Star Elementary Tragedy and How to Prevent Hot Water Heat Explosions
On January 19, 1982 in Spencer, Oklahoma, tragedy struck the local elementary school, Star Elementary. As children were eating lunch in the cafeteria, an explosion tore through the kitchen. Glass, bricks, and shards of metal rained across those inside. This explosion ultimately took the lives of seven people and injured 42 more. Learn more about that life-changing day, how it affected state regulations, and how to prevent hot water heat explosions from effecting your facility.
The Aftermath of a Water Heater Explosion
Early on the morning of January 19th, cafeteria workers noticed an issue with the hot water heater. Maintenance was made aware of the situation and a plumber was called. A faulty gas valve was replaced on the unit. As the day continued, more issues arose. Steam started flowing from the dishwasher. The temperature of the water was 40° higher than normal. Shortly after lunch had been served to all the children, a cook went to turn on the faucet and got only steam. As she left to report the situation, the hot water heater explosion occurred.
Star Elementary’s hot water heater was a mere 80-gallons. This is considered a large hot water heater for a home, typically only recommended for homes with large families and high hot water usage. But it is inefficient for a large building with over 300 children and staff. Although the gas valve on the unit was replaced, there were several other issues with the unit that were not addressed. The temperature probe in the pressure relief valve was missing and the valve itself was improperly installed. It was later revealed that for over 3 years the water heater was in knowingly bad condition but repair was not a priority.
Maintenance and Inspection Regulations
Of course, now we know that this accident could have been avoided. If regular water heater inspections and maintenance had been performed, this tragedy would never have occurred. Unfortunately, there were no state regulations in place at this time in 1982. However, after this news was revealed, the findings not only sparked a community but also a nation to enact changes. Putting it simply, if this could happen at a small school in Oklahoma, it could happen anywhere.
Only nine months after the Star Elementary explosion, state legislatures put forth stronger safety laws over hot water heaters and heating boilers. This included a new law, the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act. This law requires mandatory, annual inspections of every boiler, hot water heater, and pressure vessel installed anywhere in the state. This act exists in every state in the United States. (Check with your local state laws for more specific requirements.)
“Immediately after the Star Elementary catastrophe, the school district initiated a thorough inspection of every hot water heater and boiler in the rest of the district’s 100 buildings. The superintendent said that 36 steam boilers and 16 hot water tanks were ordered shut down and repaired.” – https://www.edweek.org/education/the-shock-lingers-after-oklahoma-explosion-as-officials-seek/1982/03
What Can We Do to Prevent Hot Water Heater Explosion
Today regular inspections are mandatory for your steam units. However, preventative measures should always be taken to keep people and the environment safe. Focus should be given to maintaining safe pressure levels, ensure proper ventilation of steam, and regularly replace safety components. Key preventative measure include:
- Installing and maintaining pressure relief valves – regularly inspect and test PRVs. The Watson McDaniel HD Pressure Reducing Valve with PT & PP Pilot combo allows you to fully control temperature while limiting downstream pressure to a maximum value.
- Ensuring proper thermostat settings (typically between 120 – 125°F) to prevent overheating and pressure buildup. The ONICON System-1000 Flow & Energy Measurement System allows for remote measurement of steam temperatures with alerts – don’t leave it up to chance if the thermostat fails.
- Flushing tanks to remove sediment build-up that can lead to overheating. Thrush’s unique Aar-O-Vent® air and dirt removal device allows your hot water systems to operate at peak velocity with virtually no corrosion or water flow issues.
- Inspections after heavy use, long shutdown times, or acts of God such as earthquakes or floods. Check for signs of corrosion, leaks, or cracks and maintain or replace if necessary.
- If any replacements or repairs are needed, always use a licensed professional for install and maintenance. Apex offers the highest quality equipment made in the USA. When you use Apex for replacement parts, you know you are getting the best!
Aside from safety, when a water heater is running well, it will save you hundreds in energy costs. Replacing older units can give you an even bigger bang for your buck. And you can often receive tax benefits for upgrading to energy efficient appliances as well.
Final Thoughts
With the current safety procedures, appliance standards, and inspections, we’re all in a lot safer place than we were in 1982. However, hot water heater explosions still occur. In 2001, a Mexican restaurant in Burien, WA had a hot water heater explode. It blew out the storefronts of several buildings and was hurled almost 6 blocks away. Several injuries were reported. On August 12, 2023, a hot water heater in a home in Plum, PA exploded. This resulted in five fatalities.
We should do everything we can to ensure that disasters like what happened at Star Elementary and Plum, PA never happens again. If you’re concerned about a unit in your facility, call Apex today! 763-777-9525
