If you rely on a boiler in your industrial business, you need to be prepared for emergency situations. Boiler emergencies can wreak havoc on your business. First, if your boiler goes down, you're without a critical piece of equipment. Second, boiler malfunctions can cause serious accidents and injuries, especially if you're not prepared. Here are three steps you need to take to get ready for a boiler emergency.

Understand the Warning Signs

If you have an industrial boiler on-site, you need to understand the warning signs of a pending emergency. Understanding the warning signs will allow you to react quickly when an emergency situation arises.

Gas Odors

Gas odors often accompany a boiler emergency. If you smell the scent of gas coming from your boiler, don't take it lightly. Call for emergency services immediately.

Loud Noises

Loud or unusual noises can be an indication that your boiler is about to fail. If you hear loud noises coming from your boiler, or noises that you've never heard before, contact your service provider right away.

Water Leaks

Water leaks are another sign of impending malfunction. If your boiler has begun to leak water, or you're noticing small puddles forming under the boiler, call for repairs.

Know Where the Connections Are Located

Boilers are complicated pieces of equipment. Knowledge about the connections should include both the internal and the external connections. You'll need to know where the internal connections are located so that you can shut down the system as quickly as possible. Knowledge of where the external connections are located will come in handy if you need to install a backup boiler while your main boiler is being repaired or replaced. Once you've located the connections, make sure they're marked for future reference. You'll also need to practice proper shutdown procedures with your crew. That way, they can react quickly in an emergency situation.

Know Who to Call for Emergency Services

If you're faced with a boiler emergency, you need to know who to call for services. You won't have time to look up a boiler repair service. You'll need to be able to call for emergency services as soon as the situation arises. The best way to do that is to write down the emergency contact information for your boiler repair service and then place that information in a central location. That way, you and your crew will be able to make immediate contact with your service provider.

For more information, contact a company that provides boiler services.