Steam Survey

Hydronic Systems

Pr e - I n s t a l l a t i o n
Survey and
Checklist for
Steam Systems
 INSTALLATION SURVEY – STEAM

INSTALLATION SURVEY – STEAM

A. Introduction B. System Types
1. Use this survey to review the system for operating 1. One-Pipe System – one pipe feeds each radiator,
behavior and history. The survey should give you some handling both the steam supply and the condensate
tips on making the installation successful. It might also return. This pipe is near the bottom of the radiator.
give you some recommendations to pass on to the owner ● One-pipe gravity return systems need an air vent
for corrections needed in the system to avoid problems near the middle of each radiator and a main vent
later. near the end of the steam main and each riser.
2. DEFINITIONS AND RATINGS: ● One-pipe pumped return systems have air vents on
the radiators like gravity return systems. But the ends
Equivalent Direct Radiation of the steam main and risers need traps instead of
2
240 Btuh per ft Steam vents. You’ll usually find they have been fitted with
EDR = float and thermostatic traps or thermostatic traps with
Note: Boiler ratings in EDR include an
allowance for piping and pickup losses cooling legs.
● One-pipe Paul systems have a special Paul air vent
PPH Pounds per Hour of Condensate and an air vacuum pump to quickly remove the air.
=
Condensate EDR ÷ 4
2. Two-Pipe System – two pipes serve each radiator—steam
Gallons per Minute supply and condensate return. The steam supply pipe is
2
GPM ½ gpm per 1000 ft EDR near the top. The condensate return pipe is near the
= bottom.
Condensate 2 gpm per 1000 PPH Steam
2 gpm per Million Btuh ● Two-pipe pumped return and vapor systems use a
o trap on each radiator condensate line to prevent
Given from & at 212 F steam from passing through.
PPH
= 970 Btu per Pound Steam
Steam ● Two-pipe gravity systems have individual pipes from
IBR Gross Output ÷ 970
the radiator condensate lines to the system wet return.

GRAVITY
RETURN 8"
Start-up Condensate Main
Vent

28" 14"
Pressure
Difference
A
Pitch up
1" per 10 ft
6"
Return Line Loss A Water Line

Boiler
Note: Return line loss includes safety factor Maximum Main
Length 100 ft

Figure 1: Gravity Return – Dimension A Figure 2: Counterflow System, Typical

The steam pressure at the end of the steam main is lower than at Characteristic of a Counterflow Gravity Return System:
the boiler by about ½ psig (14 inches) on most systems. So the
● Steam main pitched upward, away from boiler
condensate must be 14 inches higher than the boiler water level
to equalize this difference. (minimum of one inch per 10 feet)
Another 6 inches is needed for the friction loss through the return ● Steam main one size larger than parallel flow header
line. And 8 inches must be allowed for the cold start-up for same heating load
condensate load. ● No dry or wet return
So the lowest steam carrying pipe in the system must be at least ● Condensate flows against steam flow
28 inches above the boiler water line. This dimension is called
● Boiler steam line enters top of steam main
Dimension A.

1
INSTALLATION SURVEY – STEAM

3. Gravity Return System – condensate returns to the b) Parallel Flow Downfeed systems have a steam main
boiler only due to gravity flow. A gravity return system at the top of the system. Steam is delivered to the
works like a U-tube manometer. The pressure at the branches through downfeed risers.
boiler is higher than at the end of the steam main. And
the condensate loses pressure to friction as it flows 4. Pumped Return System – condensate is returned to
through the returns. So condensate backs up into the the boiler with a condensate unit, boiler feed unit or
return riser(s) until the weight of the water column is vacuum unit. Pumped return is used on one-pipe and
enough to balance the pressure difference and push the two-pipe systems.
condensate into the boiler. See Figure 1. 5. Vacuum System – a vacuum pump pulls a suction on
Examples of One-Pipe Gravity Return Systems: the condensate return lines, pulling air and condensate
through and pulling a vacuum on the system. Vacuum
● Counterflow (Figure 2) systems are always two-pipe.
● Parallel Flow (Figures 3 and 4)
6. Vapor System – a two-pipe gravity return system which
● Parallel Flow Upfeed (Figure 5) pushes air out and doesn’t let it back in. This causes the
● Parallel Flow Downfeed (Figure 6) system to drop to a very low pressure (from 0 to ½ psig
usually) as the steam condenses in the radiation.
a) Counterflow, Parallel Flow and Parallel Flow Upfeed
systems all have a steam main near the bottom of the
system.

