Boiler explosions are destructive failures of steam boilers. Catastrophes occurred almost daily as thousands died. Steam pressures were regularly cranked up to produce additional work. For most of this century, the public, law enforcement agencies, emergency response teams, and industry standards groups have looked to the National Board for assistance in setting guidelines for boiler safety. This practice was satisfactory for the annular joints, running around the boiler, but in longitudinal joints, along the length of the boiler, the overlap of the plates diverted the boiler cross-section from its ideal circular shape. The other common cause of explosions was internal corrosion which weakened the boiler barrel so that it could not withstand normal operating pressure. T +9120 - 66308333/ 66308340, Mobile no : +91 97654 92017 Book: Hewison, Christian H. . Minor explosions, commonly know as deflagration, puffs, flarebacks, or . However, the explosive potential is ever present and very real, especially if regular maintenance and repair are ignored. The crown sheet design included several alternating rows of button-head safety stays, which limited the failure of the crown sheet to the first five or six rows of conventional stays, preventing a collapse of the entire crown sheet. To learn more about our products and services, visit www.rakhoh.com, Your email address will not be published. J. Salts Lumber Mill Boiler Explosion - "1 - Home Page", "This Southern Steamboat Had A Tragic Ending", La Horrorosa Catstrofe de Medina (The terrible disaster of Medina), Ministry of Culture of Spain historic newspaper server, "Accident at Buxton on 11th November 1921", "Railroad Recollections: More About Engine 1642 Explosion", "BOILERBLAST SUIT ASKS $8.2 MILLION; 10 Sue in '62 Phone Building Explosion Fatal to 23", "Steam Locomotive Firebox Explosion on the Gettysburg Railroad Near Gardners, Pennsylvania June 16, 1995", Boiler Explosion in Ohio, USA First Hand Observations from Andrew Semple, "Steam Engine Blast At Ohio Fairgrounds Leaves 4 Men Dead", "The Final Report on the Tragedy at the Medina County Fairgrounds - Steam Engines - Steam Traction", "4th victim who died from boiler blast near Soulard remembered as hard worker; funds set up for families", "2 new employees filling out paperwork among dead in St. Louis boiler explosion", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_boiler_explosions&oldid=1141042199, Midland Railway 363 (ex Bristol and Gloucester Railway 7. A common cause of explosion is the runaway firing condition that takes place when the boiler's burner does not shut off. Here the resulting vapor explosion occurs when a liquid transforms quickly into a gas, causing a rapid pressure increase. This theory hypothesized that low water allowed a boiler plate to be exposed to the fire, overheat and turn red hot. 4x5 inch glass negative. Although the boiler explosion rate is rare compared to boiler installations annually worldwide, it does not entirely eliminate the possibility of boiler explosion. ", For a short status of European steam users' associations and boiler insurance companies c. 1897, see, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 01:53. So when water or a similar dense liquid that normally needs one cubic foot for containment suddenly needs 1,600 cubic feet, explosion occurs. Corrosion along the edges of lap joints was a common cause of early boiler explosions. This may be due to one of two causes: Either the boiler is not strong enough to safely carry its proper working pressure, or else the pressure has been allowed to rise above the usual point by the sticking of the safety valves, or some similar cause"[4]. An estimated 1,549 passengers were killed when three of the ship's four boilers exploded and the Sultana burned and sank not far from Memphis, Tennessee. It is highly successful and later becomes the modern TV. Corrosion along the edges of lap joints was a common cause of early boiler explosions. WHY BOILER EXPLOSIONS CAUSE INJURY AND DEATH Atmospheric Pressure of 15 PSI. 3. All "natural" sources of water contain dissolved air, which is released as a gas when the water is heated. All of the forty T-3's and T-3 subclasses were constructed by using lengthened boilers from older Q-1 Mikados and P-1 Pacifics. Several operational situations can bring on the violent, deafening blasts that result when a buildup of pressure is suddenly released. [24][25], Whether, in 1879, the boiler of Canada's Waubuno exploded or not, and, if it exploded, whether it was due to negligent upkeep or to contact with the cold water of Georgian Bay while foundering in a storm, is contested.