Application Note 3

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SYSTEMS INC.
#205-19138 26th Ave, Surrey, B.C. V3S 3V7 Phone: (604) 584-4747
email:flame@iris-systems.com Fax: (604) 581-9790
Web site:www.iris-systems.com

APPLICATION NOTE #003

Discrimination within burner or zone

Fuel flame discrimination within a burner or a zone

What is in NFPA85-2007?
Depending upon type of igniters (Class 1, 2 or 3 or 3 special), flame scanner loop required per burner is
different.
Note that for multiple fuel systems, there is no requirement to discriminate between different fuel
flames within the same burner.
Zone is defined by boiler manufacturer. For example B&W used to make boilers with a single igniter
located between two burners. Two burners with single igniter were classified as a Zone. The same
holds true for “T” fired unit – combination oil and coal or oil and gas and gas and coal burners are
classified by boiler manufacturer as a single zone.

Like all recommendation and codes NFPA 85 only includes the minimum requirements. Exclusions are
not listed. Exclusions are automatic by not having requirements listed in the NFPA85-2007.

General (Reference NFPA85 -2007)

1. Refer to page 25 section 4.6.4.2.5 applies to all gas, oil and coal fuel firing.
a. 4.6.4.2.5.3 – if burner is already in service, “no flame” detected condition (safe start) is
not required. Although not specifically mentioned, the same will apply when second and
additional fuels are introduced to the same burner/zone.
b. 4.6.4.2.5.5 And 4.6.2.5.5.6 – When boiler load has reached to a point where individual
burner or zone flame discrimination is impossible, the requirement for each zone flame
proven is waived.

2. Refer to page 16 section 3.3.84

In this section igniters are classified as Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 or Special Class 3.
First thing you need to identify type of igniter used
a. Class 1 igniters does not require main flame supervision
b. Class 2 igniters requires minimum two flame scanners
c. Class 3 igniters requires minimum one flame scanner that can be used for igniter and
main fuels (Oil, gas or coal).
Application Note 3
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Single Burners with multiple fuels

1. Refer to page 27 section 5.3.4

a. 5.3.4.1.1.1 Class 1 igniter only igniter or main flame (single or any combination of
fuels) requires to be proven.
b. 5.3.4.1.1.2 Class 2 will require two flame scanners, one for igniter and one for main
flame (single or any combination of fuels) is required.
c. 5.3.4.1.1.3 Class 3 only one flame scanner is required to prove igniter and main fuels.
Refer to 5.3.4.1.1.3 – C “by a flame scanner”
2. Refer to page 29 sections 5.3.7 – important information to keep in mind when designing BMS.
FFRT maximum 4 seconds, Valve shutoff less than 1 second and use of non self checking
system must recycle every 24 hours.
3. Refer to page 39 sections 5.6.2 (h) – note detector(s) meaning it could be a single flame scanner
that will monitor igniter, gas firing, oil firing and combined gas and oil firing. Different flame
detector for different fuels is not a requirement.
4. Refer to page 39 sections 5.6.2 (I) – This paragraph states that you may use multiple detectors
for multiple fuels. (This allows for use of UV or IR or combination UV/IR for oil and gas
firing).

For multiple burners boilers

1. Refer to page 53 Section 6.6.4 for number of flame scanner loops required for Class 1, 2, 3 and
Special Class 3 igniters. Requirements are similar to single burner i.e. minimum one scanner
loop for Class 1, Class 3 and Class 3 special and minimum 2 scanner loops for Class 2.
2. Section 6.6.4.3 Loss of flame indication on an operating burner or “flame envelope” shall close
the safety shutoff valve to that burner or “flame envelope” and initiate an alarm that warns the
operator.
3. NFPA 85 6.7.4.1- Each burner shall be supervised individually, and upon detection of loss of a
burner flame, that individual burner safety shutoff valve be automatically closed. Note- code
requires monitoring loss of all flames in burner and not individual fuel flames. 6.7.4.3 is the
similar statement

Conclusion

The intent of the flame detection is to prove that there is a flame in the envelope or zone, It is
not necessary to prove individual fuel flames in envelope/zone. There are no optical flame
sensors in market place that will provide consistent and satisfactory discrimination between
different fuel flames in envelope/zone.

Last updated Feb 12/2011