Riser Riser
Main Main
Vent Vent
Main
Vent

Main
Pitch down
1" per 20 ft Vent
Air
Supply Supply
Vent
A
A Riser
Valve
Main

Water Line A Boiler Water Line A

Hartford
Riser
Boiler Loop Dirt Drip
Hartford Loop Pocket
Wet Return
Wet Return

Figure 3: Parallel Flow Gravity, Wet Return Figure 5: Parallel Flow Upfeed Gravity

Supply Main
Main
Vent
Air
Supply Vent
Valve

Pitch down
Main
1" per 20 ft
Vent
Riser
Supply Main Downfeed
A Water Line
Riser Vent
Riser
Main
Vent
Risers A

A A Boiler Water Line

Boiler
Hartford Loop Hartford
Loop Dirt
Pocket
Wet Return Wet Return

Figure 4: Parallel Flow Gravity, Dry Return Figure 6: Parallel Flow Downfeed Gravity
Characteristics of Parallel Flow Systems:
● Steam main pitched downward away from boiler (minimum 1 inch per 20 feet)
● Condensate flows with steam, returning through risers to dry or wet return
● Steam main taken off top of boiler header between equalizer and last boiler riser

2
 INSTALLATION SURVEY – STEAM

C. Gravity Return Systems 5. The steam main (and each riser) needs a Main Vent
installed near the end. ( Never install the Main Vent on a
1. Figure 1 shows how a gravity system works. The 28 inch tee at the end of the steam main. It will be quickly
dimension for the back-up of water in the returns allows destroyed by water hammer. See Figure 12. ) Use smaller
for a system steam pressure loss of ½ psig. Make sure to capacity vents on the radiators. Venting the radiators too
add additional height allowance if the system pressure fast will cause water hammer in the radiators because the
drop is more than ½ psig. condensate can’t get out past the rushing steam.
2. The height of the lowest steam carrying pipe (main or 6. The air vents must be working for the building to heat
branch) above the boiler water line is called Dimension properly. The Main Vents on the steam main and risers
A. Make sure that Dimension A is always at least 28 are important for uniform heat in the building. If they
inches on a gravity return system. If it is less, condensate don’t work, the radiator vents have to try to remove the
may back into the steam main or branches, causing water air from the steam lines. This will cause the radiators near
hammer, no-heat problems and boiler water level the boiler to heat much sooner than those further away.
problems. Make sure you pipe the new boiler so this So some areas will be hotter than others. See Figure 12
dimension is maintained. for the correct location of the Main Vents.
3. When a zone valve or trap is installed between the 7. Set the operating pressure for a gravity return system
steam supply and the condensate return lines, there is no as low as possible, usually around 2 psig or less at the
steam pressure downstream of the valve or trap when it boiler. The older steam systems were generally designed
is closed. for this. And many air vents won’t work correctly at
● So all of the boiler pressure pushes backward on the pressures over 2 psig.
return lines. This raises the condensate level about 30
inches for every psig pressure at the boiler. That would D. Pumped Return Systems
be 5 feet (60 inches) for only 2 psig at the boiler. Think
what would happen if someone cranked up the steam 1. Always install a boiler cock after the pump to allow
pressure to 5 psig or more. reducing the discharge pressure to the boiler. Pumping
● In such cases, the height of the lowest steam carrying at too fast a rate will cause spraying in a Hartford loop
pipe (main or branch) above the boiler water line is and can cause collapse of the boiler water level. The
called Dimension B. Make sure Dimension B is at discharge pressure after the valve should be around 5
least 30 inches for every psi at the boiler. psig higher than the boiler operating pressure. Figure 8
● Figure 7 shows Dimension B for a One-Pipe Gravity
shows a detail of the pump discharge piping.
System. Figure 10 shows Dimension B for a typical 2. When pumping to multiple boilers, always provide a
vapor system. separate feed for each boiler. Otherwise, water levels
won’t be maintained correctly. Either use separate
pumps or provide motorized or solenoid valves on the
feed lines. When using valves, wire the valve to open
when the boiler calls for water. Wire the valve end switch
or a relay to operate the pump when the valve opens.

