When you’re driving through the Elizabeth River Tunnels, you probably aren't thinking about the miles of water lines running alongside you. But for the Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC) company, those lines are a top priority.
Infrastructure at this scale requires precision, especially when it comes to the water line valves. These valves are the "gatekeepers" of the system; they control the flow, stop water to allow for maintenance, and, most importantly, prevent catastrophic pressure spikes that could damage the entire network.
The Challenge: When Infrastructure Freezes
In the damp, drafty environment of a roadway tunnel, freezing temperatures pose a serious threat. Initially, ERC faced a serious dilemma: frozen water valves. When a valve freezes, it doesn't just stop working. The expanding ice can crack the housing or seize the internal mechanisms. In a tunnel environment, a burst pipe or a non-functioning valve is more than a splashy detour, it’s a safety hazard that can lead to emergency closures and costly repairs.
The Solution: The Xtreme Heaters 800W System
After experiencing these failures with other heaters, the engineering teams turned to Xtreme Heaters for a permanent solution. They installed a single 800W unit directly at each valve station to maintain a consistent, safe operating temperature in the enclosure. Mounting and setting up these heaters was easy thanks to Xtreme Heaters simple design and mounting tabs. Now, the Elizabeth River Crossing water lines are safeguarded for many winters to come.
Since the installation, the heaters have been running through the winter with zero complaints from the ERC staff.
Heaters Built for Industrial Environments
The environment inside a transit tunnel is unforgiving. It’s tight, damp, and subject to constant vibration and temperature swings. Xtreme Heaters are specifically engineered for the most challenging work areas, where standard space heaters would fail within weeks (if that!)
Here is what makes an Xtreme Heater ERC’s professional choice:
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Durable Aluminum Housing: Unlike plastic units that crack or degrade, our anodized aluminum casing is built to withstand the rigors of industrial use.
- Fail-safe PTC technology: Self-regulating heating design helps prevent overheating and supports continuous-duty operation in unattended enclosures when installed per instructions.
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Spark-Free Components: Safety is non-negotiable in tunnel environments. Our heaters are designed to be spark-free, making them safe for use in confined spaces.
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IP68 Rated for harsh environments and long life.
- Thermostatically controlled "set it and forget it" heater style insures worry free operation. No concerns of controls being messed with in-between maintenance.
- Meeting ASSE 1060 standards, it ensures that backflow prevention setups remain operational when frost threatens to seize them up.
Reliability Under Pressure
By integrating Xtreme Heaters into their freeze protection strategy, the Elizabeth River Crossings team ensured that their water lines valves, enclosures and the commuters who rely on the tunnels stay moving regardless of the weather outside.
Browse our blogs and see how Xtreme Heaters can help solve your industrial freeze protection needs!
Our friendly staff is always available to answer any questions and give advice. Call us at (877) 360-4328
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