When a steam outage occurs, it can affect heating, hot water, and other building systems across campus. This overview explains how the campus steam system works, what impacts may occur during an outage, and what to expect as service is restored.
What is the campus steam system?
The university operates a central steam system that produces and distributes steam across campus. Steam is a critical utility that supports:
- Space heating
- Domestic hot water (for bathing, cooking, and cleaning)
- In some facilities, research, laboratory, and dining operations
- In certain buildings, cooling (air conditioning)
Because many building systems rely on steam, an outage can have widespread impacts.
What happens during a steam outage?
A steam outage can affect a wide range of campus facilities, including:
- Academic and administrative buildings
- Research facilities
- Residential halls
- Dining halls
- Recreation facilities
- Libraries and student spaces
The severity and type of impact varies by building, depending on how steam is used and how long the outage lasts.
Why do some buildings still have hot water during a steam outage?
Most campus buildings rely on steam-to-hot-water heat exchangers. However, some buildings have independent or backup domestic hot water systems. These facilities may maintain hot water service during a steam outage, even if heating is affected.
A list of buildings with independent domestic hot water systems may be provided separately.
Why doesn’t heat or hot water return immediately when service is restored?
Steam systems require time and pressure to restart safely.
Even after power and boiler plants are back online:
- Steam pressure must build before it can be distributed
- This process can take up to four hours
- Buildings that cooled significantly during an outage may take additional time to return to comfortable temperatures
Restoration is gradual, and conditions may vary across campus.
What should building occupants expect during restoration?
As steam service is restored:
- Heating and hot water may return at different times in different buildings
- Systems may cycle on and off as pressure stabilizes
- Indoor temperatures may improve gradually rather than immediately
These conditions are normal during system recovery.
Why are steam outages complex?
Steam plays a role in both heating and electricity systems on campus. It is produced by the campus power plant and supported by a separate boiler plant. Key system components include:
- Boilers, which convert water into steam
- Turbines and generators, which convert steam energy into electricity
- Condensers, which convert used steam back into water for reuse
Because these systems are interconnected, an interruption can affect multiple building services at once.
How are updates shared during a steam outage?
During a steam outage, the university shares updates through established campus communication channels. Messages are intended to clarify:
- Which buildings are affected
- What services may be impacted
- When additional updates are available