[26]. A boiler explosion is a catastrophic failure of a boiler.There are two types of boiler explosions. One type is a failure of the pressure parts of the steam and water sides. The Glasgow and South Western Railway (GSWR) 52 class was a class of six 0-4-0 steam goods locomotives designed in 1864, by Patrick Stirling. Because the double-thickness overlap was stronger than the surrounding metal, the repeated bending and release caused by the variations in boiler pressure caused internal cracks, or grooves (deep pitting), along the length of the joint. September 29, 2015. Required fields are marked *. Such failures are caused by corrosion of vital parts, failure of safety valves, or low water levels. Monthly Boiler Room Checklist. S-11, T Block, M.I.D.C.,Bhosari, PUNE - 411 026. There are two types of boiler explosions. The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) 4ft Shunter was a class of 0-4-0ST steam locomotives. In response to a brewery explosion, a private society is founded to offer boiler inspections to its members. This was the cause of the Gettysburg Railroad firebox explosion[9] near Gardners, Pennsylvania, in 1995, where low water allowed the front of the crown sheet to overheat until the regular crown stays pulled through the sheet, releasing a great deal of steam and water under full boiler pressure into the firebox. A high pressure boiler is a type of boiler that operates at 80 bars or higher and is used in thermal power plants to generate power. KMOV. Charred remains after a boiler explosion at a factory in Bihar . Pressure Vessel Failure Most often, rusting or overheating are what cause pressure vessel failure. In addition, the construction must adhere to strict engineering guidelines set by the relevant authorities. This occurs if the fireman has failed to maintain water level or the level indicator (gauge glass) is faulty. One type is a failure of the pressure parts of the steam and water sides. Welding Symbols: A Useful System or Undecipherable Hieroglyphics? For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for List of boiler explosions . The rapid release of steam and water can provide a very potent blast, and cause great damage to surrounding property or personnel. Boiler Explosion of C&O T-1 #3020 on May 1948 Joe Dockrill shared Heritage Railway Magazine 's photo to the group: Railroad Engineering and Equipment Photos. The next day the boiler of the tow-boat Baltic exploded in Mobile Bay, killing and fatally injuring several people. But a properly installed and maintained safety valve is not a universal feature of pressurized vessels. Introduced in 1863 by Ramsbottom, 26 were built in 18631865, 10 in 1870, 10 in 1872, and 10 in 1892. BOILER ACCESSORIES, THERMIC FLUID HEATERS & SPECIALTY FABRICATION. -Givaudan Corporation, Delawanna Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey: Portable Fire Tube Boiler Explosion (1990s). What Should You Do Before Starting Boilers After Summer Lay-Up. No. The second kind is a fuel/air explosion in the furnace, which would more properly be termed a firebox explosion. Steamboat boilers The steamboat Sultana was destroyed in an explosion on 27 April, 1865, resulting in the greatest maritime disaster in United States history. An estimated 1,700 passengers were killed when one of the ship's four boilers exploded and the Sultana sank not far from Memphis, Tennessee. They were Patrick Stirlings third 0-6-0 design for the railway. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board released its final report into a 2017 explosion involving an industrial steam generation system that resulted in the death of four people at the Loy-Lange box company in St. Louis. A catastrophic explosion of a high-pressure vessel at a St. Louis, Mo. The reactor did not explode, nor did the vessel rupture. The explosion of the steamboat Sultana's boiler in 1865 was the cause of the largest loss of life in US maritime history. ", For a short status of European steam users' associations and boiler insurance companies c. 1897, see. for two views of the exploded boiler, attributed to low water pressure and a defective safety valve. Steamboat and railway boiler explosions were not uncommon in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. Maharashtra, India. Boiler explosion pictures Salem, Massachusetts - November 2007 In the early morning of Nov. 6, 2007, a boiler explosion at the Salem Harbor generating station of Dominion Energy New England in Salem, Massachusetts resulted in the deaths of three employees. It produced the most famous locomotive of its day, 4468 'Mallard', the holder of the world steam locomotive speed record. "[6], Boiler explosions are common in sinking ships once the hot boiler touches cold sea water, as the sudden cooling of the hot metal causes it to crack; for instance, when the SSBenlomond was torpedoed by a U-boat, the torpedoes and resulting boiler explosion caused the ship to go down in two minutes, leaving Poon Lim as the only survivor in a complement of 54 crew.