\OL. I 0.5 DSCO ADVOCATE

50th Anniversary 1877.--1927

Ci"+.!> Fifty Years of Service tn Proving, Perfecting and Extending District Heating and the Underground TransmiS1ion of Heat

JJ-ul,lished ~ t/,e ,AMERICAN DISTRICT STEA.'1 COMP.ANY ...... ,,,...... ,, NoR'm To>iAWANDA.N.Y: VOL.I NO. 5

ADVOCATE Edited aHd Published by AMERICAN DISTRICT SWAM COMPANY NORTH TONAWAND.\.NX Originators of District Heating and Underground Distribution of Steam for Heating and Power Purposes 1927 Marks Golden Anniversary of District Heating A Back Yard Experiment That Grew Into a Big Industry

~ ('7'! HIS year the American District Steam ACK in the early sixties Mr. criticism and pronounced by leading l.:J Company celebrates its fiftieth corpor, Birdsill Holly, who had in­ enginers, mechanics and trade papers ate birthday. B v e n t e d the great "Sybills" as "foolish, visionary and totally If we could invite all our good friends to a Steam Fire Engine and the Rotary impractical." Failing to obtain Pump, moved his machine manufac­ either financial or moral support, big birthday party, we could and would make turing business from Seneca Falls, Holly made experiments at his own you feel that we do appreciate the part you N. Y., to Lockport, N. Y., where he expense to demonstrate his theory. have played in our success. organized the Holly Manufacturing He improvised a small boiler in the While we are fifty years old today, we do Company for the manufacture of basement of his home on Chestnut sewing machines, skeins and boxes, Street in Lockport, N. Y ., and laid not "feel our age". Many of those who so flat irons, sinks and many other a continuous 700 foot line of 1~ " courageously backed MR. BrRDSILL HoLLY in articles of iron and brass. Later the pipe around his back yard and the what others considered a visionary venture, company took up the manufacture adjoining property. The pipe was have passed on; in their places we, as compar, of cistern pumps of all kinds and covered with layers of asbestos, atively young men, pledge to you our best began building rotary pumps on a felt, building paper and finally man­ large scale. This necessitated larger illa paper, secured with twine. As efforts in carrying on the work so ably started and more modern shops. no wood casing could be obtained, by HoLLY and his little group of far,sighted 2" x 10" planks were used to make a associates. Mr. Holly next perfected the sys­ wooden conduit. The trench was tem, now in universal use by water deep enough to provide a coverage works, of pumping water under of three and a half feet. pressure into mains laid underground. Officers - Directors The demand for this system became When steam was turned on, the and Employees of so great that shops for the manufac­ installation worked even better than ture of pumping machinery had to expected. Mr. Holly then had his AMERICAN DISTRICT STEAM COMPANY be more than doubled. residence fitted up with crude coils NoinH TONAWAND.\.NX So far, all of Holly's inventions of pipe. Steam was first taken to had met with instant success. How­ the attic into what he called a dis­ ever, when next he advanced the tributor. From here supply pipes scheme of heating buildings by steam took it to coils in the various rooms. from pipes laid underground, this A loop in the basement served as a newest idea was greeted with much trap and returned the condensation Page Three Page Two ADSCO~DVOCATE to the boiler. In spite of furnaces and were not this demonstration the greatly inconvenienced. critics refused to believe The company finally that steam could be struggled through the carried successfully for winter and at a loss. any considerable distance. Holly and his associates Holly, who had given were even more enthusi­ up the active manage­ astic and backed their ment of the Holly Manu­ confidence with cash and facturing Co., tried to courage. During the interest capital to develop summer more capital was his district heating scheme. called in and readily After much discourage­ supplied. The company ment he finally secured extended its mains 2,500 some financial help from feet. Another boiler men who, though with­ S'xl 6' made by the Holly out mechanical training, Manufacturing Co. was had imagination and fore­ installed. The same sum­ sight. It was some time mer the .company also before anyone with mech­ added to its prestige and anical ability considered revenue by installing the underground distri­ plants at Auburn, New bution of steamJas any­ York; Garden City, Long thing but a foolish ex­ Island, and at Soldier's periment. Home in Dayton, Ohio. In the spring of 1877, Very little trouble was fifty years ago, Holly and experienced the second his enthusiastic backers winter. The upright organized The Holly boiler in the station was Steam Combination equipped with new tubes Company, Limited, with but was used only when a capital of twenty-five cleaning the horizontal thousand dollars. Their The town of Lockport was all astir when the new compan11 began digging up the streets for the installation of its mains. boiler. Several extensions plan was to heat a sec­ were made the following ti on of Lockport. The town of feet of mains laid connecting with pounds. This was a revelation to the spring. The winter had been a good Lockport willingly granted the new the principal residences, churches, skeptical. one; encouraging and profitable. company a franchise to open the hotels and other buildings in the Everything ran smoothly for a few News of this radical departure in streets for the laying of steam pipes. district. The service lines were three days; then trouble began. Foreign heating began to spread. Commit­ quarters or one inch pipe. With the The company built a small boiler matter in the canal, such as small tees from other cities came to Lock­ house and coil shed and a chimney mains in and connections made, the fish, lizzards, eelgrass and paper stage was set. port to investigate District Heating. 30" square by 30' high. The station stopped the boiler feed pumps. New York capitalists sent Charles was~equipped with one second-hand There was considerable excitement Screens were placed before the pumps G. Emery, a noted engineer, to make upright boiler about seven feet in in Lockport the day steam was but even these permitted much of experiments and tests. His report diameter and ten feet high with drop turned on. One of Mr. Holly's young the finer matter to find its way into to his principals resulted in the in­ tubes. Drawings made by Holly on sons turned a valve and the mains the drop tubes of the boiler- and as stallation of what is today the scraps of paper were used for making were quickly filled with steam at they were solid on the ends over the largest plant in the world for the the expansion joints and other fit­ thirty pounds pressure. In less than fire, they could not be cleaned. The distribution of steam for power and tings. Bored-out wooden water pipe an hour the coils were hot in every accumulated matter baked in, caus­ heating purposes. was used for the insulation and con­ building. The first chapter in dis­ ing the tubes to bum off and put duit covering the iron pipes. Guesses trict heating history had been written. out the fires. This caused a number Up to this time very little was were made as to the proper size pipes The system was pronounced a suc­ of embarrassing shut-downs for re­ thought of heating by exhaust steam, to lay. The pipe sizes selected cess. Steam gauges in the buildings pairs during the first winter. How­ but in the winter of 1880 the com­ ranged from four inches down to two heated by the new system showed a ever, none of the buildings on the pany contracted with capitalists in inches. The first season saw 2350 loss in pressure of only two or three line had abandoned their stoves or an Eastern city for a large installation Paae Four ADSCO~DVOCA.TE Page Five

