Combustion tests assess the safety and efficiency of fuel-operated appliances, including vent systems and fuel lines. Technicians visually inspect equipment and ventilation systems, check air quality, and perform burn tests to evaluate fuel efficiency and air flow. High levels of CO or CO2 can occur in airtight buildings, and net chimney temperature is also evaluated.
A combustion test evaluates fuel-operated appliances to ensure efficient and safe operation. In addition to evaluating the overall operation of the appliance, combustion tests analyze the vent systems responsible for removing combustion products and any fuel lines supplying oil or gas to the appliance. Appliances tested include gas or oil burners, boilers and furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces. Certified technicians perform field combustion tests in residential, commercial and industrial environments.
Specially trained technicians begin a test burn by performing a visual inspection of the equipment. Visual inspections determine the general appearance of the appliance, looking for possible signs of malfunction. Ventilation systems, which require a particular location and configuration, are also visually inspected. Technicians can inspect fireplaces for signs of deterioration.
Technicians often check the air circulating around the appliance for any combustion emissions that are not properly vented. Electronic probes are used to analyze the air quality in the ventilation systems leaving the building and in the ducts that bring warm air into the building. Testers are used to check for fuel leaks around connections, valves, and lines running from the source to the appliance.
A burn test can reveal whether an appliance is burning fuel efficiently. Unburned fuel detected in the ventilation system indicates a malfunction or improper use. Inappropriate levels of oxygen (O2) or carbon dioxide (CO2) may indicate a problem with the vent hood or chimney. Evaluating the air quality in the device’s chambers determines if the device is getting sufficient airflow into the chambers and if the system is adequately removing CO2.
When checking the air quality in ducts entering a building, technicians check the levels of O2, CO2 and carbon monoxide (CO). CO levels that register more than 35 parts per million or CO2 entering a home or business can occur when homeowners create an airtight structure to save on cooling and heating costs. In the winter, an airtight building creates a vacuum or negative pressure environment. The back pressure draws harmful gases into the air instead of allowing them to escape through the ventilation system.
Net chimney temperature is another variable of a test burn. This number compares the temperature of the air flowing through the vents to the chimney with the ambient temperature outside the burner. Acceptable levels fall somewhere between 330 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit (160 to 260 degrees Celsius). Defective combustion chambers, soot formation or undersized furnaces often cause high temperatures.
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