What Is A Boiler Room?

Sep 27

A boiler room is an industrial or commercial space that houses boilers used for heating and cooling processes. Boilers produce heat by transferring thermal energy from a fuel into a liquid medium capable of holding that thermal energy, then releasing it back into the medium in a process called heat exchange. They are the most common form of heating and cooling in buildings; almost every building has at least one. Boiler rooms are industrial spaces with narrow passageways between boilers that are typically mounted on metal frames to allow them to be easily moved up and down along the passageways depending on which boiler they need to operate. The primary function of a boiler room is to house large quantities of boilers so they can be operated efficiently without having to be serviced frequently due to repair and maintenance costs. Normally there will only be a few boilers inside each boiler room, meaning these spaces have less natural sunlight than other parts of the building. This means any lighting needs to be provided using artificial light sources such as lamps or specialist light fittings. There may also only be small windows in the walls, which provides poor views for occupants if windows are present at all.

Types Of Boiler Rooms

The most common type of boiler room is one that houses boilers for heating and air conditioning for a single building. It is also possible to have a boiler room that services multiple buildings from a single site by providing pipework and boilers on the outside of the building, connecting to the inside via an adjoining shaft. There are also boiler rooms that operate industrial boilers such as those used in steel mills or chemical plants. In these cases, the space will typically be thought of more as a plant than as a boiler room because it may house large quantities of other equipment such as control valves and pumps. 

What To Look For When Searching For A Boiler Room

When searching for a boiler room, it can be difficult to find one that will suit your needs. For example:

  • The amount of natural light in a room
  • The size of the room
  • The number of boilers inside
  • Construction materials used (steel, concrete, brick)
  • How well lit the boiler rooms are

Most importantly, look for the number of boilers a boiler room can house and what those boilers are capable of producing. This is because boilers require enough space to be able to operate efficiently, but not so much that they take up too much space and create congestion.

Signs You've Found The Right Boiler Room

The following are two indicators that you have found the right boiler room:

  1. There is a door with a sign on it saying “Boiler Room” and no other signs of occupation.
  2. The area smells slightly like hot metal or burning coal, which is indicative of a boiler room. A common mistake people make when seeking out a boiler room is not verifying that there is one present in their building or looking for any signs to indicate its presence. If you do come across an unmarked door and the area smells faintly of hot metal or burning coal, it’s likely that you have found the right building.

Benefits Of Choosing A Boiler Room Space

Boiler rooms are typically located in industrial areas such as manufacturing plants or large office buildings. This creates a clean and industrialized working environment, which is probably the main benefit of choosing this type of space for your business. The other benefits include:

  • Large amounts of natural light, meaning low energy bills
  • Efficiency and cost effectiveness, making it an attractive option for businesses
  • Flexibility of use, meaning you can change the layout to suit your needs quickly
  • Direct access to the area, meaning easy accessibility and no need for elevators or escalators to climb over each other

Cons Of Choosing A Boiler Room Space

A boiler room is a dark, dingy and noisy space. Plus, the lack of natural light means it can be difficult for occupants to find their way around at night when working late. If you need to renovate your building, or want to relocate the boiler room, it can be expensive because of the size of space and the level of complexity associated with this type of heating and cooling system. Additionally, if your business is located in a busy place then it may not make sense to locate your boiler room there as it will be hard to get around without being seen. For example, some businesses choose to have their boilers in a basement so they are not visible from outside but still able to operate efficiently without having to go through building access points. So if you're considering choosing a boiler room space for your business, think about whether it's really worth all the cons before making a decision.

Summary

Boiler rooms are industrial or commercial spaces that house boilers used for heating and cooling processes. Boilers produce heat by transferring thermal energy from a fuel into a liquid medium capable of holding that thermal energy, then releasing it back into the medium in a process called heat exchange. They are the most common form of heating and cooling in buildings; almost every building has at least one. Boiler rooms house large quantities of boilers to allow them to be operated efficiently without having to be serviced frequently due to repair and maintenance costs. Normally there will only be a few boilers inside each boiler room, meaning these spaces have less natural sunlight than other parts of the building. This means any lighting needs to be provided using artificial light sources such as lamps or specialist light fittings. There may also only be small windows in the walls, which provides poor views for occupants if windows are present at all.