Zone Valve
Steam Supplies

Pressure = 0 when valve closes

30" per PSI B

at Boiler
Water Line
Pitch down
1" per 20 ft 15"
Returns "Y" Strainer

Vent Line
Float & Thermostatic
Boiler pressure acts on water in returns
Trap
Overflow Line
Water Line
Boiler
Gate Valve
Figure 7: Dimension B – Result of Zoning or Condensate Return Unit
Using Traps on Gravity Systems Square Head or
Check Valve Boiler Feed Unit
Boiler Cock

4. One-pipe systems and two-pipe gravity systems

provide heat by pushing air out the radiators and steam
lines through air vents. The air is pushed out during the
heating cycle. After the boiler shuts down, the vents
prevent a vacuum by allowing air to return.
Figure
Figure88:—One-Pipe Pumped Return System

3
INSTALLATION SURVEY – STEAM

7. The main and riser traps must be working for the

system to heat evenly. If these traps let the air out of the
Thermostatic
Supply steam lines quickly, all of the branch lines will receive
Trap
Valve steam at the same time. If not, the radiator traps have to
do the job, causing radiators near the boiler to heat
sooner than those further away. If the traps fail open,
steam will pass into the receiver tank, causing high
condensate temperature. This will cause cavitation in the
pump impeller, damaging the pump.
Supply
Main Riser 8. Traps which fail open on two-pipe systems allow steam
Vent to pass into the condensate lines. Steam in the returns
Boiler Water Line causes hammer and damage to other traps. It also
Hartford pressurizes the condensate lines. This eliminates the
Loop
pressure difference across other traps and prevents them
Return from moving air and condensate out of their radiators.
The radiators won’t heat.
Traps which fail closed allow condensate to
Figure
Figure99:—Two-Pipe Parallel Upfeed System, accumulate, resulting in water hammer, no-heat
Figure 9:—Pumped Return problems and boiler water level problems (since the
condensate can’t get back).
3. Condensate Units 9. Thermostatic traps are used on radiators. They have
● Small receiver tank (usually one minute boiler a thermal element which expands to close the trap when
steaming time) with one or more boiler feed pumps exposed to steam temperature. They release condensate
attached. The standard pump outlet pressure is 20 psig. at 10o to 30o F below steam temperature. So thermostatic
traps also work well for drip lines if piped with at least a
● Condensate unit pumps start when the level in the five foot cooling leg ahead of the trap.
receiver tank rises. The pump is not operated by the
boiler water level controls. This is why you’re always 10. You’ll find Float and Thermostatic Traps on most
better off installing a boiler feed system instead if possible. drip lines and heat exchanger drain lines. They contain
● Make-up water is usually added at the boiler with a a thermostatic element for rapid movement of air and a
float-operated feeder control. float mechanism for handling condensate. Because they
are float-operated, the condensate can drain at steam
● Condensate units are not effective when pumping to
temperature. Float and thermostatic traps are effective
multiple boilers. There is no way of setting which boiler under varying or light condensate rates.
will receive the water since the condensate unit only
pumps based on the water level in its receiver. 11. Water hammer will damage most thermostatic traps and
float and thermostatic traps, though heavy duty hammer
4. Boiler Feed Units resistant traps are available.
● Larger receiver tank, usually sized for at least 15 minutes
boiler steaming time (more if condensate return time is 12. Where water hammer is likely, Bucket Traps are often
longer), with one or more pumps attached. used. They have a more rugged construction. Bucket
traps are less effective at removal of air and must be
● Boiler feed unit pumps start on a call from the boiler
manually primed. They can also lose their prime under
water level controller. light loads, allowing live steam to pass through.
● Make-up water is added at the feed unit receiver.

