Flex corrugated gas lines have been involved in a number of lawsuits over the years. Many homeowners scratch their heads when they see bending yellow gas lines in their homes instead of the traditional black steel pipes. The chapter also provides rules about where and how residential gas piping can be installed. CSST is not user friendly for a DIY installer. IMAGE LOST by the old version of Clark Van Oyen`s useful comment code now fixed. This material was approved for residential use in 1988 by the National Fuel Gas Code. Please limit your input to 500 characters. 404.6 Underground penetrations prohibited. The manufacturer accepts no responsibility for improper installation, and does not provide in any great detail, of detrimental or catastrophic failure if done so. (Reference Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 7, Section 9A). Generally, all systems must be sized and installed so as to keep a sufficient flow of gas to meet the maximum demand for each appliance inlet. For comparison, 'black iron' gas pipe will usually last around 50-100 years. What's more, the threaded joints on both sides of the fitting can also be potential leak points. Make your practice more effective and efficient with Casetexts legal research suite. When purchasing new motor vehicles, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must purchase HEVs or AFVs to the maximum extent feasible and consistent with the ability of such vehicles to perform their intended functions. All Flex gas lines installed in new homes must be electrically plugged in and grounded to prevent lightning damage. Traditional black iron pipe takes a lot of time to cut and thread. Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles, Project Assistance & Funding Opportunities, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6C, Section 75 and Chapter 90, Section 1, Massachusetts Department of Transportation Laws and Rules 700 CMR 7.07, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 7, Section 9A. Read Also >> What Is The Code For Stairs? All of these steps are very time-consuming. 248 CMR 4.00 through 8.00, collectively the Massachusetts Fuel Gas Code, governs theinstallation of fuel gas piping systems, fuel gas utilization equipment, and related accessoriesthroughout the Commonwealth. 248 CMR 3.00: General provisions governing the conduct of plumbing and gas fitt, 248 CMR 4.00: Massachusetts fuel gas code, 248 CMR 7.00: Large gas utilization equipment, 248 CMR 10.00: Uniform state plumbing code, 248 CMR 11.00: Education and experience standards and requirements for licensure, Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Since CSST is a very thin metal with a thickness of about 0.3 mm, it is more sensitive to lightning. While the upgrade is less likely to leak gas, corrugated stainless-steel tubing can lead to major house firesif struck by lightning. Traps and Cleanouts, 248 Mass. Reg. 10.08 - Casetext There's no where in gas code that says flexible gas connectors are illegal to a hot water heater in Mass. The pipe is extremely durable and rarely has a lightning strike cause a fire in a house with black iron pipe. My first suspicion would be that the tubing acts like a lightning rod of sorts. State fleets must also acquire AFVs according to the requirements of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 and the Massachusetts Office of Vehicle Management (OVM) must approve any light-duty vehicle acquisition. I know as I have installed thousands of linear feet of the heavy material. Although there have been a few concerns with this type of pipe over damage from nearby lightning strikes. See connectors that are listed CSA according to ANSIZ21.75/CSA 6.27 Connectors for outdoor gas appliances and prefabricated homes (folder #204593) Please find your question and my detailed answer now at the end of the above article on this page. Pipe and Fittings in excess of four inches in diameter shall be welded. Flexible gas lines are safe so long as you have little lightning, Require special installation tool for fittings. That said, when CSST pipes burst, the pipe turns into a potential giant lightning rod. To see if you have CSST, look for long stretches of yellow-jacketed, flexible tubing in your basement, crawlspace, or attic. Section G2415.3 (404.3) prohibits installing pipes through ductwork, clothing chutes, chimneys, elevator shafts and dumbwaiters. GAS PIPING GUIDELINES FOR HOMEOWNERS - City of Dubuque (Reference Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance Administrative Bulletin 13, 2006). Lets look at exactly why that happens: CSST is extremely thin compared to the traditional 4 mm black pipe. Additionally, any piping installed downstream of the structures point of delivery cannot extend through any other townhouse unit besides the one being served by the piping. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Since the CSST gas line has such a thin metal wall (0.3 mm thick), it is important to protect the gas line from nail punctures. Agencies may apply for exemptions from the biodiesel and E85 fuel use requirements if the agencies demonstrate that the alternative fuel is not available within a reasonable distance, cannot be purchased by state vehicle operators through state procurement, or the price of the alternative fuel is cost prohibitive, as determined by DOER. (c) Import into the commonwealth a gas appliance for use in, or in connection with, a residence. This code came in as a response to damage to flexible gas lines and fires in homes struck by lightning. A requirement that installers must use gas shut-off valves comprised of materials compatible with the piping. Want to learn all about flex line gas code and proper installation? In short, flexible gas lines are perfectly safe as long as theyre properly installed. If the CSST isnt properly bonded electrically, this can lead to a disaster. Watch this video to see what you think about the dangers of the material. The pipe in the walls acts as an interior lightning rod. The number 1600 quoted in a note in the table above comes from the source we see in note 4 BrassCraft Gas Products, 39600 Orchard Hill Pl, Novi, MI 48375, USA +1 248-305-6000, Website: www.brasscraft.com/Below is a copy of the Company`s original information on flexible gas interconnections. #3. home improvement and repair website. Many U.S. states and foreign countries use the IRC for their building code, sometimes with matching language. Complete the form below and each week you'll get: Unsubscribe at any time. I call them out on black iron piping only. The CSST has many advantages. Alternative fuel is defined as an energy source that is used to power a vehicle and is not gasoline or diesel. Our commitment is to provide clear, original, and accurate information in accessible