There is a saying we have all heard, “penny wise, pound foolish.” which I’ve taken to mean, “making decisions to save small amounts of money (pennies), that end up making bad sense for affecting larger amounts of money and potential liability.” In this video, created by the elite Flame Safeguard Distributors that are members of Controls Group North America, you get to experience a realistic simulation of what could happen when you take financial shortcuts at the sake of safety. Contact your nearest CGNA Distributor for assistance.
The moral of the story: Be Wise, Buy Authorized! One way to protect yourself from a possible litigious situation is to only buy your flame safeguard burner boiler controls from an authorized flame safeguard distributor. Think about it, does it really make sense to buy insurance to protect yourself in case of a boiler explosion only to find out that you have negated your protection because you are using controls that are not approved by your safety insurer?
FACT: Rebuilt controls rarely meet industry safety standards.
New burner controls must pass rigorous safety and operational tests to receive important industry certification, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approval. Many states have adopted their own codes such as CSD-1 issued by ASME. CSD-1 clearly states: “The use of rebuilt or re-manufactured flame safeguard equipment shall not be allowed. All boiler controls shall be listed as UL (underwriters laboratories), FM (factory mutual), or AGA (American gas association). (Authorized by and implementing K.S.A. 1999 Supp. 44-916; effective May 1, 1987; amended April 28, 2000.)”
Some of the above groups are NOT willing to approve rebuilt controls they are NOT willing to take the risk.
FACT: YOU could be responsible for the losses when a rebuilt control breaks down. Most insurance companies offer liability coverage only when the controls used are approved by a nationally recognized testing agency such as UL. Over half the states will NOT provide CSD-1 approval for rebuilt controls. Without the possible insurance protection, you could be responsible for substantial losses if a component fails and causes a boiler-burner breakdown.
FACT: Rebuilt controls do NOT incorporate new code requirements or design specifications.
Rebuilt controls can ONLY reflect the original requirements and requirements as their original date of manufacture. Other words OLD technology and safety requirements are the best you could hope for.
Another perspective regarding the negative ramifications of using rebuilt burner – boiler controls in manufacturing processes can be found in this article in the September, 2003 issue of Plant Engineering.
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