Author Topic: Explosion near Grand Central Terminal (Read 6468 times)

USSEnterprise · « **on:** July 18, 2007, 07:15:15 pm »

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/18/new.york.explosion/index.html

Apparently a steam pipe blew and screwed up a transformer, which in turn, exploded. No one killed, but still startling

ChadTower · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2007, 07:23:27 pm »

Cross marketing from Hasbro.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2007, 07:27:53 pm »

Thats tragically hilarious

Samstag · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2007, 07:56:08 pm »

Quote from: USSEnterprise on July 18, 2007, 07:15:15 pm

No one killed, but still startling

If you were there, maybe. From here in Texas, not so startling. I can't even work up a "meh" for exploding transformers in New York.

shardian · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2007, 08:25:09 am »

Apparently one person was killed by the incident. Not so funny now.

MameMaster! · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2007, 12:45:59 pm »

I used to work at 360 Lex and 41st......the pipe blew about 20 feet from the front door there.

I now work on 42nd and 2nd and the city near me is totally closed down. They are literally ripping up all of the surrounding streets replacing the steam pipes all around the blast zone.

Ironically, normally I work out on 41st and 2nd (a block from the blast); but last night I used the gym on 34th and 2nd so I missed the whole explosion.

I did have the pleasure of walking home from 34 to 87th street because the city was gridlocked and they shut the trains down.

Oh well....it could have been worse. After all NYC has been through......this was nothin'.

If you watch any TV and see shots of the closed 42nd street....look for a building with lot's of american flags hanging outside. That's my office the Daily News Building.

As they say....if it doesn't kill you in NY, it will only make you stronger.....unfortunately they keep trying to kill us....sigh.

grantspain · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2007, 05:37:46 pm »

so let me get this right(i am british you know) you have basically one giant bomb under the road throughout new york?or am i being being stupid

Samstag · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2007, 06:09:22 pm »

Quote from: grantspain on July 19, 2007, 05:37:46 pm

so let me get this right(i am british you know) you have basically one giant bomb under the road throughout new york?or am i being being stupid

No, there are lots of similar bombs, and probably in ever major city in the world. And if the exploding transformers don't get ya, the gas mains will. Or the fireworks factory, or the chemical plant, etc.

We had a smaller scale transformer explosion here where I work years ago. It didn't make the national news, though, because that was before the "T" word was such a big ratings boost.

grantspain · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2007, 06:14:08 pm »

i don't understand what a steam pipe is,we don't have them in the u.k-i have seen it in american films and could not understand why you would have steam coming from under the ground,someone explain please

JackTucky · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2007, 07:55:33 pm »

Best I know, the boilers and even A/C units in many NYC buildings run on steam. The utility company has always provided the steam via underground pipes. I guess it's cheaper to buy steam then to generate your own.

When you see NYC street shots in films or TV (seinfeld comes to mind) they always show steam billowing up from the sidewalk. When I was a kid, I used to run through those clouds. They weren't hot by the time they got up to the street, but you could feel the moisture.

=J

Jouster · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2007, 09:44:12 pm »

Quote from: JackTucky on July 19, 2007, 07:55:33 pm

Best I know, the boilers and even A/C units in many NYC buildings run on steam. The utility company has always provided the steam via underground pipes. I guess it's cheaper to buy steam then to generate your own.

When you see NYC street shots in films or TV (seinfeld comes to mind) they always show steam billowing up from the sidewalk. When I was a kid, I used to run through those clouds. They weren't hot by the time they got up to the street, but you could feel the moisture.

=J

That's helpful because I had no idea about why they would be there either.

Here in Florida...if you need steam...you just throw some water on the road. It don't take long.

Jouster

ChadTower · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2007, 11:05:58 pm »

Quote from: grantspain on July 19, 2007, 06:14:08 pm

i don't understand what a steam pipe is,we don't have them in the u.k-i have seen it in american films and could not understand why you would have steam coming from under the ground,someone explain please

Yes you do - but only in certain places. Just like here.

Level42 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2007, 10:18:21 am »

I've seen the steam in NYC when we visited, and I really wondered what it was for....

I understand now, but isn't it a bit stupid to run pressured hot steam through pipes from 1924 !?!?!?

ChadTower · « **Reply #13 on:** July 20, 2007, 10:21:10 am »

Not when they were built in 1924. Things that are working don't get torn up and rebuilt.

2600 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2007, 10:45:57 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on July 20, 2007, 10:21:10 am

Not when they were built in 1924. Things that are working don't get torn up and rebuilt.

