Hot Water vSupply
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Kitchen Boiler Connections
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Hot Water Supply
and Kitchen Boiler
Connections
A Text Book on the Installation
of Hot Water Service in Resi-
dences and Other Buildings and
Methods of Connecting Range
Boilers, Steam and Gas Water
Heaters
By William Hutton
Based on Articles from
Metal Worker, Plumber & Steam Fitter
with Addenda and Useful Tables
New York
David Williams Company
231-241 West 39th Street
1913
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Copyrighted, 1894
By DAVID WILLIAMS.
Copyrighted, 1899
By DAVID WILLIAMS COMPANY.
Copyrighted, 1913
By DAVID WILLIAMS COMPANY.
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©CU350288
PEEFACE.
Every man who lias been engaged in the plumbing business
or who has had to do with the design and construction of build-
ings requiring a supply of hot water at the various sanitary fix-
tures, will concede that there is no other branch of building
construction in which trouble is easier to find by a departure
»
from correct design or by improper construction.
Those who do not admit it need only study the columns of
trade papers devoted to plumbing topics to find that more
problems are presented for solution in this line than in any
other branch of plumbing, and the same can be said of all coun-
tries possessing trade papers. There need be no reflection on
the plumber in admitting this. The subject is one that requires
more study of principles than practical experience in construc-
tion, and it is generally found that when unsatisfactory systems
are constructed the mistake is in design through an improper
understanding of principle, and not because of poor workman-
ship.
The popular hand-book ** Kitchen Boiler Connections" —
dealt principally with piping problems and with the connec-
tions to boilers in the smaller type of residence. While the
examples shown in the book which is designed to replace it
cover the larger buildings as well, it has been recognized that the
former are the more important by reason of their far greater
number and therefore the examples of piping construction and
connections for small buildings 'are shown in greater variety.
This is considered all the more necessary, as the opportunity for
departure from certain standard types of construction are more
in small buildings than in large ones, as a rule, owing to greater
variety in architectural design.
All of the methods of connecting heating appliances
of various types have come under the author's personal observa-
tion, and it has been his intention to show as nearly as possible
such connections as may be considered standard and which are
likely to become necessary at some time in the practice of others,
while eliminating examples which might be considered freakish
or exceptional. Much of the material in the book has appeared
PREFACE.
in the pages of ''Metal Worker, Plumber and Steam Fitter,''
and snch parts of the previous book on this subject as applied
to up-to-date practice have been retained.
While it is not to be expected that every combination that
can be satisfactorily used is shown, it is hoped that the examples
which have been selected are varied enough to serve the purpose
of guiding the inexperienced mechanic to the selection of a form
of construction which will give satisfactory service for the special
conditions he may have to work to, and it is hoped that these
have been set forth in such a manner that a little study will
enable him to grasp the principles which have to be kept in mind
in selecting them. If this is done and each problem carefully
considered with these principles in mind, there will be less need
for the services of the ** trouble man" in hot water installations.
Wm. Hutton.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Chapter I. Principles of Heating, Combustion, Transmission
OF Heat, Etc.
The principles of circulation. Density of water. Tempera-
ture of maximum density. Effect of density in causing circula-
tion. Motive force of water in a circulating system. Heat.
Definition of standard of measurement of heat. Combustion.
Heat of combustion. Production of heat by combustion of fuel.
Transmission of heat. Radiation. Convection. Conduction.
Improper combustion. Heat available from various fuels.
Necessity of ample air supply to fuel. Strains and stresses.
Definition of terms used in practice of hot water pipe fitting.
Chapter II. Corrosion of Water Fronts, Boilers and Pipes,
Deposit of Sediment, Etc.
Difference between corrosion and sedimentation. Cause of
more active corrosion of hot water pipes than of cold.
Amount of oxygen dissolved by water. How corrosive effect
may be lessened. Stoppage of pipes and water fronts by
sediment. Hardness of water. Measurement of degree of hard-
ness. Permanent and temporary hardness. Method of softening
water. Appliances for neutralising effect of heating on hard
water. Prevention of deposits by proportioning heating appara-
tus. Method of removing deposits of lime. Avoidance of pre-
cipitation by indirect heating of water. Construction of indirect
heating plant. Sediment collecting chambers. Heat losses
from boilers and pipes. Effect of various pigments and metallic
paints on radiation. Table of heat loss,es from cast iron
radiators with various paints.
Chapter III. Water Fronts, Coils and Heaters.
Construction of various types of water fronts. Position of
flow and return connections. Partitions in water fronts. Results
of accumulation of air in water fronts. Effect of sediment in
water fronts. Indication of overheating of walls of water
fronts. Vertical partition in v»'^ater fronts. Relation of size
of firebox to efficiency of ranges. Setting water fronts with
cement. Necessity of setting stove properly. Extending heat-
1
2 TABLE OP CONTENTS.
•
ing surface of water fronts. Various methods of constructing
heating coils. Estimating capacity of water fronts and coils.
Time and size of coils and water fronts required to heat given
quantities of water.
Chapter IV. Examples of Range Conditions for Various Con-
ditions.
Common type of range connection. Common type with allow-
ance for expansion. Cause of pounding and snapping sounds
in boilers. Connection designed to avoid such noises. Insuf-
ficient circulation and its cause. Quick heating connections.
Combination of quick heating and side opening connection.
Connection for boiler with door intervening. Connection for
gas heater. Gas heater connection to avoid stoppage with sedi-
ment. Connection for boilers under low static head. Preven-
tion of siphonage with intermittent supply. Connection for
standard vertical boilers in horizontal position. Connections
for regular horizontal boilers. Example of installation of
steam heated boiler set at too low level.
Chapter V. Variations in Connections to Suit Special Con-
ditions.
Setting boiler on floor below heater. Connecting branches
to fixtures to prevent drawing water below level of water
front. Danger of siphonage of water in coil or water front
when boiler is below its level. Connecting boiler on lower
level with overhead tank supply. Connections for boilers on
floors above heaters. Connections for coil in furnace and gas
heater in kitchen. Continuous flow connection for coil and
gas heater. Connection of coil and gas heater to provide less
storage from gas heater. Providing additional storage capa-
city. Connections for additional horizontal boiler. Connections
for additional vertical boiler, Equalization of flow from two
boilers. Connections for two vertical boilers on same level
to one heater. Connections for two boilers on different levels.
Connections for two heaters to one boiler on same level. Con-
nections for boilers with two heaters on same level and one
on floor below.
Chapter VI. Multiple Connections With Tank and Pressure
Supply.
Connections for boiler with heater on same level and one
on floor below. Example of connections to boiler from heater
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 3
on same level and one on floor above that show conflicting
currents. Connections to same system to avoid retarding of
circulation to fixtures. Connecting horizontal boiler with
heater on same floor and OEe on floor above. Connections for
two boilers with individual heaters to a common maiji pipe.
Probability of drawing tepid water and connections to avoid
it. Connections for two boilers with individual heaters for two
flats. Two boilers heated from either heater at option.
Example of unusual connection of two boilers to heaters on
different levels. Connections of two boilers to common supply
line to equalize flow. Circulation of water between two boilers
on same level.
Chapter VII. Supply Connections and Distribution.
Objections to customary methods of running supply pipes in
small houses. Advantages of providing stopcocks on each
branch. Method of distribution from water tables. Construc-
tion of distributing headers. Solid nipples. Draining horizontal
lines. Circulation of hot water to fixtures. Primary and
secondary circulation loops. Important features of design in
circulating systems. Continuous loop circulationt System with
independent circulating loops. Danger of drawing cold water
at fixtures. Making connections to fixtures at point which will
prevent drawing cold water. Avoiding stoppage of circulation
by sagging pipes. Setting check valves. Hot water and ice
water in one piping system. Circulating hot water to cottage
plumbing. Circulation system for a five-story building, with
boiler for each apartment. Circulating system with overhead
tank supply for large residence. Example of English system
of hot water distribution. Circulating system to fixtures on
same floor as boiler. Circulating water to fixtures below boiler
level.
Chapter VIII. Hot Water Circlt.ation in Large Buildings*
Disadvantage of carrying high pressures in boilers heated by-
steam coils. Drop feed system of circulation* Provision for
expansion of risers. Circulating system with supply branches
from rising lines. Circulation in long lateral branches.
Equalization of temperature. Sectional system of distribution.
Hot water supply to shower baths. Proportioning supplies
and apparatus for showers in large institutions. Resultant
temperature of mixing hot and cold water. Anti-scalding valves
and mixers. Mixing tank controlled by attendants. Mixing
tube suitable for factory washroom showers.
4 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Chapter IX. Double Boilers, Connections and Distributing
Pipes.
Use of the double boiler. Selection of system to suit con-
ditions. Use of two boilers and two water backs. Regular
double boiler system. Difference in capacity of inner and
outer boilers. Strength of boiler shells. Correct methods of
making connections. Connections to admit filling of inner
boiler from street supply as well as tank. System with reverse
cocks to allow quick change from street to tank supply and
vice versa. Example of double tank system and connections.
Horizontal double boilers. Double water backs. Use of two
boilers with separate heaters. Necessity of safety valve when
check valve is used on supply pip,e.
Chapter X. Heating Water by Gas.
Calculation of capacity and efficiency of gas heaters. Effect
of vent flues on gas heaters. Efficiency of various systems
compared. Constructive features of gas heaters. Instantaneous
bath heaters. Supplying more than one fixture from a bath
heater. Kitchen boiler heaters. Kitchen boiler heater with
thermostatic control. Instantaneous heater with pressure con-
trol. Instantaneous heater with pressure and thermostatic
control. Operation of thermostats. Storage type of heater
thermostatically controlled. Rules for installation of heaters
and satisfactory maintainance. Distribution of water from
heaters to fixtures in apartment. Connection of heaters as
auxiliaries. Heater connected as auxiliary to coil in furnace.
Continuous flow connection of heater and water front in stove.
Departure from usual method of setting kitchen boiler heater
to economize space.
Chapter XI. Heating Water by Steam Coils and by Inject-
ing Steam, and by Coils in Heating Apparatus.
Finding of heat necessary to raise water to desired tempera-
ture. Transmission of heat through steam coils. Results
of tests by French engineer. Tables of transmission of heat
by steam through copper pipe. Heating water by exhaust
steam. Proportion of heating surface in coils. Construction
of coils in boilers. Control of steam supply by thermostatic
valves. Heating kitchen boilers by steam. Heating water by
injecting live steam. Amount of water heated by one pound
of steam. Proportioning steam supply pipes. Table of B.t.u.
in steam at various temperatures. Equivalent of calories
in B.tu. Method of injecting live steam without noise. Inject-
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 5
ing live steam to closed boilers. Apparatus for mixing steam
with water outside of boiler. Example of tank heated by
steam coils and tank heater. Auxiliary heaters in furnaces.
Cast iron heaters and coils. Method of making coils for fire-
box of steam heater. Capacity of cast iron heaters suspended
over and in contact with fire. Capacity of coils. Heater con-
structed from radiator sections. Heater combined with
laundry stove.
Chapter XII. Utilizing Excess Heat in "Warming Rooms and
Domestic Appliances.
Heating coils and radiators from water fronts. Heating wall
coil on same level as boiler. Two methods of connecting
radiator on floor above boiler. Length of pipe required to equal
1 ft. of radiating surface. Using an additional boiler as a
radiator. Connecting a radiator to domestic water supply lines.
Room warmed by hot air from kitchen stove. Connecting
radiators to stoves when water front is not used for domestic
supply. Heating a plate warming closet or table. Heating
towel rails by hot water. Utilization of waste heat. Warming
supply water from heat of wastes. Water heating by garbage
burning. Warming boilers in bakeries by heat of oven.
Chapter XIII. Air Locking, Expansion of Water, Relief
Pipes and Valves.
Cause of air locking in hot water supply systems. Examples
of piping installations leading to air locking. Methods of pip-
ing to .eliminate air locking. Causes of spattering and inter-
mittent flow at fixtures. Unique remedy for air bound circulat-
ing system. Expansion of water through relief pipes. Increase
in volume of water at different temperatures. Continuous flow
of hot water through relief pipe to tank. Method of overcom-
ing excessive relief flow. Advantage of safety valves on boilers.
Vacuum valves. Method of fitting vacuum valves. Collapse of
copper boilers. Cause and prevention of collapse. Method of
making range connection? to double boiler to guard against
collapse by siphonage. Method of avoiding excessive pressure
in system by expansion when check valves are used.
Chapter XIY. Common Complaints and Their Remedy. Re-
pair Kinks.
Unsatisfactory service from kitchen ranges. Causes of
unsatisfactory heating of water. Construction of stoves cause
of poor service. Fire-box overtaxed. Stoppages in water front
I
Q TABLE OF CONTENTS.
causing faulty circulation. Pipe sizes and pitch of boiler con-
nections. Boiler supply rusted off. Repairing leaks in boilers.
Fitting plugs in corrosion holes. Milky appearance of water.
Water hammer in boiler connection. Lukewarm water only
drawn. Rusty water. Making a new connection to boiler. Hot
water supply to a barber shop. Comparative value of lead and
brass for range connections. Annealed and semi-annealed brass
pipe. Use of copper pipe. Cutting threads on brass pipe.
Typical Examination Questions on the Theory and Practice
OF Hot Water Supply Installation.
Pages 190 to 201.
CHAPTER I.
Principles of Heating, Combustion, Transmission of Heat.
Is there any single branch of the plumbing business which
provides so much food for discussion, so many knotty problems
to solve or so many possibilities of failure as that branch of work
which comes under the heading of Hot Water Supply and
Kitchen Boiler Connections?
Take up the current number of any one of the trade journals
and an enquiry will be found from some member of the craft
who is '*up against it.'* Look back over a year of your own
experience and see if you cannot recollect some instances when
you found it very hard to decide on the proper, or at least the
most advantageous, method of installing a hot-water generator
or system of distribution.
It is precisely this choice of methods, the uncertainty of gain-
ing the results expected and the difficulty of deciding which of
several plans is best suited to a particular problem that lead to
the troubles experienced by most plumbers at one time or an-
other, and in many cases to loss of patronage through unsatis-
factory working of the apparatus he has installed. In practically
all of the other branches of our business, the methods are well
defined, and the results of a failure to comply with established
practice so obvious that difficulties are encountered only by the
less experienced or incompetent men.
But in this business of Hot-Water Supply, it is not only the
young mechanic, but often the old and presumably much ex-
perienced craftsman who ** falls down" on some point or other
with the attendant failure to secure satisfactory results from his
work. And the only possible explanation is lack of compre-
hension of the principles governing the movement of water in
a heating and distributing system.
The purpose of this book is to present to such as are in-
terested in the subject a few of the chief factors which make
for success, or failure, in a hot-water installation, a few of the
7
8 . HOT WATER SUPPLY.
facts known to most experienced men, but possibly new to the
young journeyman or apprentice, and examples of the applica-
tion of these principles and methods which have come under the
writer's observation or been submitted to him for opinion by
others from time to time.
For the benefit of the new boy who wants to know "how
the hot water gets into the boiler, anyhow/' it is necessary to
explain what causes circulation.
Circulation.
Circulation, as understood in its application to a hot-water
heating or domestic hot-water supply system, is the movement
of bodies of water from the primary heating appliance, which
may be a kitchen stove, a regular hot-water heater, an automatic
gas or a steam-heating contrivance, to the storage tank or boiler,
and the return of water from thence to the source of heat again.
It is also applied to the movement of hot water through a circuit
of pipe to some point near the fixtures to be supplied with hot
water for heating purposes or for bathing and similar purposes,
and its return from that point to the tank or boiler to be re-
heated and again returned to the point of discharge for im-
mediate service when wanted.
What causes circulation ? Briefly, the difference in density
or weight per given volume of two columns of water at different
temperatures.
And now to explain the meaning of Density. Density has
been defined as the ** Ratio of mass to volume.'*
Water has a maximum density at a temperature of about 40
deg. F. That means that a given quantity of water will weigh
more at 40 deg. than at 35 deg. or at 110 deg., for a rise in
temperature causes the molecules to expand in volume, thereby
taking up more space, with the obvious result that our ''given
quantity" is larger, while its weight has remained as it was.
A decrease in temperature has the same effect, but at 32 deg.
the water solidifies and takes the form of ice.
We take advantage of this natural law in causing circulation
to take place in heating systems, and its application to practical
problems is as follows:
PRINCIPLES OF HEATING, ETC.
Fig. 1. Applian«e Used to Demonstrate
Circulation of Water.
When heat is applied to a vessel containing water, the mole-
o
ca
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9.
Ju.
11.
12.
\b.
14
lo.
16
17.
18.
19.
20
21.
22.
23.
Rad. plain as received from factory
Rad. plain as received from factory
Rad. painted witli copper bronze
Rad. painted with copper bronze
Rad. painted with terra cotta enamel
Rad. painted with copper bronz3
Rad. painted with light brown varnish
Rad. painted with oak brown varnish
Rad. painted with aluminura bronze
Rad painted with aluminum bronze
Rad. painted with silver gray enamel
Rad. painted witn snow-white enamel
Rad. painted with bronze green
enamel
Rad. painted with no luster green
enamel
Rad. painted with naaroon gloss japan.
Rad. painted with shellac and copper bronze powder
Rad. painted with copper bronze powder and linseed oil
Rad. painted with white paint
Rad. painted with terra cotta paint
Rad. painted with light green paint
Rad. painted with liglit green paint
zinc
Rad. painted with terra cotta paint
zinc
Rad. painted with white paint zinc
These paints of
two coats each
were painted
over one an-
other in the
order given.
This series fol-
lows one an-
other.
Painted over
one another
3.82
74.4
1
2.925
76
2
2.8:35
63.1
3
278
72.3
4
2.78
74.5
5
3.05
66.3
6
2.74
74.1
1
^.74
72.9
8
2.70
71.8
9
2.77
70 5
10
2.77
66.7
n
2.72
67.6
12
2.67
64.3
13
2.67
64.0
14
2.63
70.6
15
2.61
68.5
16
2.66
67.0
17
2.66
86 9
18
2.64
83.4
19
2.62
86.8
20
2.72
77.2
21
2.77
77.7
22
268
76.0
2}
0.997
1.005
0.761
0.752
1.038
735
0.977
0.977
0.730
0.724
0.970
1.01
0.997
0.956
0.997
0.850
0.760
0.987
1.00
0.989
1.00
0.964
1.01
Table of Heat Losses Through Painted Iron Surfaces.
of heat and therefore is the best material that can be used to
paint boilers or pipes which are in such a position that it is not
practicable to cover them with the ordinary form of covering.
24
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
The foregoing table shows the rate of heat transmission per
sq. ft. per deg. difference in temperature in a cast iron radiator
with steam at an average temperature of 224 deg., and the losses
from a boiler containing water at 180 to 200 deg. Fahr. may be
estimated from this, making due allowance for the difference in
outside and inside temperatures. Thus the rate of transmission
would be less when the room temperature was higher, but the
table will give results nearly enough correct for all practical
purposes.
CHAPTER III.
Water Fronts, Coils and Heaters.
The usual provision made in kitchen range construction
for water heating purposes is that of a water front or water
back. This is simply a hollow cast iron box which is designed to
take up the space afforded by one or more sides of the firebox
and which receives its designation of water front or water back
according to the position in which it is intended to be fitted.
In the smaller sizes of ranges intended for use in cottages or
small apartments in connection with a boiler of 30 or 40 gall,
capacity the water front is invariably of the pattern occupying
the space at the front or back of the fire box. In the larger
ranges with ovens at each side of the fire box two sides or
three may be occupied by it, affording a much larger heating
surface which is capable of supplying hot water in sufficient
quantity, in combination with a boiler of 60 to 100 gall, capacity,
for a large household.
The style of the range determines the position of the flow
and return tappings in the water front. Those shown in the
accompanying illustrations, Figs. 6 to 10, show all the positions
in common use. From these it will be seen that the outlets may
be at the side of the range or the back according to what the
design requires, but the relative position of flow and return con-
nections are as a rule the same — the flow as near the top as
possible and the return as close to the under side of the casting
as can be arranged. This prevents the accumulation of steam
in the water front with attendant noise and even danger, and
also admits of sediment being well scoured out when the sedi-
ment cock at boiler is opened.
Frequently there is a partition in the water front extending
nearly the full length. This assures a good circulation through
it and a better heating effect as the water has to pass through
a longer circuit in contact with the heating surface than it might
take without this provision. The dotted lines in the illustrations
show how air or steam may accumulate in the water front
5^K
26
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
when the upper connection is made at too low a point and how
sediment may accumulate below the level of the lower pipe. The
danger from the accumulation of air arises from the fact that the
metal may become overheated in contact with a fierce fire and
the interior pressure will then bulge it outward, weakening the
walls to the extent that a rupture may occur. The sudden liber-
ation of water at a high temperature and pressure may result in
its flashing into steam, which will do great damage when the
right conditions exist. The same results may follow the accumu-
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Fig. 7. Fig. 9.
Section Through Water Backs.
Dotted Lines Show How Air May Collect Above Connections.
lation of an undue amount of sediment on the inner surface of
the water front. In this case the walls become overheated by
reason of the extra thickness, the deposit of foreign matter pre-
vents the conduction of heat by the water and allows the
metal to become red hot and in its weakened state to give way
under the pressure. Indication of the presence of sediment in
dangerous amount is given as a rule by a swelling or bulge on the
wall in contact with the fire which grows larger on repeated
heating to high temperatures.
Some water fronts have the partition in a vertical position.
This is convenient with some designs of ranges as it enables the
flow and return connections to be made at the same level, the
partition deflecting the water inside so as to afford a circulation.
Theoretically the position at the back of the fire box should be
the most effective in which to place the water heater as the hot
gases passing to the flues will then pass over a portion of it but
WATER FRONTS, COILS AND HEATERS. 27
in practice the difference between front and back or sides is not
noticeable. What is of more importance is the depth and width
of the fire box. When the size of the fire box is reduced too much
in either direction it will be found that the heat transmission
from the fuel to the water front is so great as to affect the baking
qualities of the range seriously unless the flue to which the stove
lis connected possesses an unusually good draft. Occasionally
also this condition works in the opposite direction and the fuel
in contact with the water front will be noticeably dull and the
water supply unsatisfactory. It will also be found hard to main-
Fig. 10. Section
Through 2-Side
IF
Water Back. Fig. 11. Coil Fitted to Increase Heating Power.
tain a fire when the dampers are checked down. The reason is
the obvious one that the range is overtaxed and therefore the
size of the fire box should be a factor in deciding as to the practi-
cability of heating a sufficient supply of water for domestic pur-
poses when it is proposed to use a water front in a range in which
none has been previously used.
Heating Large Quantities of Water.
In large establishments using powerful cooking stoves and
requiring large amounts of hot water it is quite possible and in
fact common to install a boiler of 60 to 80 gall, capacity which
is heated by a water back in the range. If the double oven type
of range is used which has the fire box in the center a water
back which extends around three sides of the fire box may be
provided. This will afford a large heating surface which with
the strong fire usually run where a large amount of cooking is
done will be sufficient to heat the water satisfactorily. It is quite
possible to expose 200 sq. in. of heating surface with a water
back of this description and on the basis of 2i/^ sq. in. to the
gallon of water that is sufficient to heat 80 gallons with ease.
It must not be overlooked however that such a large water
back is a severe tax upon a fire and when overdone will lead to
28 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
unsatisfactory baking in the ovens. Therefore a water front snch
as that shown in Fig. 10 which is carried round two sides of
the fire box only and which even then is capable of heating a
more than ordinarily large boiler may be the safer to use in the
majority of cases. When placing water fronts in position it is
always well to bed them with fireclay and to point the joints
with that or with stove putty. This will add considerably to the
heating value of the fire by preventing an accumulation of ash
in the crevices and by preventing a current of air from passing
behind the water front and bricks.
Another point to look out for is that the stove is standing
level. It is not uncommon in old houses to find floors so much
out of the level by sinking of walls that the water front is high
,
Fig. 12. A Combination of Coil and Water Front.
at one end and this may considerably affect the circulation as
well as act injuriously on the water front should air or steam
collect therein. It also throws the tappings of the water front
out of the correct line so that the pipes connecting to it will be
pitching either up or down more than is desirable. This latter
condition has sometimes to be overcome by cutting a crooked
thread on the connections as it may be also due to a tapping not
being correctly made.
When an additional supply of hot water is required through
the extension of the plumbing system in a house or for any
other reason it is often accomplished by tapping the water
front as shown in Fig. 11 and carrying a brass pipe around
the fire box in contact with the hot coals or exposed to the hot
gases passing over the top of the oven to the flues. If the addi-
tional requirements are not great a pipe passing round two
WATER FRONTS, COILS AND HEATERS.
29
sides and so throug'h the stove plates may be entirely satisfac-
tory, or it can be carried along the top of the oven and returned
to the fire box end again before passing out to be connected
to the boiler. It is important to see that a pitch upward is
maintained, otherwise the circulation will be impeded and ac-
companied by rumbling sounds caused by the accumulation of
air or steam in the coil.
Another method of extending the heating surface of a
water front is shown in Fig. 12. This is really a combination
of coil and water front, the coil being carried along the back
of the fire box and connected into the flow and return pipes
to boiler as shown. Such a coil is easily constructed of brass
pipe mth one return bend, unions being inserted between the
Fig. 13. Another Method of Extending the
Heating Surface.
water front and the tee on coil so as to enable the coil to be
pushed into place. The legs are brought through holes drilled
in the stove plates and the tees turned on in position. Yet
another variation is seen in Fig. 13, but this calls for drill-
ing the water front in another place. This ensures that all air
is removed from the water front and when the stove is of such
construction that the connection can be made in this manner the
additional ^heating power that such a coil affords will be con-
siderable. The arrows in the illustration denote the path of
the water in circulating throught the water front. The tapping
for the coil connection is made just above the level of the parti-
tion in the water front and that from the top is taken off at
one end in a line with the return connection. The flow connec-
tion used before the extension was made is plugged. In piping
30
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
up a water front in this manner it is imperative that there should
be no burrs in the pipe or fittings and a smoother working
job will be obtained if there is room in the fire box to make the
piece of pipe and the tee of 1-in. pipe as shown, as then there
will be no retarding of the flow by friction with consequent over-
heating and noisy operation.
Instead of a cast iron water back it is common to use a coil
made of iron or preferably of brass pipe. This is generally
built by the plumber to fit the stove installed and consists of the
14. Coil Fitted Over a
Range Fire Box.
ordinary elbows and return bends in common use. It can be
made to fit one, two, three or four sides as desired and is
generally built in a simple two pipe style, although with a fire
box of large capacity and depth it may be built three pipes
deep. The size of pipe generally used for these coils is % in.,
as then the fittings do not take np an undue amount of room
and the coil can be made to fit snugly to the walls of the fire
box. Unless special provision has been made for the use of such
a water heater by the maker of the stove the interstices of the
coil and the space left at top and bottom should be filled with
a good stove cement. This does not affect the heating qualities
of the coil and prevents overheating of the plates of the range
or leakage of smoke and gases to the room. As with the exten-
sion coil already spoken of the pitch to the outlet must be care-
fully watched. A dip at one of the bends caused by the action
of screwing in a pipe or tightening a union is easily made and
is often sufficient to retard the circulation to a serious extent.
WATER FRONTS, COILS AND HEATERS.
31
A variation on the usual method of fitting the coil is shown in
Fig. 14. Here the coil is shown suspended over the fire and in
such a position as not to interfere with access to the fire box
through the two stove lids. This is not likely to give as much
satisfaction as the previous method, as the coil is subjected to
radiant heat only and this is of much less value than direct
contact with the glowing fuel. A coil of two pipes fitted to
three sides of the fire box is shown in Fig. 15.
Proportioning Coils and Water Fronts.
The proportions of water fronts and coils are not subject
to much variation to suit the needs of different households,
Fig. 15. A Coil on Three Sides of the Fire Box.
owing to the limitations which the construction of the stoves
in which they are placed entail. It is, however, occasionally
desirable to estimate the capacity of a water front or a coil be-
fore proceeding to install fixtures which would require a supply
of hot water therefrom and which might entail an additional tax
on the heating capacity which it was unable to carry. If the
boiler be a forty gallon one and two hours be required in which
to heat it to the desired temperature of say 110 deg. Fahr., it
will be easy to compute the time required to heat any extra
amount. As 1 B.t.u. is the equivalent of the heat required to
raise the temperature of 1 lb. of water 1 deg. Fahr. when the
water is at its point of maximum density — 39 deg., it will be
32 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
seen that to raise 40 gall., or 333 lbs. 70 deg. will require 23,310
B.t.u. If this is divided by 2 it is seen that the rate of heat
transmission is H,655 B.t.u. for the surface exposed. As the
average size of the water front is about 5 in. by 15 in., that would
mean a rate of transmission of 22,377 B.t.u. per sq. ft. per
liour. This rate of transmission is high and will seldom be
reached in a kitchen range water front unless the draft is good
and a large fire is maintained. It is perfectly safe to estimate
the proportions of a coil on a basis of 15,000 B.t.u. transmitted
per sq. ft. per hour, as it is in more intimate contact with the
hot fuel than a water front. It is only necessary to find the
area of the pipe exposed to the fuel and calculate how many
B.t.u. the coil will transmit from the fuel to the water, using
a ratio of 15,000 B.t.u. per sq. ft. as a basis. When the num-
ber of heat units is found this should be divided by the number
of degrees it is desired to raise the temperature of the water
which will give the pounds that may be heated to that point and
this again being divided by 8.3 the sum is found in gallons. To
find the size of a coil or water front necessary to heat any
Mated quantity of water in a given time the process is reversed.
The consumption of fuel per sq. ft. of grate surface varies
greatly according to the local conditions. In estimating the
amount of fuel required to heat water in a kitchen range a
<»onsumption rate of 8 lb. per sq. ft. per hour should not be
exceeded while in a water heater of special design the rate of
-combustion may not exceed 3 lbs. per sq. ft. per hour. A heat
transmission of 8,000 B.t.u per pound of anthracite is generally
estimated.
