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Re: New flat radiators?
Hot water heat is closed-cycle, so little new oxygen is introduced and it's not like your water supply pipes. If indeed there is any crud in the radiators, it can be cleaned (see Rhomar cleaning products). I've never heard of new boilers requiring new radiators, it seems like these guys are seeing an opportunity to make extra money. If you tell a contractor you want to replace the radiators, it's not their job to tell you not to send extra money their way.
Don't assume there is lead paint before you have tested it. And if there is, it just needs to be painted over.
Re: The case of the steam filled room. this Friday's case
I knew you guys would get it right away. I was more curious if you've ever been inside a steam filled boiler. It's a scary and disorienting experience. I guess what upset me the most was that I didnt follow my rules. I usually prop open the boiler room doors and shut off the burner until Im sure the room is safe. I didnt do that on this one. Have a great weekend all. Here is the link to this weeks video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm6s7Sdzt3Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm6s7Sdzt3Q
Re: NYC Council bill being drafted for radiator inspection
Highly doubtful that something blew apart due to high pressure. If so, 90+ percent of NYC would be in the Hudson and East rivers and the other waterways. There almost certainly, an element of "STUPID" going on over here. Can't fix stupid. Maybe you can regulate stupid. If the regulators aren't stupid themselves.
Re: NYC Council bill being drafted for radiator inspection
maybe a part of the inspection can be recording each radiator pressure, with a penalty for overages of 2 psi, payable for each radiator,
that might get the boiler keeper's attention to dial it down,
# yeah, fer real
that might get the boiler keeper's attention to dial it down,
# yeah, fer real
neilc
4
Re: The case of the steam filled room. this Friday's case
This is probably the case of the plugged pigtail. When I was still working we never allowed 2 pressure controls on one pigtail and that includes the modulating control.
Re: Boiler Failure After Two Years
A mag sep is you best removal device for magnetite, any type of filter or membrane would plug quickly. You would be flushing and servicing a filter weekly 
The magnetite particles can be tiny, .05 micron. The oxide needs to be attracted to a magnet out of the flow. You would need a microscope to see the fine particle size of magnet, it can look like ink, we refer to it as boiler ink.
Not air so much as O2 that causes ferrous metals to break down. The system can be 100%, air and fluid tight, hold a 100lbs air or water test and O2 can still get in. Heating water drives the O2 out, you have "dead" water in a boiler after some run time.
However O2, at the molecular level can still enter an air tight, dead water system. Even even barrier pex allows SOME O2 in as do seals, packings, etc.
The magnetite particles can be tiny, .05 micron. The oxide needs to be attracted to a magnet out of the flow. You would need a microscope to see the fine particle size of magnet, it can look like ink, we refer to it as boiler ink.
Not air so much as O2 that causes ferrous metals to break down. The system can be 100%, air and fluid tight, hold a 100lbs air or water test and O2 can still get in. Heating water drives the O2 out, you have "dead" water in a boiler after some run time.
However O2, at the molecular level can still enter an air tight, dead water system. Even even barrier pex allows SOME O2 in as do seals, packings, etc.
hot_rod
2
Re: New Carpet Upstairs - Rainforest Downstairs
I am betting on that the old carpet or padding removal pulled a nail/ staple out of something....
kcopp
7
Re: Barometric damper not closing on oil boiler
Back in the 1950s there was a company that manufactured a draft regulator that was adjusted by turning the horizontal axis up to 30° from the horizontal. I believe it was made by the Boston Regulator Company. I actually remember installing some of them in the 1970s. They are all long gone by now, so I would venture to say that you do not have a Boston barometric regulator, so you need the horizontal axis to be level with the horizon. A picture of the Barometric Draft Regulator will help in identifying the brand and type of regulator you have. Could you post a photo?
Re: Steam pipe style convectors
Are they 1.5" SCH 40 pipe, or actually 1.5" OD?
1.5" SCH 40 pipe would be 0.497 sq ft EDR per 1' of pipe
If it's actually 1.5" OD that would be 0.393 sq fr EDR per 1' of pipe
1.5" SCH 40 pipe would be 0.497 sq ft EDR per 1' of pipe
If it's actually 1.5" OD that would be 0.393 sq fr EDR per 1' of pipe
KC_Jones
1
Re: The case of that time the boiler blew up with Ray inside the boiler room, this Friday's case.
Can't find the video. However, I have been in the boiler room on a few occasions when a boiler blew up. Let me change the wording as was explained to me by a Pa State Boiler inspector. When there is an explosion caused by the fuel in the boiler that is called a "furnace" explosion and when the pressure vessel explodes that is a "boiler" explosion. All my events were "furnace" explosions and all were eye openers. The first explosion was with an Erie City water tube high pressure steam boiler that was cold and needed to be started. With out my knowledge, the gas/oil selector switch was replaced by the head electrician. I arrived at the site, did a visual check of the boiler and turned on the on/off switch to fire gas. The mis-wired switch put 120 volts directly to the 2 gas valves when the on/off switch was actuated, and after the burner purged and the pilot lit, there was a big bang, and that was the event. All the windows were blown out of the boiler room onto the street, the front burner mounting plate was buckled, and a lot of the internal fire brickwork was shifted a lot. This happened on Friday the 13th I believe in 1974 or 1975. Of course the company I worked for was charged with the mishap and their insurance paid the bill. I had trouble hearing for days and I still blame that event on my hearing deficiency. There were a few others but this was my worst.