Please warn me about disconnecting gas, etc ...

16 years ago

In about 10 days I am to remove an industrial gas-fired pan washer (LVO brand, used in a bakery) and would appreciate advice, warnings, better-be-carefuls from experienced people.

It appears to be straightforward: turn off the gas, electric, and water and separate the lines at the unions, disconnect the electric at the interior box. Everything has been professionally installed and maintained since the unit was installed about 21 years ago. It looks like a very quick and simple deal.

But then I imagine things like the gas failing to shut off completely or the copper water line twisting instead of loosening properly, or there being a capacitor that holds power and gives me a jolt ... you get the idea.

Professionals will be installing the new one, and I want to be sure that I don't cause them any problems. I get to do this in hopes of saving the company a few bucks and in return I get salvage of the washer (stockpiling the nearly new motor, pump and gas burner for replacement parts). Since it's all stainless, brass, bronze, and copper I might make wages in the deal. We'll see.

Should mention it is a two-phase circuit, draws 54 amps! Gas line must be 2" OD and water supply is 3/4" copper

So your advice and "Worse case scenarios" are welcome. I appreciate anyone who can share their wisdom.

Best regards,

Mark

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Comments (10)

brickeyee
16 years ago
Even if valves fail to close completley, simply capping the line will normally solve the problem.

Have caps and fitting to cap for both the water and gas lines.

Test all electric lines after switching the circuit off to ensure no voltage is present.
DO NOT just meter across the lines, bet check to a KNOWN ground on ALL lines.
marknmt
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, Brickeye.

That's good advice and i'll take it.

Best regards,

Mark
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lazypup
16 years ago
When disconnecting a gas appliance I prefer to turn the appliance on and make sure the burner is lit, then turn the gas supply valve off. In this manner the burner will consume the major portion of any residual gas in the line. If the burner fails to burn out within a short time it is indicating the gas valve is not turning off correctly, in which case you would need to turn off a zone valve or the main gas valve and watch the burner flame as before. When the burner flame goes completely out it will be safe to disconnect the pipes.
marknmt
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Lazypup. That's one of those "I should have thought of that" things.

Exactly the kind of things I needed to know about. Thanks again to you both.

Best again,

Mark
mike_73
16 years ago
running the burner is a great idea. I recently disconnected a gas line to a stove and didn't do that in hind sight I know I should have. the mer captain in natural gas that makes it stink lingered some time even though there was no leak.
lazypup
16 years ago
I forgot to mention, if you are changing out a water heater to start the burner you can turn the thermostat up to its highest setting. If the thermostat is already at the highest setting you then run hot water until the burner comes on.
brickeyee
16 years ago
I have only had a couple valves fail to close enough to kill a flame.
I have had a lot of valves slowly leak when they are closed, but not enough to allow a burner flame.

Burning off the gas is better, and being sure you have a way to cap the line if the valve still leaks beats allowing even a small leak that may persist until new equipment is installed closing the system again.
marknmt
Original Author
16 years ago
There's no substitute for experience. I'm indebted to people who know what they're talking about and are also willing to talk about it!..

:-)M
brickeyee
16 years ago
It actually does not take much force to seal off a typical residential gas line.

Even in emergencies the gas company simply drives a plastic plug into the open end of the line (used to use wood).

If I am worried about a valve sealing I place a plastic bag over the open pipe end (a good idea anyway to keep debris and dust out) with a tight rubber band.
After an hour or so if the bag shows ANY inflation I assume the valve is leaking and cap the line solidly.
marknmt
Original Author
16 years ago
I did remove that pan washer today and things went pretty well. Had some trouble getting it out the door until somebody pointed out that the legs were screwed in and could be removed with a pipe wrench- I thought they were welded and was looking for a sawzall ... Also got a lesson in "looking up": I neglected to removed the ventilation stack and it complained some when I started rolling out the washer on a pallet jack. If it hadn't been for cleaning up the awful mess under the old machine it would have been about an hour's work.

New machine is almost identical to the old one- ran us $12,000 and should last until I retire and then some.

Thanks again for the advice. It came in very handy.

Best regards,

Mark

Please warn me about disconnecting gas, etc ...

Comments (10)

brickeyee

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Please warn me about disconnecting gas, etc ...

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brickeyee

marknmtOriginal Author

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CONNECT WITH US

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