It is not advisable to estimate sizes on the maximum require-
ments, the average household only uses hot water at its maxi-
mum rate for very short periods and it is economical to cover
these by an auxiliary heater as a rule. It must also be remem-
bered that the whole contents of a boiler will not be at a uniform
heat. The hottest water will be stored at the top of the boiler,
while that at the bottom will be cold until the fire has been run
for a considerable time. Therefore if water to a certain quan-
tity is to be heated in a stipulated time the average temperature
must be taken, as the hottest water will be drawn first.
WATER FRONTS, COILS AND HEATERS. 33
The proportions of boilers for ordinary residences are not
determined by any theoretical consideration but by what ex-
perience has shown to be correct. The ordinary residence with
one bathroom and kitchen equipment is generally well served
when a boiler of 40 gallons capacity is installed, and a 50-gallon
boiler will serve a house with two or even three bathrooms very
well.
In apartment and tenement houses served from a common
storage tank it is common to provide 20 to 25 gallons per fam-
ily up to 15 families; in a house accommodating 20 families,
20 to 22 gallons per family ; for 25 families, 18 to 20 gallons per
family, and over that 15 to 18 gallons is usually sufficient. If
laundries are provided in the building the allowance should be
increased about 30 per cent, to balance the increased demand
for hot water on certain days.
CHAPTER IV.
Range Boiler Connections for Various Conditions.
While it is not possible to show an example of every pos-
sible method of connecting ranges it is imperative to show all
of the boiler connections and methods of circulation that are
Fig. 16. Common Method of
Connecting Range with
All0"wance for Expansion.
Fig. 17. A Method of Con-
necting a Range to Secure
Quick Circulation.
likely to be met with in the work of installing hot water supply
in large or small houses, hotels, and public buildings. There
are many cases in which it is impossible to follow the stereotyped
plan, the strict letter of the law as laid down in theoretical works
on the subject. Where such departures are made in any of the
examples here proposed the reason for it will be given, and
where possible examples of installations which have been long
enough under observation to afford definite proof of the claims
set up for or against them will be illustrated.
For the first example is taken the simplest installation of
all, the ordinary 30 or 40-gal. range boiler with regulation con-
nection to water front, as shown in Fig. 16. Every plumber
knows how to connect a range like this. He knows that carry-
34
RANGE BOILER CONNECTIONS.
35
ing his pipes along in the manner illustrated will, as a rule,
cause a circulation to take place. He knows that he is to allow
for ''swing'' to prevent leaks at the joints through expansion,
and that he is to provide a sediment cock or a tee with stop-
cock and connection to the waste water system at the lowest
point of the boiler connections.
But every plumber does not know what to do when the
circulation refuses to materialize; or when the boiler is hot at
Hot to -
Fixtures -> 1
M
t-t^-^
Fig. 18. A Quick Heating
ConnectioH.
Door or
Window
Reh/rn bebw Floor
Fig. 19.
Connection to Clear a Door or
Window.
times and cold under apparently the same condition's. Also
what to do when heating of the boiler is accompanied by pound-
ing and rattling noises and vibration of the boiler.
Pounding.
The man who is up in the theory of his business will
promptly begin to analyze the symptoms. He will go carefully
over them and eliminate *' possibles" one by one until he finds
the cause of the trouble. No waste of time in experimenting
at haphazard; just a methodical application of the knowledge
he has gained from his books and papers and from his own
deductions and observations in his daily work.
Pounding is caused in several different ways. By over-
heating, owing to the water front or coil being of larger size
than is necessary for the size of boiler used. There is no cure
36 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
for this except increasing storage capacity or reducing heating
surface by inserting a brick or other heat-resisting medium
between a portion of the water front or coil and the fire. A
radiator is sometimes fitted where such can be used with advan-
tage. This provides a ready means of collecting and dissipat-
ing satisfactorily the excess heat.
Pounding may also be caused by defective circulation
through sediment collecting in the water front, in circulating
pipes or in the boiler. This prevents a proper and continuous
supply of cold water to the water front, and the result is that the
water is overheated, steam bubbles form, and on encountering
the cooler water in the boiler in their circulating path, suddenly
condense, and partial vacuums are formed with the attendant
rumbling and snapping noises that are produced by the water
rushing in to fill them.
Insufficient pitch, or pitch in the wrong direction, will also
produce the same trouble through collection of air.
Connection to Facilitate Heating.
Failure to properly heat the boiler is occasionally difficult
to account for. In the first place it may be poor firing, which
will never be admitted by the complainant ; it may be poor coal^
poor draft in the chimney, or insufficient heating surface.
"When trouble along these lines is encountered it is often
advisable to connect up the boiler after the manner shown in
Fig. 17. This, although a ** stiff" connection, is quite allowable.
In fact, in some respects it has the advantage of the other
method, as there is a minimum of frictional resistance to the
circulation and the natural flow or rise of the heated particles
of water is assisted by the sharper pitch of the pipes.
The author has had occasion to enlarge the size also, and
a 1-in. pipe instead of the customary % in. will make quite a
considerable difference in the efficiency of the system.
Then the size of the smoke pipe must be considered and the
draft tested to decide if the chimney is faulty.
The author has also found a partial stoppage in a water
RANGE BOILER CONNECTIONS.
37
front, caused by parts of the core used in casting being left
in it, that was impeding circulation greatly, but yet not enough
to cause pounding or snapping through overheating.
It is always wise to examine thoroughly a new water front
before installing and to pass a bent wire through to prove the
passage at the end is elear. Also, in connecting to an old boiler,
Cold
£^Q!d_
I
Hot to
r/Kfures
Gos
Heater'
^^
(aas
Heater
V^
Fig. 20. Connection for a Gas
Water Heater.
Fig. 21. Connection of Heater to
Avoid Sediment in Boiler.
see that there is no deposit of ooze or rust on the bottom, as
this will often be dense enough to prevent the return circulation
to the water front. As much as 18 in. has been found in an
old boiler in investigating the cause of non-heating. Also make
sure that the supply tube is in good condition and clear.
Quick Heating Connections.
Variations on the regular methods of connecting an ordi-
nary range boiler may be made to suit special conditions. In
fact, some conditions demand a departure from the ordinary
methods. Such a condition may arise where the water front
or whatever the heating medium may be is so high that a proper
pitch cannot be given to the flow pipe and allow of its being
connected to the side opening in the boiler. In this case the side
connection is plugged and the flow pipe carried to a point im-
38
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
mediately above the boiler, where it is connected to a tee on
the house supply as it leaves the boiler.
A feature of this style of connection is that the hot water
being delivered to the upper part of the boiler is more quickly
available. As it does not
have to pass through the
colder water in the boiler,
transmitting heat by convec-
tion to the contents, it follows
that a larger quantity of
really hot water is also avail-
able in shorter time than with
the other connection although
no gain would be shown in
heating the whole contents of
the boiler to a given tempera-
ture.
^W^MMMMM^M^^^^MM^ This style of connection is
Fig. 22. Connection to Afford Free Flow generally known as a * ' quick-
Under Low Pressure. i .• 4.' ^ ff . j
heating connection, and
where small quantities of very hot water are required at frequent
intervals is a very satisfactory one to adopt. A combination of
the good features of both may be obtained by connecting with
the side opening also, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 18.
This, while allowing of the hottest water being stored at the
top of the boiler for instant use, permits a proportion of the flow
from the water front to pass into the main body and, by mixing
with the colder water to bring the temperature of the whole to a
more or less equal state in a shorter time when no water is being
drawn.
Connection for Boiler With Door Intervening.
In many instances where the boiler has to be placed in a
closet or other apartment, a long run of pipe is necessary, and
often there is some obstruction which will not permit of a con-
nection to the side opening, even if pitch could be got for the
long run. In this case also the connection would be made to
the top of the boiler, plugging the side outlet. Where a door or
window has to be crossed the same method is advocated.
When a pipe is carried up to clear an obstacle of this
RANGE BOILER CONNECTIONS.
39
nature it should enter the house supply over the boiler at a
slightly higher level than the ell at which it makes the change
from the perpendicular. If it pitches downward from the ell
air will lodge at the high point, and if pressure is low will
probably cause an air lock. The return pipe may be dropped
below the boiler level if necessary to clear a door or other ob-
struction, the sediment cock, of course, being placed at the lowest
Safety-^.
Vacuum sr-5?
Valve f" ^
HottoF/xfures
w , Supply
B q > — i C i n c^
V/,/',// // f '///'/ ^ y //'//// y /// f /////'//''///,"/'/ /M/l %y////////V//////////////////////////////////\
f ///////// y /// y / r ///// y / y / y / y y y y''y'yyyyyyyyyy,/A 'iyyyyyy/yyyy/'/y/yyyyyyyyyy/yy///f/tf/y/y, y y, y/A
Fig. 23 and Fig. 24.
Two Methods of Connecting Vertical Boilers in a Horizontal Position.
point. This arrangement, shown in Fig. 19, should not be made
unless absolutely necessary, as the long circulation means loss
of heat and consequently slower heating of the boiler.
Connection for Gas Heaters.
A more or less common means of heating kitchen boilers
is that by a small gas heater, consisting of a coil of pipe, or a
series of hollow metal disks through which water is passed,
and a bunsen burner, the whole being enclosed in a sheet metal
or cast iron cylinder. This appliance is fitted directly to the
side of the boiler, as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, and has variations
in the way of automatic gas control and other features peculiar
to the several makers' designs.
The most commonly used connection is that shown in Fig.
20. This admits of the whole contents of the boiler being
heated, but is open to objection on the score that sediment from
the boiler may be carried along and deposited in the coils or
40 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
disks of the heater, leading to a stoppage of circulation and
overheating of water with attendant pounding, and possibly to
a bursting of the disks or coil. This objection may be over-
come to a great extent by fitting a sediment chamber at the tee
marked A. If this is given proper attention and the deposit
periodically removed no trouble will be experienced.
A plan which is often recommended is to take the return
circulation from the side opening of the boiler, as shown in Fig.
21. This effectually prevents sediment entering the heater, but
reduces the storage capacity of the boiler by about one-half, as
there is no circulation and storage of hot water below the side
opening to which the return pipe is connected.
Connection for Low Pressures.
Occasionally the problem of providing a rapid flow of hot
water at the fixtures with a low head of water is encountered
and there are various ways and means of solving it more or
less successfully. The author has found the method shown in
Fig. 22 entirely satisfactory as it does not call for anything
outside of the standard type of boiler or fittings.
It shows a regular tank heater connected to a standard
tapped vertical range boiler in a manner calculated to allow
of the maximum flow through it. The supply tube is eliminated
and the two top tappings used for a twin connection to a 1^-in.
line of supply pipe. The cold supply is connected to the return
connection to the boiler and is also 1^4 i^i- diameter until it
is reduced at the bottom tee to 1 in. to suit the standard tapping.
The minimum frictional resistance to the flow is thus en-
countered as the combined area of the outlets more than equals
the area of the supply line and the same is true of the cold
supply and the inlets to the boiler.
A combined safety and vacuum valve fitted as shown en-
tirely prevents siphonage should the supply be intermittent
and is also a useful adjunct through its being calculated to open
under an excessive pressure or under a sudden shock from a
quick closing valve. Much has been written concerning the
undesirability of connecting the cold supply to the boiler in
this fashion, the statement being made that the cold water en-
tering is liable to flow clear to the top of the boiler and cool
RANGE BOILER CONNECTIONS.
41
off the water leaving it. This may be true under a heavy pres-
sure, but there would be no advantage in using this connection
in that case, and under light or moderate pressures the author
has found this method satisfactory in every way.
Hot to Fixtures
Hot to Fixtures
Cold Supply
f
Cold
Supply
I
Rett
^
L=f pi§j^ta&
^
^
' Vacuum
ValvQ
Flow
Return
^
mm.
f////y///^//
t3»
D
Flov
^
Fig. 25. Common Method of Con-
necting Horizontal Boilers.
'y/////////////////////////////////.'//''/.'.'////,'///f^
Fig. 26. A Method that Requires
Only Three Tappings
Overhead Horizontal Boilers.
Lack of room or some similar consideration often favors
the placing of a range boiler in a horizontal position overhead.
If the standard vertical type of boiler is placed in an overhead
horizontal position the result will not be entirely satisfactory.
The best method that can be adopted in this case is open
to objection and the only course is to choose the least of the
evils. That which has the least against it is shown in Fig. 23
and a glance at the sketch will show at once that it is not free
from fault. The circulating pipes from the water front enter the
boiler through the top tappings, the return having a dip pipe
to ensure the whole contents of the boiler being circulated. The
supply should enter the bottom tapping and also, of course, have
a dip pipe, with the usual vent hole drilled in it.
A decided improvement over the vent hole is a combina-
tion vacuum and safety valve fitted as shown by dotted lines
in Fig. 23, as half the contents of the boiler could be siphoned
out before the vent hole would break the vacuum. It will be
noticed that the boiler cannot be properly washed out either.
42
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
While the dip pipe on the return connection will siphon out the
bulk of the contents it does not remove sludge and other deposit
and this cannot well be scoured out in the ordinary manner.
The other method of connecting, however, shown in Fig.
24, while it does not possess this objection, has the graver one
that a steam pocket can be formed above the outlet, and thus
cause hammering and other serious troubles, and this fault is
sufficiently serious to warrant the recommendation of adopting
the alternative connection before described. A better plan still
is to discard this type of boiler and procure one tapped in a
manner that will insure a satisfactory job when connected up.
Connecting Regular Horizontal Boilers.
The usual method of connecting a horizontal boiler with
the range water back, or heater, is that shown in Fig. 25. It
will be seen that the boiler differs from those used in a vertical
position in having the tappings for cold supply and return in
the sides instead of the ends. This permits of all the contents
being drained when it is necessary to wash out the boiler, and
also insures circulation of the entire body of water.
The cold supply, entering through the top, is fitted with
a supply tube in the regular manner, and a hole drilled in it
a few inches from the boiler union
will effectually prevent siphonage
should the supply fail in the city
mains or be cut off by a stopcock
with waste outlet at a lower level
than the boiler.
An alternative method of con- Re^
necting the boiler, using only three
tappings, is shown in Fig. 26. This
is a good system to adopt where the
pressure is low, but where a very
heavy pressure is carried in the
cold supply the water entering the
boiler through the return connec-
tion may be forced to the upper WW^!0^^WWW^y^W^
part of the boiler and cool off the Fig. 27. Method Designed to
hot water stored there. A vacuum ^"^"' 'iTxture^s?''^'^ '"^
Cold
Hot
'lH
=^
PStrr— — ^
RANGE BOILER CONNECTIONS. 43
valve is used in connecting in this manner the cold supply from
the street main. This will open immediately the pressure falls
below that obtaining in the boiler and thus effectually prevent
siphonage back into the mains. This valve must, of course, be
fitted on a level above the top of boiler. Should the supply come
from an overhead tank the valve is unnecessary unless a faucet
or stopcock with waste outlet is fitted on the same line at a lower
level than the boiler.
A little variation on the method of connecting a horizontal
boiler is shown in Fig. 27. It will be noted that one tube is
connected with the cold water supply to the boiler and runs
down inside of the boiler to a point near the bottom. The
other opening at the top of the boiler is for the hot-water ser-
vice connection. The tube at one end of the boiler is designed
to bring the hot water from the water back near the top of the
boiler, so that it will find its way immediately to the hot-water
service piping. The opening in the other end is frequently
used for a return or circulating pipe, so as to keep the hot
water moving, so that as soon as the hot-water faucet is opened
at any fixture hot water will flow without any waste of the
water, as is the case when the cold water in the pipes has to be
drawn off to allow the hot water to reach the faucet, as is neces-
sary where there is no circulating pipe. The bottom opening in
the boiler naturally connects with the bottom or return opening
in the water back in the range.
Example of a Steam Heated Boiler Which Was
Not Satisfactory.
"While on the subject of horizontal boilers we may touch
on those of this type heated by steam coils. In very many
cases these are placed in the basement close to the steam boiler,
and on a level very slightly above the water line in the boiler.
If this happens to be of the low pressure domestic heating type,
care must be taken to connect up the coil so that condensation
will not be held up in it and so lower its efficiency.
In Fig. 28 is shown the style of connection referred to and
which illustrates a case the author has in mind. This coil had
never given satisfaction. The heater is in the basement of the
gymnasium of a large preparatory school and steam is not main-
tained in the boiler continuously. A battery of twenty-five
44
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
showers is supplied from the hot-water boiler, and when these
are in use an extra large quantity of hot water is called for.
The pressure of steam necessary to heat the building is only
about 1 to 2 lb. and the complaint was that at that pressure
the coil was ineffective, the return being cold to the touch and
the heating effect on the boiler inappreciable.
There was a check valve on a horizontal part of the steam
eonnection just above water level of boiler, and the author con-
cluded this had stuck. Finding it in good condition, he con-
Flow
ColcP^ .
Supply ,••'«
Return
£
^
^///// /'// •
^sz
AirKKlvo
'W)9ck Valve
Fig. 28. A Boiler Fitted Very Close to Water
Line of Steam Boiler.
eluded that the rapid condensation in the coil lowered the pres-
sure at the return end so much (at low boiler pressures) that
the water of condensation did not have head enough to over-
'Come the check before the coil stood partly full. The author
prepared to fit a small equalizing pipe to counteract this, and
in doing so lowered the check below the water line of the heater.
On plugging the tees and trying out he found that the coil
worked perfectly without it, the extra drop evidently being
sufficient to open the valve. He would have removed the check
entirely had the boiler been in continuous use or its level higher
above the water line of the steam heater. A Breckenridge air
valve, which was found in good condition, was carefully set so
as to insure quick egress of air when steam was raised and
the results are now satisfactory.
This example, while not very common, may be met with
from time to time, and the liability to failure through placing
RANGE BOILER CONNECTIONS. 45
the boiler at too low a level must not be overlooked. "Where
the space available prevents a safe difference of levels being
obtained special care must be given to proportioning the steam
supply and returns so that the pressure at the supply end of
the coil will be as nearly equal to that at the return end as
possible. The equalizing pipe mentioned is a pipe of small
diameter connected to the flow and return connections before
the supply enters the coil in the tank for the purpose of se-
curing that the pressure will be equal in each, no matter what
the gauge pressure may be. This effectually prevents water
backing up into the coils from the steam boiler when the water
in the storage tank is cold and the steam is being condensed as
rapidly as it is supplied.
CHAPTEE V.
Variations in Connections to Suit Special Requirements.
The problem of making hot water flow downward from a
range to a boiler on the floor below it may well be called the
plumber's fifth proposition — ^the **Pons Asinorum,'* for it has
puzzled more young mechanics, perhaps old mechanics also, than
almost any other that we have to solve. It has been explained
so often that it would seem as if every member of the trade
would be familiar with it and yet an inquiry turns up with
unfailing regularity in the trade papers every few weeks. Fig.
29 shows the usual method of connecting a boiler in this position
when the supply is direct from a city pressure main. The flow
pipe from water front is carried up to a point at or above the
ceiling of the kitchen and then turned down to connect into
the top tapping of the boiler, an air cock being fitted at the
highest point to draw off any air that may accumulate in the
loop or a fixture above this level supplied from a branch taken
from the top. The branch to supply fixtures is usually taken
from a point a little above the boiler connection as shown in the
illustration in Fig. 29.
Circulation is established and maintained between the
boiler and range water front by the cooling effect that the loop
in the piping affords. Here are two columns of water of equal
height. That in the descending leg, starting from the top of the
loop, is obviously the cooler and therefore the more dense and
by the law of gravitation must fall to balance the other and less
dense column of which the water front forms a part. Thus the
hot water is pushed up and around the loop and, becoming
slightly cooler as it progresses, descends into the boiler.
The results obtained in this system are not generally so
satisfactory as with the boiler on the same or a higher level
than the heater, owing to the slower circulation. A safe rule
for the height the loop should be made reads, "Twice the height
above the water front that the boiler is below it.'* Any extra ^
46
VARIATIONS IN CONNECTIONS.
47
height over this will tend to increase the efficiency and hasten
the circulation.
A point that is sometimes lost sight of in installing a boiler
in this way is the danger of emptying the water front by siph-
-Air Cock
Vacuum Vafves-''
Cold
=€
Fig. 29. Common Method of Con-
necting Boiler Below Stove.
Fig. 30. Connection to Prevent
Drawing Water Below Level
of Stove.
on age should the pressure in the city mains fail. Just as soon as
the pressure goes down the water must fall back into the boiler
through the return connection leaving the water front empty,
and if a very hot fire is maintained trouble will assuredly follow.
Also, if there is a branch from the hot-water pipe to a fixture
in the basement it is possible to draw the water back in the same
manner should the main house valve be closed at any time. To
get over this the connection can be made as shown in Fig. 30.
Here both the hot and cold-supply lines are shown dropping
from a point above the level of the water front, the branch to
48
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
the basement fixtures being also taken from this level. Vacuum
valves fitted on both lines at the highest vertical point will ef-
fectually prevent siphonage of the boiler back through the cold
supply from the city main pipes or through the basement hot-
Fig. 31. Boiler on Floor Below Stove Supplied From
Attic Tank.
water faucet. This is an important point and should always
have consideration, as although the system shown in Fig. 29
will work perfectly in providing hot water the danger from the
above-mentioned causes is always present.
Fig. 31 shows the usual method of connecting a boiler below
the level of a heater when a tank supply is used. There is noth-
VARIATIONS IN CONNECTIONS.
49
ing differing greatly from the method used in connecting when
the supply is from the city mains. Instead of using an air cock
or connecting a branch to some fixture to the highest point of
the loop to relieve it of air, an expansion pipe is connected here
=^
^==€
^aSt
MW
V.:., '////.■/////////,',,'////.. ',/////. ////^///'y/ A W//////////'.'///////////y'/////.'.','////////////A
Fig. 32. Conuection for Boiler on
Floor Above Stove.
Fig. 33. A Method of Connecting
to Favor Quick Heating.
and carried up and turned over the top of the tank. This al-
lows air to escape as it is formed and also serves as a ready
means of escape for the water when expanded by heat should
the supply valve happen to be closed. If the tank supply should
fail the same danger of emptying the water front w^ould exist
if a branch be taken to a basement fixture from the boiler and
therefore the connection should be made at a point above the
level of the w^ater front, or carried up to a point above it and
provision made to guard against siphonage before dropping to
the fixture in the basement.
50
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
Connecting Boilers on Floor Above Heater.
The problem shown in Figs. 32 and 33 scarcely deserves to be
classed as a problem as there is barely room for any error in
making such connections. Occasionally a request for the proper
method of connecting a boiler on the floor above the heater is
made and as the exam-
ples shown are designed
to cover all combina-
tions in the practice of
the average mechanic
it cannot well be over-
looked.
As will be seen in
Fig. 32, the flow and
return connections are
made in the same man-
ner as if the range
were on the same floor
[ as the boiler, but the
pipes are continued
down through the floor
to the water front or
coil. The sediment cock
is placed at the lowest
point of the return
piping, that is, where
the turn is made to
connect to the water
front or heater. The
supplies to the various
_ fixtures must be taken
^^m:^^:^<'/^//>^^:Z^^^ from the top of boiler
JScttt
z
^
Fig. 34.
Connections for Furnace Coil and
Gas Heater.
in the usual manner.
Supplying a fixture on
the floor below the boiler direct from the circulating pipes must
never be permitted as there would be a liability to empty the
boiler without the knowledge of the user should the cold supply
for any reason be cut off. This would entail danger of bursting
the water front when the cold water is turned in again should
VARIATIONS IN CONNECTIONS.
51
a strong fire have overheated and evaporated the water left
below the level of the branch to the fixture.
Fig. 33 shows a quick heating connection made under the
flame conditions. This is a highly efficient method to adopt if a
good supply of very hot water is required as the height of the
circulating system in- _
duces a rapid move- c====a^ ]
ment and the flow to
the top of boiler stores
the hottest water there.
The side connection
tapping may be plug-
ged or used to make the
combination connection
as shown. It is advis-
able to use it to secure
the best results.
Connections for Coil
and Gas Heater.
The most common ap-
plication of placing the
boiler on the floor
above the heater is
where an independent
hot-water heater, a coil
in a heating furnace or
a cook stove in a sum-
mer kitchen in the base-
ment is the heating ap-
pliance provided. ■
When such is the case ^Z^vZ-Z^Zv^vZ^Z'/^Zv/}^^^^
a gas heater is generally Fig. 35. connections Giving continuous Flow
° . -,-,.. rr.1 . Through Gas Heater.
used in addition. This
provides a ready means of heating the boiler when the heating
furnace is not required or when it is not desirable to maintain
fire in the cook stovfe at all times of the day.
These gas heaters are usually connected as shown in Fig. 34,
the side connection to the boiler being used for the flow from
the coil or water front in the basement, while that from the gas
3=lQ
£
^
52
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
Jt=^
heater enters the pipe leaving the boiler to supply hot water to
the various fixtures. An alternative method of connecting is
shown in Fig. 35. This greatly simplifies the piping and is gen-
erally efficient. The coils or discs of the gas heater act as a
radiator which cools off
ai^ 1 to some extent the wa-
ter flowing from the
furnace coil. The loss
is partly compensated
by the slightly in-
creased rate of circula-
tion obtained by the in-
creased height of the
flow pipe due to its en-
tering the top tapping
of the boiler and may
in most instances be
disregarded as the cas-
ing of the gas heater
prevents the radiating
surfaces of the coils or
discs from transmitting
as much heat to the air
as they would do if
fully exposed to it.
There is in reality little
to differentiate one
method from the other
and convenience alone
===^=^ ^^^^^ dictate which is the
l'>;y>,r/>.^w%m^^r',:^^^^ best to adopt for any
particular set of condi-
tions.
Still another method is shown in Fig. 36. The gas heater
in this instance has its return connection made to the side tap-
ping of boiler. This obviates any chance of sediment finding its
way into the gas heater and also reduces the amount of water
stored by the heater so that the contents are at a higher tem-
perature in the upper part of the boiler where it is ready to be
drawn as soon as a faucet is opened.
^caot
^
Fig. 36. Connection for Gas Heater to Reduce
Storage and Raise Temperature of Water.
VARIATIONS IN CONNECTIONS.
53
Adding Storage Capacity.
To add to the capacity of a hot water system it is often con-
venient to install an extra boiler. This provides additional
storage capacity and if the water front is of sufficient size this
will often be found a satisfactory arrangement. The manner
in which a horizontal boiler may be connected to one already
Hot
^
i i
Cold
Supply
To Bath
Fig. 37. Method of Connecting Additional Boiler.
in position is shown in Fig. 37. The new piping is indicated
by the dotted lines. The present hot water service pipe should
be disconnected from the lower boiler and connected at the top
of the upper boiler. A pipe should be carried from the top
opening in the lower boiler to the bottom opening in the upper
boiler, and this pipe should be of the full size of the openings
in the boilers to ensure free circulation.
The pipe bringing the hot water from the water back should
be disconnected from the lower boiler and the opening stopped
with a plug. This hot water pipe should then be connected
with the middle opening of the upper boiler. This method
of piping will allow the cold water in the upper boiler to pass
to the lower boiler as the hot water enters it from the water
back, and the cold water will pass on to the water back and a
circulation be kept up. There should be no trouble from the
use of two boilers piped in this way, providing the water back
54
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
^
^
^
&
=o
has the heating capacity to heat the extra amount of water
contained in the upper boiler.
A vertical boiler may be connected as shown in Pig. 38,
when the circumstances are similar, that is, when the water
back is sufficiently large to take care of the additional tax on
it. So that the flow from each will be equalized the connections
are made from the top of the boiler into a tee about half way
between the boilers. The cold
water supply is led into the two
boilers in the same manner. This
ensures that the friction in the
supply lines to and from each
boiler will be the same and
therefore the draft on each is
likely to be equal. If it is de-
sired to favor one more than
the other such as for instance
when one boiler is much larger
than the other and the water
drawn from the smaller would
be cold before the other was
^ , emptied of all the hot water it
W///y////////y//y/////^^^^^^^^^ contained, the connections could
be such, by suitable sizing of
the pipes, that this could be
done automatically. Valves may also be inserted and set to
pass only the quantity desired from each.
When an increase in storage capacity of hot water is de-
sired it is generally more satisfactory in the end to install a
larger boiler rather than an auxiliary to the existing one, as
there is then no difficulty in securing positive circulation from
the water front. But there are many cases when to do so is not
feasible, owing to local features of construction or higher cost.
When an auxiliary boiler to the existing one is decided upon
local conditions again will dictate the best method of making
the connections. An important consideration to bear in mind
when arranging the piping for a connection like this is the de-
sirability of equalizing the flow to each boiler. Means should
be taken, by the use of the proper fittings and proportioning
of pipes, to insure as nearly as possible the same conditions
a£!tta&
Fig. 38. Connections Made to Equal
ize Flow from Additional Boiler.
VARIATIONS IN CONNECTIONS.
55
in each water front, for if the resistance to the flow by friction,
etc., is about the same in each branch of the flow pipe there will
be a better chance of equal heating of the boilers.
Two Boilers Connected to One Water Back.
Figs. 39 and 40 illustrate the two most common methods of
connecting up two boilers to one water back on the same floor
level. "When the boilers are close together there is nothing very
hard to overcome in
securing a satisfactory
circulation to each,
and in this case the
connection best suited
is that shown in Fig.
39. A distributing T
or a Y can be fitted
at the branch to the
first boiler to promote
equal distribution, but
the reduction from 1
in. to % in. at this
•nmn t f pti d «! \c\ qppii rp Xv///////^////////////////////////////////'y/^^^^^^
this satisfactorily. Fig. 39. connection for Two Boilers to One
Good pitch should be ^'^*''' ^^^^•
given to these pipes, crooked threads being cut to keep the verti-
cal parts plumb, and the connection to the side tappings of the
boiler, if the tapping is 1 in., should be made by a reducing ell
rather than by a bushing. This is done to eliminate friction as
far as possible.
