Steam pressure in the Empire state building

Steve Q

Where can I find information about what the steam pressure

is at the Empire State Building?

I have a bet with an "old dog".

Steve Q

Steamhead (in transit)

I'm told

between 2 and 5 pounds.

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

One pound of pressure will drive steam up hot pipes 2/3 of a mile. So the rule-of-thumb for those who like such short-cuts is:

"For every half-mile that your top-most one-pipe steam radiator is above the boiler, increase the boiler pressure 1 psig."

re: The Empire State Building. It was (and I suspect still is) heated via a remotely located system, e.g. "district steam". I found an interesting article regarding the history of skyscrapers. Distric steam was what allowed buildings like the Empire State and the Chrysler building with the "pinnacle" top. No chimneys...

The Empire State Building contained 7,000 radiators (21,089 square meters of heating surface). "The first five floors were supplied from mains in the sub-basement; the second zone, floors 6-29, was supplied downward from a set of mains in the twenty-ninth floor ceiling, the third zone, floors 30-54, was supplied from mains in the ceiling of the 29th floor; and the rest of the building, including the tower, was supplied from a set of mains in the ceiling of the fifty-fourth floor." Douglas, Skyscrapers, p.69.

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Numerous sources say the steam pressure is reduced to about 4 psi for distibution in the building.

Unknown

in one of

In one of Dan's books/articles, the pressure for Empire is 5 psi...

Mike T., Swampeast MO

I certainly won't disagree. The "numerous sources" included previous discussions at "The Wall" and similar forums. I could not find actual specifications, but I found nothing suggesting anything but quite low-pressure steam being used for heating inside the building's distribution system.

Brad White_9

Why not

call the building engineer?

I would bet he would love to share such information. Wonder if he (or she) is a latent, lurking Wallie?