Feedwater  heater  pressure.  Indicates  whether  the proper deaerating temperature can be maintained in the heater. Feedwater   heater   temperature.   Shows   the effectiveness  of  the  feedwater  heater.  A  drop  in steam-supply   pressure   or   insufficient   venting   may cause low heater temperature. Feed pump pressure. Indicates the effectiveness of the boiler feed pumps. If the feedwater supply fails, the pressure reading enables the operator to determine whether  the  trouble  is  in  the  feed  pumps.  Pumps  are defective when the feed pump pressure reading is below normal. Last-pass  draft.  Indicates  the  actual  draft produced  by  the  stack  or  the  induced-draft  fan.  A decrease  in  the  last-pass  draft  with  other  conditions constant indicates leaking baffles. An increase shows gas passages are becoming clogged. Percent CO₂ flue gas. This value is a measure of relative quantities of air supplied with fuel. It is kept at a value that has been established as most satisfactory for the plant, fuel, firing rate, and other related factors. In plants  not  equipped  with  CO₂  recording  meters,  this value is determined with a hand gas analyzer. Flue gas temperature. Shows the quantity of heat leaving the boiler with flue gases. This heat represents a direct  energy  loss  in  fuel.  Dirty  heating  surfaces  or leakage  of  baffles  causes  high  flue  gas  temperatures. Excessive fouling of firesides of boilers increases draft loss,  while  leaking  baffles  decrease  draft  loss.  Either condition  raises  the  temperature  of  flue  gas  above normal. Fuel.  Fuel  oil  quantities  are  determined  by  the use of a measuring stick and tables supplied with a given tank. Some tanks are equipped with gauges to show the fuel  volume.  Always  determine  the  quantity  of  fuel used, as this represents a major operating cost. Outside temperature. The load on a heating plant is  greatly  influenced  by  outside  temperature.  Record this temperature for comparison with steam generated and fuel used. These comparative values are useful in finding abnormal fuel consumption and in estimating future requirements. Makeup water. Record the quantity of makeup water used to enable the operator to note an abnormal increase  before  a  dangerous  condition  develops.  Return all possible condensate to the boiler plant to save water and chemicals used to treat water. Water   pressure.   Indicates   whether   water   is sufficient. Hot-water  supply  temperature.  Insufficiently heated  water  can  cause  scaling  or  deposits  in  a boiler. Water  softeners.  Where  softeners  are  used,  a decrease in the quantity of time used for runs between regeneration indicates either an increase in hardness of incoming  water  or  a  deterioration  of  softening material. Total  and  average.  Space  is  provided  for recording the total and average quantities per shift. Steam  flowmeter.  The  steam  flowmeter integrator reading at the end of a shift and multiplied by the  meter  constant  gives  the  quantity  of  steam generated.  Dividing  steam  generated  by  fuel  burned (gallons of oil) yields a quantity that shows the economy obtained. If a plant does not have a steam flowmeter, pumps can be calibrated for flow and a record kept of their operating time or condensate and makeup water can be metered. Boiler feed pumps in service. Makes it possible to  determine  operating  hours  and  to  ensure  that  various pumps are used for equal lengths of service. Phosphate,  caustic  soda,  and  tannin  added.  Is valuable in keeping the correct boiler water analysis and in determining total chemicals used. Remarks. The Remarks column is used to record various  types  of  information  for  which  space  is  not provided  elsewhere  on  the  log  sheet.  Note  irregularities that  are  found  during  inspections,  dates  boilers  are drained and washed out, equipment to be checked daily, and so forth. Other  personnel.  Names  of  personnel responsible for specific tasks and data must be entered on the log sheet, if required. Q13.   Why   are   prewatch   assumption   checks performed? Q14.   What   is   the   next   step   after   completing preoperating checks? Q15. What is the first step to be taken when cutting in the  boiler? Q16.  What  are  the  two  major  responsibilities  of boiler  operators  during  normal  boiler operations? 2-24