Should the boilers be set far apart it may be impossible to
secure sufficient pitch to connect to the side tappings of both
boilers. In this case, one of them, or both of them if desired,
can be connected as in the case of "a quick -heating connection."
Fig. 40 shows two boilers with one of them connected in this
manner. A distributing tee can be used at the connection to
this boiler if it is thought necessary, but as a rule the extra
height of the circulation compensates for any tendency to
restricted circulation by reason of the velocity of the flow past
the tee retarding the flow to this boiler. Either of the boilers
56
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
=rft:
1
in
may, of course, have the side connection, but generally that
nearest the range will have the side connection and that farthest
away the quick-heating connection. The judgment of the fitter
must be used to determine which it will be, but always the equal-
izing of the flow ought to be kept in mind.
Fig. 41 shows two boilers on different floors connected to
one heater. This is not very commonly
done, but where a powerful heater is
used it is quite successful and often the
construction of the building is such as
to prohibit any other method.
Boiler Heated by Two Water Backs.
Figs. 42 and 43 show exactly the re-
verse conditions, these
being examples of the
methods of connecting
two heaters to one boil-
er. The most common-
ly met with combina-
tion is where a laundry
Fig. 40. Connection to Equalize Flow to Boilers
stove and kitchen range are connected to one boiler, both heaters
being set close to the boiler. Again, where much cooking has
to be done two ranges are commonly used with the water backs
connected up as shown in Figs. 42 and 43.
It goes without saying that it is not good practice to con-
nect more than one heater, if they are to be in more or less
constant use, to the ordinary standard sized kitchen boiler, as
overheating will be sure to occur. If the boiler is of 60-gal.
capacity, or over, such trouble need not be apprehended. Fig.
42 shows one stove connected in the usual way to side connection
of boiler and the other through the top tapping. It is always
best, if circumstances will permit, to connect the range farthest
away from the boiler through the top connection, as the quicker
flow in the pipe counterbalances in some degree the longer path
it has to take and so better equalizes the work each water front
has to do.
When the method shown in Fig. 43 is used great care should
be taken to get sufficient pitch to the pipes. There is a tendency
VARIATIONS IN CONNECTIONS.
57
toward retarding the flow at the point marked A, and this will
often cause rumbling and snapping sounds in one or other of
the water fronts, through the water becoming overheated.
By increasing the size of the pipe at the tee this may be
largely avoided and the use of
a Y as shown still further
improves the connection. It
is never, for obvious reasons,
advisable to fit valves on the
lines between the water fronts
and the boiler. If one of the
stoves is in a room which will
be closed at certain seasons of
the year, as is common in
some localities, it is better to
fit a second boiler which will
be heated from the stove in
that room than to connect it
with the boiler in the all-the-
year-round kitchen. This will
permit the water to be drawn
off the water front and its
connections and the closing
up of the summer kitchen en-
tirely if desired. The only
valves that will be required
will be on the cold and hot
supplies to the boiler in the
summer kitchen and the fit-
ting of these need add no ^^^- ^l- Connections for Two Boilers on
. T , , 1 , . I, .-, DiflEerent Levels.
risks to the operation of the
stoves as would be the case if valves were fitted on the connec-
tions and both stoves connected with one boiler.
Triple Connection to One Boiler.
A triple connection consisting of two ranges on the first
floor with a tank heater in the basement is shown in Fig. 44. The
utmost care is required in connecting the upper ranges so that
the long flow and return pipes will pitch correctly. As shown,
the connections of the tank heater provide for a continuous flow
F7777
,..,..,,,,,■■,. .,,,,., 777777f77/777777f/777i
58
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
through the water front to the boiler while the second range on
the first floor connects to the top of the boiler. An alternative
method is shown in the smaller sketch. Here the three flow
pipes are brought together and enter the side inlet of the boiler.
The size of the pipes should be proportioned so that the flow
Fig. 42. Boiler Heated from Two Water Backs.
i
^
QF \
\
It
a
OF ^1
Fig. 43. Another Method of Making the Connection.
from one heater will not retard that from the other. This would
lead to overheating and snapping sounds would be evident.
As in the ease of the connections of two stoves on the same
level to one boiler it is better to use two boilers than to attempt
to cut out one of the three water fronts at such times as it
might be desired to discontinue its use. The provision of valves
on the connections may lead to accident through neglect and
always obstructs the circulation to some extent. If the extra
boilers are set in a summer kitchen the supply pipes may be
run in a position to facilitate draining or protection from frost,
-f;:
VARIATIONS IN CONNECTIONS.
59
and valves may be placed on the supply lines with less^ chance
of being overlooked. A special fitting may be used at the con-
nection to the top of the kitchen boiler should the circulation
I
r
Iff /y/y ////// ///V / ////^//y//y ,.,..,,,... ,,,,. .. ,,
Yy//y/A//y./y///yyyyyy.yyyyyyy ■ ■ '■'■■■'''■''■ ■ - '' ■ - -- .'. ^ ...',..'. .'^. ^ .'. y.
Fig. 44. Connecting Boiler from Three Water Backs.
i
be brought to there from the farthest away water front. This
is designed in such a manner as to admit the hot water to the
upper part of the boiler while preventing it from being drawn
away without entering the boiler when a faucet is opened on
the supply line. There is some chance of short circuiting the
boiler and of drawing cold water directly through the water
front and circulating pipe in some cases and this connection is
designed to avoid such being possible.
CHAPTER VI.
Multiple Connections with Tank and Pressure Supply.
In any system of hot-water supply using one boiler and
two heaters a more positive and reliable circulation will be ob-
tained if one of the heaters is on the floor below the boiler, as
it is easier to install the piping so that the circulation from each
water front is assisted rather than retarded by the other. Fig.
45 shows such a system. The circulation through the two water
fronts is continuous and either of the stoves or both may be
used at one time without in any way changing the circulating
path of the hot water. The piping is neat and is easily installed,
and this is probably the most suitable method of making the
connections for ordinary requirements. A technical objection
may be offered to passing water through a front that may be
cold but the cooling effect may be ignored as it is hardly appre-
ciable.
Where a different style of connection is desired that shown
in Fig. 46 will be found satisfactory. The circulation from each
heater is separate and distinct and will not interfere with each
other. It will be noticed that the upper stove is connected
through the top tapping of the boiler, so that the circulation
in each case will have about the same speed. Many fitters prefer
this even though it entails more work and material than the style
shown in Fig. 45.
Still another method may be adopted. The return pipes are
fitted in the same manner as in Fig. 46, but the flow pipes are
connected and enter the boiler through the side tapping, as shown
in the small sketch in Fig. 44. When this is done the pipe
should be enlarged at the junction and connected with the boiler
at the largest size the tapping will take. If this is done the
retardation of the circulation from either one of the stoves by
the other will not be so likely to take place. There are many
cases where it is absolutely necessary to use the side tapping
in this manner and this care to enlarge the pipe will make all
the difference between a satisfactory job and a failure.
60
MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS. 61
When the boiler is on the lowest floor, one of the heaters
being on the same level and one of them on the floor above, the
circumstances are somewhat different. We have already shown
the correct method of connecting up a boiler from a water front
above it and all that is necessary to add another heater is to
use the side tapping for the connection from the lower one.
Fig. 47 shows how this is usually done. Entire satisfaction will
result, at least the job could not be bettered, when the supply
to the fixtures is taken direct from the flow pipe at the top of
the boiler. But when the supplies to the fixtures are taken from
a secondary circulating system, and the flow to this secondary
loop is taken from this point, there is a liability to failure. At
this point marked A in Fig. 47, there is a conflict of currents.
The flow of water from the upper water front is passing down-
wards to the boiler with more or less velocity, while the heated
water in the boiler is being forced upwards to balance the cold
water in the return leg of the secondary circulation loop. Thus
one of the circulations is retarded and it is generally that from
the upper water front. The water becomes overheated and
steam is formed with the consequent pounding and hammering
noises in the boiler and water heaters.
If the supply is from an overhead tank and an expansion
pipe is carried from the top of the loop above the upper stove,
the noises will not be in evidence, but the water front will not
be doing satisfactory work. By using the method shown in Fig.
48 these troubles may be avoided, as there is very little resist-
ance to the circulation from either primary or secondary sources.
That from the upper heater has free and unrestricted access to
the boiler, that from the lower heater equal facility, and the
secondary flow leaves the boiler at the point where the hottest
water is stored. Should the supply to the boiler be from the
city mains proper provision must be made to guard against
siphonage by using a vacuum valve.
The correct position for these has already been shown, and
we need only repeat the caution to carry the cold supply to a
point above the upper water front level before taking off the cold
supply to the boiler branch. Thus the chance of emptying the
water front unknowingly is guarded against and danger of ex-
plosion or burning of the water front practically eliminated.
62
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
Connecting Horizontal Boiler with Heaters on
Different Floors.
Where it is desired to set the boiler in a basement and heat
it from the kitchen range on the floor above as well as from
a tank heater in the basement the connections may be made as
Fig. 45. Continuous Flow Connec-
tion from Two Heaters.
Fig. 46. Separate Connections from
Each Heater.
shown in Fig. 49. These allow each heater to be used inde-
pendently of the other or both at the same time without con-
flicting currents to retard the circulation.
The supply to the fixtures is taken from the tank by a special
tapping, this being done so that the pipe may be carried to a
r
MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS.
63
height sufficient to prevent any chance of the water in the upper
water front being drawn down below the level of the fire box
should the water supply fail and there be any fixtures at a lower
level than the water front. If the supply to basement fixtures
were taken from the boiler without rising above the next floor
level this might lead to serious trouble should the water be
Expansion fa
Affio Tank
I'//////////,'/////// '//'/'/'/'/'////'///'''////'//// 'o "/"///' V///' '/'''"/" ' "'"/',"//' '// '//////''/■''',"j
Fig. 47. Method Which Interferes with
Circulation to Fixtures.
Fig. 48. Method Which Allows Free
Circulation to Fixtures.
turned into the system again while the water front was red hot.
If desired, the flow connection from the tank heater may enter
the return connection of the water front on the floor above
instead of making a separate circulation to the boiler. This
simplifies the connections to some extent and gives the circula-
64
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
aSc
J?
^
^ nrm
< Qt
1^
t-Hoffo
Fixtures
tion a continuous path
but it also increases
the travel of the wa-
ter to the boiler with
attendant loss of heat
so that very little is
gained. If a direct
pressure supply con-
nection to the boiler is
made a connection to
a fixture on one of the
upper floors should be
made to the highest
point of the loop to
remove any air col-
lecting there. In that
case also if thorough
protection against si-
phonage of the boile^
and lowering of the
water line too far is
desired the supply
should be carried up
to a hisfh point as de-
scribed in Fig. 30,
Connecting Two Boil-
ers with Two Heaters.
There is always
more or less trouble in
store for the plumber
who installs a series
of range boilers with
individual heaters
when they feed into a
common supply line.
If any one of the heat-
\////////////////////////////////////////^^^^^^ ers IS tor tne time
being out of use there
Fig. 49. Horizontal Boiler Connected witli . , «
Heaters on Two Floors. IS every chance of
10
M
aOc^
MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS.
65
cold water being drawn from the boiler connected with it,
along with the hot water from the others, and instead of hot
water probably only a tepid supply is available. The equaliza-
tion of pressure throughout the system immediately a faucet is
opened causes this flow,
and the only way to posi-
tively prevent it is to
place valves on the lines
to cut out the cold boiler.
Needless to say, this is
not to be recommended,
as there is always a lia-
bility of their use being
forgotten or misunder-
stood.
When the boilers are
on different floors, as in
Fig. 50, and the upper
boiler the one generally
heated, the mixing of the
cold and hot water is not
so noticeable, especially
if a Y connection is made
at A, as there is then less
friction to overcome in
the short connection
from the vertical pipe in
drawing water from this
boiler than from the low-
er one. When the condi-
tions are reversed and ,____
the lower boiler alone is m^^y^^:^^;^^^^^:'^^
heated, the chance of Fig. so. connections for Two Boilers and
mixing is much increased ^^^ Heaters,
and it will be next to impossible to draw water at the faucets
at a temperature anywhere near that of the water in the boiler.
To make a more satisfactory job the method shown in Fig. 51
is recommended. This is absolutely reliable when both boilers
are in use, as the circulation between them brings the tempera-
ture of both to a practically uniform point throughout.
66
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
When the upper water front is cold more work is put upon
the lower boiler, and unless the connection shown by dotted lines
is also made the upper half of the upper boiler must also be
heated before hot water can be drawn, and the circulation be-
tween the boilers
is at the same time
keeping the entire
contents of the two
at nearly uni-
form temperature.
When the upper
water front alone
is hea/ted this cir-
culation is not so
rapid, as the total
contents of the
upper boiler must
be hot before any
effect is shown on
the lower one.
The cold supply
may be omitted
from the upper
boiler or the valve
kept closed if de-
sired to insure the
whole contents
being available at
the faucets. This
style of range con-
^ , nection is more
'//// /////y// //////////////// ^ '/ /^/ /////'/ ^ /'//'//////''// // '////' /I -.■. T
'// yyyyyy yyy ,'y y y y yy^^* yy y yyyy y y y f // f y / / / y J y y y/y y y y y y y y y Jy yyy* t/^ *yy^ ^ i^iiv^i ct-xi.^ \a. yj -^ \^
Fig. 51.
Continuous Flow Through Two Boilers and
Two Heaters.
than that shown in
«the next illustra-
tion, Fig. 52, and certainly has much to recommend it on the score
of simplicity as well as efficiency. About the only weak point in
the system is the passing of the flow from the lower boiler
through the upper water front, as it is thus cooled off to some
extent. When the connection is made as in Fig. 52 this is over-
come, as the flow from the lower boiler enters the upper
MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS.
67
combination with the flow from
It can be continued to the top
connection if preferred, or the
can enter the boiler in this way,
boiler through the side inlet in
the water front in the stove,
tapping as in a quick heating
flow from the upper water front
thus making the
two circulations
distinct. When
they both enter
through the side
opening the piping
must be enlarged
at the junction to
the largest size
possible with the
tapping provided.
This lessens the
chances of retard-
ing the flow from
either of the heat-
ers by that from
the other, a condi-
tion which makes
for overheating,
rattling and
pounding.
As in the previ-
ous example, the
use of a cold sup-
ply pipe in the
upper boiler is op-
tional, as when the ^^ . , ,, _^
supply comes from ^'//'y''^y/y////////////////////'V/////^^^^^^^
ri£
Connection to Allow Use of One
Only if Desired.
stove
the lower one
alone every drop
of hot water can be displaced before cold is drawn. Objection
to this method of supply is sometimes made on the score that
the cold water shoots clear to the top of the boiler and cools it
off, but this is only the case under heavy pressures and ought
only to be considered when such obtain. Even then the effect
of the flow may be over-estimated.
t)«
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
Joint Hot Water Supply for Two Flats.
The two methods of connecting boilers on different floors
with ranges on the same floor as the boilers, but which admit
of heating the entire system with either as may be convenient,
are shown in Figs. 53 and 54.
J^
■////////
/'//////"///// f///"/////// ///'/'M "///'/// /''///'!l
'/^'f//'// 'f// '/''/''^^ """ ""'"^' "'""'' "/'"''A
Fig. 53. Joint Hot Water Supply for Two Flats.
In Fig. 53 is shown a 30-gal. boiler, connected up so that
all the hot water from the lower boiler will pass through it
before it is drawn at the fixtures. This has certain advantages
and also disadvantages. If the upper range is being run alone,
hot water will be readily drawn at any fixture without cooling
MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS.
69
by mixing with the cold water from the lower boiler. If both
boilers are being run, all the hot water in both can be drawn if
desired, and the circulation is free and continuous through the
whole system. No valves are necessary on the hot supply pipes.
The valve on the cold supply to upper boiler may be kept open
Fig. 54. Two Boilers and Heaters Connected to a
Common Supply Line.
or closed, as desired, as the pressure from the tank is low and a
supply entering the upper boiler through the return would not
have velocity enough to cool the water in the upper part of
boiler.
"When the upper range is out of use, one disadvantage is
apparent : The lower range has to heat the water in the lower
70
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
boiler and also that in the upper portion of the other before hot
water can be drawn at the fixtures. To get over this, fit a quick-
heating connection to the upper boiler, as shown by dotted lines.
This stores the water in the upper portion first, and hot water
is thus more quickly
M =* available at the fixtures.
The tank must be
high enough to take
care of the expansion, or
a continuous stream of
hot water will pass into
it from the expansion
pipe; and, also, there
will be a liability of
drawing air through
this pipe when a faucet
is opened, with attend-
ant gurgling and un-
steady flow.
Fig. 54 shows a
common method of con-
necting two boilers to a
common supply pipe.
The principal objection
to this system is the
liability of mixing cold
water from a boiler
which may not be m
use with the hot from
the other when drawing
from any of the faucets.
Valves may be fitted on
Fig. 55. An Unusual Method of Connecting the Supply pipes, but
Two Boilers and Heaters. ^^^ practice is objec-
tionable and the system shown in Fig. 53, although a little
more elaborate, is much to be preferred.
Unusual Double Boiler Connection.
Local conditions often call for the use of special methods of
making connections from two boilers and heaters to the hot-
f '/////y// //////////// /////////V/Z/y///////////// /////////, 'A
MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS.
71
water supply lines. The two styles previously described can be
used successfully in most cases, but occasionally conditions are
such that a simpler method may be adopted and a considerable
saving in time and material effected without in any way impair-
Fig. 56.
TTTTrrr
Hot
1Z£
Cold
J"!
' 1
r^i° %
Common Method of Connecting Two Boilers on Same Level to Common
Supply Line.
ing the efficiency. Such a method is shown in Fig. 55. The only
example of this connection that the writer recollects was put in
by a hotel man to avoid changing the existing piping to suit one of
the more regular methods of installing the auxiliary boiler and
heater in the basement. In his case the upper fire is continu-
ously used and therefore the function performed by the lower
heater is simply preheating, and that of the lower boiler storage
of the pre-heated water until the opening of a faucet allows it
to pass into the upper boiler.
In some eases overheating of this upper boiler would certain-
ly take place and each time the opening of a faucet relieved the
pressure considerable noise would be made by the steam, but
where so much water is required and the drawings are so fre-
quent, as in this instance, this trouble does not arise. No doubt
this job would be a poor one where the upper fire is not in con-
tinuous use, as then absolutely no hot water could be drawn.
The connection should, therefore, never be made without careful
consideration and assurance that the right conditions prevail.
Suggestions on Double Boiler Connections.
In Fig. 56 is shown another example of the common style of
connecting two boilers to a common line of supply piping, but
72
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
both boilers are on the same floor in this case. Here also one
may expect trouble ; in fact, the drawing shows an actual instal-
lation that was found unsatisfactory and remodeled. The
IZL
=0=
nt=
'W.
T|> A
a
Ql
3
r
M
1 °
1 '
a
t^l" a
'y///,y/yW/yy/y<'//yW////y^/y//,?y///////^^^^^
Fig. 57. Method of Balancing Flow from Two Boilers.
trouble here lies in the liability to draw almost exclusively from
the nearer boiler, whether it be hot or cold. The only way in
which the hot water in the other boiler can be drawn is to close
the control valves on the cold one and this is an undesirable and
troublesome condition to impose on the user. A little better
service is gained by taking the outlets from the boilers to a point
=1^
a^
Tzr
^
:Gfi
M
-fTri 5>
Fig. 58. Connections for Circulation Between Two Boilers on Same Level.
midway between them, as shown in Fig. 57, and then connecting
into the main hot water line. This equalizes the friction so that
an equal amount of water is taken from each boiler. So long as
MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS. 73
the water in each is near the same temperature the flow at the
faucets will be satisfactory and near the same point as obtains
in the boilers, but should one of them happen to be much cooler
than the other a considerable reduction must be expected. These
€onsiderations must have the attention of users, and if a steady
supply of hot water is demanded attention must be given to
flring the heaters equally.
Fig. 58 shows the same connection with a circulating pipe
which maintains a comparatively equal temperature of water in
the two boilers whether one or both heaters are in operation.
CHAPTER VII.
Supply Connections and Distribution.
The most common system of distribution to the different
fixtures in small residences, flats and tenements is to carry one
main supply pipe from the boiler and from that take branches
at convenient locations for the different fixtures. This system
has objectionable features when the work is such that long runs
of pipe are required or such that branch connections are difficult
to make in a location that will allow of a stop cock for each
branch being fitted. In the first case a considerable quantity of
cold water has to be drawn each time a faucet is opened before
hot water is available. This is wasteful both of water and heat
as all the water that is drawn from the boiler and which stands
in the pipe from the faucet to the boiler is cooled each time the
faucet is closed again and must perforce be wasted by the next
user. In the second case it may be inconvenient to turn the
water off the whole system because of some fault on one line,
yet no provision can be made to avoid this owing to the manner
in which the pipes have been carried.
Again, if the pipes are turned down into the basement as
shown in Fig. 59, and which is a very common method of pipe
fitting, there is opportunity of air collecting in the loop and
retarding if not altogether stopping the supply to the fixtures.
This is more likely to occur when a low head of water is carried
in the system, as a high pressure will force any air collected in
the loop to the faucets each time they are opened. To avoid
this annoyance the pipe may be run as shown in Fig. 60, drop-
ping the branches to cellar fixtures and to those on the same
floor as the boiler while the others are taken from the top side
of the main pipe, thus providing opportunity for air to escape
freely. Stop cocks should be fitted on each branch and if these
are of the stop and waste pattern, allowing the water left in the
pipe to drain back when the stopcock is closed drip pipes may
be fitted as shown in Fig. 61, thus avoiding any leakage of water
on the floors or walls while the pipe is being emptied.
74
SUPPLY CONNECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION.
75
Supply from Water Tables.
Another plan often followed is one which requires consid-
erably more pipe and more labor but the results justify the
extra expense as a rule. This is the system where the hot and
cold supply mains are taken to a water table and the branches
taken from a distributing header. This makes an extremely
neat job which also has the recommendation of bringing all the
control valves to one point where they can be conveniently la-
Fig. 59. Common Method of Running Hot Water Pipes Which Tends to
Give Intermittent Supply Through Air Locking.
belled and the drips from the waste outlets collected into a pipe
carried to some convenient sink or to a floor drain.
The method of constructing the header is simple. It of
course may be built in two separate parts as shown in Fig. 62,
but better appearance is secured and also more compactness if
it is built as shown in Fig. 63. All the difference is that instead
of plugging the end tee the two end tees of each header are
connected by a solid nipple. This nipple is easily made if the
supply house cannot furnish them. Take a brass nipple of the
same length as those fitted between the rest of the tees and file
down inside it as far as can be reached until a perfectly clean
surface is secured. Then tin it, using cut acid and heating the
76
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
nipple over the fire pot so that the solder will run well. If the
nipple is heated well it will only be necessary to rub the solder
on it, with an application several times of the acid brush. When
the inside is thoroughly tinned pack some paper in it, leaving
about % in. at each end. Then fill this space with solder, heat-
ing the nipple with a torch or over the fire pot to make the solder
iflow freely. The stopcocks should be fitted at the same height
on the vertical branch to preserve a symmetrical appearance
and each nipple should be of the same length. The main pipes
Fig. 60. Method of Running Hot Water Pipes to Fixtures to
Avoid Air Locking.
entering at the end should have a plug or petcock fitted in a tee
to admit of draining the line. All horizontal pipes run in a cel-
lar should be run on as equal a grade as possible to secure good
appearance and should either drain toward the header or to
some plug in the end of a tee. Adjustable hangers make the
fitting of these pipes much easier, as the pitch can be adjusted
to suit any condition.
Circulation o£ Hot Water to Fixtures.
When the plumbing fixtures to which hot water is supplied
are at any considerable distance from the range boiler, the ne-
cessity of drawing a large quantity of cold water before any
SUPPLY CONNECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION.
77
hot water is available becomes somewhat objectionable. This
consequence is avoidable and the waste of water is unnecessary,
as in nearly every case the hot water may be made available
almost immediately at each faucet by a proper system of circu-
lation between the boiler and the fixtures. This is generally
described as a ** secondary" circulation, distinguishing it from
that established between the boiler and heater, and is arranged
in a manner that will not affect the primary circulation.
There should be little in any ordinary building to prevent
Safety Vacuum l/afve.
Fig. 61. Drip Connections to Waste Outlets of Stopcocks.
a system such as this being installed in a manner likely to give
satisfaction. Structural conditions may, however, be such that
it is hard to follow any definite plan, and the fitter who has a
thorough grasp of the principles underlying his profession will
be the one who will be successful in such a case, as he will be
able to adapt his design to the building by taking advantage of
more than one method of securing circulation. For instance, it
is often very difficult to secure sufficient pitch between the floor
and ceiling to make a circulating loop work well, or objection
may be made to placing long runs of piping in such positions.
In such a case a combination of loops with a falling circulation
may be satisfactorily installed. There are many other combina-
78
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
tions, some of whicli will be illustrated, and all of whieli ought to
be within the knowledge of the plumber who undertakes hot-
water supply on any other than the simplest scale.
An important consideration in this work is the provision of
Bufficient pitch to the pipes at all points and avoidance of air
pockets. Provision must always be made, by having a fixture
connection or other means of relief at the highest point in the
Pig. 62. A Hot and Cold Water Supply Header.
Fig. 63. A Header with Solid Connection Between Hot and Cold Ends.
circulating system, to allow air to escape. Fig. 64 shows a cir-
culating system in its simplest form. Here the supply pipe
simply forms a continuous loop which travels around the fix-
tures, branches being taken off at the points nearest to the
fixture. The pipe pitches upward from the boiler to the last
tee before it drops back to act as a return pipe. Thus any air
collecting in the pipe will be relieved each time this faucet is
opeiied. Should a very long run be necessary to reach the last
tee, the high point may be made at any of the other tees, the
point to be remembered being that the pitch to this point must
be continuously up and then continuously down, so as to avoid
pockets that would impede circulation.
In Fig. 65 we have a somewhat different arrangement of
piping supplying the same fixtures; each bath room having an
independent branch circulation. At the point marked A in this
SUPPLY CONNECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION.
7^
illustration the better method of making the return connection
is shown. This is better than that shown at B, where the space
available is limited, as there is then no risk of having the circu-
lation stopped by sagging pipes forming air pockets. The loop
system may not oifer any
particular advantage over
the one first described, but
it may be that conditions
are such that it is the only
one that can be satisfac-
torily adopted, and in a job
of considerable size is gen-
erally to be preferred for
the reason that the circu-
lating path will probably
be shorter and the supply
consequently hotter.
In the system shown
in Fig. 65 there is some-
times a danger of drawing
cold water through the re-
turn at the last fixture on
the loop, as the friction on
the long length of pipe that
the water has to traverse is flliHliSSlilliSSRl^S?^^
considerable, and the last Fig. 64. A Simple Circulating System for
fixture beingnearer ^° ^^^'
to the boiler on the return line than on the flow, the cold water
is somewhat liable to back up when the faucet is opened. To
remedy this a check valve is often fitted, but this acts somewhat
as an impediment to free circulation, and it is a better plan to
take the branch to this fixture from the flow pipe after it leaves
the boiler, making a separate loop for this alone, according to
the method shown in Fig. 66.
Swing check valves are the better pattern to use when it is
necessary to have them, but no matter how light they are they
are liable to become set either closed or open and so defeat the
purpose for which they were fitted. By setting a swing check
in an inclined position there is no interference with circulation
however sluggish, yet the check will close under a reverse flow.
80
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
A Novel Hot and Cold Water Supply in Combination.
The arrangement of piping shown in Fig. 67 is rather more
of a novelty than an example of standard practice, but it em-
bodies some ideas which are easily applied and the connections
are simple and easily adapted to various conditions.
The equipment as shown in Fig. 67 consists of a 20 gal.
extra heavy galvan-
ized boiler, hung from
the cellar ceiling, con-
nected to a 6-in. water
heater in a steam-
heating boiler. The
hot-water pipe, % in.,
runs to the basin sink,
with a stop under
the basin and a %-in.
circulating pipe is
taken out below the
stop and runs back to
the lower connection
between the boiler
and heater. The water
pipe runs to the ice
chest in i/2-in. lead
pipe, which is coiled
closely, covering the
entire bottom and then
rising and running to
the basin and sink,
with a stop near the
point of connection to the hot-water pipe. Over the pipe coil
in the bottom of the box there is a bottom of wooden slats, on
which the ice rests. The waste pipe from the ice box extends
through the bottom of the box with a little extension piece, so
that the pipe coil rests in and is surrounded by the melted ice
water. The drip empties into a closet tank on the lower floor.
An entire cake of ice is placed in this box and covered with
blankets. This usually lasts about a week or eight days, except-
ing in extremely hot weather. The water at the faucet is al-
Fig. 65. A Circulating System with Branclies
Planned to Avoid Air Locking or Sagging
Under Floors.
SUPPLY CONNECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION.
81
ways cold and refreshing. In the summer the hot-water stop
is closed and the ice-water stop opened, while during the sea-
son when the steam boiler is running the ice-water stop is closed
and the hot-water stop opened, thus providing a supply of ice
water in summer and hot water in winter with one system of
piping. The ice chest is 3x2x2 ft.
Features of Circula-
tion in a Cottage.
The example
shown in Fig. 68 con-
tains the problem of
heating a boiler with
a door intervening
between it and the
range and that of
making a circulation
to the heater in the
cellar while providing
a supply of hot water
at the fixtures imme-
diately on the open-
ing of a faucet.
To supply hot wa-
ter to fixtures below
the level of the boiler
or on the same floor as X^A^^^i:^^;^^'/:^;^^^
Fig. 66.
Method of Supplying a Fixture Near
the Boiler,
the boiler so that the
hot water can be
drawn as soon as the faucet is opened it is necessary to form a
loop by running the pipe up from the boiler as far as possible
before descending to supply the fixtures. In this case the hot
water supply pipe to the fixtures should be run as shown in the
accompanying drawing. If it is not convenient to take the sup-
ply pipe across the ceiling it can be run as shown by dotted
lines. If this method is used the pipe should be carried even
higher before descending. The necessity of having an air valve
at the top of the loop is dependent upon the amount of pressure
carried in the pressure tank. If the system is run under low
pressure the air valve should be used so that it can be opened
82
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
to let air escape when tlie pipe becomes air bound sufficiently to
stop the flow or circulation.
