Burst Pipe caused by Abrasion. (aka Only on a Friday)

[Grizzly]

Another Story from the Grizzly Archives.
The attached photo's are of a Copper pipe.
That has had a hole worn through it whilst rubbing against a Steel Pipe. (also pictured)
Nothing new in that I hear you say!
True but this pipe was a 2 1/8" Discharge line feeding a remote Condenser approx 50mtrs away.
The system charge was 80KG of R22.
Also the Steel pipe which it was running across happened to be the 6" Gas main supplying the building boilers ECT.

So it's Midday Friday last and I am in the basement of a large 4 storey Office Block. With the Site Engineer (Carrilion..they are everywhere nowadays!!)
Looking at the Condensers and how many fans were running ECT.
With the option in mind of maybe raising the system discharge pressure, to offset the fact that it was operating very close to it's LP Cut-out settings.
Thereby buying some time whilst the system was leak checked and investigated to identify the cause!
Anyway next thing we knew was that the building Fire Alarm was sounding and as we made our way back up through the Building.
The cause became apparent.
The system Discharge Pipe had finally let go filling the
Plant Room on the level above us, together with it's Stairwell and several floors above that.
With probably 70kg's worth of R22.... Ouch....
It's Friday Dinnertime mind!
Fortunately we were able to quickly gain access to the plant room and I was able to isolate the Discharge Line.
But if you saw the size of the Condensers and the pipe runs you would understand why the System Dumped nearly all it's gas.

The Building Ventilation soon took over and occupation was restored.
So it's Friday,
70 to 80 KGS of R22 has permeated around the whole building evacuating albeit temporarily the offices.
(HM. Inland Revenue)
Oh and I forgot the Carrilion H&S Rep was on-site.( He turned out to be a brilliant help!)
All a recipe for disaster really!
But I have to say Everyone was fantastic about it!
As this system was at least 15 yrs old and everyone accepted that as they say "These things Happen!!"
Grizzly

Sorry Guys I forgot to upload the piccies.
Had one of those days today. Sometime I will regale the story of the "CARTWHEELING TRANSIT DOOR"!

[nh3wizard]

Grizzly, am I missing something? I dont see any pictires attached.

[The Viking]

(He must have had one of those senior moments...)

[Grizzly]

Sorry Guys!
Hopefully it's ok now?
Grizzly

[Colin G]

loving the unistrut bracket!

[Brian_UK]

Don't you start knocking Carillion Grizzly, I'll have to set the lads on you

Glad that you got on OK with our H&S chappie, they pretty 'on-the-ball'.

[Goober]

Surely not! Tell me its not true! It couldn't be! Has that refrig copper pipe been cut with a HACKSAW and is that swarf etc I see in the pipe........NEVER! Not by a subscriber to RE, Tell me ain't true........please please......

[Grizzly]

Don't you start knocking Carillion Grizzly, I'll have to set the lads on you

Glad that you got on OK with our H&S chappie, they pretty 'on-the-ball'.

Fair enough Brian,
But just how many maintenance Companies have they "Acquired" in the last couple of years?

Surely not! Tell me its not true! It couldn't be! Has that refrig copper pipe been cut with a HACKSAW and is that swarf etc I see in the pipe........NEVER! Not by a subscriber to RE, Tell me ain't true........please please......
OK Goober
I Wondered how long it would be before someone picked up the Hacsawn pipework.
1) I had forgotten my large pipe cutters.
2) We needed to access the worn area to ascertain the "Damage". As it turns out the indent in the gas pipe is large enough. (sadly the pics doesn't show up how deep it is)
To warrant further Investigation prior to the pipework being replaced.

3) I have no intention of leaving that pipework in place. Even if I wished to I don't think the old Elf |& Safety, would allow me to braze in new joints near the Gas Pipe.
So using a 3mtr length the joints will be well away.


Looking at the piccies I am surprised there have not been other questions.
I know I had plenty!
Grizzly

[Brian_UK]

Carillion have already eaten Planned Maintenance as well as Mowlem and earlier this year swallowed up McAlpine.

[monkey spanners]

Nice one Grizzly

I've had to resort to the faithful old hacksaw on a few occasions, i found that if you apply a little oil to the area as you cut the chips don't travel too far down the pipe.

I did once use a holesaw to make a tee when i had gone into 'customer getting exactly what they asked for mode' but thats another story

Jon

[Goober]

Heh Grizzly, I'd be lying if I said I'd never used a Hacksaw on fridge pipe!

[Colin G]

Heh Grizzly, I'd be lying if I said I'd never used a Hacksaw on fridge pipe!

especially when its time to rip out the scrap