Side discussion from the NY thing as I haven't been following it.

There suppose to as they have an expected lifespan. There are a lot of things that we take for granted right now that are over the expected lifespan and should of been replaced. Bridges, Water Pipes, etc. We don't want to pay for it right now or have it inconvenience us, but ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- is going to happen eventually

ChadTower · « **Reply #15 on:** July 20, 2007, 10:49:03 am »

Exactly. Everyone complains when they have to pay to have things maintained... and they complain when things are torn up and it inconveniences them... then they complain when things fail. It's not a manageable situation.

RayB · « **Reply #16 on:** July 20, 2007, 11:47:37 am »

Damn that Mars Rover!! It was only meant to operate for 90 days! They should shut it down before it blows up!!

Jouster · « **Reply #17 on:** July 20, 2007, 12:52:01 pm »

I don't know...explosions are kinda cool.

Jouster

Level42 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 20, 2007, 04:25:04 pm »

Well, I guess US tax money is ending up somewhere in the middle-east right now......

But, without stepping on any toes, isn't this a bit the anglo-way ? If it ain't broke, don't fix it ?

I think a steam pipe would need to be replaced after some time....let's say 30 years ? Seems this was a bit overdue......
I hope they replace parts in nucleair power stations more often over there

I remember seeing a program on (I think) Discovery about La Guardia airport. The program was made because air traffic controllers there had complained for years and years about there antique systems they had to work with, but the FAA didn't listen, so they turned to the media to show the people what they were giving their air safety to.

I think this was in 1999, and all the equipment looked like it was from the 60's. One controller mentioned that the one positive thing was that the systems were so old, they would easily survive the millennium-bug......

But that's also the downside of not wanting to pay any taxes. I am the first to admit that we here in Europe are HEAVILY over-taxed, but the other side is that we do seem to maintain a better infrastructure from all that tax money....

ChadTower · « **Reply #19 on:** July 20, 2007, 04:28:51 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on July 20, 2007, 04:25:04 pm

But, without stepping on any toes, isn't this a bit the anglo-way ? If it ain't broke, don't fix it ?

Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way.

Quote

But that's also the downside of not wanting to pay any taxes. I am the first to admit that we here in Europe are HEAVILY over-taxed, but the other side is that we do seem to maintain a better infrastructure from all that tax money....

And a much smaller one, too.

CCM · « **Reply #20 on:** July 20, 2007, 04:41:31 pm »

La Guardia is a hole. I hate that airport. Never had a good experience there.

billf · « **Reply #21 on:** July 20, 2007, 05:44:46 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on July 20, 2007, 04:25:04 pm

Well, I guess US tax money is ending up somewhere in the middle-east right now......

But, without stepping on any toes, isn't this a bit the anglo-way ? If it ain't broke, don't fix it ?

I think a steam pipe would need to be replaced after some time....let's say 30 years ? Seems this was a bit overdue......
I hope they replace parts in nucleair power stations more often over there

Do you really think regular maintenance, inspection and replacement is not going on? In New York with the steam piping, across the country in nuke plants. Come on.

Here's a quote from the article, "ConEdison crews inspected the pipes earlier in the day for vapor conditions and found nothing wrong, company Chairman Kevin Burke said." What would have had them do, replace the piping even though they found nothing wrong?

ChadTower · « **Reply #22 on:** July 20, 2007, 06:05:12 pm »

And we're supposed to believe they inspected that very pipe, out of thousands of miles of pipes, the day it exploded?

I don't think many people smoke pipe that deep.

NightGod · « **Reply #23 on:** July 20, 2007, 11:07:42 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on July 20, 2007, 04:25:04 pm

Well, I guess US tax money is ending up somewhere in the middle-east right now......

But, without stepping on any toes, isn't this a bit the anglo-way ? If it ain't broke, don't fix it ?

Middle East = Federal tax money, New York City steam pipes = ConEdison revenue money + local/state tax money.
Your example is like saying the only reason your car is broken down and in need of repair is that your neighbor spent all his money on a new pool.

Jouster · « **Reply #24 on:** July 21, 2007, 09:22:31 am »

Yeah, a lot of people don't understand where taxes go...or where they even come from some times.

Jouster

Level42 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 02, 2007, 04:19:41 pm »

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/08/02/bridge.collapse/index.html

Sometimes, I hate being right !

ChadTower · « **Reply #26 on:** August 02, 2007, 04:34:09 pm »

I'm surprised no one has suggested yet that it didn't just fall on its own.

