Boiler Rental Emergency Plan: What To Do When Your Boiler Fails - The High Fire Podcast

When a boiler goes down, it never waits for a “convenient” time. It’s always nights, weekends, holidays, freezing weather—right when the pressure is highest. In this High Fire Podcast episode, Ritchie Ware sits down with WARE’s Rentals team to talk real outage stories, the rental boiler contingency plan every facility should have, and the practical details most people miss until it’s too late.

If you’re a facility manager, plant engineer, boiler operator, or maintenance lead, this one is your checklist episode.

Download WARE’s Rental Boiler Contingency Checklist (cheat sheet):
➡️ https://www.wareinc.com/boiler-rentals/rental-contingency-plan

Download WARE’s Full Rental Process Guide:
➡️ https://www.wareinc.com/uploads/media/WARE-Boiler-Rental-Process.pdf.pdf

Need emergency rental help or planning support?
➡️ WARE Rentals: Start the conversation at https://www.WAREinc.com

Need parts to keep your boiler room ready?
➡️ BoilerWAREhouse parts support: https://www.BoilerWarehouse.com


Chapters

00:00 — High Fire Podcast intro: “when everything goes sideways”
00:33 — Richie introduces the rentals team (Steven, Charlie, Alex)
02:59 — Dad jokes (because it’s mandatory)
04:22 — Why failures hit at the worst possible time
05:38 — WVU emergency steam crisis: two temporary plants, 24/7 response
08:14 — Surprise hazard: venting steam + black ice + police control
09:07 — Safety reality: students + steam lines (guarding the area)
10:50 — What it takes to build a temporary steam plant fast
11:15 — Winter rental setup basics: heat trace + insulation + shelter
14:05 — Drains, blowdown, and the “frozen lake” problem
15:45 — Moving big equipment fast (permits, governors, escorts)
17:22 — First call: what WARE needs from the customer immediately
19:27 — Give the customer tasks: inspector, install crew, forklifts, legal review
21:05 — Contingency planning before you need a boiler (utilities + hookups)
22:14 — Spotting the boiler: asphalt, mud, tunnels, underground tanks
23:07 — Real-world constraints you don’t expect (yes, even “don’t block the view”)
24:57 — Alex story: Thanksgiving emergency + site prep saves the day
27:32 — Jail hot-water deadline: “midnight evacuation” scenario
29:09 — Biggest lesson: don’t wait until the last minute
31:19 — Why equipment appearance matters in a crisis (confidence)
33:10 — Logistics trip-ups: permits, route changes, timing reality
37:33 — Power + gas requirements: pressure vs flow (and common mistakes)
39:41 — Why WARE brings the regulator station + proper spacing
41:33 — Trucking companies: why “boiler movers” are different
45:04 — Teardown checklist mistakes (stack down, drains, frozen softeners)
47:23 — Takeaways: do your homework + start early + be prepared
50:17 — Outro + checklist CTA

Questions this episode answers:

What is a boiler rental contingency plan?

What information do you need when calling for an emergency rental boiler?

How fast can a rental boiler be installed and started?

What utilities are required for a temporary rental boiler?

How do you winterize a temporary boiler installation outdoors?

Why does gas pressure look “fine” until you actually pull flow?

What site prep mistakes delay emergency boiler rentals?

Disclaimer: WARE’s videos and podcasts are for promotional/informational purposes only and are not professional advice. Consult licensed professionals and manufacturer specifications for your site.


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