lace C. Andrews, wealthy capitalist the folly of this procedure and solved of Cleveland, Chas. Emery, noted the problem by designing a meter. Engineer of New York City, Na­ The meter showed that many cus­ thaniel Lerch, prosperous farmer near tomers were using twice as much Lockport and Rufus E. Rockwell, steam as they required for satisfac­ Samuel Rogers and Alfred E. Ten­ tory service. The installation of ant, prominent business men of meters stopped waste and for some Lockport. The new company was time it was possible to dispense with capitalized at ten million dollars. the use of one boiler at the Lockport At the time of its reorganization plant. Other improvements were the company was busy installing a also made, one of which was a varia­ number of plants both in Pennsyl­ tor which took the place of the junc­ vania and in the West, the profits tion box. The variator, being a from which were used to buy more closed or packless expansion joint, boilers for the Lockport plant. The eliminated the need for many man­ company decided, however, not to holes in the streets. extend its lines until those already The manufacture of traps, regula­ laid were better loaded. This was a tors, meters and other equipment wise move because that winter proved required by the company kept the that many of the pipes were entirely Lockport machine shops busy. They too small. It was necessary to regarded the Holly Steam Combina­ enlarge several of the mains and to tion Company, Limited, as a "good build a larger stack at the Station thing" - and charged such enor­ on Elm Street. mous prices that the company, which As the success of the Lockport had confined its activities to the sale heating plant was discussed by city of steam in Lockport and the in­ officials and utility executives else­ stallation of District Heating plants where, the new company received in various parts of the country, many inquiries which developed into decided to operate shops of their installation contracts. The following own for the manufacture of their is a partial list of some of the steam devices. heating and power companies who The first shop was located in two went into the heating business under rented rooms over a store on Main the Holly patents during the first Street. The equipment which con­ few years of the company's existence sisted of one 18 - inch lathe, one 18 - -from 1877 to 1887: inch and one 12 - inch drill, a 20 - inch Lockport, N. Y.; Auburn, N. Y .; Spring­ EveruthinQ was J,oisted through trap doors as the shop had no elevators. At night kerosene boat field, Mass.; Dubuque, Iowa; Burlington, planer and a one-man pattern shop, lamps furnished the illumination. Iowa; Garden City, L. I.; New Haven, enabled the company to make its Conn.; Belleville,111.; Denver, Col.; New own patterns and manufacture its of this kind using both high and low American District Steam Company. York, N. Y.; Williamsport, Pa.; Clear­ own traps, regulators and meters, pressure. Two eight inch lines were The officers and trustees of the field, Pa.; Bellefonte, Pa.; Phillipsburg, but not the larger devices which were laid in one trench. One line supplied Pa.; Lock Haven, Pa.; Bloomsburg, Pa.; company (among whom were the Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Reading, Pa.; Harris­ still built by other local shops. The power at eighty pounds steam pres­ original backers) were David F. burgh, Pa.; Hazleton, Pa. pay-roll starteji off with five men. sure to a large number of factories Bishop, M.D., President; Ransom The above includes most of the As more contracts for under­ whose engines exhausted into the Scott, shirt manufacturer, Lockport, other line which heated several important installations during the ground work came in and the demand buildings. Since then exhaust steam Vice-President; Isaac H. Babcock, first ten years of business and repre­ for heat in Lockport increased, the has become an important factor in connected with the Farmers & Me­ sented an aggregate investment of Company built new coal sheds at the District Heating. chanics Savings Bank, Lockport, several million dollars in plant and heating station on Elm Street and Treasurer; Barnett D. Hall, dry equipment. converted the old ones into a two On January 19, 1881, The Holly goods merchant, Lockport, Secre­ The size of the installations ranged story shop - 34 feet by 100 feet. Steam Combination Company, Lim­ tary; Birdsill Holly, Consulting En­ from one and one-half to sixteen Here it was able, for the time being, ited, was reorganized to take care gineer and E. P. Holly, Chief Engi­ miles of underground pipe. to manufacture all of its products. of a rapidly growing industry and neer. Besides the officers, other For several years steam was sold The building had no elevators. Every­ utility. The name was changed to the trustees of the company were Wal- at a flat rate. Mr. Holly realized thing was hoisted by block and tackle Page Six ADSCO~VOCATE Page Ser,en through a trap door. The shop as modern shops at North Tonawanda, ests, including the Andrews Institute starting in on field and construction well as the boiler house was illumin­ N.Y. for Girls at Willoughby, Ohio, which work, in which his engineering train­ ated at night by kerosene "boat Mr. Holly did not live to see the Mr.'..._ Andrews endowed with four ing proved invaluable. Having a keen lamps." full realization of his early efforts million dollars. engineering mind and a penchant for improving things, he rose rapidly In the early days Holly had de­ in central station heating. After The active management of the signed a sheet metal atmospheric through the ranks, occupying posi­ giving to the world his many valua­ American District Steam Co. is steam radiator to take the place of tions in every department. This broad ble inventions, he died in 1894, a under Mr. Robert Hall, Vice-Presi­ experience fitted him admirably for the crude and unsightly coil box. comparatively poor man. For the next few years many of these dent and General Manager. The his present position of Vice - Presi­ were sold to parties using district During the years that intervened Steam Company has grown at an un­ dent and General Manager. Mr. heat. Mr. Holly now brought out between 1880 and the building of the precedented rate since it moved into Hall has surrounded himself with the iron pipe atmospheric radiator. present plant in North Tonawanda, the North Tonawanda plant and able men in every department - Hundreds of these were made and N. Y., several changes were made today is recognized as the authority many of whom are personally known throughout the district heating sold to district heating plants through­ in the board of trustees and officers on underground distribution of steam field. out the country. Shortly after, the of the company. Wallace C. An­ for power and heating purposes. Walworth Company brought out an drews, then also president of the Mr. Hall, who is a son of the late In order to more advantageously iron pipe radiator and New York Steam Barnett D. Hall, one of the original handle construction work and piping the Reed Company Company, became promoters and the first secretary of installations, the Steam Company brought out the first President of the the Steam Company, became inter­ in the summer of 1925 incorporated cast iron radiators. American District ested in district heating at an early in New York State the Northeastern Steam heating was Steam Company. On becoming very popu­ age. In 1894 David F. Bishop, then Piping & Construction Corp. Dur­ April 7, 1899, Mr. lar. President of the Company, sent ing the same year its other subsidiary, Andrews met with young Mr. Hall to Scranton to assist The company out­ a tragic death in New the Canadian District Steam Com­ with some underground construction pany, Limited, was organized under grew its second shop York City. His man­ work and asked him to make any in a few years. A sion on Fifth Avenue suggestions he could for improve­ Dominion charter to take care of larger and more was destroyed by fire. ments. Out of various recommenda­ district heating installations any­ modern four - story Mr. and Mrs. An­ tions made, many are in use today. where in Canada. Branch offices and building was erected drews, Mr. Andrews' agencies are maintained in all of the across Elm Street sister-Mrs.G. C. St. That Fall and in the Spring of principal cities of both countries. and equipped with John and her three 1895, Mr. Hall completed a business At the head office in North Tona­ modern tools thru­ Boiler house of first district heating children, who were course at Bryant & Stratton Business wanda there has recently been estab­ out. In a short time plant, built in Lockport, N. Y., 1877 then visiting there, School in Buffalo, N. Y. In the Fall lished an" Engineers' Service Depart­ this also proved too together with a num­ of 1895 he decided on · a college ment" which is doing a vast amount small. An addition ,was built, ber of servants, perished in the career. Desiring to study electrical of helpful work by placing before in which provision was made for flames. Mr. St. John, who was and mechanical engineering,heselect­ engineers the experience of half a the company's first drafting room located in the West, moved to New ed Union College in Schenectady, century through suggestions, criti­ and engineering department. Up York to take charge of Mr. Andrews' where Mr. Charles Steinmetz was cisms and recommendations, freely until this time all castings were made affairs. He succeeded Mr. Andrews attracting world-wide attention as given on any problems submitted by Lockport foundries and at a an electrical wizard. For the next having to do with steam or hot water considerable cost to the company. as President of the New York Steam Company, the American District two and one-half years he attended distribution. The volume was constantly swelling Union College, During 1927 the and the economy of a company Steam Company and as an officer and working in the Gen­ business of the foundry became apparent. It was director of many other companies eral Electric Co.'s American District decided to build modern foundries in which Mr. Andrews was interested. shops in Schenec­ Steam Company at North Tonawanda, N. Y. This He remained President of the New tady during the has been the larg­ step proved itself, for soon they were York Steam Company until 1920 summer months. est in its history. producing their own castings for and still continues as President of His college career With the growing about one-half the previous cost. As the American District Steam Com­ terminated with interest in District a result of all of these improvements pany. Mr. St. John, who has retired an attack of ty­ Heating apparent and the continuing good business, a as an officer and director of most of phoid. Recovering everywhere today, reserve was established, dividends the companies in which he was active, from this, he entered the outlook for the declared and later the company was devotes much of his time to the the employ of the future is exceed­ able to build the present large and Wallace-Andrews charitable inter- Steam Company, Present Adsco Plant, N. Tonawanda, N. Y. ingly bright. Page Nine Page Eight ADSCO~DVOCATE

