Effects of Cold on Piping Systems The BorderTransportationSystem goes up to 4,000 or more feet in altitude, and in the winter it can snow and ice over in many sections.  This may require some heating of the oil and water pipelines in certain areas of the system, and this heat should be generated by the system's electric. The piping system will have to be designed so that lengths are coupled with flexible areas that allow for expansion and contraction of the pipe without causing cracking or splitting of the pipe. Index of ... Expansion Joint Manual Hyspan Industrial Piping Metallic Pipe Expansion Joints