Question

How can I determine the appropriate size for a commercial boiler?

Answer 1

ASHRAE is the organization that publishes the standards by which heating equipment is sized and vented. They charge for their publications however.. . Talk with a reputable boiler manufacturer like Paterson Kelly or Hydrotherm and they will probably give you some guidelines for no charge.

Answer 2

don't mean to pry, but why would you be using a central plant on a mixed use multi-family project anyway? You wouldn't be able to individually meter.

Answer 3

I agree, talk to a manufacturer of "packaged boilers" and they will be glad to help you with sizing and physical dimensions.. . I believe Cleaver Brooks is another vendor that does small boilers.. . You could get a preliminary sort of estimate by estimating max steam use for each steam user (each space heating unit that uses steam, each hot water heater that uses steam, basically every place where a steam pipe stubs out). Add the max steam use of each user and that will give you a conservative estimate of the lbs/hr of steam you will need. This might help you with your discussion with the vendor.