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PEX near steam mains

Nurb
Nurb Member Posts: 26
in THE MAIN WALL
Hi everyone,
I've been trying to figure out if there's any concern running PEX (b) near steam mains, let's say within a couple inches, but not touching. The mains are insulated (1") except for the tees.

Comments

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,233
    edited October 2023
    If the steam piping is insulated I don't think there's an issue.
    I had a few places I was close to fittings I was too lazy to insulate so I insulated the pex in those areas instead.


    Chances are if the pex is even a few inches from a bare steam main it'll probably be fine, but I'd rather have some insulation between the two, one way or another.

    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 treatment
    Intplm.ethicalpaul
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,247
    I’d keep it 6 - 12” away
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,803
    I can put my hand within 1/4" of an inch of any steam main or radiator and not even come close to being burned, I feel heat, but no way am I getting burned even at that close range.

    I think people forget how great an insulator the air is. It really is quite horrible at transmitting heat.

    If the pipes are insulated it's completely fine.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
    ethicalpaulSTEAM DOCTOR

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