A burner is a device or tool designed to combust gas or oil in a controlled manner, producing heat for a specific purpose. In the construction industry, burners appear in two main contexts: as components in heating systems (boilers and furnaces) and as handheld tools for roofing and waterproofing work.
Burners in heating systems
A boiler burner mixes fuel — natural gas, propane, or oil — with air and ignites the mixture in a combustion chamber. The heat produced is transferred to water or air for space heating, domestic hot water, or industrial processes. Modern burners are designed for high efficiency and low emissions. Key types include:
- Atmospheric burner — draws combustion air naturally from the surrounding space. Simple design, found in older gas boilers.
- Fan-assisted (forced draught) burner — uses a fan to supply air, allowing more precise control of the fuel-air ratio and higher efficiency.
- Condensing burner — extracts additional heat from flue gases by cooling them until water vapour condenses, achieving efficiencies above 90%.
- Oil burner — atomises liquid fuel into a fine spray before igniting it. Common in areas without a gas network.
Burners as roofing tools
In flat roofing, a propane-powered roofing torch (also called a roofing burner) is used to melt the bitumen layer on the underside of roofing felt or membrane rolls. The roofer heats the material with the flame until the bitumen becomes fluid, then rolls it onto the substrate to create a watertight bond. This technique is called torch-on roofing.
Safety is paramount when using a roofing burner, as the open flame poses a fire risk to the building and surrounding materials.
Application in construction
Burners are encountered at nearly every stage of a building’s life — from torch-on roofing membranes during construction to the boiler burner that heats the finished building. Selecting the right burner type and fuel affects energy efficiency, running costs, and environmental impact.
Related terms
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