Level42 · « **Reply #27 on:** August 02, 2007, 04:46:47 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on August 02, 2007, 04:34:09 pm

I'm surprised no one has suggested yet that it didn't just fall on its own.

Wasn't it inspected that morning ?.............

AtomSmasher · « **Reply #28 on:** August 02, 2007, 05:28:10 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on August 02, 2007, 04:46:47 pm

Quote from: ChadTower on August 02, 2007, 04:34:09 pm

I'm surprised no one has suggested yet that it didn't just fall on its own.
Wasn't it inspected that morning ?.............

The article you linked to says it was last inspected two years ago:
"Two years ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Bridge Inventory database said the bridge was "structurally deficient."

The bridge received a rating of 4 on a scale of 0 to 9. A bridge receives a rating of 4 when there is "advanced section loss, deterioration.""

and the 2001 study suggested "that the design of bridge's main truss could cause a collapse if one of two support planes were to become cracked"

Sounds like it probably did fall on its own.

Level42 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 02, 2007, 05:35:36 pm »

My posting #27 was a bit of a nasty sarcasm on posting #21.....

Why don't politicians/governments ever listen to technicians ?? ??

We went on the Ducktours in Boston last September, and I told my wife I was glad we went safely under some big bridge there, you didn't have to be an expert to know the situation of that bridge when you looked under it

billf · « **Reply #30 on:** August 02, 2007, 06:19:52 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on August 02, 2007, 05:35:36 pm

My posting #27 was a bit of a nasty sarcasm on posting #21.....

Quote from: Level42 on August 02, 2007, 05:35:36 pm

We went on the Ducktours in Boston last September, and I told my wife I was glad we went safely under some big bridge there, you didn't have to be an expert to know the situation of that bridge when you looked under it

Are you a structural engineer? bridge technician? inspector?

billf · « **Reply #31 on:** August 02, 2007, 06:29:34 pm »

Lots of interesting information in this article about the inspection of bridges in general. Note the last two paragraphs in particular.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/08/02/bridge.structure/index.html#cnnSTCText

Samstag · « **Reply #32 on:** August 02, 2007, 11:33:43 pm »

Of course now we'll rebound completely the other direction, as the state DOT's are basically being told to drop everything and inspect all their bridges more closely.

So expect something else to get neglected and cause the next catastrophe.

billf · « **Reply #33 on:** August 03, 2007, 12:24:54 am »

Quote from: Samstag on August 02, 2007, 11:33:43 pm

Of course now we'll rebound completely the other direction, as the state DOT's are basically being told to drop everything and inspect all their bridges more closely.

So expect something else to get neglected and cause the next catastrophe.

Yep.

shardian · « **Reply #34 on:** August 03, 2007, 08:31:52 am »

You can also expect to see more problems like this as the aging infrasrtucture of the U.S. starts failing. There are hundreds of bridges that are 30-40 years old that are in dire need of replacement - and not just backwoods bridges, I am talking Interstate highway bridges. They were designed with a significant safety factor originally, but the volume of traffic has increased so much that I'm sure there isn't much of that safety factor left. In the case of that bridge, from what I have heard of the condition there should have DEFINITELY been a revised weight limit/traffic limit put on it.

BTW, for a bridge that size it probably costs 1 million or more for an inspection.

I am deeply saddened for those that have died in the accident.

ChadTower · « **Reply #35 on:** August 03, 2007, 09:44:42 am »

A couple of years ago Romney ordered MA to closely inspect all bridges and overpasses owned by the state. He funded it and everything... half the sites never got looked at, half of what did came back deficient, and yet all of the funds were used up. No work was done to any of the sites, just inspections.

Even when leadership is directing gov't to do the right thing, gov't does not do the right thing.

billf · « **Reply #36 on:** August 03, 2007, 10:14:16 am »

Minnesota is ranked third best when it comes to "safest" bridges. Massachusetts, second worst.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=3440879&page=1

ChadTower · « **Reply #37 on:** August 03, 2007, 10:20:19 am »

I'm going to guess that MA are also much older on average. Been there longer.

shardian · « **Reply #38 on:** August 03, 2007, 01:02:35 pm »

It could have been much worse. I'm sure some of you have heard of this accident:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Bridge

Samstag · « **Reply #39 on:** August 03, 2007, 02:23:46 pm »

Quote from: shardian on August 03, 2007, 01:02:35 pm

It could have been much worse. I'm sure some of you have heard of this accident:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Bridge

Which in turn is nothing compared to the Hyatt walkway collapse.


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