contractor
should the boiler or system exhibit any unusual behavior.
4. Remind the owner to follow the proper shutdown procedure
and to schedule an annual start-up at the beginning of the
next heating season.

Cleaning boiler heating surfaces

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1. Shut down boiler:
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2. Follow shutdown procedure.
3. Remove venting system connection to boiler.
4. Remove top jacket panel. Turn back insulation.
5. Remove flue collector. Clean sealant from assembly and
sections.
6. Remove radiation plates hanging between sections.
7. Remove burners from base. Brush and vacuum burners to
remove all dust and lint. Verify that all burner ports are free
of debris.
8. Place newspapers in base of boiler to collect soot.
9. Clean between sections with wire flue brush.
10. Remove newspaper and soot. Vacuum or brush base and
surrounding area.
11. Reinstall radiation plates.
12. Replace collector box/transition assembly. Seal with seal-
ant. Obtain gas-tight seal to prevent flue gas spillage and
carbon monoxide emissions, resulting in severe personal
injury or death.
13. Replace insulation and jacket top panel.
14. Start up boiler following Section 7, pages 22– 24 of this
manual and the boiler "Operating Instructions", pages 30
and 31. Excessive sooting indicates improper gas combus-
tion. If found, check for proper combustion and make any
necessary adjustments.
continued
The boiler contains ceramic fiber and fiberglass
materials. Use care when handling these materials
per instructions on page 52 of this manual. Failure
to comply could result in severe personal injury.
Follow "To Turn Off Gas to Appliance" instructions on
boiler and "Operating Instructions".
Do not drain boiler unless it will be exposed to freezing
temperatures. If using antifreeze in system, do not drain.
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