Steam heating unit explosion in the news

rca

I recall reading stories in one of Dan's books about how "in the old

days" steam heating systems sometimes blew up catastrophically. 

Apparently that kind of thing still happens on occasion - makes me curious about

just how many things went wrong (e.g. failed pressure relief valve + failed pressuretrol + incorrect hartford loop)?



Fortunately no one was injured...







<a href="http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/11/heating-unit-explosion-damages-newton-home/QrYohcRBLG7L1NhVrnJrdL/index.html?p1=Local_Links">http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/11/heating-unit-explosion-damages-newton-home/QrYohcRBLG7L1NhVrnJrdL/index.html?p1=Local_Links</a>







cheers,



-Bob

DanHolohan

I think it was a hot-water boiler.

One of the other news stories has a photo of the house, which seems to be on a slab and from the '50s or so. I'll bet it was a plugged relief valve.

Rod

Looks like a Domestic Hot Water Boiler

Being curious I googled the internet and got this quote from the Newton Patch : "the home's oil burner exploded and an oil company has been called to respond"

They had a picture of the "metal can" that flew through the wall into a yard across the street which I have attached below.  it sure looks like a hot water boiler and not a steam boiler.

ed wallace

boiler explosion

I can confirm that the house is a campinelli slab home built in the 1950's and it's a hot water system I worked on this boiler back in 1985 and I know the oil company that services the house