AF Form 1163: Daily High Temperature Water Plant Operating – US Air Force civil engineering teams and boiler plant operators rely on precise recordkeeping to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operation of high-temperature water (HTW) heating systems at bases across the United States. AF Form 1163, officially titled the Daily High Temperature Water Plant Operating Log, is the mandatory daily documentation tool for HTW plants operating at pressures greater than 160 psig.
Whether you’re a USAF boiler operator, facility manager, or contractor supporting military installations, this guide explains everything you need to know about AF Form 1163 — including its purpose, how to fill it out step by step, key calculations, regulatory requirements, and the direct official download link.
What Is AF Form 1163?
AF Form 1163 is a two-page official Air Force form (dated 8 February 2017) used exclusively for recording daily operating data from individual high-temperature water (HTW) generators. It captures real-time performance metrics that feed directly into the monthly summary on AF Form 1165.
Previous editions are obsolete. The form remains the current, prescribed version and is available as a fillable PDF directly from Air Force e-Publishing.
Purpose of the Daily High Temperature Water Plant Operating Log
The primary purpose of AF Form 1163 is to:
- Document hourly or per-visit operating data from permanently installed instrumentation on each HTW generator.
- Provide accurate data for calculating daily fuel input, heat output, overall plant efficiency, combustion efficiency, and makeup water percentage.
- Support the monthly AF Form 1165 summary and long-term performance trending.
- Ensure compliance with environmental air-quality permits and federal boiler regulations (including 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart JJJJJJ and DDDDD requirements).
Accurate daily logging helps identify efficiency losses, detect potential equipment issues early, optimize fuel consumption, and maintain safety in critical heating infrastructure at USAF bases.
Governing Regulation: AFMAN 32-1068
AF Form 1163 is prescribed by AFMAN 32-1068, Facility Engineering – Heating Systems (16 June 2020). The manual requires its use (T-2) for all Air Force HTW boiler plants operating over 160 psig.
Key requirements:
- Constantly attended plants record Items 5–10 hourly.
- Non-constantly attended plants record data each time an operator visits (per AFI 32-1068 guidance).
- A supervisor of boiler operations must review, sign, and date the completed daily log.
- Data must be posted to the monthly AF Form 1165.
- Records support annual boiler tune-ups, instrumentation calibration, and environmental compliance reporting.
Computer-generated equivalents are allowed if they contain all the same data points.
Who Uses AF Form 1163?
- USAF Civil Engineer (CE) Squadrons
- Boiler plant operators and shift personnel
- Heating plant supervisors and superintendents
- Contractors supporting Air Force installations
- Anyone responsible for HTW systems at U.S. military bases
Separate logs are required for each individual plant.
How to Fill Out AF Form 1163 – Step-by-Step Instructions?
Header Information (Items 1–4)
- 1. Command: Enter the major command name.
- 2. Base and Location: Full base name and location.
- 3. Building: Building number or identifier.
- 4. Date: Date of the log entry.
Hourly / Per-Visit Data (Items 5–10) – Record for each HTW generator
- 5. Fuel
- Type: G (Gas), O (Oil), or C (Coal).
- Amount: Gas in Mcf (thousands of cubic feet), Oil in gallons, Coal in lbm (pound-mass). Note multiple gas types in Remarks.
- 6. Water Circulated
- Amount in gallons since the last entry.
- 7. HTW Generator Temperatures (°F)
- Supply (entering distribution system)
- Return (entering generator)
- ΔT (Supply minus Return)
- 8. Efficiency Analysis Data
- O₂ % (recorded as 0.XXX) after economizers/air preheaters
- Stack Temp (°F)
- Combustion Air Temp (°F)
- 9. System Pump
- Discharge pressure (psig)
- 10. Recovery
- Expansion tank pressure (psig)
- Make-up water (metered gallons)
Daily Totals & Calculations (Items 11–15) – Performed at end of day
- 11. Plant Input
- Total fuel used by type
- Higher Heating Value (HHV) from vendor data
- Fuel Input (MMBtu) = (Fuel × HHV) / 1,000,000 (convert Mcf to actual cubic feet for gas)
- Total Input (MMBtu)
- 12. Plant Output
- Daily water circulated (total gallons)
- Heat content factor based on average daily supply temperature (table provided on form: 300°F = 7.93, 350°F = 7.77, etc.)
- Total Output (MMBtu)
- 13. Plant Overall Efficiency (η) = Total Output ÷ Total Input (record to three decimal places)
- 14. % Make-Up = Total Make-Up gallons ÷ Plant Daily Water Circulated (0.xxx)
- 15. Combustion Efficiency (η_c)
- Determine per generator using combustion analyzer, AFMAN 32-1068 charts (altitude-corrected), or manufacturer data.
- Calculate plant-weighted average.
Additional Sections
- Operator Names: List personnel by shift (1st, 2nd, 3rd).
- Blowdown: Record gallons per shift and daily total.
- Remarks: Any notes, anomalies, or multiple-fuel usage details.
Review & Signature: Supervisor reviews, ensures data transfers to AF Form 1165, and signs/dates the log.
Best Practices for Accurate HTW Plant Logging
- Check instruments frequently for proper O₂ and stack temperature readings.
- Use additional sheets if more than four generators operate in a day.
- Maintain logs for the period required by AFMAN 33-363 and Air Force Records Disposition Schedule.
- Upload relevant compliance records to the Air Program Information Management System (APIMS) as required.
Benefits of Proper AF Form 1163 Use
- Maximizes combustion and overall plant efficiency
- Reduces fuel costs and emissions
- Supports preventive maintenance and early fault detection
- Ensures full compliance during environmental inspections and audits
- Provides defensible data for energy reporting and lifecycle cost analysis
Download Official AF Form 1163 PDF
Direct official link (fillable PDF):
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a4/form/af1163/af1163.pdf
Always download from the official Air Force e-Publishing site to ensure you have the latest authorized version.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is AF Form 1163 still current in 2026?
A: Yes. The February 2017 version remains the prescribed form under AFMAN 32-1068 (2020).
Q: Do I need separate forms for each generator?
A: One form per plant; use additional sheets for more than four generators.
Q: Can I use a digital spreadsheet instead?
A: Yes, if it contains every data point and calculation required by the official form.
Q: Where does the data go after the daily log?
A: Posted to AF Form 1165 – Monthly High Temperature Water Plant Operating Log.
Q: Who reviews and signs the completed form?
A: A supervisor of boiler operations.
Mastering AF Form 1163 is essential for every USAF heating plant team committed to operational excellence, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Download your copy today and ensure your daily logs support mission-ready infrastructure at your installation.
Last updated: April 2026 – Information verified against official Air Force publications.