A reheat furnace running at full temperature and a slab yard stacked with tonnes of steel don't leave much margin for a missed check. A misaligned charging table jams a slab mid-transfer, a blocked skid pipe leaves black marks across an entire heat, and a hairline refractory crack turns into a forced shutdown. This checklist covers what to verify across the slab yard, the furnace, and the exit conveyors. Sign up to turn this checklist into a guided digital procedure your crew follows on every shift.
2 Critical Zones
Slab yard handling and the furnace itself, each with its own failure points
Every Charge
How often slab ID and charging table alignment should be verified
Zero Tolerance
Room for skipping skid pipe cooling or refractory checks under production pressure
Why These Checks Can't Wait For The Next Outage
A reheat furnace runs continuously for months at a time, so small issues in the slab yard or on the walking beam don't get caught until they show up as scale, skid marks, or an uneven heat further down the line. Checking the same points on the same schedule is what keeps a defect from reaching the rolling mill.
Slab Yard Inspection
Slab Identification & Traceability
Confirm slab ID marks match the production schedule before a slab is picked for charging
Charging Crane & Magnet Check
Verify magnet crane load rating against slab weight before every lift, not just at shift start
Charging Table Alignment
Check charging table rollers and pusher alignment so the slab enters the furnace mouth square
Turn This Checklist Into A Digital Routine
Oxmaint guides your crew through slab yard and furnace inspections step by step, with photo proof and sign-off logged against each asset. Sign up for a free trial to build your inspection routine, or book a demo to see it in action.
Reheat Furnace Inspection
Walking Beam Stroke & Lift Check
Verify hydraulic stroke length and lift height are within spec so slab advance stays consistent
Skid Pipe & Cooling Water Check
Confirm skid pipe cooling water flow and pressure are steady to prevent skid marks on the slab underside
Burner & Refractory Inspection
Check burner flame pattern and refractory lining for hot spots or cracking across each heating zone
Discharge Conveyors & Exit Checks
Conveyor Roller & Drive Check
Verify rollers turn freely and drive chains hold proper tension before the slab reaches the discharge table
Discharge Table Alignment
Check discharge table alignment so the slab exits square and on-line to the rolling mill
What A Skipped Check Can Cost You
| Check Skipped |
Likely Consequence |
| Skid pipe cooling check |
Black skid marks across the slab surface, leading to downgraded or rejected coils |
| Walking beam stroke check |
Uneven slab advance through the furnace, causing an inconsistent heat pattern |
| Charging table alignment |
Slab jams or misfeeds at the furnace mouth, stopping the charging sequence |
| Refractory inspection |
A hot spot burns through the lining, forcing an unplanned furnace shutdown |
Where A CMMS Fits Into Slab Yard & Furnace Checks
Oxmaint ties this checklist to the furnace and yard equipment as assets, logging charging table alignment, cooling water pressure, and refractory condition against each zone so trends are visible before a defect reaches the mill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q
What causes skid marks on a reheat furnace slab?
Skid marks form where cooling water in the skid pipes runs low or uneven, leaving cooler contact points on the slab underside that show up as dark bands after rolling.
Q
How often should furnace refractory be inspected?
Refractory should be visually checked at every shift changeover, with a closer inspection during scheduled outages so hairline cracks are caught before they widen into hot spots.
Q
Can a CMMS track slab yard and furnace inspections together?
Yes, a CMMS can log slab yard cranes, charging tables, and furnace zones as linked assets, so inspection history and trends are visible in one place instead of scattered logbooks.
Keep Every Slab Moving Safely From Yard To Mill
Oxmaint guides your crew through slab yard and reheat furnace inspections and logs charging table, skid pipe, and refractory condition automatically. Sign up for a free trial to build your inspection checklist, or book a demo to see it in action.