Tn Fig. 69 is shown a system for utilizing separate range
boilers in an apartment building. In addition to five floors of
Fig, 67. A Novel Piping System for Hot Water and Ice Water.
the building above ground, the range boiler in the janitor's
apartments in the basement where the heater is located, is also
supplied with hot water. A small round boiler having a 15-inch
grate, and rated to carry 200 square feet of direct radiation and
SUPPLY CONNECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION.
83
having a capacity for heating 100 gallons of water per hour
from 40 to 212 degrees, is connected with the six boilers, as
shown, each one of which has a capacity of 30 gallons. A 2-
inch flow main is carried up from the little heater and 1-inch
branches are taken to the side connections on all the boilers on
the upper floors. A tee is used at the side connection to receive
Pig. 68. A System Which Shows a Combination of Hard Conditions.
the branch from the basement heater and the pipe from the water
back in the range. As this main continues upward it is reduced
in size so as to insure each of the boilers receiving its necessary
supply of water. The return connections from the different
boilers run to a return main, which increases in size as it receives
the different connections and is carried to the boiler. The
boiler in the basement is heated by means of a 1-inch branch,
which is connected to the top of the boiler at the hot water ser-
vice outlet, and the return from this boiler is carried to a sepa-
rate opening in the base of the water heater.
64
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
Fig. 69. System of Hot Water
Supply to an Apartment
Building Using Separate
Boilers.
This method of connecting
allows each tenant to use a coal fire
when an extra supply of hot water
is required for laundry or other
purposes. Each boiler is treated as
a radiator and piped accordingly.
It will be noted that the six boilers
have a capacity for holding 180
gallons of hot water, while the
heater is only rated to furnish
about one-half of this quantity.
This seeming lack of power is offset
by the storage capacity of the dif-
ferent boilers, and the allowance is
made for the fact that all of the hot
water in a boiler is seldom drawn
from it at one time.
Piping Systems in Large
Residences.
The system of hot-water sup-
ply circulation that is most suitable
for tall buildings of the office type,
or apartment buildings supplied
from a common heater, is that
known as the overhead or falling
circulation. This system is also
eminently suitable for buildings of
less pretensions, especially if there
is an attic in which the various
branch lines radiating from the
main risers can be carried to a point
directly over the fixtures they are
to supply. "When this is so it is
possible to install the piping in a
manner which calls for a minimum
risk of damage from leakages, as it
is necessary to put only a very little
of it under the floors of bath rooms
or toilet rooms. Where these are situ-
SUPPLY CONNECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION,
85
Expansion Rpe —• >^=^
#==^
^
Tank
]i
Flow to
Fixtures
To Lavatory
To Bath
Kf
To Bath
Flow to
Fixtures
ToBath
To Si nk 1
^ .. I I c
TbSrnk2
Return from
Fixtures
^
Strt
,g-^
Qw»:
tfV — »-
^
eturn from
Fixtures
T77T7T77T7r77V777rr777r7r77y77r777
/i /////>/// ///////tO'/''''/''''''''/''''''/''*''''''-
V///PPP7^v/7/7\
J
Fig. 70. Drop Feed Circulating System for a Large Residence.
S6 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
ated oyer rooms where a leakage might cause havoc with fur-
nishings this point is of importance, and also where the floors
of such bath rooms are of tile it is desirable to keep the piping
away for easy access. Fig. 70 shows an installation of this type
in a large residence, the boiler supply being from a copper lined
tank in the attic. As will readily be seen the difference between
this installation and one in a large apartment building is prin-
cipally that of proportion, as the principle is the same in each.
The supply to sink No. 1 is shown taken off the main riser.
This was done for convenience, the more general custom being
to carry this pipe to its highest point before any branch is taken
from it. There is nothing essentially wrong in making such a
connection, and it is certainly preferable to making one so near
the return connection of the boiler that there is a possibility of
reversing the flow when the faucet is opened and drawing cold
water back through the return pipe. Occasionally it is found
necessary to insert checks on the return connection to prevent
this happening, but this should never be done if the system will
work without them as they are always liable to become clogged
and remain permanently open or closed. If a fair velocity of
flow can be induced in the circulation system the chances of
drawing the reverse way are lessened, and again, where such a
liability is thought to exist, the connection can be made to the
drop line at a point above the level of fixture. The connection
for sink No. 2, for instance, might have been made through the
tee supplying the bath room immediately above it.
The horizontal piping in a system like this must be very
carefully pitched and the expansion pipe connected to the high-
est point so that air will not collect. It may be interesting to
the student of hot-water supply work to compare this installation
with one in a similar house in England. It will be seen that in
the English installation, Fig. 71, the range is of the built in type,
the circulation pipes being carried down behind rear plates to
the water back. The pipes pass through the wall immediately
above the mantel shelf to the boiler which is of a shorter and
wider build than those generally used in the United States. It
is placed on brackets of wrought iron and in a corner of the
kitchen above head level. As it is not large enough to serve the
house alone an auxiliary is placed in the attic and a circulation
is maintained between the two. A falling circulation is provided
SUPPLY CONNECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION.
87
Ejfpansion-
rnMimiirfiirmrffr;
^
i
a=t
*^
;•«
*-TankSuppff-
Cold Supply
BathRm
Lavatory
tkjth Room
;at=a5=ft
Towel Rail
1
f
o
O
rzTri rrt utm / rz7J£x:tii7ti
&=
'^
at
^tA
— i n> -Q 1^
Check Valve
7b Laundry
Water back
^//^/y /^// / //'^^ / /f ////////// f //// ^ / y //'/////// ^ /////////// / //// //\v //'//////////' ^ // /y / f Y ^ ' ^' '^^^ ' ^^^^^/ Y^'A
Sediment
Fig. 71. Typical Hot Water Circulating System in an English Residence.
88 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
to each bath room, short branches from the drop lines being all
that it is necessary to draw through before hot water is avail-
able at the fixtures. This of course commences above the upper
boiler, and is connected to the top of that.
A feature of the system is the towel rail, which is built from
1^4 131. brass pipe, nickel plated, and which is connected to the
circulating pipe through a valve. A safety valve is fitted just
above the range. This valve is generally of the dead weight pat-
tern with ground seats and in most cities its use is compulsory.
Hard copper is the material used for the supply and circulating
pipes, the water back also being of copper. For all high class
work this metal is recommended. The tank is a large wooden
one lined with sheet lead, walls of 6 lb. and bottom of 8 lb. The
overflow comes through the bottom. A ground spigot and socket
connection is wiped in the bottom so as to provide a convenient
means for flushing out the sediment collecting in the tank.
Circulating Loop on Same Floor as Boiler.
A circulating system which is constructed in a somewhat
different manner is shown in Fig. 72. In this case the main
circulating loop is carried along on the same floor as that on
which the boilers stand. This is often necessary by reason of
difficulties in the building construction which will not admit of
any other style being used. By taking a connection from the
highest part of the loop any air that may collect is removed
each time that fixture is used and there is less chance of draw-
ing cold water back through the return pipe with this form of
construction than if the return pipe were to be carried down
into the floor below the boilers and connected by returning to
them below the water line. It will be noticed that the boilers
in this system are heated by a water front in the kitchen range
and by a laundry heater and that valves are placed on the con-
nections to the latter. This is done so that the supply may come
entirely from the kitchen range except on such days as the
laundry is in operation when the additional call for water is such
that the extra power is necessary. If the valves were not closed
there would be little chance of drawing hot water at the laundry
fixtures or even at the bathroom nearest the boiler in the
laundry, as the flow will always proceed from the boiler offering
the least resistance and that on^ is nearer than the one in the
SUPPLY CONNECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION.
89
kitchen. Therefore the valves are closed and any mixing of hot
and cold water from the two boilers is eliminated.
To safeguard the boiler in the event of a fire being lighted
when the valves are closed a safety valve is fitted, a tee being
inserted in the outlet connection between the valve and the boiler.
The use of valves can occasionally be dispensed with if it is
possible to take the connections for the fixtures from a point in the
circulating loop that will be equi-distant from each boiler. Thus
To Bathroom
To Bathroom
3^
^
To Bathroom
Hdt to F/xtures
=^
^ .■ i p t
'^
^
QEZ3
Kitchen
"tink
^
*-Cold
Cold 10...A
Fixtures
' y ////'//y/////V',V///'//// 'A /////yy///'/V/// '/////////////'
Fig. 72. A Loop Circulating System with, Two Boilers and Heaters.
the friction is equalized and the flow will come as easily from
one as the other. When this is done it will be found that the
flow will come from the heated boiler and that there will be al-
most none from the other. This is probably due to the difference
in density of the hot and cold water and the balance being in
favor of the heated boiler, the flow will proceed from there.
Circulating Water to Fixtures on Level Below Boiler.
When it is desired to supply fixtures on a lower level than
the boiler from a circulating system it will sometimes be neces-
sary to use a light swinging check valve on the return so as to
prevent the drawing of cold water back through the return pipe.
If the supply to the fixtures is large and a valve is placed in
the return pipe so that it can be set to pass only enough
water to maintain a circulation the chances of drawing cold water
at the fixtures by reversing the circulation will be somewhat
reduced. It is also possible by designing the piping properly
90
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
to reduce the friction on the pipe between the branch and the
fixture so that it will be easier for the water to flow in the de-
sired direction than from the return connection to the boiler, and
this is a more desirable arrangement than the use of valves or
checks. Wherever possible the elimination of elbows and sharp
turns between the branch and the fixture will be an aid to en-
suring satisfactory flow. It must also be remembered that the sup-
ply must come from a great enough elevation to ensure motive
force enough in the descending column to overcome the differ-
ence in density at the return connection to the boiler. The
same principle that applies to the connection of water fronts on
the floor above boilers must be applied here.
CHAPTEE VIII.
Hot Water Circulation in Large Buildings.
The hot water supply to apartment houses and other build-
ings requiring hot water in large quantities is somewhat of an
engineering proposition when the building may be twelve or
more stories in height. Up to this height, however, the depart-
ure from that followed in buildings of less proportions is not
great. When the house tank is placed on the roof and there are
fixtures on each floor and in the basement the flow at the differ-
ent levels is unequal owing to the great difference in pressure at
the different floors. This is corrected in some measure by the
provision of valves on the supply pipes to each fixture and the
excessive flow at the lower fixtures is thus checked and the
annoyance caused by spattering avoided. Where there is a pent
house and a sub-basement and the boiler and pumps are placed
at the lowest level the pressure carried there is somewhat high,
and in a building of twelve stories, not including the basements
and pent house, the pressure will approximate 90 lbs. at the
boiler. This pressure is not greater than is carried in many
city mains and is not a disadvantage otherwise than that it
causes a somewhat heavier pressure on the steam coil in the boiler
than the cast brass elbows used in the construction of coils will
stand unless these are made extra heavy. In some instances the
act of forcing the threaded brass pipes up to the end of the
thread with the idea that the joint is being made more secure
has caused the fittings to spread and the pressure of water being
heavier than that of the steam, water has entered the steam pipes
and led to trouble. To avoid this many engineers are using
wrought iron galvanized fittings with brass pipe, preferring to
take the chance of these corroding but making provision in their
construction for the easy replacement of coil headers, elbows, or
return bends. The system of circulation most commonly used
in such an installation as a twelve story apartment or office build-
ing is generally of the drop feed type. In this system the flow
pipe is carried clear to the top of the building and a vent pipe^
91
92 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
shown in Fig. 73, carried to a point over the house tank, is taken
from the highest point. From there the main return pipes are
taken and the different lines which are to supply the fixtures are
taken off at such points on these return pipes as may be con-
venient. The drop lines are carried down through the building,
sending off such branches as may be required and on reaching
the basement are connected into a main return line. At the foot
of the vertical line a control valve is usually fitted and in addi-
tion a check valve is placed behind this so that when faucets are
opened there will be no chance of reversing the circulation by
drawing water back through the return pipe. As there is con-
siderable expansion on the risers of a building of this height it
is usual to provide against damage resulting from it by putting
in the line a swing joint constructed of ells and short pieces of
pipe as shown in the illustration. When the pipe lengthens with
an insertion such as this all that happens is that the short piece
of pipe turns slightly in its fitting, allowing the lateral pieces to
rise and thus take up the movement without strain on the pipe
or fittings. The branch pipes to the fixtures may or may not
have control valves on them but it is good practice, and one usu-
ally followed to have valves on the exposed supply pipes to each
fixture. If the branch pipes have to run any distance laterally
it is well to make a return connection to the supply so that a
large quantity of cold water will not have to be drawn off each
time a faucet is opened. The method of doing this is indicated
in the illustration also. A valve may be placed on each leg of
the branch or a check valve only on the return connection, the
object being to prevent water flowing through it should it be
necessary to close the branch valve for any purpose.
Distribution From Rising Mains.
When a rising supply system is installed the piping is prac-
tically the same as that illustrated for the drop feed system. In
this case, however, the proportions are reversed and the sizes of
the pipes would be reduced as the higher elevations were reached
and the number of faucets to be supplied reduced. The con-
nections at the tank are made in the opposite manner also, as
may be seen by reference to Fig. 74. The branches are taken off
the main flow branch and after passing all of the connections
to the various apartments are collected into a common return
CIRCtTLxYTION IN LARGE BUILDINGS.
93
^l^^^^rai
Tank
Expansion az
Loop — oSc
=^
^Check Valve
Expansion i
Loop ^
^
Check Valve
'4'
^
Check
Valve
LM
rSafefyValve
z=i^-
t~^
^
^Check Valve
afinc
-CheckValve
Cold Wafer
, , , ^ ,"','''',','/,',',","'"','/,' ^'/"^^"//'"'W'//"'','^'
Fig. 73. Drop Feed Circulating System in an Office Building or
Apartment House.
94 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
and this enters the tank through a check valve as in the case of
the drop feed system and for the same reason. Expansion swing
joints must be made on each of the rising lines in the same man-
ner and it is well to provide for this also on the falling pipe. A
lateral connection to some distance from the vertical line should
have a circulation pipe also and if more convenient this may be
returned to the basement as an independent return as shown in
the illustration. The proportioning of the pipes in either system
should be done with care not only to equalize the flow of water,
but to equalize the circulation and so provide water of about the
same temperature at all points of the building.
Sectional System of Hot Water Distribution.
Another system of supply which can be used for buildings
of exceptional height or in places where it is desired to limit the
pressure carried in the lines is shown in Fig. 75. This may be
termed the sectional supply system, as the buildings are divided
into sections of as many stories as may be desired and each sys-
tem is in reality a separate one. To avoid the excessive pressure
entailed in supplying water from a height of twenty or thirty
stories, tanks are placed at different levels and the supply
can be pumped either periodically to these or it can
be automatically controlled. The illustration shows such cold
water supply tanks placed side by side with the hot water heat-
ing and storage tanks. In this case the tank for the cold supply
is supplying the hot water tank and cold water for all the floors
in its section on the stories below. The hot water tank is sup-
plying water to the floors above it up to the level of the next
section. The illustration shows two methods of circulation in
operation, one of them being the drop feed system already illus-
trated and the other being a rising supply system. In this the
branches for the fixtures are taken off the main in its upward
path, and the vent pipe is taken from the highest point and
returned over the top of the cold water supply tank. The return
pipe then returns directly to the hot water storage tank, enter-
ing through a check valve to prevent water being drawn back
by the flow at the fixtures. The pumps on the cold water supply
lines in such an installation may be automatically controlled so
that as soon as the water reaches the desired level in the tanks
the current is switched off. If cylindrical storage tanks are
CIRCULATION IN LARGE BUILDINGS.
95
JL
Sixth Floor
L_
JL
'
" '
*• ^
«=<
t
i .'if
^
'
-• „
\
Fifth Floor
3
'
-• ^i
1
. *-
c ;
))•
(C
^1
\
^'' :: — ^
„
-<
=5^5?=-
^ 1
4i
' '//'/''''/'/^' ' '^ ' ^'//'''y/' ' 'Y//'//'/''/y/'////yp/77/P//////, ' y//^^^^^
Fig. 74. A Circulating System for a Large Building Showing Branch Connections
from Rising Pipe and Return Connections from Fixtures.
96 HOT WziTER SUPPLY.
used a vent pipe may be carried to a point above a fixture con-
nected with the waste pipe system or an overflow pipe may act
as a vent as well to ensure that no excessive pressure will be
carried on the system by the failure of the pump control.
Hot Water Supply to Shower Baths.
The proportioning of hot water heaters and supply pipes for
shower baths in gymnasiums, public baths and similar institu-
tions is a problem requiring more than ordinary care and atten-
tion to details. When the number and position of the showers
is known it is necessary to estimate the probable quantity of hot
water required to maintain a supply at the showers which will,
when mixed with the proper amount of cold water, give the
leather an ample supply at the desired temperature. The quan-
tity will vary according to the design of the shower used. Thus
with a 5 in. shower of the ordinary overhead type the amount
of water required to give a shower of sufficient strength is about
4 gal. per minute and as the diameter of the shower is increased
the quantity passed rises until it reaches 8 gal. per minute.
A heavier shower than this is not desirable, and this may
be taken as the maximum that will be used by the bather. With
the later type of needle, spray and shower baths, this quantity
is very much increased. On the other hand there is not much
need of estimating on a supply of water capable of maintaining
a flow at each of the various shower and spray attachments sim-
ultaneously, as they will seldom or never be used in this fashion.
To estimate the quantity of water required to mix with
the cold water to secure the ultimate temperature desired take
the temperature at which the water in the boiler will be main'-
tained and that at which the water is supplied from the main
pipes. Then multiply the number of pounds of cold water to be
raised in temperature by the difference between its temperature
and the desired final temperature of the mixture and th^n divide
that product by the difference between the final temperature of
the mixture and the temperature of the hot water. The quotient
will be the number of pounds of hot water that will be required
to mix with the cold water to produce the desired temperature.
As an example, suppose that we have 1 lb. of water at 60
deg. F. and we desire to bring it up to 85 deg. F. by adding a
•certain quantity of water at 160 deg. F. How much will be
CIRCULATION IN LARGE BUILDINGS.
97
#
Expansion
Hot
^
-^t=M
*f
j9
^
Cold
^
#
1^
OropFeed
Supply
" ^ ift ■ ■ . on nft-
f
#
♦^1 rv,
v?:. ^,
Steam
aF
Expans/'o/^
ct
^
CaW
^
J
<^
Branches
on Flow
RiserSuppfy
%
Steam
-i
1^
"2^f. -iiii zrrf r3)i !
J
^DropFeed ^
o
O
Check ValvQ-' \
Cold
%
I'ig. 75. Conventional Illustration of Sectional System of Hot Water Supply
to a Very High Building.
98
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
required? Applying the rule, we have 85 — 60 = 25 and
25 X 1 = 25. We also have 160 — 85 = 75, and 25 -^ 75 = 1/3
lb. hot water required to heat the mixture to 85 deg. F. Or it
-.,.,■,. ^ . 1 (85—60)
may be stated like this: Quantity required = — ——r — — ^ —
160 — 85
25
This when further reduced becomes , which equals 1/3 of the
total quantity that is to be used. ''^
ris bath
Fig. 76. An Installation of Showers in a Children's Home.
Now, to check up the accuracy of the foregoing, we will re-
verse the problem and work for the resultant temperature like
this : One pound of water at 60 deg. F. contains approximately
60 B.t.u. One-third of one pound of water at 160 deg. F. con-
tains approximately 53 1/3 B.t.u. and 60 -\- 53 1/3 = 113 1/3
B.t.u., and 1 lb. + 1/3 lb. — 1 1/3 lb. total weight of water.
113.333+^
Therefore,— -zr^r^^ — = 85 deg. F., or the required temperature.
When the amount of hot and cold water that is necessary
has been found it is a comparatively simple matter to proportion
the pipes according to the head of water carried so that the sup-
ply will be equalized and a sufficient quantity be available at
each shower. The size of the heating boiler and coil or tank
heater should be ample and should be proportioned on the
CIRCULATION IN LARGE BUILDINGS.
99
maximum requirements of the installation. The method of es-
timating the size of coils and heating surfaces in boilers is
explained elsewhere and all that will be necessary apart from
that will be the exercise of judgment in the proportioning of the
size of the storage tank. This will depend entirely upon how
long the baths are to be in operation, how long each user is al-
lowed to remain under the
shower and how many bath-
ers are to be provided for.
The conditions in each case
should be carefully consid-
ered and allowance made ac-
cording to the demands that
are to be made on the appa-
ratus.
Anti-Scalding Valves and
Water Mixers.
Specially designed mix-
ing valves are available for
attachment to the supply
pipes of shower baths, which
will prevent any danger of
scalding, as their construc-
tion and only possible means ^\L
of operation makes it nec-
essary to allow cold water
to flow before any hot
water is available. Thus the temperature can be adjusted to
a nicety by the bather or attendant, but in some installa-
tions it is desirable to have the mixing chamber under the
control of an attendant only, and in this case it may be in-
stalled as shown in Fig. 76. This shows a tank to which the hot
and cold water is brought and into the body of which the water
is introduced by bent pipes so that the two streams will mix and
provide an equable temperature, under the control of the at-
tendant, to all of the water flowing to the showers on the section
supplied from the mixer. A thermometer fitted in the side of
the mixing chamber enables the attendant to regulate the valves
to supply the showers at whatever temperature he decides is re^
Fig.
77. Method of Connecting
and Cold Supply Pipes to
Shower Baths.
Hot
100
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
quired. For shower baths in factory washrooms and other
places where an elaborate equipment is neither necessary or de-
sirable, mixing chambers that will give satisfactory service may
be constructed of pipe fittings as shown in Figs. 77 and 78. The
^
30 0)3
u5
o
fCnn — -t
SN
I
''''''^'^^'^^'^<^^^^zz^;^w^m^^y^
Fig. 78. A Simple Shower Mixing Pipe
for a Washroom.
elaborate douche, shower and spray baths that are the features
of spas, cures and some sanitariums are appliances that require
special experience and knowledge of the purpose for which they
are designed to successfully install and information that will be
required to proportion systems in which such appliances will be
used is best secured from the makers of the appliances.
CHAPTER IX.
Double Boilers, Connections and Distributing Pipes.
Where the water supply will not rise to fixtures on an upper
floor, a tank is generally used to supply them, and in order to
supply these upper fixtures with hot water a double boiler may be
used and supplied from the same tank. The double boiler is
made in different forms, both vertical and horizontal. Sometimes
one boiler inside of another, and again two short boilers butting
together, each connected with a separate water supply and some-
times with a special water heating device or receiver. The one
in more general use is a boiler of smaller diameter inside of one
of larger diameter. The outer boiler is supplied from the regu-
lar water supply and connected direct with the water back. The
inner boiler is heated by the hot water in the outer boiler sur-
rounding it and is supplied from the tank above the fixtures.
The same principles govern the operation and circulation
of such boilers as govern in the ordinary single boiler. The receiver
mentioned is made with two separate chambers so arranged as
to secure an indirect passage of considerable length through
which the water flows. One chamber is connected with both the
water back and one of the boilers, and the passage of the heated
water through it to the boiler heats the water in the other cham-
ber, which is connected with the other boiler only. A more re-
cent practice is to cast the water back with a division, making
two separate parts and four openings, connecting a separate
boiler supplied from the tank with one part in the usual way and
another boiler supplied from the street service with the other
part. This avoids cooling the water in the tank boiler when a
large quantity of water is drawn from and enters the street
boiler, which is experienced with the use of double boilers. The
piping between the two boilers is so connected that both are sure
to be supplied in case either source of supply fails.
Although double boiler work is a system of years* standing,
the plumbers in general seem not much to blame for their lack of
knowledge concerning it, as the conditions favorable to the use
101
102 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
of the same can be found in comparatively few places. The
plumbers who look no further than their present employment
do not care enough to investigate, since they can make no imme-
diate use of the knowledge. However, the truly ambitious
plumbers are not satisfied until they are familiar with every-
thing pertaining to their business, because they cannot tell how
soon circumstances will place them where they will sadly need
the information which at present is not required.
When the plumber is called upon to do a first-class job, it
is often optional with him whether he puts in one or another
kind of pipe. If, according to his knowledge, he thinks brass
pipe will answer best, then brass pipe is used ; but it is quite dif-
ferent in regard to the system to be employed. It is not so much
a matter of choice as to whether, the single or double system will
be used or not. The prober conditions must exist before the
double system can sensibly be preferred. A double system could
be placed under almost any conditions, but such work in the
wrong place would entail more work than would be necessary
to place a double system in the right place, in addition to the
difference in the original cost of the two systems.
Fig. 79 shows a double boiler system. Let us suppose that
the street pressure will force the water into the tank in attic
through A, instead of only to the second floor ceiling, for then
the pump in the basement would be unnecessary. The inside
boiler al and its system of pipe would also be useless. The pipe
M could be continued to the fourth floor for cold water and
branches made into J for hot water. If the street main furnished
regular pressure and clear water, the tank could in some cases
be omitted ; but where the tank is omitted the auxiliary to con-
stant pressure is lost — i.e., where tanks are used settled or fil-
tered water and regular pressure are assured, even though the
street supply be shut off for repairs for hours, which is not un-
likely. Were the pipe A delivering water to the tank from the
street pressure, it would have to be furnished with a ball cock
or something equivalent, instead of the bend at the tank, as
shown. Any one can see the folly of using such a system as
illustrated if the street pressure would reach the attic.
Where the conditions call for double system work, the
plumber is called upon to select and adapt the style most suit-
able for the place. It will be understood that there are different
DOUBLE BOILERS AND CONNECTIONS.
103
Fig. 79. Piping for a Double Boiler System of Hot Water Supply.
104 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
ways of arranging double boilers and the pipes leading to and
from them, and yet give results that are practically the same.
The first method used where there is available space is to
place the two boilers independent of each other, either vertical
or horizontal, as is most convenient. Having two independent
boilers necessitates having two water backs — that is, one fire box
with two water backs and connections from each back, making
the circulation to each boiler independent of the other.
The circulating pipes must always be from one back to one
boiler, unless a range with two fire boxes and two water backs
each is used, in which case the tank pressure boiler may be con-
nected with one water back in each fire box and the street pres-
sure boiler connected to the two remaining fire boxes in the same
manner. When such a range and connections are used, hot
water can be supplied to both systems from either fire box. For
some reason the boilers placed independent of each other seem
to give the greatest satisfaction.
The second method is the placing of one boiler within the
other. The difference between the capacity of the inner and
outer boiler should be equal or a little in excess of the capacity
of the inner boiler. The strength of the material for both shells
can be about the same, and should be sufficient to withstand the
effect of a vacuum without injury when formed into a shell the
size of the outer cylinder. Should the inner cylinder of such a
boiler be emptied or syphoned while the pressure is on the outer
shell no damage would be likely to ensue, because the inner shell
would only be required to support the weight of the water from
the street, increasing in pounds per square inch according to
the vertical head of water, in addition to the atmospheric pres-
sure. The inner shell being naturally stronger from its smaller
diameter, and having no side couplings to vary the strain or re-
sistance, it would withstand any probable test without injury.
It will be understood that the high, or tank, pressure is always
connected to the inner boiler. A different result might be ex-
pected were the high pressure connected to the outer boiler dur-
ing such a test as was mentioned above. In combination boiler
work the water back connections are always applied to the outer
shell, as one or the other must be heated by conduction.
Although there are few, if any, cases where a combination
boiler has been heated by circulation through the inner shell or
DOUBLE BOILERS AND CONNECTIONS. 105
through both simultaneously from two water backs, there is no
reason why the latter could not be done successfully. The inner
cylinder should be made of copper, because it absorbs heat
quickly. The outer shell, if also made of copper, will secure
uniform expansion and make a much more durable job.
One way of arranging the pipes leading to and from a com-
bination boiler is to supply a tank situated in the attic or upper
floor from the street pressure by means of a pump upon the first
floor or in the basement. The supply to the inner cylinder is
taken from the tank, and is also connected to the street pressure,
by which, should the tank supply fail, the street supply will fill
the inside cylinder through a check valve. The tank and inside
cylinder supply hot and cold water to all the floors above those
for which the street supply can be relied upon.
Another method is substantially the same as the first, except
the additional convenience of being able to send hot or cold
water from the tank system to any fixture supplied by the street
pressure by means of certain connections and stops properly
placed in the kitchen.
A third way of using the double boiler system is as the first,
with the addition of what is known as reverse cocks to the
branches supplying the fixtures on the lower floors from the
street pressure. The reverse attachment referred to has six
openings and four stop cocks. They are set as follows: Upon
the upper street pressure floor hot and cold branches from both
street and tank supplies are brought to some convenient place
and carried up through a safe pan, in order that any leakage
from the cocks may be taken care of. Both of the hot supplies
are connected to one leg of the attachment and cold supplies to
the other leg. A lever handle is connected to the attachment
cocks is such a manner that it is only necessary to pull up the
handle to change from street to tank pressure, or vice versa.
A fourth arrangement of the pipes is a combination of the
stop cocks in the kitchen, mentioned in the second method, with
the reverse attachment, the reverse cock being placed upon the
third floor when there is only an intermittent supply from the
street to the third floor. Intermittent supply in some localities
is caused by excessive drawing at certain times during the day,
which in some cases causes the second floor to be uncertain if the
street pressure alone is depended upon. Automatic attachments
106 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
can be bought from any stock house for uses mentioned above.
The object of double plumbing and everything pertaining to it
is to avoid the cost of unnecessary pumping, storage capacity,
etc., to as great an extent as possible. The true perception of the
conditions existing in any case is the greatest aid to rightly de-
termining which of the methods is best for the place, as well as
whether combination or independent boilers are most suitable.
