Steam heat system fitting

Haloyloy770

Hi all

i’m re-piping a one pipe steam system, and i took out a old fitting I’m not sure what is it’s proper name but I call it “the steam tee”, it basically lets you hook up a radiator on the first floor and continue the pipe up to the second floor, please look at the picture 

before I attempt to heat up and take out the old cut up pipe in order to re-use the fitting, 

1: what is the proper name of this fitting?

2: do they still make this type of fitting?

3: where can I find this type of fitting?

EdTheHeaterMan

Very interesting part. First time for me, If it is a common part from the early part of the 20th century, others will know what it is, I certainly don't know where to get one. I would need to build it and it would take up more space that your fitting.
I have scene this one before But you will have a hard time finding one today.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Probably a specialty item probably made by the radiator manufacturer. I would use a standard tee and use a horizontal radiator valve to hook up the first floor radiator and then continue to the second floor. Probably not available any longer

hadeone

Call your local supply house, or walk in, and ask them for it. Otherwise, it seems you can make that connection with standard fittings such as a tee and an elbow.

mattmia2

Show us the rest of the fitting with the valve and the radiator connection. At best that is a tee, at worst it is part of a special system that needs that fitting to work. Don't break it because i'm pretty sure there isn't a replacement available.

pedmec

Looks like a gravity hot water fitting. does the radiator connect to the male thread?

mattmia2

I suppose "are you sure this is steam, show us the boiler and its piping" is also in order here

Haloyloy770

Yeah I thought it was a fitting that’s not around anymore

Good idea EBEBRATT-Ed (why didn’t I think about it) 

thank you 

mattmia2

@Erin Holohan Haskell this is posted in 2 different places, can you merger them?

In the other discussion the possibility that this was misidentified gravity hot water was brought up. The first thing I thought was that this is a different brand's version of a Unique valve.

Erin Holohan Haskell

@mattmia2, you got it. Thanks!

@Haloyloy770, I've merged your duplicate posts into one here to prevent confusion.

Haloyloy770

Thank you all for your help, sorry I posted this question in two different places, and there were some questions if it’s a hot water system or steam system 

it’s a One pipe Steam system, and that fitting is a “fancy tee”, the steam comes up through the “short” pipe (in the picture), the radiator valve (for the first floor) connects to the “male” threads (in the picture), and then the steam continues up to the second floor through the other end (I made a circle in the picture)

I was just wondering if someone else saw a fitting like this and if it’s available

but EBEBRATT-Ed had a good idea, to use a regular tee and connect the radiator on the first floor with a horizontal valve 👍

DanHolohan

I’ve seen this in an old book. Can’t recall which one. It’s a specialty tee that allows the steam to go to two floors. The object was to lessen the amount of returning condensate in either riser from the tee. 

Haloyloy770

Another question 

I bought online a horizontal valve for the radiator, here is a similar picture I took from the internet (I don’t currently have the valve with me), from the picture you can see there is a “restriction” in the valve 

is this a one pipe steam system valve?
I’m under the impression that it’s NOT, because you need both steam and condensation to pass through 

mattmia2

you need to make the seat somehow. a ball valve would have less restriction. a valve like that with the stem horizontal is probably the best you can do with a globe valve

Haloyloy770

I’m going to try and get the valve later on and send a picture from both sides 

but on the other side of the valve the “restriction” is from bottom to like halfway, and in middle there is a “cup” that opens and shuts, (so the “flow” of whatever this is made for goes through the valve like a Z)

Steamhead

Haloyloy770 said:

I’m going to try and get the valve later on and send a picture from both sides 

but on the other side of the valve the “restriction” is from bottom to like halfway, and in middle there is a “cup” that opens and shuts, (so the “flow” of whatever this is made for goes through the valve like a Z)

That's the wrong valve. You need a gate-type valve, not a globe valve. That thing will make the rad bang and spit.

mattmia2

Well look at that, they even list them as gate valves:
https://supplyhouse.com/Steam-Radiator-Gate-Valves-631000

Haloyloy770

That’s what I thought Steamhead, I did buy a few more valves, because I’m doing a few radiators, and thous look to be gate valves (opens all the way), just when I saw this one I thought “something doesn’t look right”

Thank you

Haloyloy770

mattmia2 where I bought that valve (sorry I won’t say from where I got it) but it was listed as a “steam valve” it did not state if it’s a “gate” or “globe” valve

anyway before I return that “globe valve” what is it used for? (I’m wondering if I could use it on a different “project”)

Steamhead

Haloyloy770 said:

anyway before I return that “globe valve” what is it used for? (I’m wondering if I could use it on a different “project”)

Hot-water radiators.

Haloyloy770

Thank you 🙏 

mattmia2

It would work on steam in a vertical pipe where the water it could trap would be minimal.

EBEBRATT-Ed

That valve might be ok if mounted stem up but if you use a gate valve you will be sure.