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wooden cover for exposed steam pipe?
mmbt188
Member Posts: 2
I'm renovating my kitchen and have an exposed steam pipe that I would like to cover for safety and make an attractive wood column over it. However, I have been told that wood will dry out and become a fire hazard.
Is this true? Are there alternatives ( besides moving the pipe)?
Thanks!
Is this true? Are there alternatives ( besides moving the pipe)?
Thanks!
0
Comments
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Wood ignites at 451*f. A low pressure steam pipe runs at 215*f.
Folks have been building wooden cabinets over steam radiators for over 100 years and there’s never been a case of the radiator igniting one.Bob Boan
You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.0 -
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I have herd stories from fireman that a steam pipe can start a fire if left in contact with wood, something about lowering the ignition temperature of the wood over time.
I think if this is true houses would be burning down every day. There are steam pipes in contact with wood everywhere.
In any event I would insulate the pipe with 1" fiberglass and then box it in with wood if you want3 -
Hi, Have a look here: http://www.warrenforensics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Low_Temperature_Ignition_Wood.pdf
It looks like 256 F is a number to remember as it "cooks" wood.
Yours, Larry1 -
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Hi @EBEBRATT-Ed , I think it's all in the details! Probably best not to melt cheese with an open flame using wooden utensils in the same old wooden barn where the gunpowder is stored.
Yours, Larry3 -
You guys are awesome! do you tag team as well? Thanks for the well debated views and humor as well. Our steam pipes are scorching and seem to put out as much heat as the radiators ( which have metal covers).
I will insulate my pipe and talk to my contractor about correct construction of cover.
Thanks!1 -
They definitely are as hot as radiators, but...are people climbing on them or something?
NJ Steam Homeowner.
Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el1 -
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I don't think a steam pipe could ignite wood but I have a curious example of what looks like charring on joists from contact with a steam pipe. By way of background this building is well over 100 years old, and back in the 1920's the whole building was moved back from the street ( I happened to find the receipt for the job in an old roll top desk recently, a team of horses was used to accomplish the job - moving a big boiler would probably be a piece of cake for them. )
It was I suspect at that point that a new leg of steampipe was added to service a single upstairs corner radiator. When this came into my purview I found it a little concerning, also the fact that the steam pipe was jammed up against the joists in order to achieve a slope for the condensate to return to the boiler - though it was actually borderline sloping in the opposite direction (house settling over the course of the century may have aggravated this) . Not wanting to weaken the joists I used an aggressive rasp to create a small cavity in the joists to improve the slope a bit - this area at the bottom in actual contact with the pipe was even more charred looking than the higher part of the joist seen in the photo. The charring appears on 5 different joists.
Hard to believe it could be that hot, though over all those decades it operated as a coal-fired system and was probably on constantly through the winter months. I am not really sure whether this was charring or discoloration, if there is any difference between those two terms. I tend to think it was never in any real danger of ignition, or even that any smoke was produced by the process?0 -
At very least box it in with wood but at the top put wooden slots so heat escapes, also put insulation around the pipe so it doesn’t give off any heat.0
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And they will only clime on it once! For a very very short time.EBEBRATT-Ed said:@ethicalpaul
Climbing?
Only when the thermostat isn't calling.0 -
None of my radiators or pipes are covered in the house and I have no intention of changing it.
I have pipes up against wood as well. I'd call that discoloration, not charring but I'm no expert. I have dark spots on wood flooring from radiator legs as well. Those get hot too.
I think they make charcoal at something like 600F. I took a quick look but the subject looks like it's worth a few hours of research.Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment1 -
I thought this thread may go off-topic in a bad way but no one mentioned "Pole Dancing"
Now that Girl would literally be HOT!
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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EdTheHeaterMan said:I thought this thread may go off-topic in a bad way but no one mentioned "Pole Dancing" Now that Girl would literally be HOT!
Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment2 -
I agree with Chris J that it can probably only cause discoloration. The science and facts you have cited support that , but does that particular piece of wood know it's not supposed to burn? In an abundance of caution it would probably be a good idea to insulate it - that discoloration might cause alarm and concern in those not willing to follow the science - some people are nervous by nature.0
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bburd I like your explanation. The cellar is dusty and those old joists are full unplaned 2 x 10's so their surface is very rough and likely prone to collecting that dust.0
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