Double system plumbing is principally used in three, four-
story and attic and five-story buildings, and the neatest exam-
ples of it can be found in residences. In high city buildings
where high pressure steam is used both for heating and lifting
water, other means of overcoming the irregular supply difficulty
are found. It should be remembered that double boiler work and
duplicate plumbing are not the same, the latter being merely a
separate supply to each fixture and in some cases both separate
and duplicate supplies.
The illustration is an example of double plumbing, which
differs from the first method described only by having the stop
cock No. 4 connecting the cold supply of both boilers above the
sink. Should the street supply fail in this case, it is only neces-
sary to turn stop cock No. 4 to supply the hot and cold street
pressure system from the tank. A reverse attachment can be
placed upon the second floor by simply making connections to
N L from e e through the reverse cock. The range used in this
job is of the ordinary type — i. e., one fire box and one water back.
Circulation takes place between the outer boiler a and the water
back Z through the pipes U V. The emptying pipe shown by W
is from the inside boiler al. Its stop cock No. 6 is connected
on the pressure side of cock No. 5, which prevents any possibility
of the inner cylinder being emptied while the tank pressure is
upon the outer cylinder. T is the sediment pipe through which
both boilers must be emptied, and is controlled by stop cock No.
5. S is a general drain, which discharges over the basement sink.
The pipes C and P have a small drain and stop to S from
above the check valves, but are not shown in the drawing. Hot
supplies are furnished with drains and cocks to S by continua-
tions of and E. The sink in this job is of porcelain, supported
by legs and furnished with two drainers and with splash back.
The drainers are supported by brackets, and the splash back
can be removed by unscrewing the sink faucets Y Y and remov-
DOUBLE BOILERS AND CONNECTIONS.
107
ing two wood screws at each end. The sink waste is indicated
by h and the crown vent of its trap by i. The telltale pipe B dis-
charges above the basement sink, that the person pumping may
know when the tank is full. A is the supply to the tank in the
attic, from a force pump in the basement. The pump suc-
tion pipe is connected to the street supply C. Tank drain c is
Fig. 80. A Horizontal Double Boiler and Connections,
furnished with a cock near the tank. The tank overflow h is con-
nected to tank drain c. The tank cold main supply is first
brought into the kitchen through K, thence through branch N
to third and fourth floors, and up over the tank as shown, which
insures the main line draining out should the water be shut off.
108 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
The inner cylinder is supplied with cold water through the
branch F from K. Pipe d is branched into K below the stop
cock as shown, which introduces the atmospheric pressure to the
upper end of K, allowing K to be drained without draining the
tank, should it be necessary to do so. The street pressure main
cold is introduced through C and to the outer cylinder through
branch I. Second floor cold is supplied from the street through
branch pipe M. The kitchen sink, pantry sink and laundry hot
water is supplied through pipes 0, E, and their branches. Cold
water to kitchen sink, etc., is supplied by branches from street
pressure pipe C. Should the tank pressure fail, the street pres-
sure will supply the inner boiler through branch D and a check
valve; thence via P and F. The check is used to prevent mix-
ing the tank and street water. Were a check omitted, high
pressure would always be upon the outer boiler and all the water
used would have to be pumped, by reason of the excessive pres-
sure holding the check on pipe C shut. The check is placed
upon street main cold C to prevent wasting the tank water into
the street main when both systems are doing duty under high
pressure; that is, when cock No. 4 is turned on. The check is
also necessary to prevent drawing water from the outer boiler
when the pump is in use. H is the main hot supply from the
outer boiler, J being the distributing hot to second floor. G
is the main hot from the inner boiler, L being the distributing
hot to the third and fourth floors. Both L and J continue up to
and bend over the tank in order to relieve any steam, vapor or
expansion that may occur. X X indicate the air chambers from
the sink faucets. It will be noticed that all pipes connecting to
the top of the boilers are brought down to a convenient point
above the sink to avoid using a stepladder when it is necessary
to turn the stop cocks. The bends made in the hot pipe for the
above reason prevent the successful use of a return circulating
pipe. Both inner and outer boilers may have return circulation
when the hot mains continue to rise above the boilers. The stops
in this job above the sink are all plain stops. All jobs of the
order here described should have the stop cocks and valves
marked, and a chart giving full information as to the use of each
one, both for regular service and in cases of emergency.
DOUBLE BOILERS AND CONNECTIONS.
109
Horizontal Double Boilers and Connections.
A good example of piping work in the connections of a
horizontal double boiler is shown in Fig. 80. The water back
is not shown, but the pipes leading from it appear at the left,
connecting with the receiver. The boiler is suspended over a
kitchen sink that is connected with a grease trap. The apparatus
consists of two separate boilers, butting together, one supplied
from the street main and the other from a tank. The receiver
has two chambers, one heated by being surrounded by the hot
water in the other, which connects directly with the water back.
AA is the cold water supply from the street main. BB is a by
pass running cold water
clean and repair. Interchangeable mixer nozzles are demanded.
In automatic heaters having thermostatic control, burners having
HEATING WATER BY GAS.
IK
Heater
copper gauze plates are preferred; whereas in the burners for
circulating tank heaters the flame check screens are not favored,
but the straight-drilled burner is preferred.
On the tank heaters the solid type of jacket is giving way
to the open-front hinge-door type, with the pilot light eliminated,
thus necessitating the opening of door in
order to light the gas at the main burner.
In the automatic heaters the form of
mechanism combining thermostatic or tem-
perature regulation with water pressure con-
trol is the type generally favored by manu-
facturers of this class of water heater for
general use.
A difference of opinion exists as to
whether the internal or external type of ther-
mostat is preferred, the internal thermostats
being preferred by some on account of their
being located nearer the seat of activity,
while the external thermostats are often
favored because of their circulating features
and greater accessibility for adjustment and
repair.
The type of jacket for automatic heaters having the double
cast iron wall with large air space between, and with doors of
liberal size exposing the coil and burner compartments, has been
adopted by all manufacturers, thus permitting easy cleaning of
coils and burners or inspection while in use.
The automatic supplementary system of connecting heaters,
whereby all water is first taken through the ordinary tank,
heated by a coil in the coal furnace, is favored by practically
all water heater manufacturers and used by practically
all gas companies in making installations, especially in the cooler
climates where buildings are commonly heated in this way.
Instantaneous Bath Heaters.
These appliances are of two general types which may be
classed as contact and non-contact heaters. In the first, the
water is in actual contact at one point of the heater with the
heated products of combustion from the Bunsen burners. The
Fig. 85. Method of
Installing Kitchea
Boiler Heater.
116
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
second heats the water indirectly by spreading it over a large
surface exposed to the gas flame.
This type of heater is generally of such attractive appear-
ance that it is an ornament to the bath room or apartment in
which it is placed.
The heater illustrated in Fig. 83 is
constructed of sheet copper, nickel
plated, with valves and supply pipes of
brass, nickel plated and polished. The
heater consists primarily of a number of
Bunsen burners placed under a shell,
over which water is caused to pass in a
thin sheet by being sprayed over a per-
forated cone, through which it passes
exposed to the intense heat from the
Bunsen burners and so down over the
lower part of the shell which is in the
form of a frustum of a cone
to the outlet tube.
When more than one fix-
ture is to be served a goose-
neck or offset is provided so
that an open end can be main-
tained to safeguard the
heater. A valve can be fitted
to the other outlet so that
water can be drawn freely,
without the necessity of run-
ning any through the open
end to the other fixtures. A
by-pass or pilot light is ar-
ranged so that it must be
turned on and lighted before the main gas valve is opened, thus
insuring that gas will not collect in the casing before the light
is applied. The water supply valve is also arranged so that
the lever must be automatically turned up by the action of
opening the gas valve.
The whole heater is placed on a white enameled iron shelf
supported by a bracket. The Bunsen burners are readily re-
moved for cleaning when necessary. A pipe must be connected
Fig. 86. An Automatic Water Heater
Attached to a Vertical Boiler.
HEATING WATER BY GAS.
117
from the top of the heater to some convenient flue or carried to
the open air to remove the products of combustion. When taken
to the open air a hood should be fitted so that down draughts will
be prevented, but the vent should enter a heated flue whenever
possible.
The second type, the simple kitchen
boiler heater, is of a different construc-
tion to the type just described. Here
the water is circulated as it is heated to a
storage tank, from which it is drawn as
required. The heater generally consists
of a coil of copper pipe, as shown in Fig.
84, or a series of hollow discs connected
by short pieces of pipe which presents
a comparatively large heating surface to
the effect of a hot Bunsen
flame produced by a burner
placed at the base. The heated
products of combustion pass
through the coils of pipe or over
and around the hollow discs in
their passage to the outlet at
the top. This outlet must in
all cases be connected with a
heated flue or carried outside
and finished with a hood for
the same reason as that for
which the bath heater was
connected.
The range boiler heater is
generally connected as shown ^^- ^^•
in Fig. 85, that is the flow con-
nection is made to the upper tapping of boiler just where the
house supply is taken off, while the lower pipe is connected at
the bottom tapping of the boiler. Should the water be of such
a nature that there is danger of sediment choking the boiler or
coils the lower connection may be made to the side opening of
the boiler. This, however, decreases the hot-water storage capac-
ity by one-half, and a better plan is that where a sediment trap
or other means of collecting the sediment before it passes into
Pressure Controlled Gas
Water Heater.
118
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
the heater is provided. Reducing the storage capacity, however,
•allows the water contained in the boiler to become hotter. The
position of the coil in relation to the Bunsen burner in this type
of heater is clearly shown in Fig. 84.
REGULATING COCK "C
F.QR FL_Oyy^OF_WATER
VENT TO FLUE
COILJ?ACKS
'HEAT ZONE
PILOT VALVE "B"
GAS COCK^A
AUTOMATIC
WATER VALVE
UPPER GAS VALVE
THERMOSTAT
GAS VALVE
HOT WATER
OUTLET (IN REAR
^COLD WATER I
INLET (IN REAR)
CAS TO PILOT
GAS TO MAIM
BURNERS'
J'lLOT^BURNER
BURNER
POSITIONING Rl
PATENTED
CAS BURNERS
REMOVABLE CAST
IRON TOP
EXTERIOR CAST
IRON SHELL
DEAD AIR SPACE,
(INSULATION)
CAST IRON
COPPER HEATING COIL
(DETACHABLE AND ORAINABLE)
SPRING DOORS -
(SELF CLOSING)
FRONT JACKEiy
,V'-'-'-^^'-^^i\S"*^^'-'^"^^y-'"^*'^'^
><
X
L. .
r -— r
.\\nm;\vs>i^;^Tn'
1^ —
. .Icr3l. .
Fig. 91. Method of Installing Automatic Heater in a Flat
In the first case it is shaped so that a casing is inserted
through a tapping in the tank and in this casing the expansion
rod is carried. The valves operating the gas supply are in a
casing at the outlet end of the rod as shown in Fig. 90.
In the other case the rod is contained in a casing which is
placed in the burner chamber of heater and connected so that
the heated water acts directly upon the expansion rod. As it
lengthens with the rise in temperature in the coil, it acts on
toggles again and closes the gas valve at whatever point may
have been decided upon. This thermostat is shown in Fig. 88,
which also shows the Bunsen burners and the coils inside the
casing.
The doors on most of these heaters are mounted with springs
so that should gas be collected for any reason before being
ignited by the pilot light, any excess pressure will be relieved by
the yielding of the door. This obviates all risk of damage by
the explosion.
HEATING WATER BY GAS.
123
Tlie best metliods of using and maintaining in good condition
all of the various types of heaters are amply described in the
various makers' catalogues and instruction sheets. These sheets
are invariably sent out along with the heaters and should be
carefully studied by those not familiar with the installation of
OoldWaterSui
Fig. 92. A Heater Connected as an Auxiliary.
such machines and should also be brought to the attention of the
customers so that mutual satisfaction will be obtained. For the
guidance of those who have not previously installed gas water
heaters a few rules may be of use.
1. Be certain that the pressure of water is sucH that the
supply will always be available at the highest fixture on the line.
2. Do not use a heater of the automatic pressure valve type
unless the water pressure is equal to the amount designated by
the maker of the heater.
3. Be sure the gas supply is ample.
124
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
4. The vent pipe should never be reduced below the size
of the outlet collar on the heater and should not have a damper.
5. Always flush out the supply pipes before connecting
to the gas heater. This is important, as chips or lead used in
making the joints may lodge in the valves and cause trouble.
e--i*/nsufatia%
Fig. 93. Automatic Gas Heater and Coil in Furnace Connected to Large
Storage Tank.
6, Check the supply to the automatic heater down to what
the capacity of the heater calls for. This will obviate complaint
of lack of heating power through the customer drawing water
faster than it can be heated.
Various Methods of Connecting Heaters.
It has already been stated that ordinary boiler heaters can
be connected up in such a way that sediment will not collect in
the coils. Should a coil become choked it will manifest its con-
dition by snapping sounds due to the formation of steam and
the supply of hot water will be unsatisfactory. The coil should
be removed and thoroughly cleaned and the connection made
either with the return pipe connected to the side outlet of the
HEATING WATER BY GAS.
125
boiler or connected through a sediment chamber which will col-
lect it at the lowest point. Fig. 91 shows an automatic heater
placed in an apartment and supplying kitchen and bath room
fixtures, while Fig. 92 shows how they may be connected as aux-
iliaries so that the coal stove can be used at any time and hot
water drawn from the boiler through a by-pass. If desired the
storage type of heater may also
be connected as an auxiliary to
a coal stove and the thermostatic
control may be used to maintain
the water at any desired tem-
perature at such times as it may
be desirable to have a low fire
in the coal stove.
These heaters may be con-
nected in many different ways,
but do not differ greatly from
other heaters, and the plumber
who understands the principles
which cause water to circulate
will have no difficulty in install-
ing any or all of the heaters.
The method of connecting a
coil in a house heating furnace to
a boiler also heated by an auto-
matic gas heater is shown in Fig. 93. The illustration also
shows how the insulation of the tank is put on to effect economy
in gas consumption.
Kitchen Range and Gas Heater Continuous Connection.
A continuous flow connection with a gas water heater of
the common kitchen boiler type and the water front in the range
is shown at Fig. 94. This is a neat method of connecting the
two fixtures which saves space and also prevents to some extent
short circuiting of cold water through one or other of the heaters
when one is not being used. The coils of the gas heater will
radiate a little heat when the hot water from the water front
is passing through them, but not enough to offset the advantage
possessed by the method in other respects. A double boiler con-
nection may be used to connect the flow pipe with that of con-
Fig. 94. Continuous Connection
for Gas Heater and Water
Back in Range.
126
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
nection of the boiler so that the supply to the fixtures will be
drawn from the boiler and there will be no chance of short cir-
cuiting it and drawing through the water front instead of from
the boiler.
A Space Saving Method of Installing
a Gas Heater.
A departure from the usual method of
fitting kitchen boiler water heaters is shown
in Fig. 95. In this arrangement space is
saved and a neat appearing job is secured
as well while the method admits of con-
necting the flow pipe to the side connection
of the boiler if desired. The usual practice
of placing the same size boiler as is used
with a coal range and water back is open to
the objection that the expense of heating up
the entire contents of the boiler is heavy
and as the heater is, as a rule, capable
of heating the water almost as fast as it is
drawn, the amount of storage called for
with the use of a water back is unnecessary.
If then a 20 gal. boiler is placed in the
manner shown and the connection is made
to the upper tapping, the contents of the
boiler can be heated to whatever tempera-
ture is desired, and if this is not a large
enough quantity for the purpose intended,
x;^ Supply >
//- / • //// ///// "Av //////
Fig. 95. A Space Sav
ing Method of In-
stalling a Gas
Water Heater.
the gas can be lit and the water heated
while it is being drawn, thus using the hot
water already stored with the additional
supply being heated. If the boiler has a
thermostatic control valve attached this will bring the burner
into action as soon as the watei" is drawQ and so avoid the
necessity of attention on the part of the user. The smaller
boiler will also show some economy in gas, as there is less loss
of heat by radiation and of course less water to maintain at the
desired temperature.
The method of installing the heater under the boiler is espe-
cially well adapted for positions where the ordinary method
HEATING WATER BY GAS. 127
would cause some awkward pipe fitting. Such a position, for
instance, is often seen in the closets behind kitchen ranges in
houses of the two or three apartment style where space is lim-
ited and where it is common to install the boiler in this closet.
It may be well to state that when a gas heater is placed in a
closet or other position where it is in close contact with wood-
work the walls should be covered with tin to a sufficient distance
away from the heater to prevent its ignition through overheat-
ing. The tin should be nailed to cleats on the wall for the pur-
pose of affording an air space behind it, and asbestos board
should be put on below the tin. It is also important to see that a
proper flue connection is made to carry off the burned gases and
also any that may leak through the burner accidentally.
CHAPTEE XI.
Heating Water by Steam Coils and by Injecting Steam
and by Coils in Heating Furnaces.
The designing and proportioning of heating systems for
either domestic or industrial hot water supply on a large scale
generally contemplates the use of steam as the heating medium.
This may be either the sole means of heating or only an auxil-
iary, but in either case a considerable amount of care must be
given to the proportioning as well as to the actual construction
to secure satisfactory results. The first thing that is necessary
is to find the amount of heat that will be required to maintain
the quantity of water required at the desired temperature. Then
the amount of steam that is required to convey that heat to the
water and the pipe sizes that will convey the necessary amount
of steam must be ascertained. There are quite a few factors that
must be taken into consideration in arriving at the required
data. The transmission of heat through the steam coil to the
water varies according to the nature of the metal used, and if a
close approximation to the actual steam consumption and pipe
sizes is to be arrived at this point must receive careful study.
Data on Heating Water by Steam.
A French author is responsible for the statement that for
the same difference of temperature between steam and water the
coefficient of the flow of heat through the wall of a coil of pipe
filled with steam and placed in a tank of water varies from 1 to
10, according to the speed of the circulation of the water. It is
said that 1 square meter of copper tubing placed in a liquid in
motion can condense about 3 kilograms of steam per sq. meter
per hour per degree of difference in temperature between the
steam and the water, which figure is equivalent to 0.34 lb. of
steam per sq. ft. per deg. Fahr. per hour, or about 329 B.t.u.
This figure corresponds to steam at atmospheric pressure and
water entering at say 140 deg. and passing away at 194 deg.
With an iron pipe coil having 1 sq. meter of surface placed
128
HEATING WATER BY STEAM.
129
in a tank holding about 265 gal. it was found that without cir-
culation in the tank, that is, with the water left intact in the
tank, the water was heated from an initial temperature of about
53.6 degrees Fahr. to the temperatures noted in the accompany-
ing table. Opposite each temperature is given the number of
minutes required to warm this volume of water from the initial
■ 6 — J"
s
Fig. 96. Arrangement of. Steam Coil in Hot Water Tank
to Allow for Expansion.
temperature to that stated, both for low pressure and for high
pressure steam :
^r<>™ 53.6 steam at Steam at
degrees to I1/2 to 3 lb. about 60 lb.
122 deg in 35 min. in 33 min.
140 44 42
158 60 51
1^^ 95 60
194 120 68
212 77
A test was also made of the heating of water passed con-
tinuously through the tank. Apparently the same steam pipe
coil was used, presenting 1 sq. meter or 10.75 sq. ft. of surface.
It was found that starting with the water at about 53.5 degrees,
11/2 or 1.6 gal. were heated per minute to 176 degrees Fahr. ; 21/2
gal. to 167 degrees ; 2.9 gal. to 158 degrees ; 3.3 gal. to 149 de-
grees; 3.8 gal. to 140 degrees, and 4.75 gal. to 122 degrees. These
figures were obtained with the steam at about 1/2 to 3 lb. pres-
sure. "With the same arrangement, but with the steam pressure
at about 28 or 29 lb., about 9^4 gal. were heated to 140 degrees,
as compared with 3.8 gal. with steam at low pressure.
The author quotes from data of Thomas and Laurens, who
130 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
give the transmission of heat through a copper tube through
which the water is passed with the tube placed in a chamber of
steam. The tube was 10 millimeters (0.39 in.) in diameter, with
the copper 0.04 in. in thickness. The total length was about 10.3
ft., so that its surface amounted to 1.06 sq. ft. The steam was
maintained at atmospheric pressure. The coefficients of trans-
mission were given for a velocity of the water at 0.1 meter per
second and for speeds two, three and four times as great, and
so on. These figures indicate the following rates of transmission
of heat in B. t. u. :
0.4 ft. per second, 335 B.t.u. per sq. ft. per degree per hour.
0.5 ft. per second, 390 B.t.u. per sq. ft. per degree per hour.
0.7 ft. per second, 455 B.t.u. per sq. ft. per degree per hour.
1 ft. per second, 510 B.t.u. per sq. ft. per degree per hour.
1.5 ft. per second, 560 B.t.u. per sq. ft. per degree per hour.
2 ft. per second, 610 B.t.u. per sq. ft. per degree per hour.
2.5 ft. per second, 655 B.t.u. per sq. ft. per degree per hour.
3 ft. per second, 700 B.t.u. per sq. ft. per degree per hour.
3.5 ft. per second, 750 B.t.u. per sq. ft. per degree per hour.
These figures are applicable to the ordinary type of water
heater with a coil supplied by steam and the type commonly
known and used as feed water heaters in which the water passes
through the coil exposed to the heat of the steam in a jacket.
This latter style is occasionally used for hot water supply in
factory wash rooms and laundries where exhaust steam is avail-
able with satisfactory results, and the rate of transmission is
higher with this type, as the foregoing table shows. In the ordi-
nary type of horizontal tank with brass or copper coils it is
common to allow about 1 linear ft. of 1 in. pipe to each 5 gal.
capacity. This works out at about 1 sq. ft. of heating surface
to each 15 gallons of water, and with steam at about 225 deg.
temperature the contents of the boiler should be heated in about
one hour to a temperature of about 170 deg. The proportions
given in the French tests fall a little short of this, but the
amount of heating surface necessary is best determined by as-
certaining the probable requirements of the building and making
allowance according to the pressure of the steam supply avail-
able. The coils usually fitted in horizontal boilers of the style
used for hot water supply are built of brass or galvanized iron
pipe with return bends or headers. In either case there should
be provision made for expansion by making swing joints on the
connections as shown in Fig. 96. This also shows the con-
HEATING WATER BY STEAM.
131
nections made through the the boiler shell in such a way that
the coil can be removed from the boiler when necessary to re-
place a leaky pipe or fitting. Many engineers believe that better
service is secured by the use of galvanized iron headers or return
bends and ells rather than cast brass, owing to the liability to
spreading of the fitting when making the connections. The
forcing of the pipe into the last thread in the endeavor to se-
cure a thoroughly tight joint will occasionally cause this to occur
^
D/a^ro^.
Wafer Supph-
to Diaphragm
^% "-ngr^'
t*
•*--x
oThermosfcrfic ^
^Expansion Tube
X^.VSS-VS-ZIZZZZZ- 1
"IZZi
)C:i_:-_.: _._-"-___:
<-.-"----::-_--_"-
"J
^"::::."--:-_-_--_
C:i:"-v--"::::
jC"~-"_":i""_~"_""":-""
J
WaferSuppfy
Inlet '^^---*t
Fig. 97. Thermostatic Control of Steam Supply to Coil.
and where a high pressure is carried in the water supply the
water will find its way into the steam heating system and cause
trouble through raising the water level above its normal height.
A pressure relief valve is usually fitted on the boiler and a ther-
mostatic valve to control the steam supply. This acts through
the lengthening of a rod by expansion to close the steam valve
or by the expansion of a liquid contained in a closed chamber
which is caused to open and close the steam valve through a
diaphragm movement. Fig. 97 illustrates a thermostatic valve
operated by expansion. This opens a small valve on a pipe con-
nected with the cold water supply and the pressure is then
caused to operate on a diaphragm connected with a steam valve.
Thus when the water in the boiler reaches the desired tempera-
ture the expansion of the rod opens the small valve and the
pressure then closes the steam valve. As the temperature falls
the thermostatic element in the tank contracts, allowing the
132
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
valve on the steam line to open again and to remain open until
the temperature rises again to the desired height.
Heating Kitchen Boilers by Steam.
Heating ordinary vertical kitchen boilers by steam is not so
often practiced, although it is done occasionally. The coils in
this case are generally spiral and made of copper or brass pipe.
The steam enters at the top of the coil and the return pipe
carries off the water of condensation. The usual allowance of
Fig. 98. Kitchen Boiler Heated by Steam.
1 linear ft. of 1 in. pipe to 5 gal. capacity would therefore call
for a coil of 8 ft. of pipe in a 40 gallon boiler and this is easily
provided. A simple steam heater which is fitted in the same
manner as the ordinary kitchen boiler gas heater has also been
used. This consists of a length of galvanized iron or brass pipe
through which passes the cold water supply from the bottom
of the boiler. Steam is introduced to the la'rge pipe as
shown in Fig. 98, and transmits its heat to the circulating pipe
passing through it. The water as it is heated rises and passes
into the boiler, being replaced with the cooler water from the
boiler, and thus a circulation is maintained. The length of the
pipe is determined by the size of the boiler and the time allowed
HEATING WATER BY STEAM.
13?
to heat the contents. It is somewhat difficult to allow as much,
heating surface as is done when the steam is passed through a
coil, unless it is possible to continue the large pipe through the
floor into the basement or room below the boiler but the rate of
transmission of heat from the steam to the water inside the cir-
culating pipe is a little higher than when the process is the re-
verse as with a coil in a boiler.
Heating Water by Injecting Steam.
In large institutions and in business places such as laun-
dries and cleaning es-
tablishments it is
sometimes found de-
sirable to heat the wa-
ter required for wash-
ing and other pur-
poses by injecting live
steam into tanks at
a high pressure, the
tanks being of course
open, or at least not
under any water pres-
Fig. 99. A Steam Injecting Nozzle.
sure. This may be accomplished in several ways, two of which are
here described. When estimating the proportions necessary for the
quantity of water to be heated, the heat that will be given up
by 1 lb. of steam may be calculated and the quantity of water that
will be raised to the desired temperature ascertained therefrom.
The following table is not absolutely accurate, but may be used
for the purpose of reaching approximately the sizes of boiler
and pipes required, although the best plan to follow when cost
of operation or other details requiring accuracy are demanded
is to secure these from the basis of B.t.u. produced by the steam
and absorbed by the water.
In the table the figures are based on a steam supply at 85
lb. pressure, and the quantities of water heated by 1 lb. of steam
at that pressure are given in pounds:
Temp, of water to be
heated F°..70 80 90 100
To boiling... 7 71/2 8 8i^
To 180° F... 8V2 9V2 101/2 12
110 120 130
91/2 101,^ 12
14 16 19
140 150 160 170 180
IBV2 16 19 23 Va 31
24 32 48 96
134
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
To use this table the initial temperature of the water to be
heated must be found and subtracted from 212 deg. or 180 deg.
Fahr. according as the temperature desired is one or the other.
The difference in the temperatures is shown in approximate
figures in the top line.
Under the steam pressure named, Vs-in. pipe will inject
into open bodies of water about 1
lb. of steam per minute.
With steam from low-pressure
mains (containing only about two-
thirds as much heat in the liquids, a
difference but partially offset by the
greater latent heat) the difference
in total heat and decreased velocity
due to lower pressure will require
much more time to perform an
equal amount of work, say, in the
neighborhood of 10 min. and less
for pressures ranging from atmos-
phere, up, per pound of steam con-
densed at ordinary submergence.
The delivery should be, of course,
through a nozzle proportioned to
the speed and volume or work in
hand.
To ascertain correctly the
Steam
Injector
amount of steam required to heat
a given quantity of water per min-
Fig. 100. A Special Steam and
Water Mixing Attachment.
ute it need only be remembered
that the heat unit is that amount
of heat that will raise the temperature of water at 39 deg. Fahr.
at the rate of 1 lb. 1 degree.
Finding Quantity of Steam Necessary to Heat Water.
The pressure of steam available should be ascertained and
the total B.t.u. available from 1 lb. of steam will then be easily
applied and the quantity of water it will heat found. For in-
stance, steam at atmospheric pressure contains 1,140 B.t.u. per
lb. Then if it was desired to heat the water from 40 deg. to 140
HEATING WATER BY STEAM. 135
deg. Fahr. 100 B.t.u. would have to be transferred to each pound
of water heated. Therefore one pound of steam would heat 11.4
lb. of water.
To find the quantity at higher temperatures and pressures
of steam the following table of number of B.t.u. in one pound
of steam at different temperatures may be used :
At
atmospheric
pressure
lb.
of
steam
contains
approx.
1146
B.t.u.
Af
5 lbs.
pressure
lb.
of
steam
contains
approx.
1151
B.t.u.
At
10 lbs.
pressure
lb.
of
steam
contains
approx.
1155
B.t.u.
At
15 lbs.
pressure
lb.
of
steam
contains
approx.
1158
B.t.u.
At
20 lbs.
pressure
lb.
of
steam
contains
approx.
1161
B.t.u.
At
25 lbs.
pressure
lb.
of
steam
contains
approx.
1163
B.t.u.
At
30 lbs.
pressure
lb.
of
steam
contains
approx.
1165
B.t.u.
At
35 lbs.
pressure
lb.
of
steam
contains
approx.
1167
B.t.u.
At
40 lbs.
pressure
lb.
of
steam
contains
approx.
1169
B.t.u.
When capacities of different apparatus are quoted in calor-
ies the corresponding capacity in B.t.u. may be determined aa
follows: — A calorie is roughly four times as large as a British
thermal unit. For ordinary calculations this is the figure used ;
where more accuracy is desired the figure is 3.96. A British
thermal unit represents the amount of heat involved in heating
or cooling 1 lb. of water through 1 degree F. A calorie, or, as it
is sometimes called, a greater calorie, represents the amount of
heat involved in warming or cooling 1 kg. of water through 1
degree C. As 1 kg. weighs 2.2 lb. and 1 degree C. is 9/5 as large
as 1 degree F., the calorie is 2.2 X 9/5 = 3.96 times as large as
the British thermal unit.
