Predictika · Commercial cast iron boilers

An AI sales agent's boiler order, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares an order for a commercial cast iron water boiler from public product documents, choosing the size, fuel, controls and burner for a building. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of those documents and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Burnham V9A cast iron water boilers (V903A to V912A, gas or oil): sizing against the load, vent, required controls, code controls, flooring and burner adapter plate. See everything this validator covers

This validator models orders for the Burnham V9A cast iron water boiler (sizes V903A to V912A, on gas or oil), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Sizing and vent — the ratings table gives gross output, net AHRI output, vent diameter and water content for each size and fuel; the heating load is compared with the net output, a vent smaller than the table size is rejected, and a stated net output that disagrees with the table is rejected.
  • Controls — a low water cut-off and second limit are required with each boiler, a float-type cut-off needs TC-4 test-n-check valves, and FM or CSD-1 approval on inputs above 400 MBH needs a manual-reset limit and a manual-reset low water cut-off.
  • Installation and burner — V9A boilers are not suitable for installation on combustible flooring, and burner adapter plates exist for Beckett, Carlin, Riello, Power Flame and Webster burners only, so any other burner goes to a person.

Any order for this boiler family that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (no reliable public price list could be read, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), steam boilers, gas/oil combination burners, relief valve and tankless heater options, other Burnham boiler series, altitude derating, and local code requirements.

The AI sales agentBuilds the boiler order from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
A net output that depends on size and fuelOnly with care
The ratings table has a different value for each size and fuel, so it takes a lookup per combination and a comparison with the heating load.		Size, fuel and the load travel in one request; the net output is looked up and compared on every call.
Required controls that depend on the jobOnly with workarounds
Float cut-offs, code approvals and the input threshold interact, so the rules multiply and are easy to miss when a control is added.		The controls, the code requirement and the size are all part of the request, and every rule is checked on every call.
A stated net output that disagrees with the tableOnly with workarounds
The figure the agent states is free text or a separate field, so it takes an extra rule that compares it with the table value.		The stated figure is part of the request and is compared with the table figure on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the order is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1The heating load is 293 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 292 MBH.
2The heating load is 444 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 443 MBH.
3The heating load is 612 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 611 MBH.
4The heating load is 765 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 764 MBH.
5The heating load is 907 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 906 MBH.
6The heating load is 1,050 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 1,049 MBH.
7The heating load is 1,224 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 1,223 MBH.
8The heating load is 1,392 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 1,391 MBH.
9The heating load is 1,617 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 1,616 MBH.
10The heating load is 1,730 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 1,729 MBH.
11The vent is 6 inches; the ratings table lists a 7 inch vent diameter for this model.
12The vent is 7 inches; the ratings table lists an 8 inch vent diameter for this model.
13The vent is 8 inches; the ratings table lists a 10 inch vent diameter for this model.
14The vent is 10 inches; the ratings table lists a 12 inch vent diameter for this model.
15The order has no low water cut-off and second limit; the price list notes require them with each boiler (they may be supplied by others).
16A float low water cut-off is on the order without TC-4 test-n-check valves; the price list notes require the valves with a float cut-off.
17FM or CSD-1 approval is required on a boiler with an input above 400 MBH, and the order has no manual-reset limit and manual-reset low water cut-off.
18The boiler is to stand on combustible flooring; the price list notes say V9A boilers are not suitable for installation on combustible flooring.
19The price list notes say burner adapter plates are available for Beckett, Carlin, Riello, Power Flame and Webster burners only; another burner needs a field-supplied or fabricated plate, so a person should confirm.
20The order states a net output of 500 MBH; the ratings table gives 590 MBH for this model and fuel.
21The order states a net output of 611 MBH; the ratings table gives 590 MBH for this model and fuel.
22The heating load is 900 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 443 MBH.
23The vent is 5 inches; the ratings table lists a 7 inch vent diameter for this model.
24The order states a net output of 900 MBH; the ratings table gives 443 MBH for this model and fuel.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Undersized boiler: V906A on a 1,100 MBH load with a 6 inch vent and a wrong stated output

