Unusual Hartford Loop piping- Is this acceptable?

Answerman

Recently I found the following piping configuration (see attached photo) for the boiler piping during an audit of a multifamily building in Brooklyn, NY. This is unusual, in that the wet return is piped directly to the equalizer, and the boiler water return is piped off of that. I've never seen this arrangement before, either in drawings or in practice.

It seems that this piping arrangement would effectively provide the safety function of a Hartford loop (preventing siphoning of water from the boiler in the event of a leak in the wet return), but I wonder what effect it has on the equalizer function, or of the ability of water to return to the boiler, etc. Does this piping arrangement function exactly the same as a standard Hartford loop configuration? Any advantages or disadvantages?

I'm certainly no expert, so I'd appreciate any thoughts. I did a google search and searched this site, my apologies if this has been discussed previously and I missed it. Thanks!

Jamie Hall

It is a little odd... but then, so is the boiler. I take it the pipe coming down into the top of the T is the equaliser? It should work...

PhilDavid

The Hartford loop is backwards. The equalizer should come down and tie directly into the boiler return with the Hartford tee at the appropriate height in between. Then your wet return comes up and ties into the Hartford tee with a close nipple.
Is the water line unsteady during cycles?

Fred

In this case, I don't think it much matters. From what I see, the way it is plumbed, it will keep the boiler from emptying if the wet return should spring a leak, since the water won't fall below that loop but, with the return into the boiler at the floor, if that horizontal section of pipe, on the floor, from the Hartford over to the boiler should spring a leak, the boiler will empty anyway. I assume they have a good working auto feed into that boiler. Strange boiler, as has been said.
Looks to me like the equalizer should be tied into that Tee on that vertical pipe to the left of the LWCO , where that plug is, going into the boiler, and the Hartford loop from the wet return up into the equalizer slightly above that.

Abracadabra

I think where the equalizer ties into the pseudo non-existent header is a bigger issue.

Jamie Hall

Abracadabra said:

I think where the equalizer ties into the pseudo non-existent header is a bigger issue.

And I can't see that in the photo...

Fred

Abracadabra said:

I think where the equalizer ties into the pseudo non-existent header is a bigger issue.

You're right. I didn't even notice that. That pipe looked like the flue pipe until you called it out. It feeds the main and the equalizer is welded into the bottom of it.

Abracadabra

Picture with area I'm talking about circled in red attached

Jamie Hall

Eek. OK, now I see it. Yes, that is somewhat dubious, since one of the things the equalizer does is get rid of the water in the header -- and I can't see that arrangement helping much.

That said, unless you are having trouble with wet steam, I'm not sure but what I'd leave it be until I had to change the piping for some other reason.