When steam is introduced into a body of water in either a
closed or open tank the condensation is accompanied by con-
siderable noise due to the collapse of steam bubbles, the creation
of vacuum at the point of collapse and the rushing in of water
to that point to overcome the vacuum. To lessen this annoying
accompaniment to the heating process the steam jet may be
broken up and appliances are on the market which have been
designed with the especial object of injecting steam so that the
collapse of steam bubbles will be effected in such a manner, by
reason of splitting up the jet into many minute jets, that much
of the noise will be obviated. The manner in which this is often
done in laundries, woolen factories and other institutions where
open tanks are used for the purpose of boiling soap and for other
purposes, and which are generally heated in this fashion, is to
136 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
drill a large number of holes in the submerged copper or brass
pipe, the end having been closed by plugging it. These lessen
the noise greatly and it can be still further lessened by making a
cage of perforated copper with fairly small perforations and
fitting this around the part of the pipe which has been drilled
for the steam emission. This cage simply acts to break up the
force of the steam jets and to co-mingle them with the water
more readily.
In a closed tank or boiler such as is used for domestic pur-
poses, a type of steam jet is procurable which is designed to
heat water noiselessly. This jet is in the form of an inverted
cone which is attached to the end of the steam inlet pipe inside
the tank and submerged in the water, as shown in Fig. 99. The
steam is made to discharge outwards and upwards, thus causing
a circulating motion in the contents of the tank and to avoid
the noise resulting from the collapse of steam bubbles, a small
air pipe carries air to the point where the steam escapes into
the water. This air mixes with the steam and prevents the sud-
den collapse of the bubbles with the attendant noise. The steam
and air supply are regulated to the proper proportions by valves.
This heater may be used in a tank either under pressure or
open, but when used as a closed system a pressure of air and
steam in proportion to the pressure of water must be carried
and check valves fitted on the inlet pipes to prevent water find-
ing its way back into the steam boiler. Another apparatus,
which is illustrated in Fig. 100, is fitted to the hot water boiler in
exactly the same manner in which a gas heater would be fitted.
From the illustration it will be seen that this takes the form
of a closed vessel through which the water from the boiler may
circulate and in which a steam jet with an outlet of special de-
sign is placed. As the water is heated it rises in the vessel and
passes into the boiler, being replaced by cold water which enters
through the lower connection. This process is assisted by the
design of the jet, which breaks up the steam into minute par-
ticles and passes it into the vessel or co-mingler as it is termed
in an upward direction, thus tending to hasten the speed of the
circulation to the boiler. In this type of heater the tank may
be under pressure if the pressure does not exceed that carried
in the steam boiler and if check valves are placed on the steam
HEATING WATER BY STEAM.
137
supply line to prevent water from the tank finding its way into
the steam boiler should the pressure fall.
Steam as an Auxiliary Heater.
A tank may be connected with both steam coils and a water
heater of the usual type as shown in Fig. 101. This is commonly
done where steam is available from the heating system in the
winter time while the water may be heated from the tank heater
Sfeom Supply fo CoH—,.
Controlling Valve
io Steam Coil
Main Supply fo Building.;-'-^,
Mo in Cold Water
^-■Supply
Heater Supply^
f'-O-"-' "6-i ■•.V.'O: . .■■l
///7/////////y////////////// /////////////////////////> /////f/////////////''/'
Fig. 110. Hot Water Boiler Placed in Attic as Storage and Radiator.
UTILIZING EXCESS HEAT.
147
the liability to withdraw the hot water from the coil does not
exist, and the incoming cold water only retards the supply of
heat to the coil. The difference between the two plans may be
thus summarized: In Fig. 108 the heating of the domestic
water supply in the boiler is not interfered with, and the circu-
lation through the
heating coil is not
liable to be reduced
or to cease; whereas
in Fig. 109 the heat-
ing of the water in
the boiler is liable to
stop the circulation
in the heating coil,
and the withdrawal
of hot water for do-
mestic purposes and
the incoming cold wa-
ter will tend to cause
irregular circulation
between back and
coil, and back and
boiler. For the radi-
ating surface a return
bend coil may be
used of 114-inch pipe.
The length of coil
may be about 3 feet
6 inches, eight to ten
pipes in height, but
the size of the room
and the capacity of
the water back must determine this. The flow and return pipe
may be of %-inch pipe, if the coil is not unusually far from the
boiler. The use of plain or galvanized iron pipe is a matter which
may be determined from experience when considering the require-
ments of the case. So far as heating the air is concerned, plain
pipe is more desirable than galvanized pipe, but the latter pipe is
presumed to be less liable to produce rust in the water for domes-
tic purposes. There is no objection to the use of a radiator if pre-
Fig. 111. Radiator Connected to Supply System
and Extended Heating Surface at Water Back.
148
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
ferred. When these are used on the same floor as the boiler, the
wall pattern should be selected so that the return connection may
be kept above the level of the water front. Better service will
result when this is done.
Co/dfo Boiler-^ Hot-^
Hifchon
Dining Room
Fig. 112. A Room Heated by Warm Air and Hot Water from the Kitchen Range.
The equivalent in pipe coils of 1 sq. ft. of radiation may be
found from the following table :
LENGTH OF IRON PIPE REQUIRED TO EQUAL 1 SQ. FT. OF RADIATING
SURFACE.
% In About 3 ft. 8 in.
1 About 2 ft. 11 in.
1 14 , '. About 2 ft. 4 in.
11/2 About 2 ft. in.
2 About 1 ft. 8 in.
Warming a Room by Installing an Extra Boiler.
Another plan often used is to install an extra boiler instead
of a radiator or coil and to place this in some room that requires
UTILIZING EXCESS HEAT.
149
Relief
heat so that the radiation from its surface will effect this pur-
pose while the amount of water held in store for immediate use
is much increased. An example of this method is shown in Fig.
110, where an attic bedroom has been warmed by the circula-
tion of water to an extra boiler placed therein. In this case the
water is heated by a coil
in the warm air furnace
as well as by the water
front in the kitchen
range and the circula-
tion of both coil and wa-
ter back is primarily to
the first boiler. The flow
to the upper boiler is
taken from the top of
the lower one and the re-
turn enters the heater
section or coil in the
hot air furnace so as to
maintain a circulation
throughout. It could,
however, have been connected to the return pipe below the upper
boiler with satisfactory results.
Connecting a Radiator to Domestic Supply Lines.
A little variation in the method of connecting a radiator
on the floor above the boiler is shown in Fig. 111. The flow pipe
here is taken from the supply pipe to the fixtures and returns
through a separate pipe to the lower connection of the range
boiler. An air valve is necessary on the radiator to relieve it
of the air collecting there. The manner of extending the surface
of a water front to provide extra heating surface for a large
radiator is also shown. This has been described elsewhere in
this book. The valve may be fitted on the return connection if
preferred, but there will probably be some local circulation in
the radiator if this is done.
Kitchen Stove Warming Room by Hot Air and Hot Water.
An ingenious arrangement for the utilization of excess heat
from a kitchen range is shown in Fig. 112. This range has a
Fig. 113. Cold Water Storage Tank Provided
With Warming Coil Heated by
Water Back.
150
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
special construction which permits part of the heat of combus-
tion, after doing duty in warming the ovens and water front to be
utilized in heating air which is delivered to a near by room in
the same manner that warm air is delivered from a regular heat-
ing furnace. In this case, however, advantage was taken of the
warm air duct to run the hot water pipes to a coil in the room to
Fig. 114. Two Coils on Different Floors Heated by
Water Back.
which the warm air was conducted. The illustration shows how
the pipes were connected to a horizontal boiler placed above the
range and how the pipes passed up through the floor register to
the coil. As a means of relieving the system of air a pipe con-
necting with the bathroom fixtures was taken from the highest
point.
There is still another useful purpose to which the warm
water not required for domestic purposes can be put. In many
instances the cold water storage tank is placed in an unheated
UTILIZING EXCESS HEAT. 151
attic and in winter there is considerable danger of the pipes and
tank freezing. It is an easy matter to construct a coil around
the tank in the manner shown in Fig. 113, and to connect this so
that there will be a circulation of water to it at all times which
will guard against freezing even when the temperature is at an
extremely low point. If the expansion tank is placed as shown,
there will be sufficient water always therein to give a little head
of water above the coil, as the water when hot will stand up in the
tank a little higher than the level of the water in the cold water
storage tank owing to the difference in density. If connected as
shown the supply to the coil maj^ be cut out in mild weather
without affecting the circulation in the rest of the system.
Warming Several Rooms From the Kitchen Stove.
In such cases as those in which the water for domestic pur-
poses is entirely heated by steam or by a special heater the
excess heat of a kitchen range not required for cooking is often
utilized for heating rooms. This does not require the use of a
boiler, as the water front then simply takes the place of the
ordinary house heating boiler, although of course few water
fronts have capacity enough to heat other than a small room.
Fig. 114 shows the water front in a kitchen range heating two
coils, one of which is on the second floor. The circulation is such
that either or both coils can be in operation without affecting
it and the expansion tank at the highest point of the loop takes
eare of the expansion in the system and also stores water enough
to allow of a certain amount of evaporation without constant
attention in refilling.
Fig. 115 shows two radiators on the second floor connected
in such a manner that they may be heated either by the kitchen
range or by the coil in a warm air furnace or by both. The con-
nections to the radiator are made in each case so that the supply
comes from overhead, obviating the use of an air valve and allow-
ing the water to be circulated through either or both radiators
as desired, or merely around the circulating loop without warm-
ing the radiators. The same method can be used in supplying
radiators on a system from which the domestic supply is taken,
but in that case an expansion tank would not be required as the
relief pipe would be turned over the top of the storage tank in
the attic and a boiler would be required to maintain a constant
152
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
Fig. 115. Two Radiators on Second Floor Heated by Water Front and
Coil in Furnace.
UTILIZING EXCESS HEAT. 153
supply of hot water for use at the fixtures. The connections
would then be made as shown in Fig. IIG, and the cold supply-
would of course be constant instead of being merely filled as the
evaporation lowered the level in the system.
A Plate Warming Closet Heated by Hot Water.
One of the greatest conveniences in a residence is a warming
closet or table in the butler's pantry or kitchen. This enables
food to be kept warm or plates and other dishes kept warm for
serving the food, and such a closet may easily be warmed by the
water from the kitchen range boiler.
Fig. 117 shows how the water may be circulated to various
fixtures so that hot water is available instantly at the opening
of a faucet, while the warming closet is heated by the return
pipe. This can be by-passed as shown by the dotted lines if de-
sired, so that the closet may be left unwarmed at will. The fix-
tures on the upper floors should be connected to the supply pipe
so that the act of opening a faucet would remove the air col-
lecting at the highest point, or if a tank supply is used the pipe
should be vented from the highest point. If all the connections
are made in the manner shown there will be little chance of
water being drawn through the return and so reversing the flow
for the time being. If, however, a connection must be made
lower than the coil and there is a possibility of the water being
drawn back from the return connection instead of the flow, a
light check valve may be inserted. This can be inserted in such
a fashion, by pitching a section of the return pipe, that the
swinging check will hang almost vertical and will therefore offer
very little obstruction to circulation, while it will close immedi-
ately the flow is reversed. The manner of hanging the check
valve is shown in Fig. 118.
Heated Towel Rails.
A fixture of considerable utility in the bath room, and one,
moreover, that can be made to have an exceedingly attractive
appearance, is the heated towel rail ; yet it is one that has been
almost entirely overlooked by plumbers. The ordinary bent
tube as a convenience for hanging towels upon is good enough
but the comfort and convenience of having always warm and dry
towels in the bath room are so obvious that when these fixtures
154
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
ff^
Hof fo Fixtures
V
Cold, to Boiler
P
I
I
:\
VSf%
^^^^Ml^il^^^^S^li^^^^^^li^5^ii!5
Fig. 116. Radiators Fitted in Connection with Regular Domestic Supply System.
UTILIZING EXCESS HEAT.
155
are shown to a prospective customer a sale will result almost
every time.
Towel rails heated by a circulation of hot water from the
ordinary domestic supply are commonly used in England. In
fact, no first-class bath room or toilet room would be considered
complete without one, and there will probably be some consid-
able use made of this fixture in America now that American
manufacturers are including them in their catalogues. The pat-
Lavafory
Bcttk
Lavatory
Lovofory
Fig. 117. Connection to Warming Closet or Table from Water Back.
tern commonly in use in English bath rooms is illustrated in
Fig. 119. This rail is built of brass tube, li^ in. or 1^ in. in
diameter, and is, of course, nickel plated. The tees ar^ of an
ornamental design and wall and floor flange connections are
provided for flow and return pipes. Where all four flanges are
fixed to the wall the controlling valve is generally placed between
the wall flange and the rail and, of course, the flow may enter
the top rail instead of the bottom if preferred. This is some-
times desirable and, of course, necessary if the supply comes
from overhead.
A larger rail, designed to stand clear out in the room, is
also used. This is called a double rail and the name is descrip-
tive of the fixture, as it is simply two rails cross-connected. The
connections to these are, of course, always in the floor. The
method of connecting a towel rail is identical with that of con-
156 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
necting a radiator, and there is no trouble in heating them at
all if the position is such that a circulation is possible.
The size of these towel rails varies according to the designs
of the different makers, but 30 in. wide is found generally suit-
able for a three-tube rail. A towel rail to give satisfactory re-
sults, even if it has not so good an appearance, can be con-
structed from the ordinary stock pipe fittings. One-inch brass
pipe, tees, right and left
ells, petcock and a few
nipples are all that are
required, and if care-
fully built quite a good-
looking fixture can be
Fig. 118. Method of Fitting Check Valve to produced. Solid nippleS
Allow It to Swins Freely. ^^^ ^^^ -^ ^^^ g^^^^^
that are not to be used for flow or return connections, and a pet-
cock or air valve fitted at the top of the rail will allow for occa-
sional relief of air. This rail is illustrated in Fig. 120.
Utilization of Waste Heat in Heating Water for
Domestic and Other Purposes.
Many schemes have been brought forward in the way of
securing economy in fuel by utilization of heat otherwise going
to waste for the purpose of heating water. Among those may
be mentioned that of using the waste heat of a gas or oil engine
by circulating the water from the cooling jacket through a coil
whicK is placed in the water storage tank. This is applicable in
any factory or other place such as a creamery, where a gas
engine is run for any length of time. Even if the heat gener-
ated by the engine is not sufficient to warm all of the water re-
quired to the desired temperature, it will at least be enough to
sensibly raise the temperature and thus save fuel by causing the
initial temperature from which the heater has to raise the water
to be considerably higher. The condensation from steam traps,
hot closets and other manufacturing appliances where the water
of condensation is not returned to the boilers may be used ad-
vantageously in a similar manner. These are not applications
of heating practice that lend themselves readily to illustration,
as each case must be treated according to local conditions, but
UTILIZING EXCESS HEAT.
157
one application of the idea is seen in Fig. 121. This installation
is in a steam laundry and there are so many institutions where
large quantities of hot water are running to waste that it would
seem that whenever large quantities of hot water are used and
discharged into the sewers this scheme might be profitably
adopted. A very
considerable sav-
ing in fuel is
effected and the
necessary coil and
tanks are simple
and comparatively
inexpensive to in-
stall. It also has
the advantage of
reducing the tem-
perature of the
wastes entering
the sewers, and
this is eminently
desirable.
In Fig. 121
is shown the supply to a hot-water tank in a steam
laundry passing through a coil made of about 800 ft. of 2-
in. galvanized iron pipe. This coil is made in two sections, one
being placed in each compartment of the concrete tank as shown
in plan in Fig. 122. The object of making the tank double is
to insure the waste water passing through its entire length, con-
nection between the two being made only at the ends furthest
from inlet and outlet pipes by means of 4-in. thimbles in the par-
tition wall. Into this tank is discharged all the hot waste water
from the washing machines, and as the temperature of this will
average around 180 deg. and the heating surface of the coil is
approximately 500 ft., it will be understood that the temperature
of the supply is raised to a very considerable extent in passing
through it.
The pipe from coil to boiler is covered, as is also the boiler,
with asbestos covering, and the steam supply to coil heater in
the boiler is thermostatically controlled. Thus heat is conserved
at both ends and the amount of steam required to maintain a
Fig. 119. Towel Rail with Floor Connections.
158
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
supply of hot water to the laundry has been reduced to an ex-
tent that has made the installation of the coil and tanks worth
while.
Water Heating by Garbage Burning.
Another development in the economical use of fuel and the
conservation of heat otherwise going to waste is seen in the com-
bination garbage incin-
erator and water heater.
These heaters are pro-
ductive of considerable
economy in many cases
as the garbage and
wastes of the building
are often of sufficient
quantity to provide a
large proportion of the
heat necessary for the
hot water supply. The
construction of one type
of these garbage burning
water heaters is shown
in Fig. 123. It will be
seen that the garbage does not come in actual contact with the
fuel on the grate of the fire box, but is contained in a receptacle
immediately above it. This has a grate formed of pipe con-
nected to the double shell of the heater. Thus besides the heating
surface afforded by the walls and dome, the pipe which forms
the receptacle holding the garbage also acts as heating surface.
The garbage dries over the fire and is gradually consumed, giv-
ing up its heat to the water in the process and where a good draft
is available the process of combustion is carried out very com-
pletely. Such a heater is proving of value as a ready means of
disposing of the waste paper, straw and other litter of shipping
rooms in business houses, and the garbage and household wastes
of apartment buildings and hotels. The connections to the tank
are made in the same manner as with an ordinary tank heater,
and the drafts may be controlled by a thermostat or by hand as
desired.
Pig. 120. Towel Rail Made of Pipe Fittings.
UTILIZING EXCESS HEAT.
159
Advantage is generally taken in bakeries of the heat of the
sand which covers the ovens to retain their heat in warming the
water used in the work of the employees. In Fig. 124 is shown
a common method of heating water. In this case the boiler is
simply buried in the sand and the supply connection made to
the side outlet. The cold water supply enters the boiler through
JCkftd^umh fo Boiler
7y7777>/7//7/7?/7/P7:
Hat Supply fo Machines
Outfef
foSe\^r
Quick Action
urainoQG VaivQ
Steam Supply fo Coil--,,
Boiler Supply-'
/ e Wafer
^mrum Machines
BoiterSupply — '■
pj^^""^ " ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
% '*"-To Sewer ^'^ Wastewater
from Machines,
Quick Acting Drainage ^Ive
Figs. 121 and 122. Elevation and Plan of Method of Utilizing Waste Heat
From Laundry.
one of the end tappings and the pipe is deflected toward the
bottom so that hot water will always be drawn as long as the
boiler is heated. The remaining tappings are plugged, there
not being any opportunity of fitting a sediment cock unless a
boiler with a special tapping on the side is secured, or a dip
pipe fitted as shown, when a pipe may be brought out through
the brickwork and a sediment cock fitted to the end of it.
Heat is transmitted to the boiler from the sand and an
ample supply of hot water is generally available. This system,
however, has the disadvantage of being difficult to get at for
minor repairs and in localities where much sediment is deposited
or where the water tends to corrode the boiler rapidly the al-
ternative system sSown in Fig. 125 is preferable. This has a
160
HOT WATEli SUPPLY.
copper or brass coil running along one side of the oven, the
pipes being brought through and connected to the boiler in the
usual manner. The boiler may be placed higher than usual to
admit of the connection being made to the side tapping, as
shown, or it may be placed at the usual height and a connection
made to one of the top tappings. In either way it is an eco-
Fig. 123. A Garbage Burning Water Heater.
nomieal way of providing hot water and utilizing heat otherwise
not fully utilized. Still another method may be employed in
heating water by the heat of the sand on the top of the oven.
This is accomplished by making a flat coil, which is buried in
the sand and connected to the boiler in the usual manner. In
most cases it will be necessary to use a horizontal boiler and to
place this at a height which will admit of making the connections
to it so that a pitch will be secured from the coil to the side or
end connection of the boiler.
It is well to make the coil rather long or to use pipe of
UTILIZING EXCESS HEAT.
161
large diameter, 1^4 iJ^- ^^^ preference. This is necessary owing
to the lower heat of the sand than that available when the coil
is placed inside the oven, and to the fact that the absorption of
heat from the sand tends =^
to keep the layers next
to the pipe at a some-
what lower temperature
than the rest. The draw
off cock in this case is
fitted to the coil and
brought to a point out-
side of the brickwork.
Care should be
taken to lay the coil so
that there will be no op-
portunity for air to col-
lect and so that it pitches
upward continuously to
the boiler connection and
down from the return
connection to the draw
off cock. Brass pipe is best suited for such a coil and it may be
made either with iron headers or return bends to avoid spread-
ing the fittings in making the joints. Where it is desired to
supply one large boiler
with hot water from
coils in several ovens it
may be well to connect
them into a header and
from there make the
connection to the boiler.
The returns in such a
case would also be con-
nected through a header
to the lower tapping of
the boiler. Care must
be taken in doing so to
make the connections so
that the flow from each
. Fig. 125. A Bakery Boiler Heated by Coil in
coil would be equalized. Oven
Fig. 124. Method of Heating Boiler by Plac-
ing it in Sand Over Oven.
CHAPTER XIII.
Air-Locking in Hot Water Supply Systems — Expansion
of Water, Relief Pipes and Valves.
Much of the unsatisfactory service of hot water supply
systems is undoubtedly due to partial air-locking in the pipes
causing stoppage, or at least retarding of the circulation. This
is especially evident in those systems supplied at low pressure
from an overhead tank as then the conditions are more favorable
to the holding back of water by a pocket of air formed by a slight
depression in the line or by improper connections. When the
tank is at some considerable elevation or the supply is taken
directly from the city supply mains the trouble is not so ap-
parent as then there is sufficient pressure behind it to overcome
the resistance of the air in any trapped portion. Where lead
is the material used in the construction the sagging that results
through the expansion of the pipe and improper supporting of
lateral runs is often responsible for an air pocket. Lead has
a peculiar property that distinguishes it from the other metals
used for water supply piping in that it ''cannot come back."
That is when it is expanded beyond its normal area or pro-
portions it remains in the formation that the expansion has
caused it to take. This is why lead pipe laid across joists with-
out a supporting strip soon sags and forms pockets between
each joist. The sagging is hastened and carried to a greater
extent when the pipe is used for hot water and if the system
is a circulating one the operation is very soon faulty. The
same result may be experienced with the use of galvanized iron
or brass pipe if it is not carefully laid so as to obtain a proper
pitch. Where branch pipes to bathrooms and other apartments
are carried up and a circulating pipe is returned either direct
to the heater or to a return pipe serving other rooms as well,
this fault may easily occur at the point where the return con-
nection is made. The illustration in Fig. 126 shows what is
meant and how the circulation is affected by the drooping of
the branch pipe to the supply end either by insufficient support
162
AIR-LOCKING AND EXPANSION.
163
or by careless fitting. Another constructional cause of poor
supply is sliown in Fig. 127. In this case the complaint wilKbe
that no water can be drawn at the t\ ash trays or that the supply
is intermittent and poor. The cause is the trapping of air in
the loop made by the supply pipe and indicated by the dotted
lines in the illustration. It has already been explained that
water at normal temperature contains a considerable proportion
of air and that as the temperature of the water rises its capacity
P
7
5
±^5
Fig. 126. Circulating Connections Inoperative Through Lack
of Pitch.
to absorb air falls and therefore a considerable quantity is
liberated when the water in the range boiler is brought to the
high temperature that its heating in the water front gives it.
This air has no means of escape and lodges in the highest point
of the water supply system, forcing back the water as it does
so. If then there is not sufficient head of water to overcome
the resistance of this air pocket when the faucets at the wash
trays are opened there will be no flow of water as the dip that
is formed by the branch as it passes down to the basement forms
a complete trap which prevents the escape of the air. Two methods
of overcoming the trouble are shown in Figs. 128 and 129.
The first of these shows a circulating system with the re-
turn pipe taken off close to the tank and with the flow pipe
continuing up to and turning over the top of the tank to allow
of the escape of air as it is liberated. Another pipe in a similar
position performs a like service for the cold water supply pipe
and enables it to be emptied should the valve at the tank be
closed. These pipes also prevent the accumulation of undue
pressure in the system and obviate the expansion back into the
tank of hot water from the boiler as would take place in the first
arrangement. The second system shows an arrangement which
164
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
has some advantage over the first in that it requires less pipe,
the air in the branch pipe will be readily drawn off at the fix-
tures each time they are opened and there will be less chance
of reversing the circulation by the act of drawing water.
Another reason is that when the water in the tank is low there
is a possibility of drawing a certain amount of air in through
the expansion pipe owing to the slight resistance that the water
above the return branch and the strong suction that the act of
Bafh
Lav.
%
3B»
Trays
— . — — — . — *
Sink
Wafer Pocket
pre\fenfinq_ escape
AirPocket
JPt
Cold fo tank
t=^
%
^
Fig. 127. Branch Pipes Connected so that Supply will be Unsatisfactory.
drawing it at a fixture on the lower floors has. This will
cause a sputtering and intermittent flow at the fixtures. This
disadvantage is avoided by using the construction shown in
Fig. 129. This trouble is as likely to occur in large systems
on the drop feed principle. When the supply to apartment
houses and office buildings is laid out so that a circulation is to
be maintained in each line and these are supplied from over-
head as shown in Fig. 74 the utmost care must be taken in lay-
ing the lateral pipes at the top of the loop so that the large
quantity of air which is being liberated in the system will have
immediate vent. As a rule the house tank is at a sufficient
height above the loop to offset any chance of drawing air back
through the expansion pipe, but not at such a height that an
AIR-LOCKING AND EXPANSION.
165
air lock would be forced by the pressure of water tbat was avail-
able from it.
A Unique Remedy for Air-bound Hot-water Service.
In arranging for tbe hot-water service to a number of
plumbing fixtures, as shown in the illustration, Fig. 130, the
%
=^
To Bath
To Trays
i ?
To Lavatory
^
Cold Wafer
" Supply to Boiler
* T:>S,nk
■^
aEZ3
ir//////////'/f '/ '///'// /y//'f /////// '///// f /''//'//// y/'/^^^/y^ ', '/ '/// '///^ f ////,///'/// '/A
Fig. 128. A System Which will Provide a Good Supply to all the
Fixtures.
piping instead of being pitched down from A to B was
pitched up from A to B, with the result that three of the
depressed risers nearest B became air bound and it was impos-
sible to get hot water from fixtures on these lines.
An elevation of the piping system is presented in Fig. 130
166
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
with the tank heater and the hot-water storage tank at the left,
showing a riser running directly up to the point A. The work-
men were instructed to have the pipe to pitch down from A
to the point B, but, unfortunately, this was not done. The
piping was erected with a pitch in the other direction, so that
the air which was carried into the system with the water from
the street main was liberated at the top and gradually accumu-
Fig. 129. Method of Connecting Branch Pipes to Ensure Proper
Circulation and Supply.
lated to stop the circulation in the three supply risers at
the right.
Naturally, complaints were made and it was necessary to
make some change which would afford relief. It had been the
expectation with the pitch in the other direction that whatever
air was carried up and liberated at the top of the piping would
be carried along in supplying the various fixtures and that no
trouble would be experienced. An automatic air valve might
liave served to afford relief, but the question as to its continuing
AIR-LOCKING AND EXPANSION.
167
in good condition and operating continuously was too uncertain
to permit its use.
As a result, an old boiler-feed regulator was connected at
the point B and arranged as shown in Fig. 131. The ball cock
was connected to the inlet in the ordinary manner. All of the
other openings were plugged, except that at the bottom, which
connected with the hot-water piping system. This allowed the
4> <• — •
AirR}cf
— 4
-^
1
X \ *
<
■
UJ
Fig. 132. Hot Water Supply System Liable to Give Trouble From Expansion
of Water Into Tank.
directly to the cold water pipe. If placed on the other con-
nection the water may be lowered to the level of the vent hole
on the dip pipe before the vacuum is broken. Fig. 135 shows
how the valve may be easily fitted and also how it should be
fitted when the supply is taken into the tank at the lower side.
Collapse of Copper Boilers.
The use of a copper boiler of very light gauge is not ad-
visable for two reasons. The first of course is the comparatively
short life of the boiler through the extra wear and tear on it
caused by repeated contraction and expansion which the thin
shell is unable to withstand without giving out at some of the
joints in time. The second is the liability to collapse due to
accidental formation of a vacuum in the boiler by siphonage
or condensation of steam formed therein by overheating. When
a vacuum is created the thin shell is unable to resist the at-
mospheric pressure of 14.7 lb. per sq. in. and the boiler col-
lapses. So long as the boiler is full of water this pressure has
172
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
no effect on it of course or even a much heavier pressure will
be w^ithstood if the pressure is on the internal surface as is the
case when the supply comes from a city main. When a vacuum
has been created and the boiler has been crushed it is not un-
common for the returning water to expand it again so that it
regains its original shape, but this of course is exceptional and
the correct course is to make provision for the absolute pre-
vention of a vacuum. If the system is supplied from an over-
head tank this is very easily done by carrying a relief pipe
X
"^
£xDansfon
Tank
P
Tank
Fig 133. Method of Connecting i ^-i • i- -i r.
Expansion Tank to Avoid ^^^^^^ ^^ emptied of
Flow of Hot Water Into
Storage Tank.
from the top of the boiler to a point
over the tank or by fitting a vacuum
valve at the boiler.
The use of relief pipes and
vacuum valves is not general, but
is adopted sometimes where the
supply pressure is low or from a
tank, to provide for the expansion
of the water or the escape of air or
steam. They also permit air to
enter the boiler to prevent the
formation of a vacuum when the
water by
siphonage or by the condensalion
of steam. The proper place to con-
nect the valve or relief pipe is at the top of the boiler, but if
the hot water pipe rises direct from the top of the boiler without
any dip the relief pipe may be connected at the highest point
and run up above the level of the water supply.
Where the supply to the boiler comes directly from the
street main the vacuum valve effectively prevents the boiler
from being siphoned empty should a break occur on the main
or other cause operate to allow the water supply to fall back
in the pipes. As soon as the pressure is removed and the water
falls back drawing air behind it the vacuum valve opens and
effectively prevents the water from being forced out through
the supply pipe by atmospheric pressure. The usual provision
of a vent hole in the boiler tube is not an absolute safeguard
as it is not operative unless a faucet is opened to admit air
and then only when the water falls below the small hole. As
this is generally kept down from the top of the boiler so that
AIR-LOCKING AND EXPANSION.
