fittings

T_3

my steam boiler has arrived today installation will begin sat. I am a little nervous as i am a 3rd year plumbing apprentice and am installing this in my home.

just some quick and probably ovoius questions.

Cast iron fitting or mallable iron?

Always a drop header?

Condensate return in copper ok?

should you use a dielectric nipple if going from steel to copper?

This will be gas fuel.cant wait to get started.

Couderay

answers to questions

I liks cast iron for steam but 300lb mallable is a close second. Always a drop header ah yeah I like em. If this is your line of work go for it. Return in copper, ok and as much as I love copper go with sch.80 steel pipe and for get about it. Dielectric anything I'd stay away from em, go with a good heavy duty brass valve for your dielectrics. An ex.apprentice here.

Brad White_202

Like getting a new puppy...

I cannot wait for you to get started either, oddly enough.

Some thoughts, hardly the last word by any means:

Cast iron is traditional and I like how they look with the thicker bosses. Malleable is acceptable (and must be used on gas as you know, never cast on gas.) Cast fittings can be broken with a hammer so easier to take apart. Malleable fittings are practically indestructible. Cast v. Malleable is an ongoing debate. A lot of pros and seasoned installers opt for cast that I have seen.

Drop headers- Oh no, not another thread about dropped headers! (Just kidding, but do a search on this site and see). If it were my boiler, I would do it. A simple way to slow and dry the steam. And it looks so neat and nice.

Copper for condensate is "acceptable". It is done all the time. Iron is traditional and Sch. 80 black iron is a very traditional old-fashioned and industrial specification. Lasts longer.


I would not use a dielectric nipple and certainly not a union. Rather, I would use a bronze or stainless steel full-port ball valve to separate the two.

Post some pics, even in progress!