District Heating ~ a Monument to Fathers of District Heating Birdsill Holly and John D. Walsh A Dream of Yesterday -. Today a Reality I HORTLY after the death of Holly's name will always be best identi­ Birdsill Holly in 1894, the fol­ fied is that of the Holly system-of water­ S works. Keeping pace with the rapid lowing appeared in the Buffalo march of modem progress, very marked Express under the heading-" Some improvements have been made in supply­ Birdsill Holly, who con­ Achievements in the Life of the ing cities in this country with water. ceived the idea of District Heating. Distinguished Inventor and Engi­ The builders of pumping machinery for neer of Lockport-A Useful and this system, the Holly Manufacturing Company, organized in 1859, have now Busy Career." a capital of $1,000,000; employ 500 men and their works occupy over two blocks ''We publish a portrait today of a man in Lockport. They have already placed to whose genius many a town in this and their system in over 2,000 towns and other countries is lastingly indebted. cities of the United States and Canada The city of Lockport may always be where it is now in successful operation. proud that it was his home. That man The Holly system not only supplies a was Birdsill Holly, the inventor of the city with water, but dispenses with Holly system of water-works, now fire-engines and requires no reservoir generally used in the United States and or stand-pipe. These results are accom­ many places in other lands. plished by placing a set of pumping machinery in a convenient building "Mr. Holly was born in Auburn, N.Y., where the water is received, and from August 8, 1820, and was reared in that which it is pumped into mains and pipes. town and at Seneca Falls where his father, Birdsill Holly, Sr., a skilled mechanic "Birdsill Holly gave long years of hard and millwright, died in 1828. Like the study and persistent labor to the de­ father, the son became an expert me­ velopment and perfection of many useful chanic. When a young man he went to and important labor-saving machines, Uniontown, Fayette County, Pa., where and is justly entitled to the high rank he first became superintendent, and which he holds among the great in­ afterwards proprietor, of a large shop, ventors of this wonderful century of which he conducted for a few years. mechanical progress. He was a firm Returning to Seneca Falls, he became a member of the manufacturing firm of ,..,, 4'0F[(T or1lMAIH LAIOHI CflUTWJT Sr LockPCRT N 'l Silsby, Race & Holly, and~engaged for IN 1111 fl01'1 DtRDSILL AUIOfNtt John D. Walsh, who devoted TOTHl'w'olilll".SiU10t+.IU several years in the manufacture of P1PJ\o/OUNO\JITHCIIIPCTPAPll\ his life lo the development of IINO U.10 IN A 10·,w.. \JoootH ·(/)·' ICll'flLUOW/h! .SAWD\ln District Healing. hydraulic machinery. • i;::::. ~

"Mr. Holly gave the greater part of his life, from that time on, to his inven­ tions, of which he perfected and patented over 150. Some of these inventions in machinery were bought in Europe, where the machines are now manufactured. Inter esting diagram of pioneer district healing But the invention with which Birdsill installation made in 1877 Paae Ten ADSCO~DVOCATE Paae Eleoen

believer-in the practicability and com­ incapacitating him for future con­ mercial value of the proposed hydraulic flicts. Leading Figures in District Heating canal from the Niagara River to Lockport." At the close of the war, he was Review Past Progress honorably discharged and entered Although Mr. Holly was best the employ of the Holly Manufactur­ Predict Bright Future known by his System of Water­ ing Company as an apprentice in works, he devoted the last seventeen the Pattern Department where, af­ years of his life to the development of ITHIN the past few years business became unprofitable and a bur­ ter learning the trade, he remained den to the operator. This condition, his ideas for District Steam Heating. District Heating has forged for several years as a full-fledged W however, I believe is being largely cor­ ahead at a remarkable rate. rected and the heating industry is be­ Up to 1881 he had two American Pattern Maker. coming every day more of a financial r Perhaps the greatest factor contrib­ success. I believe that a great deal of Patents issued to him, covering the uting to this growth has been the this success is due to the constant and general idea of District Steam Heat­ Walsh was of an extremely mechan- vigilant assistance of the American solution by the industry of the many District Steam Company." ing, Steam Generat- ical mind and was problems which confronted it in the ors for warming called upon repeat­ ' past. Those who are close to the The present financial success of buildings, Street edly to carry thru industry regard the future outlook the industry is again exemplified Mains,Meter Valves, various ideas con­ as bright and predict that the de­ by William J. Baldwin, Jr., assistant Steam Heating ceived by Mr.Holly. mand for steam service should mul­ secretary of the New York Steam Radiators, Steam When Mr. Holly's tiply many fold within the next few Corporation, who explains the pres­ mind gave birth to Meters and Steam years. ent strong position of his concern: Pressure Regulators the idea of heating A. W. Robertson, president of the "Prior to 1915 our development was -three English Pat­ thru underground Allegheny County Steam Company rather slow compared to its very large ents - six French mains, Mr. Walsh growth during the past four years. For Pittsburgh, Pa., summarized the the fiscal year ending June 30, 1923, the and Belgian Patents assisted him on all situation in these words: gross earnings were $3,731,415.11 as and two German details, even to the compared with the likely gross earnings Patents, covering installation of the "In our opinion district steam heating for this year of approximately $7,500,000. is here to stay. We have been in the many of the same first system in Mr. business since 1912. During the first "While we are the largest steam utility items. These pat­ Holly's back yard in few years many difficulties . were _en­ company, the fact is we ~upply only ~o countered, making it almost_ 1mposs1ble comparatively small sections of the city. ents were added to Lockport. to make our service attractive to the The future possibilities of this great until he had issued customer. However, during the last metropolis are enormous and al though few years there has been a radical change we are actually six months older than to him over fifty Walsh, in addi­ in the situation. Much has been accom­ the great New York Edison Company, we arc still in our infancy as compared different patents, tion to his duties plished and a consid~rable inc~ease in business has been obtained both m num­ to what we can and will be in the not covering much of as superintendent of ber of customers served and . in t~e far future." the equipment used Patents for district heating issued to the Company during amount of steam distributed dunng this Holly on lulu 17, 1877. Reissue ltfay period. We have very materially re­ How the public regards district in District Heating. S1, 1881 all these years, duced the rates and improved our made all the draw­ service." steam heating when offered as a Mr. John D. Walsh was closely steady service at a fair price is ings for the pattern shop and for the Recalling some of the haphazard associated with Mr. Holly in working stated briefly by C. B. Holliday of street work, as well as contributing business methods in force in the out his many patents, both for the the Central Illinois Light Company his genius as an inventor, whenever industry and expressing satisfaction Water-Works System and District of Peoria, Illinois: the occasion demanded. For thirty­ concerning present policies, A. E. Heating. Walsh was born of a poor eight years he was engaged in the Bettis, vice-president of the Kansas "The business district has welcomed family. His father was a mechanic. central station heating and at the present work he loved so dearly and he City Power and Light Company, time practically every building within At the age of seventeen, young happily saw the culmination of his writes: the district reached by mains is served." Walsh enlisted in the service for the endeavors in the construction of the "It was extremely unfortunate for the Public acceptance of district heat­ Civil War. He was injured in action, most modern shops that now exist heating industry that at its beginning a bullet piercing the calf of his leg, at North Tonawanda. rates were quoted so low that the ing is also observed by 0. W. Kastens Page Twelve ADSCO~DVOCATE Page Thirteen

