Wrought Iron [BETTER]

In the first report, you can rank states by either gas distribution main miles or service line counts. Distribution mains are natural gas distribution pipelines that serve as a common source of supply for more than one service line. Service lines are the pipelines that transport gas to a customer's meter or piping. The table is initially sorted by the number of miles of cast or wrought iron gas distribution main, but can be sorted by any of the columns.

wrought iron

The second report shows the change in main miles and service line counts over the years. Nationally, cast and wrought iron distribution main mileage has decreased by 50 percent from 2005 to 2020. The number of cast or wrought iron service lines has decreased by approximately 80 percent over the same time period. The third report shows data for each operator reporting iron pipelines since 2005.

All of the reports can be limited to a single state by using the state prompt at the top. Any state not included in the drop-down either never had cast and wrought gas distribution pipelines or all were removed before 2005. 22 States and 1 territory have completely eliminated cast and wrought iron gas distribution pipelines: AK, AZ, AR, CO, HI, IA, ID, MN, MT, NM, NC, ND, NV, OK, OR, PR, SC, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Even though the amount of cast iron pipelines is declining, there have been a number of recent incidents caused by cast iron gas distribution main failures, resurging attention to the risks associated with cast and wrought iron pipelines.

What Causes Iron Pipe Leaks?The biggest threat to cast or wrought iron pipe is earth movement. If these pipelines are disturbed by digging, seasonal frost heave, or changes in ground water levels, leakage may occur.

Another serious threat called graphitization is a natural process in which iron degrades to softer elements, making iron pipelines more susceptible to cracking. The extent of graphitization depends on many factors, but gas may leak from the joints or through cracks in the pipe if graphitization has occurred.

When leaks occur on low-pressure systems with cast or wrought iron distribution lines, the volume of gas escaping through the failure point is much less than what might escape through the same size failure in a system operating at higher pressures. However, even a relatively small volume of natural gas leakage can have catastrophic consequences.

HistoryCast and wrought iron pipelines were originally constructed to transport manufactured gas beginning in the 1870s and 1880s, with cast iron becoming more popular in the early 1900s.

In 1970 PHMSA began collecting data about gas pipelines mileage categorized by pipe material type. In 1983, gas distribution pipeline operators reported 61,536 miles of cast iron and 4,371 miles of wrought iron pipe. Operators began submitting merged data for the two beginning in 1984.

Wrought iron pipelines were joined end-to-end using either threaded or compression couplings, while cast iron pipelines were linked using bell and spigot joints with packing material stuffed in the bell to form a gas tight seal. Since these pipelines transported wet, manufactured gas, the packing material absorbed moisture and generally did not leak.

Distribution Integrity Management ProgramsIn late 2009, PHMSA implemented pipeline safety regulations for managing the integrity of gas distribution pipelines. Operators were required to create and implement Distribution Integrity Management Programs (DIMP) by August 2011. Operators are required to know the specific characteristics of their system and operating environment to identify threats, evaluate the risk, and take measures to reduce the risk.

Specifically for cast/wrought iron, operators must have knowledge of the specific characteristics of the pipe and environments where graphitization could be severe. Evaluating past leak history and monitoring cast/wrought iron pipe during excavations are also key components of maintaining integrity.

In 1986, the NTSB investigated an explosion at a restaurant in Derby, Conn., that killed six people and injured 12. The NTSB issued recommendations for corrective action only to the pipeline operator. In 1990, a natural gas explosion and fire killed one person, injured nine, destroyed two homes, and damaged two adjacent houses in Allentown, Pa. The NTSB report found that a water main leak eroded support under a 4-inch cast iron gas main. This ground disturbance results in a circumferential crack in the gas main. Natural gas migrated through the soil and into the basement of one of the homes where it ignited, exploded, and burned. The cast iron gas main was significantly weakened by graphitization.

RSPA Alert Notice 91-02 Encourages operators to develop procedures to identify segments of cast iron pipe that may need replacement. Reminds operators that pipeline safety regulations require generally graphitized cast iron pipe to be replaced and protect excavated cast iron pipe from damage.

RSPA Alert Notice 92-02 Reminds operators that pipeline safety regulations require operators to have a procedure for continuing surveillance of pipeline facilities to identify problems and take appropriate action concerning failures, leakage history, corrosion, and other unusual operating and maintenance conditions. This procedure should also include surveillance of cast iron to identify problems and take appropriate action concerning graphitization.

PHMSA Advisory Bulletin ADB-2012-05 In 2012, PHMSA supplemented the two RSPA alert notices asking operators and state pipeline safety representatives to monitor cast iron replacement programs, establish accelerated leak surveys, focus safety efforts on high risk pipe, incentivize pipeline rehabilitation, repair and replacement programs, strengthen inspection, accident investigation and enforcement actions, and install home methane gas alarms.

We can confirm that puddled wrought iron is indeed available, rolled to any size you like, in large or small batches as needed. It is re- rolled from original genuine heavy mooring chain, and is of a quality which surpasses the needs of smiths making architectural work.

The Real Wrought Iron Company is as far as we know the sole world supplier of genuine wrought iron. We supply to blacksmiths throughout the world, for use in the restoration of historic ironwork and the construction of high quality architectural ironwork commissions.

Established over 30 years ago by Chris Topp, we believe we are the only supplier of this wonderful material nowadays, and the craftsmen working at our sister company Topp & Co. are experts in its use. We source our genuine wrought iron from all over the country and are always looking to buy genuine wrought iron. We hope this site acts as a useful guide for both the services we offer and also answer any queries you might have about wrought iron as a material.

This material is completely different to pure iron, owing to the presence within the matrix of the iron, of up to 5% of silicate slags, distributed throughout the section as fibres. It is these slag fibres which give wrought irons their unique properties, including superb weldability ( in the fire) and resistance to corrosion.

We would be very happy to expand upon the unique and superior properties of wrought iron, if you are interested. Suffice to say, that no refined modern metal can be regarded as a substitute, unless of course someone comes up with one containing the slag fibres! As regards costs, these are comparable with any small production ferrous alloy, and sit somewhere between those of stainless steels and the cheaper bronzes.

Using many original designs, our exquisite metalwork is produced by our experienced craftsmen combining traditional hand-forging techniques on wrought iron, bronze, aluminum, and stainless steel with modern metalworking methods in our well-equipped facility.

Centuries later many of the most intricate wrought iron structures still dazzle and attract tourists on a regular basis. Would you be interested in taking a glimpse of the 12 top famous attractions and landmarks using wrought iron? Here they are:

Since Peter the Great first commissioned architect Jean-Baptiste Alexandre Le Blond to create summer gardens for his wife Cathrine I. The Michael Garden became a favorite royal retreat. Its wrought iron fence on the other hand was really breathtaking. The wrought iron decorations spread beautifully along the garden, creating an impressive metal garden of their own.

At the time, such architectural solutions were rather uncommon because wrought and cast iron were primarily used in ornamental work despite their many advantages. Labrouste, however, helped popularize wrought iron as a material worth experimenting with in a much larger context of applications than the standard decorative installations.

The Bell Edison Telephone Building is a brick and terracotta construction in the city center of Birmingham, England. It was designed in 1896 by Frederick Martin as the new Central Telephone Exchange, also housing the National Telephone Company. A remarkable addition to the distinct brick-colored exterior of the building is the wrought iron gate at its main entrance. The metal doors are decorated with floral motives in vivid red, golden, and green, revealing masterful attention to detail.

The London Green Park entrance is also known as the Canada Gate. It is a gift from Canada (then the senior Dominion of the British Empire) and is dedicated to Queen Victoria. The wrought iron gate in neoclassical style is adorned with the flags of the seven Canadian provinces from the 1910s. The whole construction consists of 5 gilded wrought iron doors, with the central one being the largest and most elegant of them all. The portals are supported by posts crowned with gas lanterns that add to the royal feel of the fine ironwork.

Raising high in the middle of the Qutb complex, the monument has resisted the elements and remained intact for centuries. The wrought iron pillar is considered a testament to the mastery of ancient Indian iron smiths and the endurance of this fine material. 041b061a72