formats. When it comes to house fires, you shouldnt worryobsessively at leastabout your CSST. All installers should contact their local inspector regarding any existing permits that were taken prior to Friday November 28, 2008. The maximum allowed bending radius is usually 3-inches for 3/4" CSST and up to 5-inches for 1" or larger CSST. A qualified electrician or plumber should verify proper installation of the flexible gas line. CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local plumbers to installflexible gas lines in your home. However, new homes with CSST require electrical bonding or grounding to protect against lightning strikes. A line drawing of the Internet Archive headquarters building faade. CCST usually lasts about 30 years. Real estate developers and contractors should become familiar with the requirements of Chapter 24 before working on gas piping systems in residential structures. Most U.S. municipalities have adopted the provisions of the International Residential Code, Chapter 24. Flexible gas line code is a set of government regulations that controls flex gas line installations. To find laws and incentives for other alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, search all laws and incentives. The thin walls of CSST might not seem to handle as much of a strike as black iron. If you have an older home with CSST, it is important to verify that the electrical bonding and grounding exists and is working properly. Casetext, Inc. and Casetext are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. In the minds of many, installing a tank water . HEVs and AFVs must be acquired at a rate of at least 5% annually for all new motor vehicle purchases so that not less than 50% of the motor vehicles the Commonwealth owns and operates will be HEVs or AFVs by 2018. The International Residential Code doesn't specify the wire to be used for bonding, but it ismost commonly a #6 AWG copper conductor and installed where the solid gas pipe gas line first comes into the home. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be To add a line in the future you need to have an extra gas port on the manifold within the panel. An older home is likely exempted (grandfathered-in) from current CSST gas line code, but homeowners that have flexible gas lines should have it evaluated by a qualified plumber or electrician. is Black gas pipe permitted in crawl space? - The Building Code Forum If you need assistance, please contact the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. We respect your email privacy. Perhaps the biggest one is labor savings. Cast iron is only permitted for flanges, valves, strainers, and filters. Always verify the flexible gas line code with your local state or city and with the manufacturer. This guide isn't meant to detail every code, and I have summarized a few of the most important codes for flex gas lines from the IRC Chapter 24 Fuel Gas. In the state of Massachusetts, installation must be performed by a qualified or licensed contractor, plumber, or gasfitter qualified or licensed by the state. Running gas line under the deck. Thoughts on pipe and grill Alternative fuel is defined as an energy source that is used to power a vehicle and is not gasoline or diesel. Black iron is so much thicker that it may actually take a lightning strike better. Thank you for your time. Is Flexible Gas Line Legal in Massachusetts. Joining two or more connectors is not permitted by installation codes or product standards. Flex lines are all the gas company will use for new connections other than the rigid pipe going up to meters. Flexible gas lines (also known as corrugated stainless steel tubing - CSST) have been installed in millions of homes in the U.S. and around the world. Virtually all state and local code authorities permit its use and many contractors are finally embracing it. Gas Explosion from Flexible Gas Line CSST - Danger - AsktheBuilder.com She has written extensively for publications and websites in the business, management and legal fields. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Multi-family Dwellings Diversity Factor in Percent of Total Load for Domestic Gas Ranges with connected Load Ratings of 63,000 Btu/hr. You can also see the pipe sizing chart for the manufacturer Gastite here. Flex corrugated pipelines have been involved in a number of legal disputes over the years. When purchasing new motor vehicles, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must purchase HEVs or AFVs to the maximum extent feasible and consistent with the ability of such vehicles to perform their intended functions. As you can see, there is a significant multi-year gap in which Building Codes did not require proper bonding of flexible gas lines. Some page levels are currently hidden. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. We will use this information to improve this page. All agencies must purchase the most economical, fuel-efficient, and low emission vehicles appropriate to their mission. It's feeding 1/4" OD soft copper tubing. She holds a B.A. Residential Connectors FAQ - Watts 248 CMR 4.00: Massachusetts fuel gas code | Mass.gov Dominic, short answer: Generally not, but there are flexible gas appliance connectors listed and approved for outdoor use, including some . Please limit your input to 500 characters. I'm here to help you maintain, inspect, and renovate your home! There are lots of instances of houses that have been destroyed in gas fires because CSST pipe was ruptured by a lightning strike. CSST needs to be supported at certain intervals with clips or straps. The AFV must conform to applicable federal and state laws and regulations. All Massachusetts agencies must use a minimum of 15% biodiesel (B15) in all on- and off-road diesel engines, provided that the Commonwealth Office of Vehicle Management and other appropriate agencies have determined that a B15 goal is appropriate. Section 2401.1 (101.2) governs the applicability of the provisions of Chapter 24, which covers fuel gas piping systems, fuel-gas appliances and related accessories, venting systems and combustion air configurations that are most commonly found in single-family and duplex-type dwelling structures. Flexible gas line code is a set of government regulations that controls flex gas line installations. There's signs of flames shooting out of the burner area. I need to install a compression stop valve on 1/2" copper. A flexible gas line is an ingenious method of supplying natural gas to fireplaces, furnaces, cooktops, clothes dryers and any other gas appliance. Yes, you can use approved soft copper for gas line work. 248 CMR 3.00: General provisions governing the conduct of plumbing and gas fitting work performed in the Commonwealth. Use this button to show and access all levels.