I was told that copper boilers are safer because when it goes it goes it goes in a somewhat less catastrophic manner. Is that true?
To put some perspective on it though - you're more likely to be killed in a traffic accident on the way to the show.
I think on that it is the joints that let go,since they were generally silver soldered. Before a rupture in the shell.
Not really safer if you are close and it goes scalding is a terrible way to be injured.
Boiled alive was a description used in a paper or more aptly put by a doctor, in a newspaper interview "Boiled ¾'s dead" when Fords Rouge plant power house had a gas line explosion. That took out a high pressure steam line. The poor bastard lingered for almost a week be fore he died!
The doctor said all we could do was keep him pumped up with morphine and hope he didn't wake up! Because the one time he did, his screams could be heard all over the hospital.
If you read the statement by Semple from the British steam group in the link above I gave he states that they have the inspections etc. that it is rare that an accident like that could happen there.
I am sorry but here in the states with some of the A$$holes at these shows I have meet and their ignorance of the equipment and operations. "most common statement I'm told I don't need no damn license, My granpappy taught me when I was 6 years old!" that may be true but the fact remains, Granpap couldn't read the instructions and was taught by an illiterate farm hand! And what ever you were taught you have lost to many braincells for the remaining knowledge to be of any use.
To many people have too high and over inflated opinion of themselves, just because they have inherited a rusted and busted traction engine here in the states. A couple years ago one guy was upset as they wouldn't let him steam up an engine he had pulled out of a field a couple weeks before. The trip on the trailer had broken a rusted out area around some of the lap joints rivets. Granted it probably wouldn't have held 2psig (17 pounds pressure).
Since I'm in charge of the show physical set up and air supply at the N A M E S expo. I get at least two geniuses each show telling me we are wusses for not using steam.
I smile and tell them I don't discuss safety matters with idiots that don't have a clue what they are talking about!
First most of the venues used are owned or operated by the cities.
They have insurance regulations anybody using the arena has to follow.
Fire dept regulations and inspections.
Building department/electrical not to mention that the state or county can come in and do fire or other inspections at anytime.
Then there is the groups insurance carrier and the cost per attendee ticket that goes to insurance cost. Which is climbing every year, because of the sue happy people.
Then finally from what I have seen of some of the tin plate toy type boilers, I wouldn't want to have them running on steam!
So I may be over sensitive about this kind of thing, but with the rates the insurance are charging if you can find it. Won't be long be long before the traction engine crowd here is pulling construction compressors behind their engines. Even one more small/slight accident with a working antique engine and operating on steam will be a memory here in the states.
Or so I have been told, an Insurance guy at the last show!