[7][8]. R. S. . SaveryExplosion[1] 1716 Industrial United Kingdom 1 Brunton's Mechanical Traveller[2] July 31, 1815 Locomotive United Kingdom Philadelphia, Tyne and Wear 16 The Washington[3] 1816 Marine (Civilian) United States Marietta, Ohio 12 5 The Aetna[3] May 15, 1824 Marine (Civilian) United States New York City, New York 10 40 Check the flame failure detection system. While investing in steam boilers, plant managers ensure that the boiler promises efficiency, reliability, optimal combustion, and steam quality. There are many causes for boiler explosions such as poor water treatment causing scaling and over heating of the plates, low water level, a stuck safety valve, or even a furnace explosion that in turn, if severe enough, can cause a boiler explosion. Modern boilers are designed with redundant pumps, valves, water level monitors, fuel cutoffs, automated controls, and pressure relief valves. In most cases, the following situations are what will cause a boiler to explode: Too high pressure Overheating Weak outer shell or other boiler components August 10, 2022. The first is the breakage of the boiler barrel itself, through weakness/damage or excessive internal pressure, resulting in sudden discharge of steam over a wide area. It was the train crew that was almost always killed. Other common causes of boiler explosions include: Faulty pressure relief valves Low water levels Boilerplate corrosion Boiler Explosions can be Catastrophic When a boiler explodes, this can result in devastating consequences for property and any person in the vicinity of the incident. -Staten Island Ferry, Westfield II, FT boiler explosion: July 30, 1871. A package boiler only needs the final connections to be made (electrical, breaching, condensate lines, etc.) However in the 20th century such explosions have been few and far between on the steam side which is what I believe the OP means? They were nicknamed Pugs. 30 Locomotive boiler explosions ideas | locomotive, boiler, train wreck Locomotive boiler explosions 30 Pins 6y L Collection by Lonnie Carter Similar ideas popular now Train Steam Old Train Toy Trains Set Old Trains Old Steam Train Steam Trains Railroad Art Model Railroad Vapor Time Travel Machine Model Train Accessories Further improvements continued in the 20th century. [16][17] Eventually the simple lap seam was replaced by the single or double butt-strap seams, which do not suffer from this defect. These individuals will ensure that the boiler and all boiler . When this amount of explosive force is unleashed in a basement or utility closet, the shock wave created by the explosion carries dirt, debris, ceiling, pipe, darkness, and burning temperatures in all directions with tremendous force. This reduction of pressure caused the sudden formation of a great quantity of steam within the water, and the heavy mass of water being thrown with great violence toward the opening whence the steam was being withdrawn, struck the portions of the boiler near that opening and caused the fracture."[5]. There are two types of boiler explosions. -SS Helen McGregor, Boiler Explosion, Memphis, TN, February 1830. (14.7 at sea level) With pressure of 200 lbs in boiler, water boils at 388 degrees. A later investigation concluded that the 26,000-pound (12,000kg) vessel had jumped 9 feet 1 inch (2.77 m) and the upper control rod drive mechanisms had struck the ceiling of the reactor building prior to settling back into its original location"[12]. If the boiler contains liquid water, at a temp above it's natural boiling point, additional energy is released as it flashes into steam and rapidly expands. There can be many different causes, such as failure of the safety valve, corrosion of critical parts of the boiler, or low water level. Fortunately, such disasters are rare, considering the huge number of boilers and pressure vessels in use worldwide. Inspect the temperature interlock or high steam pressure. [15] It was eventually found that this internal corrosion could be reduced by using plates of sufficient size so that no joints were situated below the water level. We manufacture a range of world-class quality products such as steam boilers, waste heat recovery boilers, thermic fluid heaters, and boiler accessories. Steam Boiler Insurance, The Law Journal Reports for the Year 1882, Boiler Explosions Act (Chapter 22), The Practical Statutes of the Session 1890, Boiler Explosions Act, 1890, Steam Boilers, Division 4 "Boiler Codes and Inspection Laws", Stockton and Darlington Railway No. As with that class, the Midland had turned to American locomotive builders, as their own Derby Works had reached capacity, and was unable to produce additional engines at the time, and many British locomotive builders were recovering from an 1897-1898 labor dispute over working hours. View full size. -SS Helen McGregor, Boiler Explosion, Memphis, TN, February 1830. Firebox explosions in solid-fuel-fired boilers are rare, but firebox explosions in gas or oil-fired boilers are still a potential hazard. ; Series 1 Volume 49 (Part I)", "The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. April 1897 . In this case, when the hot-water heater is connected to the city water supply on one side and the building hot-water service on the other, the check valve will shut off and no back pressure will go into the city side. Between 1880 and 1890 there