173
cold water will not pass through it too quickly and mix with
the hot water leaving the boiler this means that at least six
inches of the water in the boiler will be siphoned before the
action ceases. If then the faucet should be closed and the water
in the system become overheated steam forms in the boiler and
on the return of the cold water its sudden condensation may
form the vacuum and the boiler collapse.
Copper boilers should be made of heavy
sheet and in addition should be rein-
forced with bands brazed on the inter-
nal surface. This will give them stabil-
ity to resist atmospheric pressure at
least. Fig. 136 shows an installation in
which the boiler collapsed and the condi-
tions which led to it.
It is certain that the collapse was
caused by steam in the boiler due to great
heating capacity of the pipe water front
Pig. 5 34. Two Types of Relief Valves.
and lack of pressure in the supply. From the top of the boiler
to the level of the water in the tank, as shown in the illustra-
tion, would hardly be over 6 feet. Using the thumb rule of
water pressure of % pound to each foot in height, a pressure
of only 3 pounds would be exerted at the top of the boiler by
the supply. The large water heating surface exposed by the
construction of the water front would enable steam to be
generated freely and passed to the boiler. The accumulation,
of steam at the top of the boiler would drive the light pressure
water supply back to the tank and would discolor the copper,
slightly. Drawing off hot water at any faucet would let
cooler water enter the boiler and pass to the water back, when
the generation of steam would be stopped and the steam from
the boiler would follow along the hot water service pipe, both
174
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
actions tending to condense the steam and create a vacuum. If
tlie vacuum was of considerable extent it would not be filled
with water before the atmospheric pressure of about 14.7 pounds
to the square inch on the surface of the light copper boiler
would cave it in.
A repetition of the conditions causing the collapse was
rendered impossible by taking a relief pipe from the outlet
pipe at the boiler as shown by the dotted line and carrying this
up to the tank, turning it over the top to allow any water ex-
panded up through it to fall back into the storage tank. The
collapse of double boilers may be caused by making the con-
Fig. 135. Methods of Fitting Combined Vacuum and Safety Valve to
Horizontal and Vertical Boilers.
nections in the wrong way. If the pressure on the inner boiler
was very heavy and it was emptied either accidentally or in-
tentionally the same conditions would be present as with the
single copper boiler described. Therefore it is a good plan to
connect the sediment cocks in the manner shown in Fig. 137
so that the outer boiler must be emptied before the contents of
the inner one can be drawn off. This is the practice where
there is any possibility of collapse occurring and as it is no
more difficult to connect in this fashion than in any other the
safeguard is worth making in all cases.
Method of Avoiding Excessive Pressure in Hot Water
System Where Check Valves Are Used.
In most water supply systems where meters are required
by the water company or municipal authorities it is obligatory
to fit a check valve on the main pipe at a point behind the
meter.
AIR-LOCKING AND EXPANSION.
175
This is intended to prevent the hot water as it expands
from backing into the meter and so damaging the parts with
which it would come in contact. While this effectually prevents
the damage to the meter it leads to a dangerous condition in
the hot water system as when the boiler supply is taken direct-
ly from the main pipe there is no means for relief of the water
«r"-<»
Fig. 136. A System in Whi:h the Boiler Collapsed and the Means Taken to
Avoid its Recurrence.
when its volume is increased by heating and a dangerous pres-
sure is liable to be raised.
This danger can be avoided by the provision of a safety
valve on the boiler, but there is another method which appeals
to many who do not care to have the safety valve. This con-
sists of making a by-pass around the meter and check valve
and in this by-pass to fit another check valve with the swing-
ing valve working in the opposite direction. This as will be
seen from the illustration in Fig. 138 allows any excess pres-
sure generated by the expansion of the water to be relieved
through this valve, as immediately the pressure exceeds that
carried in the water main the check valve will open and allow
water to flow back into the main pipe.
Either a globe or a swinging check valve may be used but
the latter is generally used in hot water work owing to its
176
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
lighter action. Another method is simply to drill a small hole
in the check valve that is fitted behind the meter. This is
calculated to relieve the pressure as it is generated but not to
Fig. 137. Method of Connectinor a Double Boiler.
To Main
Q
Wafer Meter
P
Fig. 138. Use of Check Valves and By-pass to Prevent Undue Pressure
From Expansion.
pass any more than a tiny stream of hot water, which mixing
with the cold water in the pipe would not appreciably raise
its temperature.
CHAPTER XIV.
Common Complaints and Their Remedy — Unsatisfactory
Heating of Water.
Occasionally a complaint will be received that no hot water
can be drawn at the fixtures and that even when a good fire is
maintained in the range the trouble continues. There are sev-
eral causes which may operate to cause these conditions, but the
most common probably is that the fire is not maintained in as
good condition as the people believe. On examination of the
fire box when such a complaint is made it is common to find the
fuel in contact with the water front burning very dull, and the
cause of this may be that the fuel is banked up too high in the
fire box under the mistaken notion that the heavy firing will add
to the heating power of the boiler. As a rule it simply obstructs
the passage of the hot gases to the flues and prevents proper
combustion. The failure to keep the fire clean will of course
have the same result as the supply of oxygen is then insufficient
to support proper combustion and there is neither satisfaction
or economy in maintaining a fire in this condition. Then the
size of the coal may be the seat of the trouble. If the grate and
the provision for the admission of air is not designed to suit coal
of the smaller sizes a bright and hot fire will be impossible when
it is used and conversely, if too large coal is used the pieces
do not lie close enough to the heating surface to have the full
effect that is necessary to heat the water properly.
In many modern ranges also the fire box is so narrow that
the heat transferred to the water front cools off the coals to
such an extent that the layer in contact with the heating sur-
face is not consumed at the same rate as the rest. "With a deep .
fire box the heat in the general body of the fire is sufficient to
overcome this cooling effect without affecting seriously the value
in heating the other parts of the stove. This skimping of size
is responsible for much of the trouble that is experienced when
water fronts are put into stoves that previously were used for
baking only, and where the difference in the baking qualities of
177
178 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
the range after the installation of the water front has been very
noticeable. In such cases it is better to use a coil of brass pipe
than the water front as its cooling eifect is much less noticeable.
Stoppages in Water Front May Cause It.
Another cause of bad service is that occasionally parts of
the core, pieces of wire and sand are left in the water front and
these lodge in the passageway at the end, which connects the
upper and lower parts of the water front. This may be present
in quantities sufficient to seriously affect the circulation to the
'boiler and yet not in sufficient quantity to stop it altogether
;and so make its presence known by snapping sounds due to
— - — -«^^.^^ formation of steam in the water
*-^s^5^PSi^^^^^ front. In such a case very care-
'^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ful inspection is necessary to locate
the stoppage and to see that it is
entirely removed. The other things
to look to are the arrangement and
size of the connecting pipes to the
boiler, the amount of pitch given
""Vepair S ^Z^. *° the pipes, the number of elbows on
the connections and the distance of
the boiler from the stove. If this latter is too much it is quite
possible that the water is cooled to such an extent before reach-
ing the boiler that the circulation is very sluggish. If the sizes
of the pipes and connections are too small, of course enough
water is not being circulated to keep the contents of the boiler
up to the temperature desired. The same thing applies to the
pitch of the pipes and the number of elbows on it. There may
be an unnecessary amount of friction to overcome.
The Boiler Supply Pipe May Be Rusted OS.
Still another reason for the poor supply may be that the
dip pipe on the cold supply to the tank may have rusted off or
the connections may have been crossed and the hot supply pipe
been connected to the cold by accident. Again the water front
may be encrusted with lime and so practically insulated. If the
supply system is a circulating one it may be that water is being
drawn through the return pipe to the fixtures instead of by the
regular flow pipe, and that a light check valve will have to be
COMPLAINTS AND REMEDIES.
179
fitted to prevent this reversal when a faucet is opened. These
are the factors which generally operate to cause trouble and
which should be tracked down when investigating a complaint.
Corrosion of Kitchen Boilers and Temporary Repairs.
When a galvanized iron range boiler begins to show signs
of corrosion after years of service this generally appears in the
form of small pinholes, the
major portion of which will
probably be in the upper
part of the boiler. Repair
plugs are made which are
easily inserted in such
holes, these being made of
steel, tempered, and of such
a shape that the}^ form for
themselves a thread on the
shell of the boiler by the
action of screwing them
into place. A shoulder on
the plug is fitted with a
fiber washer, and this on
being made up against the
boiler shell secures a water
tight joint. Should the
corrosion have progressed
too far to use such a small plug it may be possible to repair
the leak by driving into the hole a tapered steel pin which
will turn the metal inward and so form a surface which may be
tapped for a standard pipe size plug. Fig. 139 shows how this
may be accomplished. Another way of stopping a leak of this
nature is to drill out the corroded part securing a hole about %
in. dia. Then a hexagonal headed machine bolt about % in. long
and about 3/16 in. thick is secured and a nut fitted to it. A
brass washer about % i^- diameter which will fit snugly over the
bolt is then slipped over it and a well fitting fiber washer placed
behind it. The method of fitting this plug is to take out one of
the boiler unions in the crown and then to lower the bolt into the
boiler by means of a thin string which is wound around it, and
which hangs down below the bolt. A piece of wire bent in the
Figs. 140 and 141. Method of Inserting
Bolt and Washer to Repair Leak.
180
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
form of a hook inserted through the hole which has been drilled
to enlarge that caused by the corrosion is made to catch the
string, and so pull the bolt through the hole, as shown in Fig.
141. Then the nut is put on and the washer drawn tightly up
against the inside wall of the boiler. Before putting it into
place the shell should be scraped free of rust by a bent wire filed
so that it has an edge which will remove the unevenness of the
corroded surfaces. Fig. 140 shows the bolt with its washers and
nuts.
Hot Water Has a Milky Appearance.
A not uncommon complaint is that water as drawn from the
faucets has a milky appearance, which disappears in time, leav-
ing the water as clear as that drawn from the cold water faucet.
Fig. 142. A Wiped Joint Swelled and Broken by Water Hammer.
In cold water supply pipes this condition is sometimes noticeable
in systems where a pump is used to elevate the water. It is
also noticeable in the supply to houses on elevated situations on
a city supply, and is due to air becoming emulsed with the water
when more than the water will absorb at its normal pressure and
temperature is present. This air may have been collected in the
system when the pipe was partly emptied for repairs, and as the
water was turned on again it is driven before the water and col-
lects at the highest points, where it escapes with the water, giv-
ing it the appearance noted above. In the case of hot water the
milky appearance is due to the water being full of small globules
of steam. This condition is seldom found except with heavy
firing or with a large water back when but little water has been
used for a time. This enables all the water in the boiler to be at
very nearly an even temperature. The boiler being subject to a
COMPLAINTS AND REMEDIES. 181
pressure from the city mains, sometimes as miicli as 80 pounds,
enables the water to be heated to several degrees above the boil-
ing point, and immediately on opening the faucet this pressure
is very materially reduced, enabling the water in the boiler and
piping to expand into steam. It runs in this condition with the
milky appearance mentioned, and as all of the steam cannot
escape instantly some will be carried to the vessel, and as it
gradually passes off the water will become clear. If the water is
what is known as hard and more or less impregnated with lime
in solution the excessive heating will liberate the lime, which, if
in sufficient quantity, will give the effect described but which
will disappear as the lime settles.
Water Hammer in Boiler Connection.
The subject of the illustration. Fig. 142, was furnished by a
Philadelphia plumber, and represents a piece of pipe which was
taken from a job where he was called to make some repairs.
The broken end shows the solder in a joint that was wiped on
the side connection to a kitchen boiler, and which was swelled and
broken, it was thought, by water hammer. The enlargement
is very uniform, there being no special swelling in one side, as is
usually the case, and it will be noticed that the solder has
stretched quite as much as the pipe. The pipe is very heavy,
%-inch pipe, which shows the power of the concussions which
finally broke the joint, after a leak which occurred in the swelled
part had been stopped by hammering metal into the opening.
To those who are not acquainted with water hammer it is ex-
plained as being due to steam that has formed in the water back
passing to a point where it condenses, creating a vacuum which
is filled by an inrush of water that strikes with a much greater
force than is generally appreciated. When a water back is large
and steam is generated freely this striking is frequent, and the
result is as shown. A larger opening or a water way of the full
size of the pipe through the side connection would carry the
steam into the boiler before it condensed.
Removing a Lukewarm Water Complaint.
Whether there is any justice in it or not the stove manu-
facturer is called upon to make good many things for which he
is in no way responsible, and a short time ago it was necessary
182
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
Hof Wafer Ouf/ef
for a manufacturer to send a salesman some distance to look
into the cause for a faulty service in the hot-water supply from
one of his ranges. Fig. 143 shows the manner in which it was con-
nected. As can be seen, there is nothing wrong with the con-
nection between the range and the boiler. This range and the
water front are frequently used in connection with boilers of
larger capacity, and have ample capacity for the 30-gal. boiler
with which it was connected in this case. Nevertheless, the range
was blamed for the trouble, as is the usual experience of stove
manufacturers, until it
was demonstrated that
in place of the range and
water front being at
fault the trouble was
due to the gas water
heater connection, which
though it had a stopcock
to shut off the circula-
tion through the water
heater when it was not
in use, was not turned
off. In consequence, it
'afer
Heater
l^, >^//. ,///^^.^y.,?.,\ ' y, /,/,,///>/////// y//r//'/^///\ was a simple matter for
f/^^../../^//././//.^.,/./..,/^/,,//./.,^/^.///, //./;» ^^ gQ^^ water flowing
Fig. 143. A Water Heater Connection Which • . .^ . -n ^.^enever
Gave Poor Service. ^^^^^ ^^^^ uouei NMienevei
the hot water faucet
of any fixture was open to short-circuit through the bottom
of the boiler and up through the gas heater into the hot-
water service pipe to mingle with the hot water and give only a
lukewarm supply of water. Just as soon as this stop-cock on the
supply pipe to the gas water heater was shut off the trouble
immediately stopped.
Apparently this customer had had similar troubles in a num-
ber of cases, but had never before learned exactly how to get over
them, and said it was worth a great deal to him. It certainly
entailed an unnecessary expense upon the manufacturer, but for-
tunately they are the exceptions, and in most instances the men
to whom furnaces, ranges and stoves are sold know their busi-
ness so thoroughly well that they do not overlook just such
troubles as this and solve their problems alone. In consequence
COMPLAINTS AND REMEDIES. 183
there are no hard feelings when occasionally a good customer
finds himself stumped and needs assistance.
Cold Water Drawn at Hot Water Faucet.
In a system of hot water supply where a boiler on the second
floor was heated by a coil in the basement and one in the kitchen
range, there was a complaint that it was impossible to draw as
much hot water as should be expected. The connections were
made as shown in Fig. 144, and it was found that when the fau-
cets were opened the cold water rushing into the boiler at the
same end as that at which the supply pipe was connected short
circuited, and instead of forcing the hot water out of the boiler
to the faucets, took the shortest path through it and only a small
quantity of hot water was sent into the pipes before the cold
water followed it. The trouble was remedied by making the
connections as shown in Fig. 145. In this it will be seen that the
cold water supply enters the boiler at the opposite end to that at
which the hot water leaves it, and this is sufficient to force all the
hot water it contains out as the cold water enters. The trouble
could have been remedied by using dip pipes inside the boiler
also, but this is the most certain way.
Rusty Water.
One of the chief causes of complaint, and one that is very
hard to eradicate, is that of rusty water. The rust may be pro-
ceeding from one of many causes, and it may be impossible to
prevent its accumulation in the boiler, as for instance when the
water that is supplied had a particularly active effect on the
pipes and water front. There is, however, a method of making
the connection that will alleviate the trouble greatly. If the
boiler supply tube be taken out and a brass tube substituted
which will have the end plugged and a number of holes drilled
around the pipe at its lower extremity it will be found that the
rush of water into the boiler instead of stirring up the rust on
the bottom will be directed against the sides, and will therefore
have no such effect. The conditions can be still further improved
by the use of a duplex boiler connection, as shown in Fig. 146,
for the hot water circulating connection, as in this case the water
entering the boiler will also be delivered into the body of water
already in the boiler, and so avoid any eddies while the hot
184
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
water is drawn from the highest point in the boiler. The boiler
tube drilled and plugged as described is shown in Fig. 147.
Making an Extra Connection to a Boiler.
For the purpose of making an extra connection to a boiler
to suit the needs of a circulating system of supply to a distant
e
SOGollons
Return to Boiler--'
'■Hot to Fixtures
"Boiler Supp/y
^
. Collin
Kitchen Range (^
Hot Wafer
to Fixtures
^
P
=aai
Cold Water
to Fixtures
P
^
xt
^ ii .'^'i^iSis^^ -
Fig. 144. Connections to a Horizontal Boiler Which Caused Short Circuiting.
fixture or to take in the return from a radiator which it is de-
sired to heat from the kitchen range, it is sometimes necessary to
drill a hole and make a new connection to the boiler. Fig, 148
and the description shows how this may be easily and effectively
COMPLAINTS AND REMEDIES.
185
done. After the water has been withdrawn from the boiler it is
a comparatively simple matter to arrange for another connection
with the boiler shell. First, it is necessary to make a hole in the
side at the desired point and of the right diameter, to allow the
piece of threaded pipe, preferably 1 in. in diameter, to be in-
Small VeqfHole
in
5)
^Coifhfymace
//yy//y/////y//r///yyy/yyAy///fy/y ' y// ^ ^/y / y / ^ //• y^/^f/// y / / / y y y / f ^ ^ y / / ^ ////^ / // / / y / / f ^ y / / / / / ^ / / / ^ / / ^ ^ ^ /^'l
VyVyy/,Y//yy/yV/////y///////y/////y///yV/yV/,v,v/yV/////^^^^
Fig. 145. Changes Made in Boiler Connections to Provide Satisfactory Supply.
serted. Next it is necessary to file at opposite points on the circle
notches just wide enough and deep enough to allow a lock
nut to be passed through. If a hole is drilled in the lock nut so
that a wire can be inserted for holding it until the pipe is screwed
186
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
into it, it will facilitate the work of making the connection. The
pipe should have a long thread, so that a lock nut can be screwed
up against an iron washer covering a soft washer, all of the
threads on both washers and the surface of the boiler being coated
first with rather thick red lead. Then when the lock nut is
screwed up tight the opening in the boiler will be eif ectively cov-
Boiler
Union
ooooooc
ooooooo
ooooooo
OODOOOO
ooooooo
ooooooo
ooooooo
Fig. 146. A Duplex Boiler
Connection W hi c h Prevents
Short Circuiting.
Fig. 147. Boiler Tube Which
Will Not Stir Up the
Sediment.
ered, as shown in the illustration herewith. Owing to the boiler
shell being curved, it is well to have the soft washer pretty thick,
or to form the iron washer covering it to the shape of the boiler
shell, and when the lock nut is screwed up some strain should be
put on the wrench to make sure the joint is tight. The outer end
of the nipple is then ready for any pipe connection that may be
needed.
Hot Water Supply to Barber Shop.
A satisfactory outfit for the supply of hot water to a barber
shop may be made as described in Fig. 149. This consists of a
copper tank 13% in. diameter and 13 in. high made out of 16 oz.
copper, so that it will be stiif without the use of beads. The top
is made in the form of a flat cone in the center of which is left a
hand hole with a cover 5 in. diameter. This is made to lift off, so
I
COMPLAINTS AND REMEDIES.
187
that the tank may be filled with water as required. Immersed
in the water is a coil of % in. brass pipe made by winding the
pipe around a wooden block until turns enough have been made.
The coil is 8 in. in diameter and contains 12 to 18 ft. of pipe as
may be required. Eighteen feet of pipe will heat enough water to
supply a shop with four chairs even when they are busy. The
coil is fastened into the tank by lock nuts, a gasket being put
between them and the copper.
The burner chamber is made of black sheet iron with 1 in.
holes punched around
the upper and lower
edges. The chamber
is 7 in. high and
a hole about 4 in.
by 6 in. is cut to
allow of the burner
being lighted. It is
better to leave this
without a door,
L-RedLead
"Gasket
Fig. 148.
'"Long Threaded
^,, 'l—-Jron Washer
^LockNufs
Method of Making Extra Connection,
to Boiler.
as there is more air then for proper combustion. An ordinary
Bunsen burner can be used or a small boiling ring such as is used
for cooking. The space between the base and the stand on which
it is placed may be filled with sand to guard against fire. The
apparatus, of course, is connected with the water supply system
and provides hot water instantaneously, so a valve is fitted to
control the supply and to pass only as much water as can be
heated to the desired temperature. The copper chamber requires
attention, and must be kept filled with water, but if the cover
is a good fit there is not much loss by evaporation.
Comparative Value of Lead and Brass for Range Connections.
Lead pipe as a material for the connection of range boilers
and water fronts possesses only one recommendation — its free-
dom from corrosion. In many towns the use of lead pipe is
almost compulsory owing to the rate of corrosion of iron pipe
with the water provided for public use, and in these towns there
is generally quite a large repair business done in connection with
the replacement of range boiler connecting pipes or the repair of
leaks at joints. This is due to the great amount of wear and tear
caused by the expansion and contraction of the pipes, and as lead
188
HOT WATER SUPPLY.
W/P/ ' -^^ '
does not withstand this movement very well it soon gives out at
the bends or joints where the motion is retarded. Sagging of the
pipes also occurs. This is due to the pipes becoming very easily
bent when heated and by the expansion lengthening them and
the inability of the lead to recover its original shape entirely
when cooled again. The connections to the boilers and water
fronts are made by means of brass unions wiped to the lead
pipe and screwed into the iron. The method of connecting a
■5'Cover p^ boiler with lead pipe is shown
in Fig. 150. Brass pipe may be
used for boiler connections in
the same manner as iron ; that
is, elbows,, tees and other fit-
tings may be procured in the
same designs and in the same
sizes as in iron. It may also be
easily bent, and when this is
done neatly it offers a medium
for a permanent and smooth
working job, as there are no
sharp turns to obstruct the
circulation. When brass pipe
is threaded and screwed into
a fitting of the same material
care should be taken not to
force the thread in further
than is necessary to secure a
tight joint. If a thread with much taper is cut, and it is at-
tempted to screw the thread far enough home to hide all the
thread it may easily happen that the fitting will be spread and it
will be impossible to secure a tight joint. It is better to see that
a good sharp thread is cut, and that it is not so full that the whole
length cannot be made into the fitting without straining it se-
verely. It is advisable to examine all fittings for sandholes be-
fore inserting them also, as they are liable to contain small flaws
which are easily overlooked until the water is turned in. Brass
pipe does not corrode like iron, and there are no minerals met
with in potable waters that have any injurious effect on it, al-
though it is of course liable to become stopped with sediment
like other pipes. A method of connecting a range with brass pipe
Q (T&^ ^y O
LjQhfini
enin\
^
^
I'Hofes
i"apatf
Q O^plf OO OO
IJ^^
I
to
V.
I
Fig. 149.
A Water Heater
Barber Shop.
for
COMPLAINTS AIn^D REMEDIES.
189
showing the unions used, and also supports for the gas heater, is
shown in Fig. 151. The nipple between the cross tee and the
floor flange is made solid, this feature being intended only to
secure rigidity. It is customary to use unions at the water-front
end and it is often more convenient to fit them at the boiler as
well. This applies especially where the pieces are long and
where it would be difficult to turn the piece into the boiler
tapping direct. In cutting threads on brass pipe some men will
W//. ///■'■/■.-'■■-'''■-'■■''■■'•/■''■'■■■'■■■'■'■'■■'■'■■'■■ ■■'■'^/■•* r/'-'/A/-///////////-'////////////////////'///-/-' ■■■■''■'■■'■■/■■ ■■'■*
Fig. 150. Range Boiler Connected Fig. 151. Range Boiler Connected With
With Lead Pipe. Brass Pipe.
not allow oil to be used, but the point is a minor one, and if a
good grade of lubricating oil is employed the die seems to work
better when treated as if iron pipe were being threaded.
Copper pipe is used to a great extent in English practice,
but has no advantage that brass does not possess. It is impera-
tive that it be tinned, inside at least, and it is commonly supplied
tinned outside as well. Two grades are procurable. Hard
copper pipe is best suited for work where fittings are em-
ployed, as it will stand up as well as brass or iron pipe. Where
it is desired to bend the pipes, soft or annealed copper is
preferable. This is easily worked, but requires hangers at fre-
quent intervals when fitted in long lengths. Brass pipe may
also be supplied in annealed or semi-annealed form and is easier
to bend for boiler connections than the hard brass quality.
TYPICAL EXAMINATION QUESTIONS ON THE
THEOEY AND PEACTICE OF HOT WATER
SUPPLY INSTALLATION.
CHAPTER 1.
Pages 7 to 15.
1 — Define the meaning of the word "Circulation" as applied in the
practice of hot water supply fitting.
2 — What is the cause of circulation?
3 — Is the density of water the same at all temperatures between
freezing and boiling points ?
4 — What takes place in a body of water when heat is applied to the
low.er part of the vessel in which it is contained?
5 — What do you understand by the term "Motive Column"?
6 — Why should a dip in the pipes of a hot water supply system
prevent circulation?
7 — Define the meaning of Combustion.
8 — What is the relation of Heat to Combustion?
9 — Can you define an application of radiation, convection and con-
duction in the practice of heating water?
10 — ^Which means of transmitting heat is the most effective, radia-
tion, convection or conduction?
11 — Why does the production of smoke and its emission at the
chimney of a heating plant indicate a lack of economy?
12 — What is necessary in a firebox to secure the highest economy
and most perfect combustion?
14 — What is the average heating power of anthracite and the aver-
age amount of heat per pound of fuel transmitted to the water?
15 — What is the difference between a strain and a stress?
16 — What is the relation of elasticity to elastic limit?
CHAPTER 2.
Pages 16 to 24.
17 — Is a pipe conveying hot water more liable to corrosion than
one conveying cold water?
18 — What is the difference between corrosion and sedimentation?
19 — What are the principal causes of deposits in water fronts and
boilers?
20 — Why should corrosive influences appear to be most active at
temperatures between 140 and 180 Fahr.?
190
TYPICAL EXAMINATION QUESTIONS. 191
21 — In view of the more severe corrosive influences in hot water
systems operating at high temperatures, what may be done to miti-
gate the trouble?
22 — How is the hardness of water measured and classified?
23 — Can a permanently hard water be used without danger of
precipitating sediment in the water front or pipes?
24 — How may the presence of lime in water be made evident in a
hot water supply system?
25 — What is a good method of removing lime and kindred deposits
from water fronts and pipes?
26 — Is there any method of piping a hot water boiler to avoid
precipitation of lime?
27 — What is the best type of fittings to use in pipes liable to stop-
page by such deposits?
28 — Is there any appliance that may be fitted to the connecting
pipes of a boiler and water front to facilitate removal of sediment?
29 — In what conditions is it important that there should be no heat
loss by radiation from hot water pipes or storage boilers?
30 — Can you describe any method of preventing heat losses?
31 — What effect on the rate of heat loss by radiation has the paint-
ing of a storage tank?
32 — Is the heat loss the same with the use of all kinds of paints if
the same number of coats are applied?
CHAPTER 3.
Pages 17 to 33.
33 — What are the correct positions of the tappings for connections
in water fronts or water backs?
34 — What is the object of having a partition in a water back?
35 — Is there any danger of damage being done to water fronts by
accumulation of sediment or steam?
36 — What indication Is given of accumulation of sediment in the
appearance of a water front?
37 — What is the most effective position in the firebox for a water
heater?
38 — How may the water heating and baking qualities of a range be
depreciated by the proportions of the water front and firebox?
39 — ^What is about the maximum exposure of heating surface pos-
sible in a kitchen range water back?
40 — Why should water fronts be bedded with cement or fireclay?
41 — Is it important that the stove should be set level?
42 — How may the heating surface of a water front be easily ex-
tended?
43 — How are coils for water heating made to fit kitchen range fire
boxes?
192 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
44 — What should be particularly guarded against in fitting coils
of the usual type to a kitchen range?
45 — Is the type of coil fitted in a position over the fire box as
efficient as that which is in contact with the fuel?
46 — How is the capacity of a water front computed?
47 — What is the highest rate of heat transmission that should be
■estimated in water fronts and coils in proportioning sizes of a water
supply?
48 — Should the maximum requirements of a household be made the
basis on which to estimate the proportions of heating power required?
CHAPTER 4.
Pages 34 to 45.
49 — ^What is meant by "allowing a swing" to the joints in a range
boiler connection?
50 — What is the cause of pounding in range boilers?
51 — What should be investigated first when a complaint of an in-
sufiicient supply of hot water is registered?
52 — How may such a complaint be due to partial stoppage of a
water front?
53 — ^When a new range and water front is connected up to an old
boiler and mich a complaint is made, what should be the course of
investigation that should be followed?
54 — How is a boiler connected when the side connection is lower
than the upper tapping of the water front?
55 — What is understood by the term "quick heating connection"?
56 — When a connection of this sort is made are the whole contents
of the boiler brought to an equal temperature quicker than with the
other style?
57 — How is a boiler connected with a water front when a door or
window intervenes?
58 — What is the usual practice in connecting a gas water heater
with the kitchen boiler?
59 — How can these connections be made to mitigate stoppages
through deposit of sediment in the coils?
60 — How may a vertical range boiler be connected with the supply
and cold water system to provide an ample flow when the pressure
of the cold water supply is low?
61 — Is any disadvantage generally attributed to the system of sup-
plying cold water to a boiler through the bottom tapping?
62 — How may the connections be made to a standard vertical boiler
when it is necessary to fit it in a horizontal position?
63 — Why is the provision of a vacuum valve on the boiler consid-
ered preferable to the common custom of drilling a hole in the feed
tube?
