NYC Boilers move to rooftops

Paul Pollets

Henry Gifford sometimes comments on the Wall. I remember him from a trip to ISH in '93...

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/nyregion/new-york-basement-boiler-penthouse.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

EBEBRATT-Ed

Not unusual in newer buildings, especially high rises. Putting the boilers and pumps at the top of the system relieves them of high static pressure design.

I suppose in older buildings structural support for the new boiler room and replacement issues (a crane or an elevator??)

Abracadabra

I'm assuming not steam? hot water only?

EBEBRATT-Ed

Could do it with steam, but would need a condensate pump in the basement and a boiler feed tank in the boiler room. But unless its a "Mills express riser system" the steam mains on the top floor would be undersized. In that case an " express main" would have to be run to the basement.

Don't know if that's ever been done!!!

neilc

what would happen to a working steam main,
in the basement,
if the basement flooded ?
I mean, it couldn't shouldn't happen,
but what if?

EBEBRATT-Ed

@neilc sometime google steam explosions. This is a common occurence on district steam with underground steam.

Run a steam pipe through a manhole and the manhole floods with water. the steam inside condenses and makes a slug of water inside the pipe. the steam makes the water slug a battering ram.

total distruction