adding CI BB to a single pipe system

giw

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

Chris M_2

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

vent?

Thanks for the response what did you use for a vent?

Chris M_2

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

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

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.

jpf321

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.

j a_2

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

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

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

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,