of the Consumers Power Company "Due to a 700 % increase in the amount "The first Central Station plant was tions made in 1902, the American of steam used in the last five years, it installed in 1917 when 4000 H.P. boilers District Steam Company has installed of Grand Rapids, Mich. He views was necessary to install more plant were put in the Tenth St. Station. many of the distribution mains now in the situation from the viewpoint capacity in addition to the 3000 H .P . "We now have about 22,000 feet of use, and practically all of the valves, of the customers and also observes then feeding the exhaust system. underground mains with the extreme expansion joints, fittings and wood log a benefit reflected in civic improve­ travel of about 7,000 ft. and all lines casing have been of American Dis­ "Central station steam heating has trict Steam Company manufacture. ment. He says: been popular in this city, and it is con­ constructed for 250 lb. pressure. "Something of the reliability of service "District heating in Grand Rapids is servatively estimated that before the "We furnish steam to practically all end of the next ten years the company stores, hotels, theatres, restaurants and this equipment has enabled us to main­ looked upon with favor by community tain is conveyed by the fact that none and civic officials. This makes me very will require the delivery of one billion office buildings that are in our district pounds of steam t o satisfy the demands and new buildings are being constructed of the buildings served have any other optimistic for the future of central heat­ means of heating." ing, not only from the basis of cost t o the of customers." with no provisions for heating plants, consumer but also from the advantages depending entirely upon Central Station which accrue to the community served. Another example of a continuous, service. In the case of the York Steam It eliminates smoke in the commerical healthy growth has been experienced "The two prominent newspapers-one Heating Company of York, Pa., the and residential sections. It reduces the morning and one evening- have depended advice and assistance of the American amount and frequency of coal deliveries in Erie, Pa. H. C. Thuerk of the Home Heating Company of that entirely on us to give them 100 lbs. con­ District Steam Company turned and ash removals. This is bound to result tinuous service and in five years on no what was an unprofitable property in a decrease of traffic on city streets. It city, wrote: occasion has it been necessary for them will reduce the fire hazard and thereby to shut down due to our failure to serve into a successful paying enterprise. reduce the cost of insurance premiums. "District steam heating is proving them. This certainly is an endorsement Gordon Campbell, president of the These advantages alone are enough to popular in Erie. We are this year adding of Central Station dependability." company, describes their experience assure the future of district heating." 10% to the total length of mains already installed. The number of customers will in the following words: That the community derives a probably increase 10% . In addition, we Not only did the idea of district are taking up some of the present mains steam heating originate with Mr. "We are very well satisfied with our benefit from district steam heating and replacing them with larger ones." steam heating system and the service is expressed by these words of A. D . Holly, founder of the American seems to be popular. As you know, this "For a number of years we have used District Steam Company, but his was not the case at one time. Steam had Leach, superintendent of the steam been sold on a flat rate, resulting in ex­ heat department of the N orthwestem the services and equipment of the successors have maintained a com­ American District Steam Company and manding position in the industry. cessive consumption and inadequate Electric Company, of Portland, Ore. have been very well pleased with the returns. Also, due to inferior drainage results obtained from both." An observer on this point, C. B. from our old construction, there had "A great amount of traffic has been Holliday of the Central Illinois Light been considerable deterioration which relieved in the congested area through Company of Peoria, Illinois, remarks: ~ecessitated partial re·construction. This the elimination of fuel deliveries. In Mr. T. S. Ayers, Supt. of Distri­ was brought frankly to the attention of addition to this, the air has been purified bution of Central Station Heating "In addition to the original installa- our customers to determine whether to considerably due to the discontinuing of some 350 smoke producing chimneys." in St. Louis, Mo., gives some in­ teresting facts relative to the growth Mr. Leach, speaking of the growth and dependability of his local plant in recent years, said: as follows:

"District Healing not only reduces traffic congestion, {Ire risks, smoke nuisance, coal deliveries and asJ, collections ·but increases the comforts of living." Page Fifteen Page Fourteen ADSCO~DVOCATE

put money in re-construction or dis­ Electric Illuminating Company of continue the service. The outcome was that our customers signed up almost Boston, indulges in a bit of optimism unanimously for the continuance of the for the future of the industry: service at higher rates, and an important "District steam heating is becoming section of the system was re-constructed very popular, and the industry is rapidly by you last year, with the benefit of the growing throughout the country. It is latest engineering knowledge. reasonable to predict that in the near "Since then we have had little trouble; future district steam heating service our customers are satisfied and the num­ will be universally supplied in our large ber has increased. We can, therefore, cities as electricity, gas and water are say that steam heating is a success and now supplied." with us constitutes one of our most re­ liable sources of revenue. D. S. Boyden, superintendent of Heating of the Edison Electric Illum­ "We know that you have been consistent f in your faith in district steam heating and inating Company of Boston, expresses have, by your advice and assistance, almost the same thought regarding been influential in bringing about this the future of central plant heating satisfactory outcome from most dis­ in the following remarks: couraging premises. "District steam heating is a distinct civic "We desire to express our appreciation improvement to the community in which of your cooperation and our hope for your it operates, and it is reasonable to expect further success in this field." that in the near future steam service will take its place among our present in­ Another operator, Charles A. Col­ dispensable utilities." lier, vice-president of the Georgia Power Company, commends the A. W. Robertson, president of the American District Steam Company Allegheny County Steam Heating for the part it has played in their Company in reviewing the past pro­ District Heating has reached the stage growth: gress of the industry and speculating where it is a topic of conver11ation upon its future, sums up his opinion wherever men talk things over. "We have asked assistance of the in this encouraging expression: American District Steam Company and their cooperation and help have been "Civic progress of large communities very fine. We are very happy to extend demands suitable steam service. We to them our best wishes on the occasion must be prepared to supply this demand; The Future of District Heating of their fiftieth corporate birthday." there is no way in which this responsibil­ ity can be neglected. By Robert Hall With the American District Steam "In the past the American District Company at the half century mark Steam Company has contributed greatly Vice-President and Manager, American District Steam Company and with the leading engineers in the to the development of the distribution District Heating industry ever on problem. It is our hope that this com­ pany may continue to further contribute the alert for new improvements, to this good work." C. L. Edgar, president of the Edison HE broad acceptance of any are backing new heating enterprises idea or movement depends as illustrated by recent bond issues. T All this is creating a tremendous in­ Toda11 District Heating is largely on the average man's well organized and on a familiarity and confidence. The idea terest in District Heating. sound business basis. of District Heating has reached the In the vast audience of those who stage where business men are dis­ are watching with keen interest cussing it intelligently in their offices, the development of District Heating, are to be found outstanding national at their clubs, in oullman smokers figures who direct the affairs of pub­ and wherever men talk things over. lic utilities, executives of large in­ Cities are granting franchises for dustrial organizations, capitalists, central station heat. New real estate architects, engineers, building owners developments are being heated from and operators and a host of substan­ a single boiler plant. Articles on the tial citizens, who see in District subject are appearing in magazines Heating the ultimate and ideal and business publications. Bankers solution to the heating problem. Page Sixteen ADSCO~DVOCATE Page Seventeen

In Fifty Years District Heating ha spread from Lockport, New York, to all parts of the Un ted States and Canada

• • • • '1f.o • • • • • • • • • • • • S.o. • • .: • .:: .,~: ... . • e•OVrA . ••• "'Ell, • • • • • •• ••• • • • ··~·• • . • •

~HE dots graphically por­ "-J tray the extent of district heating. The plants shown by dots represent the investment of millions of dollars-and the operation of hundreds of miles of underground mains, both low and high pressure, by public utilities, municipalities, colleges, institutions and manufacturimr plants. Page Eigllteen ADSCO~DVOCATE Page Nineteen

LAST THE ·KALAM ZOO GAZETTE I EDITION = - .MEllBEK OF 11:SlTJ:D 20 PAG'--ES-=~ ~~P;;;RI;;;OE~ ~~;;;;;;Ol!:ll~!;'S NDTETY-FIFTH YEAJI.--NO, 307. * * * TUBSDAY, AUGUST ll3, lffl. rn&.

