As a young lad I was part of a 3 person team that cleared out a 12' x 18' breech for 4 running coal boilers at a NYS institution. The insulation inside the breach has collapsed and was causing soot to accumulate to the point where draft was severely compromised. We had to do this work live, by first installing a temporary fan a stack. That is the dirtiest job I ever did, but I got paid union wages which was a lot for a young lad fresh out of high school.
![Wingdale powerplant.jpg Wingdale powerplant.jpg](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/317/317147-31debe6d36985256f64af5e1e1e3bb5f.jpg)
The breech enters the chimney at 45' above ground. We hauled up 8'x12' sheets of steel up the interior of the stack for the repair. It cured my fear of heights that summer.
![Wingdale powerplant.jpg Wingdale powerplant.jpg](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/317/317147-31debe6d36985256f64af5e1e1e3bb5f.jpg)
The breech enters the chimney at 45' above ground. We hauled up 8'x12' sheets of steel up the interior of the stack for the repair. It cured my fear of heights that summer.