TYPICAL EXAMINATION QUESTIONS. 193
64 — Why is it better to have all the tappings of a horizontal boiler
in the sides instead of the ends?
65 — What disadvantage is likely to result from setting a steam
heated horizontal boiler at a level very little above the water level
of the steam boiler?
66 — What is the object of fitting an equalizing pipe to the steam
supply and return pipes of the coil?
67 — How may careful proportioning of the steam supply and return
pipes offset any possible disadvantage of the low level of a steam
heated boiler?
CHAPTER 5.
Pages 46 to 59.
68 — What is the principal requirement in the piping connections of
a boiler set on the floor below the range with which it is connected
to ensure satisfactory heating?
69 — What is the cause of circulation in a system constructed in this
manner?
70 — What is the rule generally followed in arriving at the height
of the circulating loop?
71 — Is there any possibility of emptying the water front accidentally
when the boiler is fitted at a lower level than the range?
72 — How may the connections to fixtures be made to effectually
prevent emptying of the water front or the circulating loop below
the highest point?
73 — Is it necessary to provide an air cock on a circulating loop
when the supply is taken from an attic tank?
74 — Should a fixture on the lower floor be supplied from the pipe
connecting the boiler with the water front when the range is on the
floor below the boiler?
75 — Is it of any advantage to connect the boiler by both top and
side tappings when the water front is on the floor below it?
76 — What is the best way of connecting an additional horizontal
boiler to an existing one when extra storage capacity is required?
77 — How may two vertical boilers be connected to ensure that the
flow will proceed equally from each?
78 — How may two boilers be connected so that the supply from one
will be larger than that from the other?
79 — Wha^ should have chief consideration in connecting two boilers
to one water back?
80 — Should the same type of connection be used when the boilers
are far apart as when they are close together?
81 — How may equal distribution to the two boilers be promoted by
the use of special fittings?
82 — What is the best method of connecting two boilers on different
floors to one water front?
194 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
83 — Why should the range farthest away from the boiler be con-
nected to the top tapping?
84 — Is there any possibility of retarding the flow from one heater
by the flow from the other?
85 — What would be the consequences of this retarding of the flow
in the water front?
86 — How would the connections to two water fronts on one floor and
one on a lower floor be made to one boiler on the upper floor?
CHAPTER 6.
Pages 60 to 73.
87 — Is there any objection to passing the flow from a water front
on one floor through the water front on a floor above and so into the
boiler?
88 — Is it good practice to connect more than one water front to the
side tapping of a boiler?
89 — How should a boiler in a basement be connected with a water
front on the floor above and a tank heater in the basement?
90 — When a circulating pipe is brought down from a water front
on the floor above the boiler and the supply to a circulating loop
leaves the boiler at the same tapping will satisfactory service be
given ?
91 — How may a fixture be connected with circulating loop so as to
prevent accumulation of air in the system?
92 — What is the principal fault experienced with the method of
water supply necessitating the connection of more than one boiler to
a common main hot water supply line?
93 — Is there likely to be as much trouble when the boilers are
on different floors as when they are on the same level?
94 — What advantage is secured by causing the water in the two
boilers to be circulated between each other?
95 — Can a system using more than one boiler be operated from a
cold water supply to one boiler only?
96 — How should a system that is to supply two flats be installed so
that the water will be available to each house when heated from
either boiler?
97 — What is likely to take place if an expansion tank or rather a
cold water supply tank over which an expansion pipe has been fitted
is placed at a level only slightly above the boiler?
98 — Is it possible to take the supply from a heated boiler in a base-
ment and introduce it through the cold water feed tube to a boiler on
the next floor with any degree of success?
99 — How may the flow from two boilers on the same floor be
equalized so that a slight superiority in temperature in one boiler
would cause a little stronger flow from that one and an equal flow
when the temperature is equal?
^ ^
TYPICAL EXAMINATION QUESTIONS. 195
CHAPTER 7.
Pages 74 to 90.
100 — "What are the most objectionable features in the ordinary
system of hot water distribution?
101 — Are any of the objectionable features in a non-circulating
system of hot water distribution emphasised when a low pressure of
water obtains?
102 — What advantage is obtained by using the header or "water
table" method of distribution?
103 — What is the best method of constructing such a water table?
104 — What is the difference between a primary and a secondary
system of hot water circulation?
105 — Is it advisable to continue a circulating loop to a fixture under
the floor and close up to the fixture?
106 — What should be done to prevent the accumulation of air in
the circulating pipes?
107 — How is a system of circulation with independent loops to each
fixture or set of fixtures constructed?
108 — Does such a system possess any advantage over a simple con-
tinuous circulation system?
109 — How is water prevented from backing up the return pipes
when a faucet is opened on a circulating loop?
110 — Are swing checks better than globe checks on a circulating
system?
Ill — Is it possible to install one system of piping to supply hot
water or cold water at will?
112 — What must be done to obtain circulation to a fixture when a
door or window intervenes between the boiler and the fixtuj'e?
113 — How may a number of apartments be connected so that each
will have a separate boiler heated at will from a gas heater or from
a common heater placed in the basement?
114 — How should such a system be piped to secure a minimum
chance of leakage from the circulating pipes?
115 — What is the difference between a drop feed or falling circula-
tion system and a rising supply system?
116 — What are the principal points of difference between this sys-
tem and the English intermediate cylinder system?
117 — What is the purpose of a water heated towel rail and how
should it be connected to the hot water supply system?
118 — How would a circulation system be arranged if the boiler was
on the same floor as the fixtures?
119 — Where should a safety valve be fitted to be most effective?
120 — How may water be circulated to fixtures on a level lower
than the boiler?
121 — How can the insertion of a valve in the circulating system be
made to act as a preventative of reversing the circulation?
196 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
CHAPTER 8.
Pages 91 to 100.
122 — How is the flow of water equalized on the different floors in
buildings of great height?
123 — What disadvantage is experienced through the carrying of
extra heavy pressures at steam coil heated boilers?
124 — What is being done in modern buildings to avoid this dis-
advantage?
125 — What is the most common type of circulating system used in
office and apartment buildings?
126 — Why are control valves fitted at the base of the loops in a
drop feed system as well as at the connection with the main distrib-
uting pipe on the top floor?
127 — How is the expansion on the long stretches of pipe taken up?
128 — How are the lateral connections connected back to cause a
circulation to be promoted in them when the distance from the drop
pipe to the fixture is great?
129 — What is understood by the sectional system of hot water
supply?
130 — How are the proportions of hot water boilers and heaters for
a battery of shower baths estimated?
131 — How many gallons of water a minute are passed by the average
shower head?
132 — Should the amount of water that is possible to be passed
through the showers simultaneously be taken as the proper amount
to base the proportions of the heater and boiler upon?
133 — What is the proper method of estimating the resultant tem-
perature from mixing hot and cold water?
134 — How may a simple mixing chamber be constructed so as to
provide a means of regulating the temperature at the showers inde-
pendent of the bather?
135 — Describe a simple mixing chamber suitable for showers in
factory washrooms or other places where strong construction is
necessary.
CHAPTER 9.
Pages 101 to 111.
136 — What is the purpose of a double boiler?
137 — Is the type of double boiler in which one cylinder is placed
within the other the only kind in use?
138 — Which of the cylinders is connected with the supply from the
attic tank?
139 — How may a water front be constructed to serve the same
purpose as a double boiler?
140 — When two separate boilers are used instead of a double boiler
how are the ranges connected?
TYPICAL EXAMINATION QUESTIONS. 197
141 — Is there any danger of collapse of th.e boiler shell of a double
boiler when one or other of the boilers is emptied?
142 — How should the sediment cocks be placed to obviate the for-
mation of a vacuum and invite a condition that would cause collapse
of the boiler?
143 — How are the two systems connected so that the supply to the
fixtures may be switched from the street to the tank supply if de-
sired?
144 — ^Why is it recommended that a check valve be fitted on the cold
water supply pipe from street mains when a double boiler system
is used?
CHAPTER 10.
Pages 112 to 127.
145 — How may the efficiency of a gas water heater be calculated?
146 — What is the average heating value of illuminating gas?
147 — How is the amount of gas required to heat a certain volume
of water estimated?
148 — ^What is the average efficiency of the ordinary gas water
heater?
149 — Does a tank heater of the circulating type show as high effi-
ciency as an automatic instantaneous heater?
150 — Why are copper coil heaters considered preferable to those
using hollow discs as heating surface?
151 — What are the principal requirements of a good gas water
heater?
152 — What is the difference between the internal and external type
of thermostatic valve on gas heaters?
153 — What is a bath heater of the non-contact type?
154 — How should this type of heater be erected so as to supply
more than one fixture?
155 — Where should the vent pipe that carries the products of com-
bustion be connected to?
156 — How should the water connections of a kitchen boiler heater
be made when it is feared that sediment may choke the coils?
157 — Describe the general construction of a thermostatic gas valve
for a water heater?
158 — How are the valves on the type of water heater which comes
into service on the opening of a faucet operated?
159 — Why is it advisable to have the pipe sizes as small as is pos-
sible to give a satisfactory flow at the fixtures?
160 — What is the advantage of having a heater equipped with
thermostatic as well as pressure operated valves?
1.61 — What is the best type of control to use on gas heaters supply-
ing water to large institutions through a storage tank?
198 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
162 — Why are the doors of the heaters mounted on spring hinges?
163 — What are the six principal rules to observe in the installa-
tion of gas water heaters?
164 — What evidence will be given by a heater of the choking of the
heating coils by sediment?
165 — How should a continuous flow connection with a water front
in a coal range and a gas heater be made?
166 — How may a kitchen boiler heater and a boiler be installed to
occupy the smallest possible space?
CHAPTER 11.
Pages 128 to 142.
167 — Is more heat transmitted from steam to water passing con-
tinuously through a tank than to water at rest within the tank?
168 — ^What is the usual allowance of heating surface in steam coils
per gallon capacity of storage tank?
169 — ^Why should safety valves be fitted to steam heated storage
tanks?
170 — How are steam coils in storage tanks controlled by thermo-
static valves?
171 — How are kitchen boilers heated by means of steam?
172 — Can a kitchen boiler be heated by steam without the use of
coils?
173 — How much quicker may water be heated by injecting steam
than by heating it by transmission from coils?
174 — How many pounds of water may be heated by injecting one
pound of steam at 85-lb. pressure if the water be heated from 70
degrees to boiling point?
175 — Does it require more time to heat water by steam at low
pressures than at high pressure?
176 — How is the quantity of steam necessary to heat a given
quantity of water to a determined temperature estimated?
177 — How many B.tu. are there in 1 lb. of steam at 5 lb. pressure?
178 — WTiat is the value of a Calorie in B.tu.?
179 — How may the noise of condensing steam when heating water
by injection be lessened?
180 — Describe the construction of a Co-mingler?
181 — What is necessary to prevent water finding its way back
into the steam boiler when water is heated in a closed tank by
injection?
182 — How should a steam boiler and coil be connected up to act as
an auxiliary to a tank heater using coal for fuel?
183 — What types of heaters are in general use in the fire boxes of
hot air and steam heating boilers to provide an auxiliary supply of
hot water?
TYPICAL EXAMINATION QUESTIONS. 199
184 — Where should a coil be placed in a hot water heating boiler
to give the best results in heating water for domestic purposes?
185 — What is the best kind of pipe to use in making such a coil?
186 — What is the heating value of cast iron water heaters when
suspended above the fire in the fire box of a steam heating boiler?
187 — How much difference is there between cast iron and brass
as a heating medium?
188 — How many B.t.u. should be allowed per square foot of coil
surface when estimating the heating capacity of a brass coil?
CHAPTER 12.
Pages 143 to 161.
189 — What are the usual methods adopted to utilize excess heat
generated by a kitchen range or tank heater?
190 — How may the size of a radiator that can be heated by a
water front in a kitchen range be approximately estimated?
191 — What difference should be made in connecting a radiator on
the same floor as the water heater and in connecting one on the
floor above it?
192 — How is the air that is relieved in heating the water prevented
from collecting in the system when a radiator is connected to a
hot water supply system supplied from an overhead tank?
193 — Can a radiator be connected so that the hottest water will
be delivered there before b,eing stored in the boiler?
194 — Is it preferable to use galvanized iron pipe for coils used in
warming rooms when connected to a system supplying water for
domestic purposes also?
195 — If a radiator is used instead of a coil which pattern should be
used if it is to be placed on the same floor as the kitchen range?
196 — How much % in., 1 in., 1*4 in., 1*^ in. and 2 in. pipe is
required to equal 1 sq. ft. of heating surface?
197 — How can a room be warmed by installing an extra boiler?
198 — Can a room be warmed by means of hot air supplied by a
kitchen range?
199 — How would the piping system necessary to warm several rooms
be laid out if the coils or radiators were to be heated from a
kitchen range?
200 — How should the connections be made to a plate warming
closet heated from the' domestic hot water supply?
201 — How may a check valve be inserted in the return connection
of a circulating system so that it will not prevent free circulation
yet will close as soon as a faucet is opened and a tendency to draw
through the return pipe is shown?
202— What are the usual types of heated towel rails offered by
manufacturers and how are they connected?
200 HOT WATER SUPPLY.
203 — Describe some schemes of utilizing waste heat in heating water
for domestic and manufacturing purposes.
204 — How may the heat of waste water from plumbing and other
fixtures be turned to account in heating water?
205 — Describe the construction of a reliable water heating garbage
burner.
206 — ^What are the usual methods of heating water in bakeries?
207 — Is it advisable to bury a boiler in the sand over a bakers oven?
CHAPTER 13.
Pages 162 to 176.
208 — ^What is the cause of air locking in a hot water distributing
system?
209 — What causes lead pipe to sag?
210 — Can the method of connecting branch pipes to circulating loops;
cause air locking under any conditions?
211 — How may the practice of carrying a pipe to the basement
before rising to the fixtures cause stoppage of supply?
212 — How may the cause of intermittent flow at fixtures be some-
times attributed to the position of a relief pipe on a hot water
system?
213 — Can any mechanical device be utilized to allow air to escape
from circulating systems under pressure without allowing water
to escape?
214^ — What is the cause of water continually flowing through a relief
pipe into the supply tank of a hot water supply system?
215 — Has the elevation of the supply tank any bearing on the
subject?
216 — How much does water increase in volume by heating?
217 — Can water be forced out of the boiler through the relief pipe
by pressure of steam formed in the water front by overheating?
218 — Is there any advantage in fitting an expansion tank to a
relief pipe?
219 — When may a trap be used on the supply pipe to prevent
circulation back from the hot water tank to the cold water tank?
220 — ^Where should a boiler safety valve be fitted?
221 — What is the difference between a safety valve and a vacuum
valve ?
222 — On which part of the system should a vacuum valve be placed?
223 — What is the cause of the collapse of copper boilers?
224 — ^What can be done to prevent the collapse of copper boilers
when the supply is from the street mains?
225 — Can collapse of boilers be laid in any case to lack of
pressure in the cold water supply?
226 — How can the raising of excessive pressure in hot water supply
systems where a check valve is fitted on the supply pipe be avoided?
TYPICAL EXAMINATION QUESTIONS. 201
CHAPTER 14.
Pages 177 to 189.
227 — ^What is the first thing that should be investigated when a
complaint of insufficient hot water supply is made?
228 — Why has the size of the coal used a bearing on the satisfactory
service given by a hot water supply system?
229 — Is it possible for a water front to be choked partially so that
the circulation to the boiler will be retarded without overheating
the water in the water front?
230 — What effect on the heating of water is made when the boiler
feed tube has become corroded and has dropped off?
231 — How may small holes in a kitchen boiler caused by corrosion
be satisfactorily repaired?
232 — What is the cause of a milky appearance in hot water?
233 — Has water hammer any detrimental effect on the piping of a
hot water system?
234 — Can water be short circuited from a boiler through the con-
nections to a gas water heater and how may it be avoided?
235 — What is the usual cause of cold water being drawn at the
hot water faucet?
236 — What is the cause of rusty water being drawn at the fixtures?
237 — How may the drawing of rusty water be avoided by a simple
expedient?
238 — How would a boiler be tapped to insert an extra connection?
239 — Describe the apparatus used for heating water in a barber
shop?
240 — What is the comparative value of lead and brass as metals
for the connecting pipes of range boilers and water fronts?
INDEX.
Adding capacity by installing extra boilers 54
Air bound service, Remedy for 165
Air locking, Method of supplying fixtures to avoid 75
Air locking in supply lines 162
Alkaline water, Heating by indirect method ....... 20
Aluminum bronze, Painting boilers and pipes with .... 22
Anthracite, Heat emitted by 14
Anti-scalding valves .99
Apartment house, Separate range boilers for 82
Appearance of hot water 180
Appliance for injecting steam 136
Automatic storage gas water heaters 114
Auxiliary boilers 54
Auxiliary heaters, special 139
Auxiliary heaters. Steam coils 137
Auxiliary heaters. Furnace coils 138
Auxiliary heaters. Coils in steam boilers 138
Available heat 14
Bakeries, Heating boilers in 159
Barber shop heating tank 187
Bituminous coal. Heat emitted by 14
Boilers, Bakery 158
Boiler, Connections for on floor above heater 50
Boilers, Copper, collapse of 171
Boilers, Corrosion of 179
Boilers, Bakery-heating by coils in sand 160
Boilers, Horizontal 41
Boilers, Kitchen, heating by steam 132
Boiler, Making extra connection to 187
Boilers, Proportioning 33
Boilers, Regular horizontal pattern 42
Boilers, Separate, in apartment house 82
Boiler, Steam heated which was unsatisfactory 43
Boilers, Supply pipe rusted off 178
Boilers, Upright, placed horizontally 41
Boilers, Water hammer in . 181
Brass coils. Building 138
Bronze, Effect of in insulating pipes 22
B.t.u. in pounds of steam at various pressures 135
By-passing checks to avoid excessive pressure 174
203
204 INDEX.
Capacity, Increasing of water fronts 29
Capacity of cast iron auxiliary heaters 140
Cast iron heater ratings 140
Cause of pounding in range boilers 35
Chambers, Mixing for factories 100
Chamber, Sediment collecting 21
Check valves on supplies, By-passing 175
Circulation, Distribution to fixtures on floor below boiler ... 89
Circulation, Features of in a cottage 81
Circulation, Loop on same floor as boiler 88
Circulation of water to fixtures 76
Circulation of water through relief pipe 169
Circulation, Principles of . 8
Circulation, Reversal of 79
Circulation, Sectional system for high buildings 94
Circulation, System for large buildings 91
Coils, Adding to water fronts 29
Coils, Fitting over fire in stove 30
Coils, Proportioning 31
Coke, Heat emitted by 14
Cold water drawn at hot water faucet 183
Collapse of copper boilers 171
Collecting chamber. Sediment 21
Collection of air in connections 36
Combination hot and cold water supply 80
Combustion, Complete 14
Combustion, Imperfect 14
Combustion, Temperature of 10
Complaints and remedies 177
Condensation in steam coils. Effect of 44
Conduction of heat 13
Connections, Attic tank supply to boiler below level of stove . . 48
Connections to coils in bakers' ovens 158
Connections, Boilers heated in bakeries 158
Connections, Boiler in attic as radiation and storage 146
Connections, Boiler on floor above heater 50
Connections, Boiler placed below level of stove 46
Connections, Coil and gas heater to reduce storage 52
Connections, Coil heated direct from water back . . " . . . . 145
Connections, Comparative value of lead and brass 187
Connections, Continuous flow through coil and gas heater ... 51
Connections, Double boilers 101
Connections, Double water back 110
Connections, Expansion tank 172
Connections, Extra boiler capacity 53
Connections for coil and gas heater 51
Connections for gas water heaters 125
Connections, Heating coils on floor above range 144
INDEX. 205
Connections, Horizontal boiler 41
Connections, Horizontal boiler with two heaters on different floors 62
Connections, Horizontal double boiler 109
Connections, Joint supply to two flats 68
Connection, Making extra to boiler 185
Connections, Multiple 60
Connections, Plate warming closet 153
Connections, Quick heating 37
Connections Radiator to domestic supply lines 149
Connections, Range boiler 34
Connection, Range boiler with door intervening 38
Connections, Range boiler and gas heater 39
Connection, Range boiler for low pressures 40
Connections, Space saving method for gas water heaters . . . 126
Connections, Special 46
Connections, Steam coil and tank heater 137
Connections, Stiff . 36
Connections, Suggestions on double boiler 105
Connections, Supply and Distribution 74
Connections, Swing joint 34
Connections, Three water backs to on^ boiler 57
Connections, Towel rails 153
Connections, Two boilers to one water back 55
Connections, Two boilers heated by one water tack 56
Connections, Two boilers with two heaters 64
Connections, Two boilers and heaters on same floor ..... 72
Connections, Unusual with two heaters and two boilers .... 70
Connections, Warming several rooms from kitchen stove . . . 151
Connections, Waste water heating coils 157
Connections, Water hammer in 181
Continuous connection for gas water heaters 125
Convection, Transmission of heat by 13
Copper boilers. Collapse of 171
Copper pipe annealed and hard 189
Corrosion, Effect of temperature on 16
Corrosion, Means of mitigating effects of 17
Corrosion of kitchen boilers 179
Corrosion of Water Fronts 16
Crooked threads. Need for at stove connections 28
Data on heating water by steam 128
Defective circulation cause of pounding . 36
Degrees of hardness in water 18
Density of water 8
Density, Effect of in circulation 8
Density, Temperature of maximum 8
Distribution by circulation . 75
Distribution, Circulation to fixtures below boiler level .... 89
206 INDEX.
I
Distribution, English system of piping 86
Distribution, Equalizing flow from two boilers on loop .... 89
Distribution from drop feed mains 91
Distribution from rising mains 92
Distribution, Methods of by direct pressure 74
Distribution of supply 74
Distribution, Piping in large residences . 84
Distribution, Supply from water tables 75
Distribution, Supply to fixtures to avoid air pockets 164
Double boilers and connections 101
Double boilers. Arrangement of piping 102
Double boilers, Horizontal 109
Double boilers, Reverse cocks for 105
Double boilers. Separate 104
Drawing cold water through return . 79
Drip pipes on stopcocks 74
Drop feed mains 91
Economy in good design of firebox 14
Efficiency of gas water heaters 112
Elasticity, Definition of 15
Elastic Limit, Definition of 15
Emptying water front through supply pipes 47
Equalizing pipes for steam coils 45
Equalizing pressure in large buildings 91
Equivalent heating surface in coils 141
Equivalent surface of pipe coils in 1 ft. of radiation 148
Excessive pressure in boilers, Avoiding 174
Expansion loops on risers 94
Expansion of water, Table of 168
Expansion of water to tank 163
Expansion of water through relief pipes 167
Extension coils in firebox 29
Extending heating surface of water fronts 29
Failure to heat properly 35
Finding quantity of steam required Idi
Fitting coil on fioor above range 144
Furnace coils as auxiliary heaters 138
Galvanized pipe in coil heating 147
Garbage burners 158
Gas, Heating value of 112
Gas, Heating water by 112
Gas heater connections 39
Gas water heaters, Automatic instantaneous 113
Gas water heaters, Circulating tank 113
INDEX.
207
Gas water heaters, Construction of 114
Oas water heaters. Contact type of bath 116
Gas water heaters. Control of gas supply in 121
Gas water heaters, Efficiency of 112
Gas water heaters, Features of 113
Gas water heaters. Hints on installation 123
Gas water heaters, Instantaneous bath type of 115
Gas water heaters, Kitchen boiler type of 117
Gas water heaters, Large type for storage 122
Gas water heaters, Non-contact type of 116
Gas water heaters, Position of for economy 120
Gas water heaters. Pressure controlled . . . . • 119
Gas water heaters, Protection of walls from 127
Gas water heaters. Space saving method of connecting .... 126
Gas water heaters. Storage type of 114
Gas water heaters, Storage type with thermostat 119
Gas water heaters. Thermostatically controlled 119
Gas water heaters, Various methods of connecting 124
Hard water 18
Hardness in water, Effect of 18
Hardness, Removal of in water 18
Heat 10
Heat, Development of 11
Heat, Emission of B.t.u. from various fuels 14
Heat Losses from pipes 22
Heat Losses, Effect of paint on 22
Heat, Losses from kitchen boilers 22
Heat Losses, Table of through painted surfaces 23
Heat, Luminous and Dark Rays 11
Heat, ]\Ieasurement of 10
Heat, Most effective application of 13
Heat of various fuels 14
Heat, Production of by combustion 12
Heat, Transmission of 12
Heat transmission from coils 32
Heated towel rails 153
Heating appliances for hard water . 20
Heating, Insufficient of water fronts 35
Heating kitchen boilers by steam 132
Heating surface in lineal feet of coil 141
Heating water by gas , 112
Heating water by injecting steam 133
Heating water by steam coils 128
Horizontal boiler connections 41
Horizontal double boilers 109
Hot water tank for barber shop 187
Hot water, Milky appearance of 180
208 INDEX.
Imperfect combustion 14
Improper pitch of pipe, Effect of 163
Incrustation of water heating appliances by lime 20
Injecting steam in heating water 12&
Injecting steam to heat water. Table of quantities 133
Kitchen boiler gas water heaters, Types of 117
Kitchen stove warming room by warm air and water .... 14^
Laundry, Waste heat in utilized 157
Laundry water heaters 142
Lead and brass connections. Comparative value of 187
Level, Stoves out of 27
Lime in water backs 18
Lime, Precipitation of ... 18
Loop circulation on same floor as boiler 88
Loop, Height of loop on connection to boiler on lower level . . 47
Lukewarm water complaint 181
Maximum density of water, Temperature of ' . . 8"
Milky appearance of hot water 180
Mixing steam and water 134
Mixing valves 99
Motive force of water 9
Multiple connections ' . 60
Narrow fireboxes, Effects of 177
Noise caused by injecting steam . 135
Noise in water fronts and boilers 26, 35
Overheating of boilers 35
Oxygen, Amount of in water at different temperatures .... 16
Oxygen, Solubility in water 16
Oxygen, Supply of to firebox . 14
Partitions in water fronts 25
Permanently hard water 1&
Phenomenon of heat 10
Pitch of circulating pipes 78
Plate warming closet connections 153
Pounding in range boilers 35
Pressure relief valves 170
Prevention of siphonage . ^ 170
Proportions of coils and water fronts 31
Proportioning steam coils 129
Proportioning supply to shower baths 96-
INDEX. 209
Quick heating connection 37
Radiation 12
Radiation, Transmission of heat by 12
Radiators connected to range boilers '. . . 148
Range boiler connection 34
Ratings of cast iron heaters 140
Relief pipes 172
Relief pipes, Expansion of water through 167
Relief valves, Pressure 170
Remedy for air bound service 165
Removal of hardness in water 18
Removal of lime in water backs 18
Repair of boilers 179
Resultant temperature of mixing hot and cold water 98
Retarding of flow in water fronts . . . . 30
Reverse cocks for double boilers 105
Reversal of circulation 79
Risers and branches in large buildings 92
Rusty water 183
Safety and vacuum valves 40
Safety and vacuum valves 170
Sagging of pipe, Effect of 162
Sectional heaters Ill
Sectional system of distribution 94
Sediment collecting chambers 21
Sediment, Prevention of in gas heater connections 40
Separate range boilers in apartment house 82
Shower baths. Anti-scalding valves for 99
Shower baths. Factory mixing chambers 100
Shower baths. Mixing and tempering supply to 96
Shower baths. Supply to 96
Siphonage, Prevention of 170
Siphonage, Prevention of at range boilers 40
Size of boilers for water supply 33
Smoke, Cause of in combustion of fuels 14
Softening, Apparatus for water . 19
Solution for removal of lime from water backs 18
Steam as an auxiliary heater 137
Steam coils in water heating 128
Steam heated boiler which was unsatisfactory 43
Steam nozzles for hot water heating 136
Steam required to heat water 129
Steam supply, Thermostatic control of 131
Storage capacity of boilers, Adding to 53
Stoppage of water fronts 17
Stoppage in water front 178
210 INDEX.
Strains and stresses 15
Supply and distribution 74
Supply pipe to boiler rusted off 178
Surface, Adding heating to water fronts 29
Suspended coils in firebox of stoves . .30
Swing joint in boiler connections 34
Swing joints, Expansion on risers in high buildings 94
System of distribution in large residences 84
Table of B.t.u. in steam at various pressures 135
Table of expansion of water 168
Table of capacity of steam coils 129
Table of transmission rate from steam with varying velocity of
water through tank 130
Table of quantity of water heated by injecting steam .... 133
Tank heaters, Laundry 143
Temperature, Resultant of mixing hot and cold water .... 98
Thermal efficiency of gas 112
Thermostatic control of steam supply 131
Threads, Cutting on brass 188
Towel rails. Making from pipe fittings 156
Towel rails warmed by water 153
Transmission of heat from coils 32
Transmission of heat from steam 130
Triple connections 57
Unsatisfactory heating 177
Using coil in laundry to warm water 157
Utilizing excess heat in warming rooms 143
Utilizing waste heat 156
Vacuum valves on boilers 40
Valves, Anti-scalding 99
Warming closet connections 153
Warming room by installing extra boiler 149
Waste heat. Utilization of 156
Water, Oxygen in solution in 16
Water, Motive force of 9
Water, Sediment in 16
Water, Quantity of hot required 33
Water backs, Double 110
Water fronts, Accumulation of air in 26
Water fronts, coils and heaters . 25
Water fronts. Heat transmission to 32
Water fronts. Increasing capacity of ......... 29
Water fronts, Insufficient heating cf » 35
INDEX.
211
"Water fronts, Position of tappings in 25
Water fronts, Position of in firebox 26
Water fronts, Proportioning 31
Water fronts. Reason for partition in 25
Water fronts, Retarding flow in 30
Water fronts. Special shapes 27
Water front. Stoppage in 178
Water hammer in connections 181
Water heaters. Laundry 143
Water heating garbage burners 158
Water mixing valves 99
Water softening apparatus , 19
Water tables. Method of constructing 75
Wood, Heat emitted by ... 14
JUN 11 1913
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Cranberry Township, PA 16066
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