Steam explosion blamed on clogged trap
Published: Dec. 28, 2007 at 12:59 AM
NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A repair to an 87-year-old steam pipe in New York appears to be responsible for a horrifying explosion of steam when the pipe burst four months later.
One woman was killed and two people suffered burns when superheated steam suddenly sprayed a busy intersection in midtown Manhattan in July.
The report determined that a small piece of epoxy used to seal a leak got into a "steam trap" valve, The New York Daily News said.
"It's a combination of clogged traps and elevated water levels underneath the ground," Con Ed spokesman Michael Clendenin said. "We think the clog was from an epoxy resin that was used to seal a flange."
Clendenin said Con Ed has replaced all the steam traps in the system and is also changing procedures for fixing leaks.
One woman was killed and two people suffered burns when superheated steam suddenly sprayed a busy intersection in midtown Manhattan in July.
The report determined that a small piece of epoxy used to seal a leak got into a "steam trap" valve, The New York Daily News said.
"It's a combination of clogged traps and elevated water levels underneath the ground," Con Ed spokesman Michael Clendenin said. "We think the clog was from an epoxy resin that was used to seal a flange."
Clendenin said Con Ed has replaced all the steam traps in the system and is also changing procedures for fixing leaks.
© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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