North American Network Operators Group
Date Prev | Date Next | Date Index | Thread Index | Author Index | Historical

Re: manhole covers

  • From: Marshall Eubanks
  • Date: Fri Feb 21 20:52:43 2003 
The interesting thing is that this happens every few weeks (at least -
sometimes multiple times per week), and generally they don't know why.

Not in Adams Morgan. Not in Foggy Bottom. Not even
in Georgetown Heights. Only in Georgetown, Its become a local joke.

                                 Regards
                                 Marshall Eubanks

On Thursday, February 20, 2003, at 05:43  PM, Sean Donelan wrote:

Check out Georgetown in Washington DC, the exploding manhole capital of
the world. They have a lot of experience with exploding manholes, from
many different causes. The most recent incident was in the last couple of
days. There is a lot of energy in being pumped into utility lines. A
short circuit can release that energy into the underground vaults, and
blow the manhole cover a considerable distance.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33073-2003Feb19.html

The Washington Post also has a special report covering exploding manholes

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/metro/specials/manholes/



On Thu, 20 Feb 2003, Allen Hamner wrote:

I am a chemist who consults with the mayor of Bluefield WV where an
incident two weeks ago (a cold day) blew a 70 pound iron cover 10 feet
from an conduit tunnel containing several public untility lines.  We
believe we can exclude a natural gas leak.  Rumor has it that hydrogen
is involved, which may arise by electrolysis (?) or pyrolysis of
insulation (?).  A previous incident had done no damage but this
explosion destroyed a nearby plate-glass window.

There is no coal in the area so mine gas seepage is excluded.  Sewer
gas is tentatively not an issue.  The source of the spark is unknown.

I would like to participate in the exchange on this topic.

Allen Hamner (Ph.D.)
[email protected]



T.M. Eubanks
Multicast Technologies, Inc.
10301 Democracy Lane, Suite 410
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone : 703-293-9624       Fax     : 703-293-9609
e-mail : [email protected]
http://www.multicasttech.com

Test your network for multicast :
http://www.multicasttech.com/mt/
 Status of Multicast on the Web  :
 http://www.multicasttech.com/status/index.html