The plumbing for most propane yard lines is either copper tubing or plastic polyethylene piping. The materials that can be used to establish a propane gas line vary by state. Copper pipe is prohibited in some states. You might wonder if black iron piping, which is used to transport natural gas, can also be used to transport propane. Yes, to put it simply. Again, if you’re installing propane or natural gas lines, check with your local authorities to see what materials are permitted in your location.
What is the best propane pipe?
- Black pipes are tough and long-lasting. Black steel pipes, black iron pipes, and black malleable pipes are some of the other names for them.
- Natural and propane gas is transported from the street or a tank to the home using this device.
- It’s available in lengths ranging from 2 inches to 10 feet, with diameters ranging from 1/4 inch to 2 inches.
What am I able to use as a propane gas line?
Many households in the northern half of the country will have to turn on their heating systems at the beginning of October. Natural gas is one of the most cost-effective and efficient fuels for a furnace or boiler. With its benefits come questions about safety and obligations for homeowners. It is your role as a home inspector to assist in the detection of flaws that may jeopardize the safety of residents in natural gas-powered homes. We’ll go through some of the fundamentals of gas piping inspection.
The gas supply line, also known as the building line, is the plumbing that runs throughout the house. Individual appliances are served by branch lines. The branch line finishes in a drop line, which is a vertical pipe that drops down from an overhead branch line to the appliance. If it carries gas up to an appliance from a branch line below the appliance, it’s called a riser.
A sediment trap or dirt pocket, commonly referred to as a drip leg, is normally present at the appliance connection point and consists of a nipple and a cap. This pipe extension, which is normally at least 3 inches long, is designed to catch any water or foreign material that may be present in the gas before it enters the appliance. The solids and liquids fall into the pocket, which is just a gravity mechanism.
The homeowner is normally responsible for the pipework downstream of the gas meter. The gas company is normally responsible for the piping upstream of the gas meter, as well as the meter itself.
Steel, copper, and brass are the most popular materials for gas piping. In some cases, galvanized steel, copper, brass, or CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing) can be used, but copper is prohibited by some utilities. Copper is widely used in different parts of the world. You should be aware of what is considered acceptable in your neighborhood. Black steel piping with malleable iron or steel fittings is common. In other cases, galvanized steel is also used.
Flexible connectors are allowed to be used to connect appliances to gas pipelines. A shut-off valve must be installed at the rigid piping connection. This valve must be located in the same area as the appliance.
Accessible and three or six feet long: The flexible connectors cannot pass through walls, floors, or ceilings, and they cannot be hidden. Except for gas stoves and laundry dryers, the flexible connector length is normally limited to 3 feet. 6 feet is usually allowed for these equipment. Using nipples to splice or join connectors is frequently forbidden. Flexible connectors are only allowed in some jurisdictions for gas stoves, dryers, outdoor barbecues, and other semi-portable equipment. Flexible connectors may be prohibited on gas furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, and other similar appliances. Flexible connectors are more likely to be utilized on all appliances in earthquake-prone areas because they give some protection against gas piping leakage or rupture during an earthquake. To find out what is and isn’t permitted in your area, consult your local gas code.
The use of white thread seal tape (often referred to as Teflon tape) as a connecting compound for steel gas piping is not recommended. Cutting oils on the pipe threads from the manufacturing process may hinder the tape from sealing. Yellow thread seal tape is permitted in some regions. Pipe dope is favored and may be the only option available. You might wish to double-check with the gas company. Inquire about whether any piping installations with thread seal tape of any color should be reported as a defect.
Although certain exceptions exist, most appliances should have a shut-off valve nearby.
The use of gas piping as a grounding mechanism for the electrical service is prohibited by most authorities. In many countries, however, bonding the gas piping to the electrical grounding system is required. This is often accomplished by connecting the gas pipe to the supply water piping (assuming it is grounded) near the water heater. We want to keep the gas piping at zero electrical potential by attaching it to the grounding system to prevent an electrical potential building within it that could lead to arcing, which could ignite gas.
All of these issues have the potential to result in gas leaks and explosions.
Carson Dunlop’s home inspection training program is the only certified college dedicated solely to house inspection training and is designed to ensure your success. For more information about Carson Dunlop’s home inspection training program, click here.
Is it possible to use black pipe for propane gas?
Running black iron pipe for propane use may appear to be a difficult process, and you will pay a professional to complete it. The truth is that this is a great do-it-yourself project if you have the necessary tools and some basic pipe fitting knowledge.
This can be done in an afternoon depending on how much pipe needs to be installed, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars in installation fees.
Is it possible to utilize PEX pipe for propane?
Yes, but it’s crucial to define your intended usage before ordering polyethylene pipe for your project because the names PE and PEX are commonly used interchangeably.
There isn’t a single PE pipe I’ve seen that can’t be utilized for both natural gas and propane.
The difference in pressure between natural gas and propane at the house meter, measured in inches of water column, is less than one pound.
The majority of my clients were unaware of this.
In today’s world, we live in a plastic world, and plastic pipe is a fantastic product for natural gas and propane installations.
If you’re planning a DIY project involving gas piping, just make sure you purchase the correct material.
Then type in “PEX pipe” and take a look at the various applications for PEX pipe.
Is it safe to use galvanized pipe for propane?
YES… sort of… perhaps.
The National Fuel Gas Code does not ban galvanized piping in gas installations, unless a current edition has amended this.
Yes, zinc flaking is a worry, but it’s no more so than copper sulphite resulting from reactions between contaminants in the fuel and copper in the system.
This is why each appliance requires a properly placed sediment trap (also known as a drip leg).
What size propane pipe do I need?
Section 1 requires 1/2 inch pipe to feed outlets A and B, or 35 cubic feet per hour. Section 2 requires 1/2 inch pipe to serve outputs A, B, and C, or 94 cubic feet per hour. 3/4 inch pipe is required in Section 3 to supply outlets A, B, C, and D, or 230 cubic feet per hour.
Is copper tubing safe to use with propane?
Copper tubing and fittings were approved for use in gas distribution systems, including propane, by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) in 1999.
Is it possible to use plastic pipe for propane?
PE pipe is the only plastic piping that meets the requirements of NFPA 58, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, and is widely utilized in the piping of liquefied petroleum gases (vapor LP-Gas).
Is it possible to use galvanized pipe for a gas line?
Pipes are needed to supply water and gas to houses and businesses. Stoves, water heaters, furnaces, and other appliances run on gas. Water is both necessary and obvious. Black pipe and galvanized pipe are the two most prevalent types of steel pipe used to transport water and gas. Homeowners and even some professionals are often perplexed as to where and when to use these steel pipes.
Galvanized steel pipe has a zinc coating applied to it to make it more corrosion resistant. Galvanized pipe is mostly used to bring water to homes and structures. The zinc also helps to prevent mineral deposits from clogging the water line.
Because it is uncoated, black steel pipe differs from galvanized pipe. The black color is due to the iron oxide that formed on the surface during production. Black steel pipe’s principal function is to transport natural gas into homes and businesses. The pipe has no seams, making it a stronger and safer pipe for transporting gas. Because black steel pipe is more fire resistant than galvanized pipe, it is also utilized for fire sprinkler systems.
Because of the galvanized coating, you should not use galvanized pipe for gas. Galvanized steel bits will flake off over time and block your gas regulators and burner units.
If you mix galvanized and black iron, corrosion will be accelerated where they come into contact.