Sump or Drain Required for Oil to Gas Boiler Conversion?

While researching replacing the oil fired boiler with a new gas steam boiler in our 2 family limestone, I’m told the city may require a drain or sump pump near the new boiler install in the basement. we have a poured cement floor in the basement, and the sewer line is above the floor of the basement. any info is appreciated from the resident plumber experts here. thx.

mbr47

in Boiler Repair 11 years and 2 months ago

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mbr47 | 11 years and 2 months ago

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thanks for all the info, appreciate it. i’ll install that Liberty Pump, be good to have a sump in the basment anyway. One of the houses here had their basement flooded by the neighbor’s water pipe leak. Sump would have reduced the amount of water damage.

steam_man | 11 years and 2 months ago

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This is similar to the pumps we install for NYCHA. It seems like it might be a little bit big for residential but I don’t know of any smaller pumps off the top of my head. Make sure you pipe a union then a check valve then a gate valve on the discharge side. http://www.libertypumps.com/Products/Category/SubCategory/Product/?p=55&s=24&c=16 PS- Use galvanized pipe.

ellenlourie | 11 years and 2 months ago

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I had these discussions many times with boiler and plumbing inspectors. These requirements they want to see implemented and they do want to see floor drain or sump pump installed near the boiler. THE NEW YORK CITY MECHANICAL CODE 1004.6 Boiler rooms and enclosures. Boiler rooms and enclosures and access thereto shall comply with the New York City Building Code and Chapter 3 of this code. Boiler rooms **shall be equipped with a floor drain or other approved means for disposing of liquid waste.** 1006.6 Safety and relief valve discharge. Safety and relief valve discharge pipes shall be of rigid pipe that is approved for the temperature of the system. The discharge pipe shall be the same diameter as the safety or relief valve outlet. Safety and relief valves **shall not discharge so as to be a hazard, a potential cause of damage or otherwise a nuisance**. High-pressure-steam safety valves shall be vented to the outside of the structure. Where a low-pressure safety valve or a relief valve discharges to the drainage system, the installation shall conform to the New York City Plumbing Code. 1008.1 General. **Every boiler shall be equipped with blowoff/blowdown valve(s)**. The valve(s) shall be installed in the openings provided on the boiler. The minimum quantity and size of each valve shall be the quantity and size specified by the boiler manufacturer or the quantity and size of the boiler blowoff/blowdown valve opening. 1008.2 Discharge. **Blowoff/blowdown valves shall discharge to a safe place of disposal**. Where discharging to the drainage system, the installation shall conform to the New York City Plumbing Code.

eman134 | 11 years and 2 months ago

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MP knows his code

Master Plvmber | 11 years and 2 months ago

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You don’t need the drain or pump for an oil to gas conversion or boiler replacement. You need it for new construction or renovation.

ellenlourie | 11 years and 2 months ago

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Average water temperature in working steam boiler is in excess of 212F. if this water is discharged, standard pump will be destroyed, PVC and hoses will melt. Basement will be flooded with boiling water. This is worst case scenario.

mbr47 | 11 years and 2 months ago

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Thx Gennady, Looks like high temp sumps come in cast iron or aluminum housings, high temp range of 200 (cast iron) or 180F (aluminum). Can’t find any specific temp requirement on nyc.gov . Though I imagine NYC likes cast iron. -MBR

ellenlourie | 11 years and 2 months ago

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Sump pump or floor drain is required near boiler. Pump must be high temperature type. Hard piped metal line (no rubber hose or PVC) connection to the sewer line with check valve installed.