were over 2,000 boiler explosions in the United States. The boiler barrel failures occurred at Cardiff in 1909 and Buxton in 1921; both were caused by misassembly of the safety valves causing the boilers to exceed their design pressures. ACLfan Username ACLfan The boiler explosion that caused the Grover Shoe Factory disaster in Brockton, Massachusetts on March 10, 1905 resulted in 58 deaths and 117 injuries, and inspired the state of Massachusetts to publish its first boiler laws in 1908. ASME formed, largely in response to calls for improvements in boiler safety, Required notice of a boiler explosion to be sent to the Board of Trade within 24 hours of occurrence and established inquiry authorizations, The "Code for the Conduct of Trials of Steam Boilers", the first U.S. code for conducting boiler tests, is issued, Extended 1882 requirements to marine vessels, The ASME Boiler Code Committee issues "Standards for Specifications and Construction of Boilers and Other Containing Vessels in Which High Pressure is Contained". If the stays fail the firebox will explode inwards. Steam Boiler Safety: Reckless management is the main cause of accidents. [16][19] Even a well-maintained firebox will fail explosively if the water level in the boiler is allowed to fall far enough to leave the top plate of the firebox uncovered. On the 24th ult. In the case of a firebox explosion, these typically occur after a burner flameout. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway(L&YR)class8 was a four-cylinder 4-6-0 express passenger locomotive designed by George Hughes introduced in 1908. Instead of the normal "roar" of the fire, a rhythmic series of "thumps" and flashes of fire below the grate and through the firedoor indicate that the combustion of the fuel is proceeding through a rapid series of detonations, caused by an inappropriate air/fuel mixture with regard to the level of draft available. -Dana Corporation, Paris Tennessee, 400 Hp fire-tube boiler explosion 6/19/2007. The water used in boilers was not often closely controlled, and if acidic, could corrode the wrought iron boiler plates. There can be many different causes, such as failure of the safety valve, corrosion of critical parts of the boiler, or low water level. View photos and incident reports belowthat detail boiler and air tank explosions from across the country: Loy-Lange Box Company catastrophic pressure vessel failure, Download a National Board Incident Report Form, Espaol On land-based boilers, explosions of the pressure systems happened regularly in stationary steam boilers in the Victorian era, but are now very rare because of the various protections provided, and because of regular inspections compelled by governmental and industry requirements. -Dana Corporation, Paris Tennessee, 400 Hp fire-tube boiler explosion 6/19/2007. Provided for the inspection of steam boilers in and around, The first boiler insurance company in the U.S. is established in. Your email address will not be published. Also improving safety is the increasing use of "package boilers." This usually causes no damage in locomotive type boilers, but can cause cracks in masonry boiler settings if allowed to continue. A boiler explosion at the Cliff Central Heating and Cooling Plant killed one person, and three others suffered injuries. Such explosions in solid-fuel boilers are rare; however, an explosion in oil-fired boilers and gas-fired boilers lead to damaging consequences. A chemical cleaning expert dies from a boiler explosion after chemical cleaning on an LNG tanker. Tragically, a total of 127 people have lost their lives as the result of boiler and pressure vessel accidents during the past 10 years. -St Mary's Hospital, Pennington Avenue, Passaic, New Jersey: Cleaver Brooks boiler Explosion 7/15/2006. ASME formed, largely in response to calls for improvements in boiler safety, Required notice of a boiler explosion to be sent to the Board of Trade within 24 hours of occurrence and established inquiry authorizations, The "Code for the Conduct of Trials of Steam Boilers", the first U.S. code for conducting boiler tests, is issued, Extended 1882 requirements to marine vessels, The ASME Boiler Code Committee issues "Standards for Specifications and Construction of Boilers and Other Containing Vessels in Which High Pressure is Contained", The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, "Promote greater safety to life and property through uniformity in the construction, installation, repair, maintenance, and inspection of pressure equipment. Later that day, tugboats pushed the Iwo Jima back into port. The annual number of deaths has seesawed over the past 10 years (see Figure 1), with the only sustained downward trend over three years taking . EXPLOSIONS OF STEAM BOILERS. The incident occurred at a noodles factory in Bela industrial area of Muzaffarpur, said Jayant Kant, senior superintendent of police. The design was later continued by a similar design by his brother James Stirling. The rapidly expanding steam bubbles can also perform work by throwing large "slugs" of water inside the boiler in the direction of the opening, and at astonishing velocities. +9120 - 66308333 +91 97654 92017 Two people were in critical condition, and two others suffered non . Several operational situations can bring on the violent, deafening blasts that result when a buildup of pressure is suddenly released. The plates of early locomotive boilers were joined by simple overlapping joints. Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is Copyright 2009-2022, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. The majority of locomotive explosions are firebox explosions caused by such crown sheet uncovering.[21]. We strongly recommend that any home or business receive a regular annual service conducted by safety engineers. Preventing catastrophic failure of any boiler or pressure vessel has always been a concern of the National Board. SS Ada Hancock, a small steamboat used to transfer passengers and cargo to and from the large coastal steamships that stopped in San Pedro Harbor in the early 1860s, suffered disaster when its boiler exploded violently in San Pedro Bay, the port of Los Angeles, near Wilmington, California on April 27, 1863 killing twenty-six people and injuring many others of the fifty-three or more passengers on board. -Givaudan Corporation, Delawanna Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey: Portable Fire Tube Boiler Explosion (1990s) -Ford's River Rouge Plant, Dearborn, Michigan, Gas Boiler explosion, 6 killed 2/1/1999. This hole is sealed with a metal of low melting point that flows away if a pre-determined, high temperature is reached. Galvanic corrosion was an additional problem where copper and iron were in contact. Actually, a typical malfunction can result when normally benign, saturated steam is forced out of its temperature/pressure equilibrium by a combination of valves shutting and extra energy being introduced into the system. "The records kept by the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company show that 170 steam boilers exploded in the United States last year, killing 259 persons and injuring 555. Air tank explosion View photos and incident reports below that detail boiler and air tank explosions from across the country: Loy-Lange Box Company catastrophic pressure vessel failure Ammonia nurse tank Air tank explosions: Air tank in home garage Poorly constructed air tank Too much pressure Boiler explodes at Minnesota daycare A boiler explosion, triggering a magazine detonation, was perhaps the most obvious possibility. An old photo of a boiler explosion on a steam locomotive is found on the following site via Google: florida photographic collection; then type in NO38697; and NO38698 for a second view of the accident. Steam Jackets in Boilers | Definition, Types, and Applications, Signs that indicate replacement for steam boilers, Role of Steam Boilers in Textile Industries, Application and Advantages of Low NOX in Industrial Boilers, An Overview of Boiler Preservation during Shutdown, Factors to Consider and Tips for Steam Boiler Replacement, Role And Types Of Soot Blowers In Steam Boilers, MINIPAC SMALL INDUSTRIAL BOILER (SIB BOILER), Causes and Prevention of Boiler Explosion in Industries. [20] This can occur when crossing the summit of the hill, as the water flows to the front part of the boiler and can expose the firebox crown sheet. They decide not to follow the. The alarming frequency of boiler failures in the U.S. due to defects in materials and design were attracting the attention of international engineering standards organizations, such as the ASME, which established their first Boiler Testing Code in 1884. Over the years, various estimates of the potential energy of a boiler or pressure-vessel explosion have been presented, with the intent of demonstrating the danger of this equipment if not properly maintained. In addition, they believed that much of the energy was in the steam. Boilers in dry cleaning operations, pressurized steam cleaners in jewelry shops, air compressors used by painters, pressurized air systems used with power hydraulic lifts in auto repair shops, even instrument sterilizers in dentists offices all are capable of causing injury due to explosion. More importantly, these acts and this new empowerment of the federal government set the precedent for its future role in consumer protection through the regulation ofprivate enterprise, paving the wayforfederal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration . Several different attempts were made to cause a boiler to explode by various means, but one of the most interesting experiments demonstrated that in certain circumstances, if a sudden opening in the boiler allowed steam to escape too rapidly, water hammer could cause destruction of the entire pressure vessel: "A cylindrical boiler was tested and withstood a steam pressure of 300 pounds (300 psi or 2,068 kPa) without injury." Preventing a Boiler Explosion. [18], The intricate shape of a locomotive firebox, whether made of soft copper or of steel, can only resist the steam pressure on its internal walls if these are supported by stays attached to internal girders and the outer walls. The NER 708 Class was a class of 0-6-0 freight steam locomotive of the North Eastern Railway, designed by Edward Fletcher in 1870. One of those areas of concern is the actual force generated by explosive failure and how best to increase public awareness and safety practices to control this explosive potential. List of boiler explosions From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article contains a list of steam boiler explosionssuch as railway locomotive, marine transport (military and civilian), and stationary power. Dozens of explosions resulted, but were eliminated by 1900 by the adoption of butt joints, plus improved maintenance schedules and regular hydraulic testing. 140985.01. There are actually two types of ways a steam locomotives' boiler can explode - the first is when is parts of the train connected with steam and water fail under pressure (this is a boiler explosion) The second type is when the explosion is to do with the fuel and air parts of the locomotive - this is more accurately called a Firebox explosion. The St. Louis Fire Department confirmed the three people had died after a boiler explosion in St. Louis, April 3, 2017. The Safer died in 2017, when its steam boilers ran out of fuel. Boiler explosions are usually the result of over pressurization, due to failure of pressure relief devices, overheating, due to low water level, or mechanical failure of a deteriorated boiler. An excess of steam was often cited. A large explosion occurred at a Kleen Energy Systems 620-megawatt, Siemens combined cycle gas- and oil- fired power plant in Middletown, Connecticut, United States. Amazingly, the ship managed to drop its anchor and safely stop. -Givaudan Corporation, Delawanna Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey: Portable Fire Tube Boiler Explosion (1990s) -Ford's River Rouge Plant, Dearborn, Michigan, Gas Boiler explosion, 6 killed 2/1/1999. A total of seventy-of the class were built for the NER. The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) produced several classes of locomotive, mostly to the designs of Nigel Gresley, characterised by a three-cylinder layout with a parallel boiler and round-topped firebox. boiler explosions and resulting fatalities in the United States. Boiler explosions can result from a number of factors. -Staten Island Ferry, Westfield II, FT boiler explosion: July 30, 1871. But consider this: If you could capture all the energy released when a 30-gallon home hot-water tank flashes into explosive failure at 332F, you would have enough force to send the average car (weighing 2,500 pounds) to a height of nearly 125 feet or more than the height of a 14-story apartment building starting with a lift-off velocity of 85 miles per hour! ASME formed, largely in response to calls for improvements in boiler safety, Required notice of a boiler explosion to be sent to the Board of Trade within 24 hours of occurrence and established inquiry authorizations, The "Code for the Conduct of Trials of Steam Boilers", the first U.S. code for conducting boiler tests, is issued, Extended 1882 requirements to marine vessels, The ASME Boiler Code Committee issues "Standards for Specifications and Construction of Boilers and Other Containing Vessels in Which High Pressure is Contained", The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, "Promote greater safety to life and property through uniformity in the construction, installation, repair, maintenance, and inspection of pressure equipment. It is because hot-water heaters are usually so reliable that many consider them benign. [13] Precautions INFOGRAPHICS is embedded in the post to use as safety Manual. While deterioration and mishandling are probably the most common causes of boiler explosions, the actual mechanism of a catastrophic boiler failure was not well documented until extensive experimentation was undertaken by U.S. boiler inspectors in the early 20th century. Flight Propulsion Laboratory Department, General Electric Company, Idaho Falls, Idaho", "Small model boiler explosion video Home Model Engine Machinist", "The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. 0111400. On the other hand, their operators are occasionally guilty of rigging the wiring or controls intended to prevent potentially explosive operational problems. Cookie policy. In steam locomotive boilers, as knowledge was gained by trial and error in early days, the explosive situations and consequent damage due to explosions were inevitable. However, improved design and maintenance markedly reduced the number of boiler explosions by the end of the 19th century. Someone at a safe peripheral location at the incident scene cautiously holds up a broom handle or 2- by 4-inch board and waves it across the breach where the invisible but searing steam might be.