Tips and Notes

How can pipe expansion in steam systems be prevented?

Any steam system must be fully supported, able to expand during operation and sufficiently flexible to allow movement as a result

Allowance for expansion: All pipes will be installed at ambient temperature. Pipes carrying hot fluids such as water or steam operate at higher temperatures. It follows that they expand, especially in length, with an increase from ambient to working temperatures. This will create stress upon certain areas within the distribution system, such as pipe joints, which, in the extreme, could fracture.