2008 Woodie Awards
Just ask Jessica
What is that steam?
Jessica Cameron
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Features
What is that steam?
Why does it vent out from various spots?
Why are there wooden pallets covering the vents?
Is this steam a pollutant or health threat?
There is a power plant behind the University Center that produces the steam in order to heat buildings on campus and for hot water needed throughout campus. The steam only contains hot water.
The black pipes that run the steam are underground and are becoming corroded and cracked. "Some of those pipes are 50 years old" said David Lemons, general campus maintenance supervisor.
What you are seeing is the steam escaping from the pipes. The only hazard is the heat of the steam itself. There are no chemicals in the steam.
The physical plant has opened some of the man hole covers to vent the steam. The pallets on top are to hold the man hole cover open.
"Next month an engineer will come out and hopefully digging will start early next spring," according to Lemons. "This will be an ongoing process because many of the pipes that aren't leaking now will still need to be replaced soon because of their age."
Why does it vent out from various spots?
Why are there wooden pallets covering the vents?
Is this steam a pollutant or health threat?
There is a power plant behind the University Center that produces the steam in order to heat buildings on campus and for hot water needed throughout campus. The steam only contains hot water.
The black pipes that run the steam are underground and are becoming corroded and cracked. "Some of those pipes are 50 years old" said David Lemons, general campus maintenance supervisor.
What you are seeing is the steam escaping from the pipes. The only hazard is the heat of the steam itself. There are no chemicals in the steam.
The physical plant has opened some of the man hole covers to vent the steam. The pallets on top are to hold the man hole cover open.
"Next month an engineer will come out and hopefully digging will start early next spring," according to Lemons. "This will be an ongoing process because many of the pipes that aren't leaking now will still need to be replaced soon because of their age."
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