Home | History | Staff | LEA | Billing | Rates | Services | Natural Gas | Electric | Steam | Water | Online Bill Pay | Forms | Kids Page
Steam Procedures
Hibbing Public Utilities
Rate Schedules are
available
at the HPUC offices. They are based
upon the HPUC’s production and distribution facilities that are
sufficient for
safe, proper, and adequate service. Service
is subject to capacity limitations of the HPUC’s facilities.
(back
to top)
The HPUC will install
a new steam
service connection for a customer complete with valves in the manholes,
meters,
and dirt strainers. Customers are
responsible for the costs of installation and maintenance of their
steam service
lines and the costs of installation of a steam manhole to contain the
shut-off
valves if there is no existing manhole. Installation
charges must be paid by the customer prior to service installation. (back to top)
Steam and Condensate Installations
1.
A customer’s steam and condensate system that will be connected
to the
HPUC’s distribution main, will be constructed in accordance with
accepted
steam fitting and piping guidelines, HPUC procedures and regulations,
and the
rules of any applicable government agency.
2. The customer is responsible for the installation of a steam manhole to contain the steam and condensate shut-off valves, in the event there is none in existence. When a manhole exists for service valve installations, it will be used.
3.
The customer’s heating system, except the main header, will be
constructed so there is a gradual rise, without sage, in every run of
pipe
serving the installed radiation.
6.
All the piping will pitch so that the system will drain
properly, without
dependence on any vacuum the HPUC chooses to carry on its own
lines.
7.
No customer’s heating system will be served with steam unless
the HPUC
is satisfied that the proper provisions have been made for the use of
traps and
valves.
8.
The customer is responsible for the installation of a bleeder
trap to
properly bleed any possible condensate in the steam line.
The bleeder trap is to be installed at the steam service
entrance to the
building and close to the inside wall. The
bleeder trap will be of dimensions approved by the HPUC and consist of
a
standard valve and a Warren-Webster thermostatic float trap, or it’s
equivalent. It must not be a water
seal. The valve will be located on
the steam side of the trap. The trap will
empty directly into the return line through a
union connection located so that it can readily be opened to detect
blowing of
steam through the trap. (back to top)
Meter and Dirt Strainer Installations
The HPUC owns the
steam meter and
dirt strainers. The customer is
responsible for installation of the meter and dirt strainer, through
which all
condensate from the steam system passes. The
meter, dirt strainer, and associated plumbing are to be installed on a
suitable
stand provided by the customer. The
outlet of the meter will be placed so that there is a 6-inch straight
drop to
the return line.
The meter must be readily accessible for meter readings and must not be hidden or concealed to prevent access to it by the Meter Readers. Meters are sealed by the HPUC and the seals must not be tampered with or broken without the consent of the HPUC except in an emergency. Customers must notify the HPUC immediately if a seal has been broken. Customers may be billed for any abnormal damage to their meter.
Steam Service Mains and Condensate Return Piping
1.
All steam service mains and condensate return piping will be
black
standard weight, schedule 80, seamless or electric resistance welded
pipe,
conforming to ASTME 53, Grade B, Type B or S, or ASTME 106, Grade B.
2.
Pipe ends will be beveled for welded connections.
3.
All joints will be butt welded on both the steam service main
and the
condensate main.
4.
Where the piping enters necessary fittings, socket weld fittings
are
recommended.
Line Valves
1.
Valves used on the steam lines will be Gate Valves 125# WOG
pressure
rating, with an outside screw, rising stem, and bolted flange yoke
bonnet with
solid wedge seal.
2.
End connections will be ASA #150 flanges.
3.
End connection valves will be Powell 1793 or the approved
equal.
4.
Main tap valves will be installed in the manhole by the HPUC at
the
current rate charge.
5.
Shut-off valves inside of the building will be provided and
installed by
the customer and/or contractor.
Standard Steam Service Mains
Standard steam service mains will be 2-inch carrier pipes for residential service.
Other services will
be sized by
the HPUC on an individual basis as required.
Standard Condensate Return Mains
Standard condensate return mains will be 1 ¼-inch carrier pipes for residential service. Other services will be sized by the HPUC on an individual basis as required. (back to top)
Blown Traps
The customer’s bill will be adjusted upon verification of a blown trap by an HPUC employee. The customer’s increased consumption due to the blown trap will be a minimum of 33% greater than the customer’s five-year averaged consumption in order for the customer to qualify for the adjustment. This policy is effective each calendar year.
Procedure:
1) The customer’s five-year averaged consumption will be subtracted from the current billing. The unit difference, if 33% or greater than the five-year averaged consumption, will be multiplied by the current fuel cost, plus 10% of the current fuel cost, and refunded to the customer.
2) The customer will be charged for the second callout and every callout after the full current billing amount.
3)
Call HPUC service clerk for instructions on how to claim the credit.
Coil Leaks
The customer’s bill will be adjusted upon verification of a coil leak by an HPUC employee. The increased consumption will be subtracted from the five-year averaged consumption. The customer is given credit for the entire difference whenever a coil leak is verified.
1) Along with the steam credit, any amount of sewer use beyond average is also credited due to excessive water use through steam meter because of coil leak.
2)
Call HPUC service clerk for instructions on how to claim the
credit. (back to top)
HPUC steam customers
are
responsible for the repair of their steam service system if the
malfunction is
in their area of responsibility. The
HPUC will inspect all repairs upon completion to insure that they have
been done
properly.
Areas of Responsibility:
Customer
The steam services downstream of the
isolation
valve are the customer’s responsibility, and they must pay for repairs
in
these areas.
HPUC
The steam services upstream of the isolation valve are the HPUC’s responsibility, and they must make repairs at no cost to the customer. (back to top)
Steam service is available at all
premises
located in the area served by the HPUC steam mains, with the exception
of the
24-inch, 16-inch steam main from 24th Street and 7th
Avenue East to and serving the Fairview University Medical
Center-Mesabi. (back to top)
Customers who request
that steam
services be turned on must meet with the HPUC Heat Department on site
prior to
receiving steam service. Before the
steam service is energized, the customer and building must meet the
following
requirements:
1)
Building piping for steam heat must be thawed in advance with
the use of
portable heaters.
2)
The entrance drip tee cap and “free” drip trap must be
removed.
3)
A qualified plumber must be on site during the energizing of the
steam
service in order to assess the customer’s steam heating piping
condition and
assist in warm-up of the piping.
4)
The HPUC will energize the steam heat service only up to the
building’s
main shut-off valve that is located immediately inside the building
wall.
(back to top)
Home | History | Staff | LEA | Billing | Rates | Services | Natural Gas | Electric | Steam | Water | Online Bill Pay | Forms | Kids Page