5. Vacuum Units E. Vapor Systems

● A vacuum pump pulls a vacuum on the system
1. Characteristics of Vapor System:
through the condensate, supply and return lines,
pulling both air and condensate. ● System designed to run at very low pressure or vacuum

● Air is eliminated through the receiver tank vent. ● Usually includes a Boiler Return Trap (or Alternating

● Vacuum units can be either condensate unit type

Receiver or Differential Loop) and Air Eliminator
(operated by a float in the tank) or boiler feed type Trap. See Figure 10.
(pumping to the boiler on a call from the boiler level 2. A Vapor System is a special type of two-pipe steam
control.) system. The Air Eliminator Trap is designed to let the air
6. Two-Pipe Pumped Return Systems provide heat by out. The air check valve on the trap vent prevents the air
pushing air through the radiator, main and riser traps, from returning. As steam condenses in the radiators, a
allowing steam to enter the radiators. The traps must be low pressure develops in the system.
working for the air to be moved out through the 3. Vapor systems need a special boiler pressure control
condensate lines to the vent on the condensate or boiler called a Vaporstat. This control has a very low range,
feed unit. As steam condenses in the radiators, the allowing accurate setting of the pressure and preventing
condensate drains through the traps. When the setting the pressure too high for the system.
condensate has drained and steam reaches the
thermostatic element in the trap, the element expands. 4. Operating a vapor system at too high a pressure can
This closes the trap seat, preventing steam from entering cause blow through on loop seals and overheating (since
the condensate lines. the radiators were sized for low temperature steam.)

4
 INSTALLATION SURVEY – STEAM

Check Air Check

● Find out whether there has been a history of leaks in
Thermostatic
the system, particularly in the condensate lines. If the
To Boiler
Steam
Trap old boiler failed due to oxygen corrosion there is a
Air
Header
Eliminator Return good chance the system was leaking.
Trap Main
Boiler ● Use the troubleshooting guide in the complete
Return
Trap End of installation manual as an aid to locating problems.
B A
Steam
Main This is a chance to let the owner know that just
At Water
Line
Check 6"
or more
changing the boiler won’t fix the whole system.
Check