During the present year, millions guide in the designing and building toward the free exchange of ideas 7 of dollars are being spent for new of new plants. which has contributed so much to f I MAJORITY AT boiler plants and underground steam Today, by experience, observation better service, more economical oper­ distribution systems. Other millions and frequent contacts, a wealth of ation and improved earnings from r ;;;) EVERY PO Lt of dollars are being spent for enlarg­ valuable operating data and statistics heating properties. ing and extending present heating has been amassed. The diversity of Engineers, plant operators, super­ ~·;;;;~ !vote Is 2,31,6 in Favor, ,::n~::~~ 895 Against Power plants. New heating customers are the plants that have been installed­ intendents and managers who have 11 ond "° ° Company's Plan. petitioning for service in unpre­ exhaust and live steam, low pressure contributed generously to the ad­ "~~~;"t! 110."t>JY cedented numbers. and high- has lead to a knowledge vancement of District Heating, have ,:;t~~ READY TO START WOR-K One may ask "Why was such a from which can be drawn dependable acquired much of their knowledge wjth l«!r oC Company Expects •to Pr.o- desirable industry not established designs for new installations to meet from the Association. Returning to re.. h~red vide This Fall for Many in every city years ago; why such a from the annual conventions, they wn.• any combination of conditions. Downtown Business rapid growth today?" The answer have applied and passed on to their notl'" ' The organization of the National .XN:U ­ Concerns• is disclosed through a study of facts associates the knowledge which they !n oC ~ - District Heating Association, 18 '!toat I l{ntam,uoo ,·ot~rn al a.. specbl <'!lcctlan Monday. ca•t ,u 2 over­ and conditions. years ago, was the first definite step acquired. Today, there is available ¥.td u•helmln~ .n:fflr.m11U"l' P ·vote tor...._!h~ qonecuri1t'rs' -POWt! t" Co"inimn:rf prOI:"" As already mentioned, broad ac­ a large number of District Heating ) ., noul to Insta ll and a penatf'll A c:n­ .1t'Ul,"' tra.1 sto.Uon "tea111- i-.-.tt...... -...;.. engineers who, as plant managers -\Ice IIU•,I• .. '" 'IA • .,•• ceptance follows intimate knowledge. ESDAY. FEBRUARY 18. 1927. 81 Until recently, District Heating was and operators, are well equipped to The public wants central station heat scarcely heard of by the average render a splendid and is saying so at the polls. man. Utility companies were striving District Heating is recognized account of heat­ to keep pace with the phenomenal $3,000,000 118 a profitable utility by the ing properties kill is known to all in the District New York Steam Corporation most reliable banking institu- entrusted to progress in the electrical field and in f"ll'lt Mortsq• Gold Boadt tions in America. Heating field as an untiring worker. the distribution of water and gas...... II.,,,,,. 5% Sorieo ~ue 1951 ... u.,, ,, "" them. Today, utility companies are well Few experienced District Heating ~.. .r;1.·~ •.._.,~:: .. ~::.~.t:'i~':i'~~~,~.""t~.!~~:.;1;!:...r,~NI,. ··.:·;r..r,~i:.;~~c;~l~~-=-~~~:.~::.. :::iiE:::~- organized to care for their electric, engineers were available. Financing 1'H~kATIOHAL~N~ YOH.T­ water and gas service and are seeking was difficult and expensive. Some of ...... li, lloa r..w.s.- c-i...... J ._SW. ..,,._ Y..ti: additional avenues for broadening the plants in operation showed un­ their service to the public. With but satisfactory returns either from sell­ few additions to their personnel, they ing steam on a flat rate basis or by find they can operate a District establishing inadequate rates when ec: ,=- Heating plant with only slight addi­ sold by meter. :m -~~.:::::.::.:.:: tional overhead and by reason of With the passing of the years all 1~.:.:..·..;;;;.:..;:,;:,- their familiarity with this character TkM 1u11inc1. ull«t ,rankall)' M lffltlh f,_,, 1Al11antid 1~mall'"""'' 11',a of these conditions have been cor­ C~~ '.:.':n~T.';:!:i:: i:'i...!~ !i:!":!!t.• .:.::.~:.~,..::·~!:.':._•:.t,= of service, many savings can be lk\t-t&Hi-,,lllcluG"Cllli1luw. 11ma,a11lt•IGls,MI,. rected. Early in the history of the TWran1.lhrfi1190.Wa....(Sll,IIIUOC1 ...t11ta..ac , l1'ICMl&.c1W.l-)annc...... loy effected. a ilinct Jnt ,..,,Lap M llw -111.i:::,al

elimination of coal, ashes, wages of She wants clean heat, fireless heat, entire underground steam line con­ properties and in designing new , engineers and firemen and the cer­ and is fast learning that District duit was completely waterproofed. District Heating plants. tainty of sufficient heat at all hours Heating brings all these and other This was necessary because at certain Under consideration at the present of the day. Equally important, but advantages, including economy. seasons of the year, high water is perhaps not so quickly grasped, are time are some of the largest heating With the art of District Heating within a foot or two of the surface installations ever conceived. The the safety of fireless heat, the saving of some of the streets. In Rochester, of space previously occupied by coal, perfected, with its manifold ad­ electric utilities are leading the field, ashes, boilers, chimney, etc., which vantages becoming public knowledge, N. Y., there are many kinds of not only because they are the logical can be turned to useful or profitable with utility companies anxious to underground construction and some people to sell steam, but because they service. The architect and building render heating service, there re­ innovations. A high pressure booster frequently have favorably located owner realize that thousands of mains merely the matter of financing. line is employed to carry high pres­ boiler plants suitable for supplying dollars can be saved by eliminating Bankers, who are familiar with utility sure superheated steam from the steam to a District Heating System. boilers and chimneys. financing, tell us that public utility " boiler to the center of distribution of The ability to furnish steam heat corporations today command the the low pressure system. The idea invariably brings them worth while confidence of the investing public as One of the large buuctmgs, buying of high pressure feed lines is being electric business, otherwise denied never before. Heating companies to them. steam from the Kansas City Power applied to many of the later installa­ & Light Company, more than pays are showing annual statements, which prove beyond doubt that steam can tions and shows attractive economies. While industrial plants, colleges for all the steam required during the and other group buildings are con­ year from the annual rent of base­ be sold at a rate which is both popu­ In the boiler plant much progress lar and profitable. stantly applying the idea of central ment space, previously occupied by has been made. Pittsburgh, Roches­ or district heating to solve power and boilers and coal pits. When execu­ The financing, then, of any dis­ ter, Cleveland and other modem heating problems, by far the greatest tives consider the saving in deprecia­ trict heating project, backed by plants use pulverized coal and employ progress in underground transmission tion and upkeep of boiler plants and responsibility, amply justified, prop­ automatic equipment which cuts of heat will come through supplying equipment; the great reduction in erly designed and installed and labor expense to a minimum. the heating requirements of business fire risk and improved health from efficiently managed, should present and residential sections. There are cleaner air and uniform temperatures, Another economy is effected in small difficulty. Each installation Winnipeg, Manitoba, where cheap hundreds of cities and communities the factors in favor of District Heat­ is an engineering problem and must where district heating offers attrac­ ing are so conclusive that only one off-peak electric power from the be so considered. To be assured of hydro development is used at night tive opportunities for development. answer is possible. utmost success, the heating plant to generate steam in electric boilers. With organization, experience and must be designed to meet local This permits of banking the coal While on the subject of smoke and conditions. The importance of this finances available, there is no good impure air, it is interesting to note boilers for several hours. The same reason why every city in the heating is apparent from a glance at present idea will probably be employed in that a recent estimate places the cost plants. zone should not have a district heat­ of the smoke nuisance in the city the new London, Ontario, plant, ing service within the next few years. of St. Louis at $15,500,000 a year. In reviewing hundreds of installa­ using off-peak electric power from It is to bring to each of these-future tions made by the American District Niagara Falls. All of these interest­ installations the knowledgej·and ex­ The conveniences and economies of Steam Company, a number of inter­ ing variations are exceedingly helpful perience of fifty years of specializa­ District Heating are beyond number, esting variations and applications in studying economies for existing tion that this company is committed. but, after all, the greatest individual reflect trends and possibilities. In reason for its popularity today is the some of the larger cities, high pres­ The abilit11 to furnish steam heat brings constantly rising standard of living sure steam is being sold for operating the electric lir,111 and power company in America. worth while business otherwise denied printing presses, elevators and steam them. The business man who dictates to engines. Hotels and restaurants are a dictaphone, talks on his telephone using District Steam for cooking. from New York to San Francisco In St. Louis distribution lines are and makes use of modern inventions designed to carry steam at 250 at every turn, is not satisfied to waste pounds pressure. Incidentally, a valuable space with boilers and em­ 5,000 foot run of 20 inch steel pipe ploy antiquated methods of heating. was installed in that system without His wife, who listens to a radio, a flanged or· screwed connection, drives a car and uses electric labor everything being welded. Even the saving devices, is not content to valves, expansion joints and special depend for heat on a fire in the base­ fittings were welded into the line. ment and endure the dirt from ashes, Another interesting construction gas fumes or black soot from oil. is in Saginaw, Mich., where the Page Twentg-three Page T111enly-lwo ADSCO~DVOCATE

