We dont have underground steam pipes in the UK so I know nothing about them. What are they all about? Do they exist only in NY or in other cities and towns too? Where does the steam come from? What is it for? How is the steam powered? How often do they explode?
2007-07-18 22:49:42 · 2 answers · asked by kitty 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
To confirm what Nefertari says, the news report also said the pipe was built in the 1920s and was lagged with asbestos. Although nobody was hurt by escaping steam, NY City officials are worried that passers-by might have inhaled asbestos filaments. There was only 1 death:- a man had a heart attack due to shock!
On films set in NY you can see steam coming up through the pavements /sidewalks. Are these points where valves are set in to allow the pressure to equalise?
What exactly is being heated? Is it individual apartments, or are they just providing under-floor heating to the road surfaces and pavements to melt the winter snow?
2007-07-18 23:59:46 · update #1
This should go some way to explaining it.
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/issueoftheweek/20031110/200/674
You'll have seen in American films someone breaking a pipe, usually in a basement, and directing a jet of steam into someone's face to scald them. The Bone Collector has a scene in which a victim is sat in front of a steam pipe, waiting for the steam to be released.
I think the piped steam is a good system, but if you do a quick web search you'll find some problems with it, asbestos lagging on older pipes, leaking pipes and explosions like the one today.
I also found an article about a town that no longer uses steam and now cockroaches have moved into the defunct steam pipes, yuk!
2007-07-18 23:14:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steam is obtained from a boiler and is used for heating purposes it has been around for a long time in America.~~
2007-07-19 05:58:10 · answer #2 · answered by burning brightly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