❏ compared
Check the height of the new Boiler Water Level
to the old boiler.
If new boiler water level is Higher:
Boiler
Return ● Parallel flow gravity systems – make sure that the
distance from the new water line to the lowest steam
Pipe Cap Slightly
Set In Concrete carrying pipe (Dimension A) will be at least 28 inches.
If Dimension A is less than 28 inches, you may need
to install a condensate unit or boiler feed unit plus a
float and thermostatic trap at the end of the main and
Figure
Figure10:
10:—Typical Vapor System Boiler all riser drips. See Figure 8. On some systems, less than
Figure 0:0—Return Trap and Air Eliminator 28 inches may work, but the risk is that condensate
Figure 0:0—Trap will back into the main or branches and cause water
hammer or lack of heat.
5. Vapor system radiators are equipped with special traps ● If a gravity system is fitted with traps or zone valves,
on the condensate lines to prevent steam from passing the minimum height difference from the boiler water
through. Some vapor systems also use orificed radiator line to the lowest steam carrying pipe is 30 inches per
supply valves. The orifice is sized to allow slightly less psig at the boiler. Set the boiler operating limit only
steam through than the radiator can handle. This makes high enough for the steam to reach the last radiator.
sure all the steam condenses so it can’t pass through to
the condensate line. ● Vapor systems – make sure the distance to the Boiler
Return Trap is still high enough for condensate to
6. Because the radiators have traps on the condensate lines, return by gravity. The height from the boiler water level
the pressure difference between the condensate line and to the bottom of the trap should be at least 6 inches.
the boiler is usually too much for gravity return to ● Pumped return systems – check new water line
overcome. The Boiler Return Trap compensates for against overflow line on receiver vent piping. Some
this. When the condensate backs up high enough to lift vent lines include an overflow tee at the boiler water
the boiler return trap float, a valve opens to allow steam level.
pressure from the boiler to balance the pressure in the
trap chamber. This allows condensate to flow into the If new boiler water level is Lower:
boiler by gravity. When the condensate flows out the float
drops and the cycle starts again. ● Parallel flow gravity systems – check the height of
the lowest dry returns. If any part of a gravity return
7. The Boiler Return Trap is essential to the operation of a wet return line will be above the new boiler water line,
vapor system. Always replace it with the same thing. The mount the boiler on a pedestal if possible to obtain the
only alternative is to repipe the returns, install correct height. If this can’t be done, install a false water
thermostatic traps on all the radiators, drip traps on the line (Figure 11) in order to completely cover the
steam main and risers and install a condensate unit or return. Otherwise, water hammer will occur in the
boiler feed unit. return.
● Vapor systems – water level must be at least as high
F. Installation Checklist as the loop seal pipe at the end of the main. Elevate
the boiler base if needed for this loop seal to be below

❏ Check the System History the boiler water line. If the loop seal is exposed steam
will pass through to the returns, causing water hammer
and no-heat problems.
● If the system has a history of no-heat problems,
check the air vents or traps to make sure they’re
working. Some of them may need to be replaced. The
Main and Riser vents often fail due to water hammer ❏ Lag
Check the system Condensate Return Time

because of being piped too close to the ends of mains ● If the old boiler is still operational, time how long it
or dry returns. See Figure 12. takes for the condensate return line to begin warming
● If the system has a history of water hammer, check when the boiler is started from a cold system. This is
the pipe slopes and check for sags in the steam piping the Condensate Return Time Lag. If the time lag
or concentric reducers. Also make sure drip traps are is over 15 minutes, you will probably need to install a
working. Also check to see if insulation has been boiler feed unit. The storage receiver on the feed unit
removed from steam piping and not replaced. would be sized to be at least the time lag (minutes)

5
INSTALLATION SURVEY – STEAM

● The steam lines must be insulated. If the

Main Vent insulation has been removed in the past it should be
replaced. Uninsulated steam lines cause heavy
Steam Main
condensate loads due to heat loss from the piping and
can cause hammer on shutdown due to momentary
vacuum in the lines. The extra steam and condensate
1½" Pressure Equalizer Line
loads can also cause boiler water level problems and
overfilling of the system.
Minimum
"A" ● Check wet returns for leaks. The wet return lines
Air 12" at least 28" are usually corroded worse than any other part of the
nipple
Vent system because acidic water constantly lays in the
False pipes. If the returns are leaking, recommend
BOILER replacement of the piping to the owner. If the old wet
Fill 4" Water Line
Valve returns were buried, you may need to run new dry
Water Level Equalizer may returns. Make sure Dimension A will be at least 28
hammer on
Open Close initial start until inches (to the lowest part of the dry return).
it fills up to false
water level. Fill ● If you leave leaks as is, make-up water will constantly
wet return using
Fill Valve to avoid.
be added to the system. This will risk liming and
oxygen corrosion of the boiler and result in a short
boiler life.