group. A few of the commercial which has been in existence for buildings now heated are the General forty-five years but which has only Motors, U. S. Rubber Company, started to develop rapidly within the $5,000,000 J $5,000,000 I Carnegie Hall, New York Journal, pas(five years. GROSS EARNINGS the Lefcourt and several hundred $4,000,000 I $4,000,000 Among the early plants in smaller /,- others in the Broadway district. cities is the Lebanon Steam Com­ ...... To meet the demands of this im­ pany of Lebanon, Pa. This company $3,000,000 $3,000,000 I portant growing industry, the Cor­ was organized in 1887 and started / poration has erected a new boiler operation the following year. $2,000,000 $2,000,000 I plant at 35th Street and East River The original equipment consisted _I with distributing mains which inter­ of two 150 H.P. Return Tubular $1,000,000 $1,000,000 lock with its several other stations Boilers, operated at a pressure of 20 and which connect with the Water­ pounds (both the boilers and the . side plant of the New York Edison main). Today the plant serves 0 C00\0-Ntr)

District Steam Company has been cent of the buildings in the business called on to install additional mains section are heated by this company. Improvements in Equipment Have and equipment. Today the Iowa The entire system is operated on 3 Railway and Light Corporation has pounds exhaust pressure. Contributed to Advancement five underground steam lines out of The Illinois Power Company also its 36,000 K. W. Cedar Rapids Plant. of District Heating operates a pressure hot water circu­ An idea of how intensively it is lating system, consisting of over possible to serve a community where five and one half miles of mains HEN District Heating first so guaranteed."r On the other hand, district steam heating is available ranging from 3" to 16 ". became a reality, there was a good welder, but not an expert in W an immediate need for new this special branch of the art, with Lack of space prevents us from •• materials, devices and equipment. the same equipment could make, describing the growth of other early The fathers of District Heating had apparently, the same joint but it plants includ~ng those operating since to feed and clothe this infant in­ might leak steam, be subject to the 80's in several Pennsylvania dustry. It is largely due to the internal strains that later would engineering skill and inventive genius crack the joint or might "burn" the cities such as Wilkes Barre, Johns­ exercised by those pioneers that metal and produce a joint of doubt­ town, Reading, Allentown, Potts- District Heating has progressed so ful strength or dependability. Also, rapidly. ·The chief and immediate an expert man, using the wrong problems encountered had to do with equipment or materials, might do no the installation of steam mains. better. The great importance of a There was no established practice for guaranteed weld in underground con­ any extensive piping. struction is manifest to all. In order to so guarantee its work, it has been The Evolution of Pipe Joints imperative for Ansco to rigidly The first and most commonly used school its corps of expert welders and method of joining the lengths of watch its welding with consummate wrought iron and steel pipe together care. was by screwing couplings over the threaded ends. Later, the use of Later, when electric arc welding "long recessed" couplings facilitated was perfected, more extensive use of making these joints. This method is welding became possible. The use still used extensively, particularly of seven units of Fordson tractors, with the smaller size pipes. After with welding generators mounted in many years, it was found that in the rear, provides Ansco's sub­ Ad.sea Red Diamond Brand Casing and Expan­ some places the corrosive action of sidiary construction company with sion Joints solve many problems of under­ condensate, and outside moisture, mobile equipment to weld many ground steam distribution. eating into the pipe, caused leaks miles of piping in a season. Both around the joints, since the threads the electric and gas method of weld­ in the pipe left but little metal at ing are used- often both on the same may be gained from the present these points. When the oxy-acetylene installation, since each method has situation in Springfield, Illinois. method of welding was introduced, its peculiar advantages. In 1898 the Illinois Power Com­ Ansco realized the value of welding Adsco lllulticell Tile is widely used both for in District Heating installations and Various kinds of flanged joints are pany constructed their first district high and low pressure installations. was quick to experiment and sub­ used, including the Van Stone and steam plant in Springfield. The sequently adopt its use. ADSCO -Van Stone type, and other system consisted of about 6 blocks ville and Harrisburg, the latter plant similar joints, particularly between Experiments in welding proved the pipe and fittings. With proper of mains, ranging from 4" to 20" in having grown from three customers many things of interest to the Dis­ welding and fittings, complete under­ the business district. In 1923, in 1886 to 1190 customers today, all trict Heating industry. A pipe weld ground steam distribution systems 1924 and 1925 the system was re­ of whom, in the words of P.A. Elias, could be made in a given time by an are now being installed having no built and extended so that today vice - president of the Harrisburg expert welder, using the proper flanged or screwed joints, everything there is a total of more than 472 Light & Power Company, "are well equipment and materials, that would being welded; the pipe welded direct be stronger than the rest of the pipe, to steel fittings. This construction miles of mains. Ninety-seven per satisfied with the service." absolutely steam tight and could be is being most successfully used, even Paae Twenty-six Paae Twenty-seven ADSCO~DVOCATE

