Thursday, 4:30 PM
After burst steam pipes, Trigen to use infrared cameras to identify problems
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
Inspectors for the company that operates Boston's 22-mile network of subterranean steam pipes will be flying over the city with infrared cameras over the next two weeks to identify areas that are leaking or may rupture.
Representatives from Trigen-Boston Energy Corp. met with city officials as part of a comprehensive assessment of its entire network prompted by one pipe that burst and another that released a blast of steam. The company also plans to accelerate manhole inspections over the next several weeks as part the assessment, which is scheduled to be completed in December.
"The recent steam pipe ruptures in our streets continue to be a concern for me as mayor and for the people of Boston," Mayor Thomas M. Menino said in a statement. "I am pleased, however, that Trigen has brought forward the necessary resources to inspect their entire system and ensure that it is in safe working condition."
Flying over the city at various altitudes at night, inspectors will take infrared images that will be compiled into a thermal map. Operators will use the map to pinpoint sections of pipe that are too hot or too cold and need to be inspected. Independent experts from Tri-Mont Engineering will review the findings and examine Trigen's operating and maintenance procedures.
At today's meeting with city officials, Trigen representatives detailed the preliminary findings of the cause of two recent steam pipe mishaps which sprayed insulation containing asbestos onto several streets. The burst pipe at Summer and Otis streets on Sept. 12 was likely caused by a phenomenon called a ''water hammer,"
which creates shock waves and can break pipes. It occurs when steam is introduced into a pipe that contains water, or when a pipe containing steam is exposed to a large amount of cold water, according to the mayor's office.
The Oct. 6 steam leak at New Chardon and Merrimac streets was likely caused by a bad expansion joint. Both incidents remain under investigation.
