Advantages of roof boiler rooms, device and design standards

An effective heating system is essential for keeping our homes warm and comfortable, especially in the winter. Roof boiler rooms are one common, yet very efficient, solution. In contrast to conventional heating systems hidden away in utility rooms or basements, roof boiler rooms provide unique benefits that can dramatically improve a home’s comfort and energy efficiency.

So what precisely are boiler rooms on roofs? In a nutshell, they are small heating units that are mounted on a building’s roof and are often part of the building itself. The most obvious advantage of this clever placement is the amount of space it saves. Important interior space is freed up by relocating the boiler to the roof, making the lower levels of the building more adaptable.

The longevity, efficiency, and safety of roof boiler rooms are significantly dependent on the standards of construction and design. These standards cover a wide range of topics, such as fire safety precautions, insulation, ventilation, and structural integrity. Following these guidelines maximizes the efficiency of the heating system while also protecting the residents and the property.

Reducing heat loss is one of the main benefits of roof boiler rooms. By putting the boiler nearer the source of heat distribution—such as underfloor heating or radiators—you can cut down on the amount of piping needed and minimize heat loss during transit. Moreover, excellent insulation is frequently incorporated into the design of roof boiler rooms, which further reduces heat loss and increases energy efficiency.

Roof boiler rooms are more efficient, but they also improve safety. Because the system is elevated on the roof, there is less chance of water damage from leaks or flooding, which are common issues with heating systems installed in basements. Furthermore, safe combustion gas dispersion is ensured by appropriate ventilation design, reducing the risk of health problems linked to poor indoor air quality.

Types of roof boiler rooms

A structure with a flat roof is thought to be the most appropriate location for a boiler room of this type. In relation to these heat-supply sources, the following installations are planned: boiler house that is integrated and block-modular (BMK).

BMK

Gas-powered block-modular boiler rooms come fully equipped from the factory. They are launched as soon as possible because they basically arrive at the customer 100% ready. Modern rooftop boiler rooms don’t require constant staffing because they run automatically year-round for heating and hot water.

To ensure safe operation, all boiler equipment is chosen based on design technological parameters and complies with current legislation. The unit consists of peak capacity boilers, DHW and heating pumps, fans, smoke pumps, chimneys, primary thermal process monitoring devices, and an automatic control system. BMK has dependable supply and exhaust ventilation, as well as excellent insulation.

Built-in

An apartment building’s built-in roof boiler house is constructed in compliance with a unique project, where every component of the thermal scheme is meticulously calculated to produce a heat supply system that is both safe and effective.

The most common types of buildings used for boiler room premises are prefabricated "sandwich" structures or regular reinforced concrete products. Because of carefully chosen equipment and developed built-in boiler room schemes that adhere to project specifications for materials and equipment, the boiler room’s thermal scheme is assembled on site.

The object’s customer or an installation company working under separate contract completes the task. A built-in apartment building’s roof boiler room layout consists of gas boilers with reserve capacity, pumping systems, ventilation and smoke extraction systems, chemical water treatment systems, instrumentation, and control systems.

These boiler rooms are typically installed in a matter of days, after which the boiler equipment must be adjusted and the boiler room must be approved for use.

Advantages and disadvantages

The primary benefit of the roof gas boiler room is its independence, which allows the house on which it is installed to receive direct heating and DHW supply. By reducing heat losses, this helps to bring the cost price per unit of heat energy, measured in KKg, down to the lowest possible level.

It is feasible to reach an agreement with an operating company that concurrently maintains multiple comparable facilities at the request of the client.

The beginning and end of the heating season are determined by need rather than by municipal authorities. Modern thermal process control systems ensure a high degree of operational safety.

Rooftop boilers come with several drawbacks:

• Restrictions on installation, such equipment can be installed in a house not higher than 9 floors.
• Increased vibration due to operation of circulation pumps, smoke pumps and fans.
• High price for project preparation, purchase of equipment and installation and construction works. Depending on the capacity and completeness, the approximate investment in such a heat supply scheme will be 5 -18 mln. rub.

