Page 62 - Boiler_Operators_Handbook,_Second_Edition

Operating Wisely 47

Modern recorders are provided that store the data on What to Record, Why and When
floppy disks or CD’s but these have their limits Despite the installation of recorders there is lots of
and their survivability is questionable. See previ- important data in a boiler plant that is not recorded oth-
ous comment on digital data. er than in the operator’s log. The content also depends
on the provision of other logs; data can be recorded in
Creating Your Log different binders that, combined, form the plant’s log.
Many plants simply visit the nearest stationary The amount of data recorded is dependent on factors
store to purchase journal binders. These are fabric-cov- such as personnel responsibilities, the type of plant
ered cardboard bound books with lined and numbered and the importance of plant reliability and efficiency.
pages. All data are entered by the operator according to For that reason a full evaluation of the log by a profes-
standard operating procedures. That is the least expen- sional or an in-depth review by a facility’s operators and
sive approach to producing a log but not necessarily the management personnel should be conducted to ensure
best method. Anything larger than a small heating plant the log contains all the data necessary for the plant.
should consider using a custom log book. Frequently operators and management are not aware of
Why a custom log book? There are basically five the value of certain data. For that reason the following
reasons. First, it saves an operator’s time. Second, it recommended list is included with a rationale for why
provides a consistency not available with a journal, even that data should be recorded. If you can’t justify a pro-
with well-developed SOPs for log entries. Third, it en- fessional review, this list should help you produce an
sures data are recorded consistently over time. Fourth, adequate log.
it invites contributions of a professional to assist in the When to record data depends on the type and size
development of the log to ensure all important informa- of plant. A small heating plant may have limited visits
tion is recorded. Fifth, a custom log provides a sense of by operating personnel and choose to record data once a
professionalism that isn’t associated with the journal week. There is a dramatic exposure to additional expense
type. for fuel and water and serious damage to equipment
A preprinted log can provide assigned spaces for that is seldom considered with that timing. A household
entering much of the data and recording normal activi- heater receives more attention than those plants because
ties. Every log must have space for an operator’s narra- the residents note deviations in temperature or noise. A
tive. The operator’s narrative is that written portion of boiler installation in any building should be checked at
the log normally referred to as notes. It contains a de- least daily by someone that is competent in checking the
scription of what happened in the plant in the operator’s plant and recording and interpreting data.
own words. Custom preprinted logs also incorporate the Probably one of the most serious exposures for
feature of a carbon copy. Every other page is perforated limited operator attendance is in our country’s schools.
at the binder so it can be removed and carbon paper is It is not in the least unusual for parents to discover, only
used over that page to produce a duplicate that can be after asking the children, that the temperatures have
removed every day to another location. That copy is also been irregular in their school for several weeks, or even
used by the manager to perform more detailed analysis an entire season. In our schools the attendant is typi-
and note comments by the operators that require the cally the janitor who, without training, can define his
manager take action to correct deficiencies or have work attendance to the boiler as storing his mop bucket in the
performed that isn’t within the purview of the opera- boiler room. A qualified person should check the boiler
tors. plant and record readings twice a day while school is in
I promote an unusual log format—Bound paper session. That same rule applies to apartment and office
operator’s logs that are maintained by the individual buildings. Plants with boilers larger than 300 horse-
operators and a computerized log which provides the power and supplying critical loads such as hospitals and
electronic database for the plant. Contents of the op- nursing homes should have a qualified person check the
erator’s log is entered in the database. Thus, the best of boiler plant three times daily as a minimum.
both worlds are possible, there’s an original document High pressure boiler plants are commonly required
prepared in the operator’s handwriting and an elec- to have a licensed boiler operator in attendance but that
tronic database the operator transfers his information is not the case in every state; many times the presence
to. It also allows some independence on the part of the of a boiler operator is a function of a union contract
operator and will reveal the lack of understanding of an rather than state law. When an operator is in attendance
unqualified operator. recording data hourly is a common practice. The actual