How To Handle Furnace Puffback in Your Building

7/3/2020 (Permalink)

Puffback damage in a Wyncote, PA building

When a furnace misfires, smoke, and soot can be released throughout your building. This puffback damage can cause serious destruction to your commercial property in Wyncote, PA. You may be tempted to try cleaning the debris yourself, but it is imperative to call a fire damage assessment professional right away.

What Causes Puffback?

An oil furnace that isn’t operating correctly can leave un-burned oil on the floor and other surfaces. If this oil is ignited, it can cause an explosion.
Common causes of un-burned oil include:

Leaks in the piping - Heating oil can drip from leaking pipes when the furnace isn’t running, creating air bubbles in the pipes. When the furnace starts running again, the extra air compresses and pushes additional un-burned oil out of burner nozzle, causing a furnace puffback explosion.
Problems with the burner shutdown - If the oil burner doesn’t operate correctly during shutdown, oil can leak out of the burner nozzle.
Insufficient maintenance - If a burner isn’t maintained properly, dirt can prevent oil from combusting properly in the fire chamber. It’s critical to have a professional maintain your furnace at least once a year to reduce the risk of malfunction.

How Is Damage From Puffback Removed?
Since soot from puffback damage is sticky and contains oil, it is very difficult to clean. Soot can work its way into the ductwork and spread throughout the entire property. For these reasons, the damage should always be handled by a professional.
The trained technician will first assess the damage to ensure that the entire area is addressed safely and thoroughly. The professional team will remove the soot and smoke from all structures and surfaces using advanced techniques and equipment. The area is sanitized and deodorized to remove contaminants and odors. Restoration can take place once all surfaces are completely cleaned and sanitized.
If you are dealing with puffback damage in your building, call a professional to ensure you get your business back to normal as soon as possible.