in extreme conditions with operating pressures over 300 pounds to the square inch, and with high superheat. Providing for Pipe Expansion That characteristic of metal, which causes it to expand when heated, is a most important factor in the de­ sign of District Heating piping. In the early days, junction boxes, so­ called, were designed to serve as A l,attery of Northeastern welding tractors expansion joints. From a study of the failure of various designs of Adsco Expansion Variator. are now supplying Aosco Nelson plicated traps required constant and expansion joints and through ex­ Gate Valves in cast iron and steel costly attention. The perfect trap perimentation with scores of new metal diaphragms strengthened by to operate on any pressure up to 400 would be the simplest possible one types, there has been developed over steel backing plates. pounds and any temperature up to with plenty of room for dirt to a long period, a knowledge of the 750°F. These valves have proven accumulate below the valve, with For high pressure and high tem­ dependable ball float and just as fundamental requirements of expan­ perature steam lines, a special joint their merit in long years of service sion devices for every operating con­ and, with Aosco improvements, few, simple parts as possible. The called the "Aosco Duplex - Sleeve present improved Empire Trap em­ dition of pressure and temperature. Guided" expansion joint assures a they add another tremendous oppor­ tunitity for Aosco to meet the bodies all the desirable features. In Designing new expansion joints tight joint. This joint, because of thousands of manholes it is keeping its special construction,has been hold­ needs of the District Heating in­ seems to be a favorite pastime for dustry. low pressure (20 pounds) steam lines many. Almost every month one ing tight for years in long lines trans­ free of condensation and at a cost hears of a new expansion joint. The mitting steam at 300 pounds and for equipment and maintenance uninitiated may easily select a new 600 degrees. The Duplex and other Removing Line Condensation which is a tribute to its simplicity, and untried joint which is cleverly special joints are illustrated in a A certain amount of steam con­ efficiency and dependability. On illustrated and described. Although comprehensive bulletin on expansion densed in the distribution piping and higher pressure lines the Aosco scores of different joints are sub­ equipment. to draw this off without loss of steam Trap is doing the same thing. How mitted to Aosco engineers, there Special Valves for Underground required a device that would pass these same traps, in legion, are are exceedingly few they would feel Service water but close against steam. Like serving District Heating companies safe in installing in underground To lend flexibility to the steam in customers' premises is mentioned steam lines, where dependability, distribution system, valves are in­ later. long service and freedom from atten­ stalled as required. Ordinary valves Need for Special Fittings tion are so important. are sometimes used in these installa- In this classification come such tions but it is customary to install devices as anchor fittings, angle valves which have been especially fittings, rollers, alignment guides, designed to meet underground con­ manhole covers, etc. ditions. For many years the Aosco The pioneer engineers realized that valve has been well known among service pipes coming off the steam utilities for 125 pound service. main should connect at a fixed or With the growing tendency toward anchored point, so that the expansive Empire Steam Trap with Vacuum movement of the main would not Adsco Duplex-Sleeve Guided Expansion Joint. higher distribution pressures, ranging equipment. now up to 350 pounds, Aosco break or strain the connection. The Aosco joints have been designed realized the need for a line of 250 design of the mains divided the especially for the severe service of pound and 400 pound gate valves. all Aosco equipment, the steam expansion between alternate an.chor­ District Heating companies. Thou­ Rather than spend years in design­ traps required years of experimental ed points and expansion devices. sands of these joints have been in ing, experimenting and perfecting and development work before one By designing both the anchor fitting continuous operation under the these valves, Aosco recently pur­ could be perfected that would meet and the body of the expansion joint to streets of scores of cities for a quarter chased the complete patterns and the exacting conditions encountered. provide not only for easy and secure of a century and more. The "varia­ equipment of the old Nelson Valve The traps being installed under­ anchoring in concrete but also to tor", which is a closed type or pack­ Company for such lines as desired. ground, in manholes, were not easily provide service outlets, the need of less expansion device, eliminates the After a year and half spent in careful accessible for inspection and main­ additional and special service fittings need of manholes. It absorbs the re-designing to meet the exacting tenance work. The steam frequently was avoided. Where no service was pipe expansion on corrugated sheet needs of District Heating work, they contained a great deal of dirt. Com- required at the anchor points, a Paae Twenty-eiaht Page Twentu-nlne ADSCO~DVOCATE special pipe clamp was designed with there is no need for so much metal. as an excellent insulation and this anchor extensions to provide secure Two types of manhole tops and was the first material selected. While anchorage and cut the cost of instal­ covers were designed to meet these pump logs proved both highly lation. A bead is welded around the conditions, one heavy, one light. efficient and relatively inexpensive, pipe on each side of the clamp so that Both have double covers which serve there were certain inherent disad­ the pipe cannot shift in either direc­ to keep out surface water and reduce vantages. If they were not thorough­ tion. heat loss. ly dry when installed, the heat from the steam pipes would cause them to In the installation of the pipes Insulation and Conduit shrink and cracks would open up, underground, the most unexpected Naturally the insulation of the permitting ground water to get in and complicated conditions are ex­ District Heating distribution system to the steam pipe. This resulted in posed. Water pipes, sewers, gas is of great importance. There is, excessive condensation, while also lines, electric conduits and many however, a point where the added causing the wood to rot. All of these other things conspire to prevent cost of higher efficiency is not com­ disadvantages were later overcome adherence to the layout and grades pensated for by the economy effected. with Ansco Red Diamond Brand as planned. Frequently, changes in In this respect each installation is a Casing. direction made necessary by these problem within itself. unforeseen conditions cause expen­ Ansco Casing is an ideal combi­ sive delays in installation work while nation insulation and conduit. It is built up in all sizes from thoroughly special fittings are being made. To Showing correct installation of steam pipe in meet such conditions, Ansco en­ Adsco CasinQ. Note provision for under­ kiln-dried, selected lumber. Machin­ gineers designed a series of special drainaae. ed segmental staves, with tongue and flexible angle fittings which can be groove, are formed into hollow logs twist and weave is pronounced. If from four to eight feet long. A heavy adjusted quickly to permit of any this distortion from true alignment is angle from a fraction of a degree up galvanized steel wire is closely bound permitted to reach the slips of around the outside and drawn into to 45°. These adjustable wedges, expansion joints, there is great dan­ angle flanges and angle joints are the wood, flush with the surface. ger of the slip becoming cramped. Opposite ends of each section of extensively used, not ·only in District When this happens, the irresistible Heating installations but by rail­ casing are mortised and tenoned force of expansion may tear the half the thickness of the casing wall roads in round houses, by piping joint away from its anchor or break contractors and others. and four inches long. Each section out the opposite anchor. Even is then heavily coated on the outside though no break occurs, the distor­ with a special asphaltum water­ After the piping is laid in the tion of the packing in the stuffing trench and connected, it has to be proofing and rolled in fine sawdust. box may permit of serious leaks. The sawdust protects the water­ supported in the conduit, not only This distortion of long runs of pipe to keep it away from contact that proofing while the casing is in transit cannot be entirely eliminated but it or being handled. would cause a loss of heat, but so can be absolutely controlled and so that it will be free to expand and avoid any trouble. The alignment The casing is made with wall thick­ contract longitudinally and without guide was especially developed for nesses of 2", 3", and 4". While in shifting out of proper alignment. To high pressure piping. When this some very low pressure installations make special roller guides for every device is placed ten or twelve feet the casing is used unlined, it is more type of construction and every size in front of each expansion joint slip frequently supplied with a double of pipe would lead to confusion, so a and is firmly anchored in concrete, lining of asbestos paper and bright, line of guides and rollers was per­ it allows the pipe to move freely in highest quality tin plate. The lining fected that is adaptable to a variety a longitudinal direction but prevents of the casing adds to its efficiency and of installations. Where covering any lateral deflection. This assures prolongs its life. Four inch wall, tin is applied over the pipe a saddle a true thrust of the slip into the and asbestos lined Ansco Casing is plate is used. This saddle, resting body of the expansion joint and used every year on miles of steam on the roller guide, supports the overcomes many major difficulties lines conveying steam up to SO pipe while permitting of complete HiQ/1 pressure steam and return lines in in high pressure steam transmission. Adsco Jllulticell Tile Conduit. pounds pressure. Where higher application of insulation. By moving The manholes are sometimes lo­ pressures are employed, a larger size with the pipe it prevents crushing casing is used which permits of a the pipe covering. cated in busy streets and sometimes In considering insulation for.under­ in area ways. When subjected to ground steam lines, the pioneers one inch covering over the steam , In pipes conveying high tempera­ heavy traffic the covers must support had a limited choice of materials. pipe before the casing is applied. ture steam, the tendency to buckle, great weight but for light traffic Dry wood had long been recognized The 3" casing is largely used on serv- Page Thirty-one Page Thirty ADSCO~DVOC\TE ice lines or on other lines where the sate for changing temperatures, the nal air cells provide the insulating first cost of installation is of greater absence of which will cause cracks qualities of dead air. The tile is extra concern than a few points in insula­ in the conduit and loss of efficiency strong and heavily salt glazed. In tion efficiency. The 2 11 casing, lined from water seepage, (d) accessibility both top and bottom four inch sur­ and unlined, is chiefly employed on to pipes for cutting in new services, faces there are cast two mortar-lock­ condensation return and hot water (e) the protection of dependable ing grooves. lines. underdrainage, and, what is very The following brief description important, (f) a flexible construction will show clearly how the modern In application, a casing is selected that readily adjusts itself to unfore­ having an inside diameter 2 11 larger Aosco Multicell Tile Conduit meets seen conditions, accommodates one every need of the distribution system. than the steam pipe. Guides and or more pipes as occasion may re­ rollers support the pipe concentric­ quire and lends itself economically Adequate underdrainage is sup­ ally in the casing so that there is to enlargement, extension or dup­ plied by farm tile laid to grade and maintained a one inch annular dead lication. covered with broken rock. Over this air space between pipe and casing. a substantial concrete base is made This adds materially to the operat­ While for high pressure work much of proper width and with a raised ing efficiency and permits of free concrete conduit has been used, it middle section so that the conduit movement of the pipe in expanding is far from ideal. It does not check wall cannot shift inwardly. The and contracting. Being completely with requirements listed above. Its pipe or pipes are laid, supported, waterproofed, the ground water can­ efficiency is low by reason of its guided and covered (after testing) not reach the steam line. As every heat conduction and it costs more then the conduit walls are built up stave is thoroughly kiln-dried there than other conduits of higher effi­ by masons using the Multicell Tile is no shrinkage when steam is turned ciency. Its life is long but being in either flat or on edge. At intervals on, so that Aosco Red Diamond continuous section, it is subject to the ends of the tile are stopped off Brand Casing maintains its excellent cracks and ruptures due to expansion. to prevent air circulation. If the efficiency for years after ordinary The cutting in of services in a con­ conduit is large, tee irons are set on wood logs or casings have crumbled crete conduit is a considerable job. 16" centers and Multicell Tile sup­ into decay. In a few carefully worked out de­ ported on these to make the roof. Hundreds of old installations are signs where these and other factors After this, the top is plastered over mute testimony to the great life and are provided for, concrete construc­ with mortar and frequently water­ high efficiency of Aosco Casing. tion is giving satisfactory results. proofed. Every year Aosco is called on to To meet every need and overcome Any combination of pipes may be enlarge steam mains in many cities the disadvantages of other high readily housed in a Multicell Tile and unearth old Aosco Casing in­ pressure conduit systems, Aosco Conduit; the air insulated double The above cut shows a clever combination of stalled from fifteen to thirty years adopted and has perfected, the wall and roof construction is efficient gauges regulating valve and steam meter--a ago. The wood is as solid and tight Aosco Multicell Tile type of con­ and much stronger than required. relic of Ille ea1·ly daJ/S. as when installed, and the tin plate, struction. An Aosco Multicell Tile The multiplicity of joints accommo­ having been so well protected, is as is similar to a building tile being four dates conduit expansion without than desired for heating purposes. bright as when received from the inches thick, eight inches high and cracking. Additional lines may later To reduce the pressure and at the mill. This salvaged casing is fre­ sixteen inches long. Two longitudi- be laid alongside or on top, making same time maintain the lower pres­ quently re-installed. good use of the conduit already in. sure constantly, regardless of varying Changes in direction and grade are dist rib u ti on pressures, required Multicell Tile for High Pressures simple matters. Cutting in a service another type of device. Years were In quite recent years, the trend merely means breaking out a single spent in developing a dependable, toward higher pressures (much over Perfection Reducing tile, on the top or side of conduit. simple and inexpensive regulating 125 pounds) has led to the develop­ Valve. The cost of this ideal construction is valve which could be set to deliver ment of other types of underground seldom more and frequently less than a pressure of a few ounces or pounds, construction. District Heating com­ other and less desirable conduits. regardless of whether the line pres­ panies need highly efficient distribu­ sure was five pounds or twenty tion systems, but costs must bear a Regulating Steam to Meet pounds. Ultimately the Perfection reasonable relationship to efficiency. Customers' Requirements Reducing Valve was produced. They require of their underground Having brought steam to the Today, thousands of these are in conduit systems: (a) long life, (b) customers' premises, there still were use, many hundreds of which have freedom from maintenance work, problems to be solved. The steam been in constant service for over (c) a degree of elacticity to compen- pressure in the mains was higher twenty years. Page Thirty-two ADSCO~DVOCJ\TE