Figure
Figure11
11:—Installing False Water Line to
Figure 0:0—Submerge Returns When New
Figure 0:0—Boiler Water Level is Too Low
❏ Check Air Vents and Traps
One-Pipe Systems – Check Main, Riser and
times the boiler steaming rate (GPM) times 1.33 (to Radiator Air Vents
allow for the unused storage in the receiver.
● Always use a boiler feed unit when possible. ● The steam main piping Main Vent is often piped at the
Boiler feed units compensate for large or slow very end of the main on a tee. This can lead to quick
returning systems by providing the water the boiler failure of the vent due to water hammer at the end of
needs until the condensate begins to return. the steam main. Figure 12 shows the correct way
Condensate units and gravity return systems can’t do to install the Main Vent to be sure it will last.
this. If the boiler doesn’t have enough water content ● Make sure the riser vents (at tops of risers on upfeed
to steam until the condensate returns, make-up water systems; on lower part of risers on downfeed systems)
will be added. This will cause flooding and oxygen are working. These should be high capacity vents like
corrosion (because of the oxygen carried in by the the Main Vent on the steam main piping.
fresh water). ● Check radiator air vents. They must be working for
● If you decide to convert a gravity system to pumped the radiators to heat correctly.
return, make sure you can place traps in all the places ● Make sure the radiator supply valves on one-pipe
needed—radiator traps and drip traps on mains and systems are fully open. One-pipe radiators cannot be
risers. regulated by closing down on the radiator supply valve
● If the old boiler is not operational, make a judgment because this will cause water hammer in the radiator
on the size of the system and how long it will take for since condensate has to flow back through the valve
the condensate to come back. When in doubt, against the steam flow.
recommend a boiler feed unit to the owner. A boiler
feed unit is always preferred because it responds to the Two-Pipe Systems – Check Main and Riser Drip
needs of the boiler. Traps
● The steam main and risers are usually provided with
❏ Check the System Piping drip traps, most often float and thermostatic traps.
Thermostatic traps may also be used, piped with a
cooling leg at least 5 feet long on the trap inlet.
● Check steam lines, runouts and branches for ● The drip traps serve to remove condensate from the
right amount of pitch. Lines need to pitch in the main and risers and to allow air to pass on the start of
direction the condensate is supposed to flow. If they the heating cycle and return at the end of the cycle.
don’t, water hammer and no-heat problems may ● A drip trap on the steam main or return main
occur. On counterflow systems, the pipes must pitch needs to be installed as shown in Figure 13. The piping
back toward the boiler. On parallel systems, the lines ahead of the trap provides a column of condensate
must pitch toward the returns. high enough to be sure the trap will drain the
● Check steam lines for sags. Sags allow water to pocket, condensate even with no pressure on the steam line.
causing water hammer when the system starts up. This prevents condensate from backing up in the
● Make sure there are no concentric reducers in any horizontal pipe and causing water hammer.
steam lines except where the pipe size is increasing. ● Riser and main drip traps are important in the quick
Concentric reduces cause water pocketing and water removal of air from the steam lines. They assure that
hammer when used in the wrong places. all radiator branches receive steam at the same time.

6
 INSTALLATION SURVEY – STEAM

● Defective traps can result in damage to any pump.

Steam in the condensate lines causes high
RIGHT WRONG temperature condensate, which flashes in the pump
impeller, causing cavitation. This will quickly erode the
Main Vent Vent will be damaged by impeller blades and destroy the pump.
water hammer at end of
main or return ● Check the return line leading to the receiver. It must
be sloped downward to the receiver with no sags or
6 to 10"
Main Vent rises. Anything which will allow water to sit in the lines
will prevent air from being pushed into the receiver
and out the receiver vent line. This can also cause
water hammer in the return.
Steam Main
or Dry Return
● Check that the vent line is installed and open to the
15" Steam Main atmosphere on condensate units, boiler feed units and
minimum or Dry Return vacuum units. Their receivers are not designed to be
pressurized.
Vent protected from water
hammer