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Burnham V906A gas-fired water boiler with a Beckett burner for a 1100 MBH load with a 6 inch vent, a probe-type low water cut-off, no FM or CSD-1 approval required, on noncombustible flooring, without manual-reset limit and low water cut-off, and a net output of 1100 MBH. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Load above the boiler net output. The heating load is 1,100 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 737 MBH.
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  • Vent smaller than the table size. The vent is 6 inches; the ratings table lists an 8 inch vent diameter for this model.
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  • Stated net output does not match. The order states a net output of 1,100 MBH; the ratings table gives 737 MBH for this model and fuel.
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2. Undersized boiler: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Burnham V910A gas-fired water boiler with a Beckett burner for a 1100 MBH load with a 6 inch vent, a probe-type low water cut-off, no FM or CSD-1 approval required, on noncombustible flooring, without manual-reset limit and low water cut-off, and a net output of 1391 MBH. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Vent smaller than the table size. The vent is 6 inches; the ratings table lists a 10 inch vent diameter for this model.
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3. Undersized boiler: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Burnham V910A gas-fired water boiler with a Beckett burner for a 1100 MBH load with a 10 inch vent, a probe-type low water cut-off, no FM or CSD-1 approval required, on noncombustible flooring, without manual-reset limit and low water cut-off, and a net output of 1391 MBH. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Boiler summary. Net AHRI output 1,391 MBH, gross output 1,600 MBH, vent diameter 10 inches and water content 129 gallons for this model and fuel.
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4. Code controls: CSD-1 job on a V909A with a float cut-off and no manual-reset controls

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Burnham V909A oil-fired water boiler with a Beckett burner for a 1100 MBH load with a 10 inch vent, a float low water cut-off, FM or CSD-1 approval required, on noncombustible flooring, without manual-reset limit and low water cut-off, and a net output of 1266 MBH. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Float cut-off without TC-4 valves. A float low water cut-off is on the order without TC-4 test-n-check valves; the price list notes require the valves with a float cut-off.
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  • Manual-reset controls missing for FM or CSD-1. FM or CSD-1 approval is required on a boiler with an input above 400 MBH, and the order has no manual-reset limit and manual-reset low water cut-off.
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5. Code controls: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Burnham V909A oil-fired water boiler with a Beckett burner for a 1100 MBH load with a 10 inch vent, a float low water cut-off with TC-4 valves, FM or CSD-1 approval required, on noncombustible flooring, with manual-reset limit and low water cut-off, and a net output of 1266 MBH. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Boiler summary. Net AHRI output 1,266 MBH, gross output 1,456 MBH, vent diameter 10 inches and water content 120 gallons for this model and fuel.
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6. Floor and burner: V908A on a combustible floor with a non-standard burner

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Burnham V908A gas-fired water boiler with a non-standard burner for a 950 MBH load with a 10 inch vent, a probe-type low water cut-off, no FM or CSD-1 approval required, on combustible flooring, without manual-reset limit and low water cut-off, and a net output of 1012 MBH. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Combustible flooring. The boiler is to stand on combustible flooring; the price list notes say V9A boilers are not suitable for installation on combustible flooring.
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  • Burner without a factory adapter plate. The price list notes say burner adapter plates are available for Beckett, Carlin, Riello, Power Flame and Webster burners only; another burner needs a field-supplied or fabricated plate, so a person should confirm.
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7. Floor and burner: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Burnham V908A gas-fired water boiler with a Webster burner for a 950 MBH load with a 10 inch vent, a probe-type low water cut-off, no FM or CSD-1 approval required, on noncombustible flooring, without manual-reset limit and low water cut-off, and a net output of 1012 MBH. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Boiler summary. Net AHRI output 1,012 MBH, gross output 1,164 MBH, vent diameter 10 inches and water content 111 gallons for this model and fuel.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares an order for a commercial cast iron water boiler from public product documents, choosing the size, fuel, controls and burner for a building. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of those documents and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote a Burnham V906A gas-fired water boiler. It is ready to send. The rest of the request is on screen.
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  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with three findings, all in one answer. The heating load is 1,100 MBH; this model on this fuel has a net AHRI output of 737 MBH. The vent is 6 inches; the ratings table lists an 8 inch vent diameter for this model. The order states a net output of 1,100 MBH; the ratings table gives 737 MBH for this model and fuel.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned three blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for a stated net output that disagrees with the table, a rules-based CPQ can do this only with workarounds.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the model to V910A and the stated net output as to 1,391 MBH.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Still blocked, with one finding, all in one answer. The vent is 6 inches; the ratings table lists a 10 inch vent diameter for this model.
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  12. Two findings cleared. Still blocking: vent smaller than the table size.
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  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the vent diameter to 10 inches.
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  15. It calls the validator once more.
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  16. This time the validator clears it.
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  17. The earlier finding is cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  18. Three problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    19.