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adding CI BB to a single pipe system

giw
giw Member Posts: 2
I have a contractor looking to install a couple pieces of cast iron baseboard in a single pipe steam system, I have been told the baseboard must be piped two pipe.

My knowledge of steam is about 0 so how do you combine the two "systems"?

Thanks

Comments

  • Chris M_2
    Chris M_2 Member Posts: 67
    One Baseboard One Pipe

    I have a one pipe system, and I have a 2' baseboard in my bathroom.. one pipe. It works without any problems. -Chris M
  • giw
    giw Member Posts: 2
    vent?

    Thanks for the response what did you use for a vent?
  • Chris M_2
    Chris M_2 Member Posts: 67
    Vent

    I have a "Maid-O-Mist" I picked up at Home Depot.  -- Same kind of vent you'd install on any steam radiator.  Pick up a few of them, and test the different sizes out. They're fixed at a certain vent capacity (#4, #5, #6, A, B, C, etc.).  Depending upon where in the house the radiator is (distance from boiler), you'll want to apply the right vent. You could also try an adjustable vent, which Home Depot also carries, but a plumbing supply shop will have a wider variety to choose from.  I think conventional wisdom dictates that the radiators should all heat up at around the same time, so I believe the farther from the boiler a radiator sits, the faster (bigger hole) the vent you should use on the vent.  This all assumes you already have an adequate main vent for the system (main vent is a large vent that's installed at the far end of the main pipe that supplies the steam to the riser pipes (risers feed the radiators).  -Chris M
  • wsdave
    wsdave Member Posts: 97
    Cast Iron Baseboard

    I also have a one pipe system that has baseboard installed in kitchen and livingroom.

    Two sections in livingroom, one a 12 foot section is two pipe with the return piped directly to the return on boiler.

    The second unit which is a 5 footer is single pipe which I blocked up to form a steep angle back towards supply.

    The kitchen unit is about 8 foot and has a similar arrangement.

    All units use Maid-O-Mist vents.

    HTH

    Dave
  • jpf321
    jpf321 Member Posts: 1,568
    BB venting ...

    I just finished helping my neighbor replace their BB vents .. the BB itself is a Burnham Baseray .. it is tapped for 3/4" .. which is bushed down to 1/8" .. what we did was install a 1/8" x SH into a 1/8"-union into a 1/8" x 2-1/2" nipple into a 1/8" coupling then the Hoffman 1A vent. We replaced 7 failed varivalves and 2 failed hygronic vents. They have valve enclosures so a couple of modifications needed to occur on the enclosures .. I will be back over there today finishing up their vaporstat installation, perhaps I'll remember to take some pics of the vents.



    Their longest BB is 7' .. they are all 1-pipe and heat in complete silence. Very slight pitch no steep angles. 1-pipe BBs are officially discouraged by Burnham according to page 5 of their I&O PDF .. http://is.gd/k9XHO .. but as you can see, many people get them to work.



    FYI, their EDR is 3.15sq ft per linear foot.
    1-pipe Homeowner - Queens, NYC

    NEW: SlantFin Intrepid TR-30 + Tankless + Riello 40-F5 @ 0.85gph | OLD: Fitzgibbons 402 boiler + Beckett "SR" Oil Gun @ 1.75gph

    installed: 0-20oz/si gauge | vaporstat | hour-meter | gortons on all rads | 1pc G#2 + 1pc G#1 on each of 2 mains

    Connected EDR load: 371 sf venting load: 2.95cfm vent capacity: 4.62cfm
    my NEW system pics | my OLD system pics
  • jpf321
    jpf321 Member Posts: 1,568
    as promised .. pictures ..

    here are some pics of the vents we added to CI BB .. where we had the room, we opted for extension out the side .. where needed we popped them through the top. http://is.gd/kbycF



    FYI, simplyplumbing.com has governale valve enclosures available (http://is.gd/kbyT6) .. but I prefer the Burnham (see pictures) .. and they can be obtained from simplyplumbing.com as well BUT YOU MUST CALL THEM for the burnham enclosures. Burnham enclosures are also a couple of bucks cheaper than governale.
    1-pipe Homeowner - Queens, NYC

    NEW: SlantFin Intrepid TR-30 + Tankless + Riello 40-F5 @ 0.85gph | OLD: Fitzgibbons 402 boiler + Beckett "SR" Oil Gun @ 1.75gph

    installed: 0-20oz/si gauge | vaporstat | hour-meter | gortons on all rads | 1pc G#2 + 1pc G#1 on each of 2 mains

    Connected EDR load: 371 sf venting load: 2.95cfm vent capacity: 4.62cfm
    my NEW system pics | my OLD system pics
  • j a_2
    j a_2 Member Posts: 1,801
    2 feet

    I am under the impression c/i baseboard any longer than 2 feet has no place in a single pipe steam system...Even using 2 feet you should 2 pipe it  
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,416
    edited January 2011
    Run The Numbers

    In reality, anything is possible. Most steam specialists wouldn't suggest installing baseboard, however, I can't say I've never installed it. Whether is be a customer request or the only option, it has it's purpose.



    Like with all steam work, you need to run the numbers. Pages 98-100 of TLAOSH cover all you need to know about steam baseboard. The section is appropriately titled "One-Pipe-Steam Baseboard Problems". Although it's only a few pages long, there are many things to consider, so-much-so I cannot fit it in a post.



    Here is some very basic info; baseboard lengths and the pitch required.



    3ft : 1/4"

    4ft : 1/2"

    5ft : 1"

    6ft : 1-1/2

    7ft : 2"

    8ft : 3"

    9ft : 4"

    10ft:5"



    Again, this is very basic and there are a lot of other things to consider. I would express your concern to your contractor and make sure he runs the numbers. If he is suggesting to pipe the baseboard with 2 pipes, he is on the right path. Piping steam baseboard with 2 pipes is definitely better than with 1, and certainly less prone to problems. There is, however, still a method to piping steam baseboard with 2 pipes and it must be done correctly.
  • NJSteamhouse
    NJSteamhouse Member Posts: 34
    One Baseboard One Pipe

    Chris, how is your system setup? Do you have it tilted back toward the pipe and what valves did you use?

    I have a similar setup that I am installing; 2' cibb in bathroom with one pipe. I am not sure how to slope it or how or where to reduce the 1-1/4" pipe down to the 3/4" at the radiator.
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    under 4 feet

    and baseboard works fine on one pipe. If it is over that I pipe it like the old two pipe air vent systems. Use a vent yet run the return back to a return with a air trap,
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating