SkyDancer: “Probably the result of a poor installation. The kids had complained for over a week that they were getting headaches and some falling asleep at their desks.”
There is a LOT more to the New London explosion; speaking form an engineering standpoint, it is an example of what NOT to do as well as it prompted the addition of that telling ‘smell’ to natural as ... I know I’m going regret not putting in a link to substantiate this, but I’m pressed for time today ...
Aw, nuts, here’s the story on wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_London_School_explosion
Story excerpt:
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The school was built on sloping ground, and a large dead-air space was contained beneath the structure. The school board had overridden the original architect’s plans for a boiler and steam distribution system, instead opting to install 72 gas heaters throughout the building.
Early in 1937, the school board canceled their natural gas contract and had plumbers install a tap into Parade Gasoline Company’s residue gas line in order to save money.
This practice, while not explicitly authorized by local oil companies, was widespread in the area. The natural gas extracted with the oil was seen as a waste product and was flared off. As there was no value to the natural gas, the oil companies turned a blind eye. This “raw” or “wet” gas varied in quality from day to day, even from hour to hour.
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