In the modern world, where sustainability and energy efficiency are top priorities, roof boiler rooms are an excellent choice for home heating. When compared to conventional boiler setups, these innovative and small systems have several advantages. The boiler’s placement on the roof frees up valuable interior space, enabling the living areas to be used more effectively. Furthermore, roof boiler rooms increase overall energy efficiency by reducing heat loss via the distribution system. Design standards guarantee the structural soundness and compliance with safety regulations of these installations. For homeowners seeking to improve comfort while cutting energy costs, roof boiler rooms offer a viable alternative because of their space-saving construction and energy-saving features.

Requirements for houses

Such boilers may be mounted on building ceilings, with the exception of structures classified as A and B for fire and explosion hazards. It is not permitted to place them directly on the ceiling slab. 3.0 MW is the maximum allowable heat capacity of CCg for residential buildings, and 5.0 MW for commercial buildings.

It is not permitted to install rooftop heat sources in the following ways:

1. The height of the boiler room together with the object can not exceed 26.5 m, which is equal to a 9-storey model house.
2. The dimensions of the furnace room must not be larger than the house plan.
3. It is not allowed to increase the width of the walls, and it is not allowed to retrofit the roof to reduce the load on the basic load-bearing structures.

Thermal equipment installation is only done after project expertise.

Requirements to the roof for the possibility of installation

Direct access to the roof is required when constructing boiler rooms of this kind. A marching staircase must be used to get from the house’s entrance to the boiler room. There should be a 1-meter walkway with a railing height of at least 0.9 meters if the house’s roof slopes more than 10%.

Building materials that are resistant to fire are required for gangways and handrails. The roof load calculation must not be exceeded by the boiler equipment’s total load.

The boiler building’s location needs to take into account the unique stresses incorporated into the house’s design as well as the wind loads in the location’s climate zone.

Design standards for gas-fired rooftop boilers

Companies with the necessary licenses for the relevant type of work should design KKG. Prior to approval, the project needs to be coordinated by the operating organizations that issued the technical specifications during the design process, the Sanitary and Epidemiological Facility, the architectural supervision, and the fire inspection.

Given the high cost of boiler room design services, payment for completed work should be made after project coordination and approval with all relevant regulatory bodies. This will only be feasible if the design documentation conforms with VSN, SNIP, and boiler equipment operating guidelines.

The KKg’s floor is constructed with waterproof material that can withstand water floods up to 100 mm high. In order to allow for natural lighting, window openings are installed at a ratio of at least 0.05 m2 per 1 m3 of the entire volume of the heat supply object.

The in-home heating and ventilation networks’ piping scheme is implemented in accordance with the dependent scheme via the heat energy supply mixing unit, and the district heating and cooling system – in accordance with the closed scheme via the heat exchanger unit.

There is a separate commercial heat energy metering unit for each facade where the heating systems are located. To supply soft water to the boiler and heating circuit, a chemical water treatment system needs to be installed in the boiler room. In order to keep the heating surfaces from scaling, these conditions are met.

Which boilers to use

Automated hot water boilers that can heat water to 95 degrees Celsius and 1.0 MPa of pressure are used as KKG’s heat energy sources.

For instance, the 1050 kW modular boiler room ARGUS TM-1000.00.PR.10 is outfitted with:

1. Gas boiler PROTHERM 120 SOO with a capacity of 105 kW and efficiency -90%, 10 units.
2. Pump group with centrifugal pump WILO HWJ 202 EM 20L.
3. Expansion membrane tank REFLEX N 200/6.
4. Automation and regulation system.
5. Instrumentation group and primary sensors.
6. Chemical water treatment unit.
7. Smoke ventilation system.

How to bring in the gas

The maximum gas pressure in the KKG gas pipeline should be 5 kPa.

The gas pipeline’s external wiring to the boilers is installed in locations that will facilitate future maintenance and eliminate the chance of a rupture. It is prohibited to connect additional customers to this gas pipeline.

The gas line must not go through windows, doors, or ventilation systems. The boiler room’s internal gas pipeline ought to be exposed, and control and technical inspection of the automatics and safety devices should be possible without restriction.

