Is it a fire hazard to have heating pipes in contact with ceiling tiles?

Question

I have an oil-fired boiler in the basement. My basement is finished with a suspended ceiling. I noticed that some of the ceiling tiles are in contact with the pipes that go to the radiator. I would imagine these pipe get hot during the heating cycle. Are they hot enough to pose a fire hazard? Thank you.

Answer 1

Pipes to a water-based radiator holds liquid water, water at atmospheric pressures boils at 100°C (212°F) very few things have an ignition point at that temperature unless it's already an ignition risk in plain air.

And the water itself shouldn't get to boiling temperature at all. Water for heating is usually not more than 70°C (158°F) as it circulates. Enough to scald a person if in prolonged contact but well below the ignition temperature of typical building materials.

In case of failure of the temperature control which could force the heater on there is a redundant temperature control to cut off heating and a pressure relieve valve in the system to prevent an increase of temperature and pressure and prevent super heated steam from forming in the pipes.