❏ toPlanthethesteam
Near-Boiler Piping and its connection
main
Figure
Figure12
12:—Correct Piping of Main Vent to ● The boiler steam header must be at least 24 inches
Figure 9: —Prevent Water Hammer Damage above the normal boiler water line (center of the gauge
glass).
● Vapor systems – check the thermostatic trap
between the end of the steam main and the return ● On boilers with multiple risers, the system steam
main. This trap allows air to flow to the condensate take-off(s) should be between the last boiler
return line and out the Air Eliminator trap. riser and the equalizer line. When the piping is
installed correctly, as shown in Figure 14, water is
Two-Pipe Systems – Check Radiator Traps separated from the steam as the steam turns up into
the take-offs. The figure also shows how water pools
● If any radiator traps have failed open, steam can under the take-off if it is between the boiler risers,
enter the condensate lines. This will cause a no-heat causing water carryover to the system.
problem on radiators higher in the system because the
pressure in the condensate lines prevents the other ● Use the number of risers off the boiler in the locations
traps from passing air and condensate. shown in the manual. Reducing the number of
risers or incorrectly placing them will cause
● If radiator traps need to be replaced, all defective the water level to be sloped inside the boiler.
traps should be replaced at the same time, and This can cause overheating of the sections and result
with the system cold. Otherwise, the new traps in cracks.
could be damaged by water hammer caused by steam
passing into the returns.
● Bear in mind that the radiators that aren’t heating may
not have defective traps. Their traps may just be
prevented from working because traps lower in the
system are allowing steam to enter the condensate
lines. When a trap fails open, its radiator usually heats,
but other radiators above it don’t.
● Thermostatic traps can be tested by checking the
temperature of the condensate line after the trap. The
outlet temperature of a thermostatic trap should be at
least 10o F cooler than the steam. If the outlet of the
trap is too hot, either the trap tested is bad or one near Static Head
it is bad. This temperature method can be done with
thermal markers (such as Tempilstiks). This method
may work in most cases, but the best way to test the
trap elements is in a separate testing station. The
stations can be piped off the steam line in boiler room.

❏ orCheck the Pump Unit (Condensate, Boiler Feed

Vacuum)
● Make sure the pump is working and that the Figure
Figure13
13:—Piping a Drip Trap on the End of
pump seals are in good condition. Leakage at the Figure 9: —a Steam Main
seals will cause make-up water to be added to the system.

7
INSTALLATION SURVEY – STEAM

● The boiler header must be offset to provide ● The near-boiler piping must be done as shown
swing joints. The swing joints prevent the expansion in these instructions. This piping is designed to
and contraction of the header from damaging the assure dry steam is provided to the system. Undersized
boiler. pipes and steam take-offs in the wrong locations can
cause large amounts of water to be carried into the
● Size the boiler equalizer line as recommended in these system (Figure 14). The result would be water hammer
instructions. This assures the most stable water level and damage to system traps and vents. It will also
possible and prevents water from spraying up into the cause make-up water to be added to the system due
header. to frequent low water conditions in the boiler.
● We recommend the use of a Hartford loop even on ● Vapor systems – the two check valves below the
pumped return as an added precaution against water Boiler Return Trap are essential to the system. They
leaking back through the check valve into the receiver must be piped as required for the system and must be
tank. The equalizer sizes recommended should be working correctly. Maintain the correct positions of the
adequate for pumped return, provided the pump rate Boiler Return Trap and Air Eliminator Trap relative to
is not excessive. the boiler water line.

EQUALIZER
Water separates when the
Wate
steam turns upward

HEADER CONNECTIONS
FOR MULTIPLE BOILER RISERS EQUALIZER

Wate
Water pools under the steam
take-off, causing heavy carryover
of water to the system

Figure14:—LLocation
Figure 14: One-Pipeof
Pumped
Steam Return System
Take-Off on Multiple Riser Boiler

8
 Steam Survey
Hydronic Systems

Pr e - I n s t a l l a t i o n
Survey and
Checklist for
Steam Systems

PB HEAT, LLC
131 S. CHURCH STREET • BALLY, PA 19503

©2010 6785 R2 (11/10-2M)

Printed in U.S.A.