Accurately Measuring the Steam ceivers are used. Here is where the So that the steam sold could be Ansco and Empire Traps (previous­ ,I properly billed, a meter had to be ly mentioned) are saving District designed. Some fantastic devices Heating companies thousands of were employed in the early days but dollars every year. The simplicity, A Pledge to Service as the industry grew it became ap- efficiency and low cost of the Empire make it the favorite, not only of heating companies but others re­ N looking back over the years, the officers and quiring low pressure traps. directors of the American District Steam Although there are many other I Company feel a justifiable pride in the major Ansco devices manufactured to part the company has played in originating, de, serve wherever steam is to be econ­ veloping and extending District Heating as a so, omically distributed, the foregoing will convey some idea of the long lution to heating problems, a national economy process of experimentation and de­ and a distinct public benefit. velopment behind the perfection of Ansco equipment. Although District Heating has made rapid When Ansco's construction sub­ strides, every indication points to accelerated sidiary, the Northeastern Piping & progress; we see before us the day when public Construction Corp., is retained to heating will rank with electricity, water and gas, install underground steam lines, these serving everywhere institutions, communities and St. John Steam Flow life/er. tried and proven devices are invari­ ably used. The assured service of cities with clean, fireless heat, contributing in parent that two classes of meters this equipment, combined with the large measure to health, comfort, economy and would be needed. There was need broad experience of the engineers, profit. for a meter to accurately measure makes possible a guarantee of per­ and record the steam consumption fect operation of the entire distribu­ be weighing the condensation. This tion system. Each year large This company and it subsidiaries, the North, brought out the Simplex Condensa­ eastern Piping & Construction Corporation, and tion Meter. There were some cus­ the Canadian District Steam Company, Limited, tomers, however, who used the steam for power or process work and no are committed to the extension of District Heat, condensate was available for meas­ ing and to tlie service of all those institutions, urement. To meet this condition the industrials, public service corporationsand munici, St. John Steam Flow Meter, an in­ palities that are giving thought to the distribution vention of Mr. St. John's, was adopt­ of steam for heating, power and other purposes. ed and perfected. Both of these meters, now much improved, are accurately measuring millions of dollars worth of steam every year. Ansco Rotary Meters are a later development to meet the demand for this type of device. Adsco Simplex Condensation llleter. Steam Conservation utilities and others contract with Vice-President and Manager Wherever a condensation meter is the Northeastern Company for many AMERICAN DISTRICT STEAM COMPANY used, some device is needed to keep miles of steam and hot water piping, the steam from passing through the knowing that the expansion devices, NoRm TONAWAND.\.NX meter and being wasted. On many anchor fittings, guides, gate valves, District Heating installations Ansco traps and other equipment used on Pipe Receivers perform the dual the work, as well as the construction work of condensation tank and steam itself, will give complete satisfaction trap. Other installations standardize under the most severe operating on steam traps whether or not re- conditions.