Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Flatiron Building Video

Steamhead
Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
edited August 2017 in THE MAIN WALL
The famous wedge-shaped building in NYC. Looks like it has (or had) a Paul system:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WXNjYuS2zY&feature=youtu.be
All Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting
ChrisJZmanRomanGK_26986764589luketheplumber

Comments

  • Erin Holohan Haskell
    Erin Holohan Haskell Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 2,276
    Nice! Thanks for sharing.
    President
    HeatingHelp.com
  • MilanD
    MilanD Member Posts: 1,160
    Awesome! Thanks for sharing @Steamhead.
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,513
    Nice!
    Retired and loving it.
  • Pumpguy
    Pumpguy Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2017
    Typically, a Paul system would have the air valves higher up on the radiator.

    But then, what other purpose would the 1/4" (?) radiator drain pipe serve?

    Another famous building with a Paul Type one pipe steam system is the Monadnock Building in Chicago. Their's is still in operation.

    Dennis Pataki. Former Service Manager and Heating Pump Product Manager for Nash Engineering Company. Phone: 1-888 853 9963
    Website: www.nashjenningspumps.com

    The first step in solving any problem is TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,476
    I've only been to NYC a few times but each time I make it a point to go by both the Flatiron and the Chrysler Buildings, the best architecture in the city imho.

    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
    KC_Jones
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,722
    My father has one of those elevator governors at his house, used to sit on the fireplace hearth with an old fire hydrant.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 643
    That's a neat post.
    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager,teacher and dog walker
    luketheplumber
  • luketheplumber
    luketheplumber Member Posts: 149
    edited October 2020
    I am speechless. As of 2020 it the old Paul system has been removed in favor of central air.🤢😢😢
    @DanHolohan
    @Steamhead
    @Erin Holohan Haskell
    @BobC
    I just earned my GED and am looking for a apprenticeship with one of these steam gurus on this site!
  • dopey27177
    dopey27177 Member Posts: 887
    Back in 1990 I had a service call to an apartment on the top floor of the flat iron building,

    An apartment was renovated, all the radiators were disconnected, sand blasted and repainted.

    The radiators were reinstalled without the air release piping re-installed. The contractor installed vent valves used for water heating systems which only allowed one or two sections of the radiators to heat.

    When I went down into the boiler room I found the air removal pump in operation, traced the air removal piping to the risers that supplied the steam to the radiators.

    The apartments attached to the air vent piping did not heat well as the air removal piping on the top floor was left open ended.

    Fortunately I had some copper tubing and caps and plugs.

    My job was to find out why there was no heat in that apartment.

    I connected one radiator and plugged and capped the open lines and amazingly stem was restored to the one radiator.

    My next evolution was to meet the G.C. and instruct his plumber on the need to re-connect the air release piping to the radiators.

    All said and done the system worked s designed after the air release piping was reinstalled.

    Jake.
    CLambluketheplumber
  • Erin Holohan Haskell
    Erin Holohan Haskell Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 2,276

    I am speechless. As of 2020 it the old Paul system has been removed in favor of central air.🤢😢😢
    @DanHolohan
    @Steamhead
    @Erin Holohan Haskell
    @BobC

    Yes. Take a look at the size of the original coal boilers in the #6 post here.
    President
    HeatingHelp.com