Before ignition devices, on purging gas pipelines and drainage connections, shut-off and regulating devices are installed on gas pipelines at the boiler room inlet, at each boiler unit branch, and before ignition devices.

Additionally, a safety shut-off valve (SHV) with an electromagnetic actuator is installed in the safety system on the gas line to perform gas cutoff in an emergency.

Power supply to the roof

KKG’s electrical equipment is subject to the PUE as a component of the second category of electrical supply reliability.

The building should have a grounding system for gas pipelines and lightning protection. All premises lighting needs to be in accordance with SNiP 23-05-95. Automatic protection against overheating and network overloads is required for electrical equipment.

In the event that the primary device fails, the power supply scheme should enable the backup electrical equipment, such as the smoke evacuator, pump, and fan, to be turned on.

When an emergency arises due to high gas pressure, flame detachment from the burner, gassiness in the boiler room, low furnace draught, high coolant temperature, or coolant pressure, safety automatics should make sure that the gas supply to the boiler is shut off.

Fire safety

A CCG in a multi-story building must adhere to several crucial fire safety regulations, including:

1. It is prohibited to locate the boiler room directly above the apartments.
2. Boiler facility is categorized as class "G" explosion and fire hazard.
3. The ceiling height of the facility must be higher than 2.65 м.
4. Door width more than 0.8 м.
5. Fire partitions shall be installed in the building.
6. The room must have a separate emergency exit.
7. The facility shall be equipped with fire protection sound and light alarms and emergency fire extinguishing systems.

Commissioning of the boiler house

PTE establishes the process for accepting a boiler house situated atop a roof. The boiler room’s primary commissioning stages are as follows:

1. Project development.
2. Approval of the executed project and its coordination with municipal profile departments – architecture and housing and communal services.
3. Performance of technical expertise.
4. Purchase of equipment and materials according to specification section and materials.
5. Manufacturing of the boiler room and its installation on the roof of the building.
6. Carrying out adjustment works of boiler equipment.
7. Establishment of a commission to accept the boiler room into operation. The commission should include representatives of the customer, design and installation organization, gorgas, as well as municipal departments for capital construction, housing and utilities, sanitary and fire inspection.
8. After the act is signed by all members of the commission, the gas supplying organization shall issue an operating permit.

Roof boiler rooms are an attractive option for homeowners trying to maximize their heating systems because of their many advantages. Because the boiler is located on the roof, valuable interior space is conserved, giving homeowners greater freedom in terms of layout and use of their space. Furthermore, the installation of a roof boiler room can improve safety by reducing the possibility of flooding or leaks causing water damage, which is a common worry with installations located below grade.

The capacity of roof boiler rooms to increase energy efficiency is one of their main benefits. Over time, lower energy consumption and lower heating costs can be achieved by positioning the boiler closer to the point of heat distribution, which minimizes heat loss during transportation. The design guidelines that control the building of roof boiler rooms, which guarantee ideal insulation and ventilation for optimum performance, further increase this efficiency.

For roof boiler rooms to be effective and long-lasting, design guidelines must be followed. These standards cover a wide range of topics, such as sufficient ventilation to maintain optimal air quality and combustion, appropriate insulation to prevent heat loss, and structural integrity to withstand weather conditions like wind and precipitation. Following these guidelines gives homeowners peace of mind by ensuring the boiler operates efficiently and improving safety and durability.

Moreover, roof boiler rooms provide a space-saving option that is particularly advantageous in urban settings where available square footage is limited. Homeowners can optimize the efficiency of their heating systems without compromising valuable indoor living space by making use of the frequently underutilized space on their roof. Roof boiler rooms are a desirable option for a variety of residential properties, including single-family homes and multi-unit buildings, due to their versatility.

The benefits of roof boiler rooms are evident, to sum up: they maximize space utilization, improve energy efficiency, and provide a reliable and secure heating option for residential buildings. Through adherence to established design standards and utilization of rooftop installation benefits, homeowners can minimize their environmental impact while enjoying dependable and economical heating throughout the year. When designed and installed correctly, roof boiler rooms are a cutting-edge solution for home heating that satisfies contemporary requirements.

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