He also stresses the importance of instituting a reporting system to keep tabs on the location, type, size, capacity, and condition of all traps in a steam system. He says that a steam system maintenance program should provide total-system training and include a reference manual written for plant personnel so they will have a reliable guide for the future. Ideally, the program will also include videotapes to illustrate troubleshooting techniques and applications. Agreeing with Loken, Paffell stresses the need for documentation. He says that for a maintenance management program to work, it is imperative to identify and document all components in both the steam system and the condensate return system.
Steam systems are often a maze of lines going in every direction.
He stresses that blueprints should depict the entire system, including boilers, main distribution lines, and the heat-transfer system. In addition, the locations of heat exchangers, steam traps and valves should be included for future surveys. He adds that all devices should be tagged with identifying numbers which are then recorded on a plant map. Finally, Paffel suggests that the most important aspect of a preventive maintenance program is and information system that allows analysis and extrapolation. This information should be stored for reporting and, more importantly, for analysis.