Steam Loss

[MPdesign]

Hey guys,

I was looking at a one story school with a steam boiler and just outside of the mechanical room (near the Vacuum return pumping station) and the condensate overflow drain, on the outside of the building was the steam venting as shown.

I tried to trace it but couldn't.

This looks excessive and my thought is that this is happening because of bad traps in the facility. What are your thoughts - I am not from the north and steam is not my specialty.

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[:-wiltel]

[Tom Raymond]

I don't know what I'd do if I ran into a steam system, but I can tell you that that system has been venting like that for a some time. There is a pattern of deteriorated brick that match the angle of that steam cloud.

[Terence McCann]

It's coming off the condensate return tank. Good indicator of traps that are blowing through.

[kurt]

Yep, my guess from the single picture and description is blown traps.

Not uncommon for an old steam system.

[MPdesign]

Thank you gentlemen. You are always very helpful. It is appreciated.