If you were to introduce electrical current on one of the wires, the bonding will spread things out and keep thevoltage from wanting to arc (or jump) from one conductor to another. The following example is excerpted from a local Oklahoma Building Code for Rogers County, Appendix H, , Subsection "Policy for installation of Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)", in Appendix H-17General Information and In some U.S. states such as in Massachusetts, CSST is required to have a metal cover to protect it from lighting and the elements when outside. Jul 20, 2012. SECTION 414 (IFGC) SUPPLEMENTAL AND STANDBY GAS SUPPLY. The conductor must be attached to the piping system using a listed bonding clamp in accordance with UL 467. It is an alternative to rigid steel or iron pipes generally used to carry natural gas through a home. NOTE: Many features on ICCSafe's website require JavaScript. Corrugated stainless steel tubing was invented in 1988 and gained approval for use in most of . One would think that excluding concerns for corrosion, similar worries apply to (and generally prohibit the use of) flexible copper tubing when used for gas piping: it is not routed within building cavities. 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. Would appreciate some clarity on CSST bonding- a number of the posts I have read are confusing to me anyway. 220 0 obj
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Thank you for sharing. CSST may be protected either by installation of an extra bonding connection (IFGC Section 310.2/IRC Section G2411.2) or by the use of a listed arc-resistant jacket (IFGC Section 310.3/IRC Section G2411.3) in accordance with the national standard CSA/ANSI LC-1. Website: www.wardflex.com/index.htm. Through csstsafety.com the National Association of State Fire Marshals and the CSST industry recommend that homes where gas piping has been installed or modified since 1990 be inspected for the presence of yellow CSST and that the electrical ground bonding in those homes be inspected. Phone: 502.938.5190, Mailing Address: Note: Black jacketed CSST piping that is certified as arc-resistant is marked with the letters AR (Arc-Resistant) indicating compliance with the CSA/ANSI LC-1 standard. Can plumber split in a joint connector, or does the whole line need to be replaced? Read Also >> What Is The Code For Range Hood Venting? CSST should never be directly connected to movable appliances like dryers, washers, and ovens. Our page top photo, provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection & education firm, illustrates an improper installation of standard yellow CSST gas piping - routed in ground contact in a wet area. I'm finishing my basement ceiling which includes building a bulkhead around ductwork, plumbing and two CSST gas lines. * Estimated delivery dates - opens in a new window or tab include seller's handling time, origin ZIP Code, destination ZIP Code and time of acceptance and will . Only CSST has this requirement. I was aware that on the yellow CSST (Gastite) type piping that you can not attach . "Standard Yellow CSST" such as shown below (adapted from csstsafety.com) may appear in homes where gas piping was installed or modified since 1990. U.S. Patent 7,562,448, issued July 21, 2009. by InspectApedia (Editor) (mod) - Can csst be used outside. Instead in those situations it's common to use steel piping for such gas lines. Though this has always been a manufacturers requirement; the IRC code specifies this bonding requirement for all types of CSST since at leat 2009. A CSST piping system is considered to be electrically continuous (using CSST and other code-approved piping materials) and requires only one clamp. 974 Breckenridge Ln, Suite 138 Im sure there are many other manufacturers but these are the big two I see in my area. Furthermore, in most jurisdictions, gas lines are not allowed to travel beneath the slab of the residence (sidewalks, patios, etc, are ok, but not under the garage or living spaces) unless installed in a gas -tight conduit, sealed at each end. Chances are that it was not done at all, and you need to rectify that. If you have black CSST in your home, and the jacket has been removed more than 2 in, I encourage you to reach out to TrackPipe for detailed instructions on correcting this installation. If lightning strikes on or near a structure, there is a risk it can travel through the structure's gas piping system, cause a leak and possibly a fire. However, I dont think the ground wire of that circuit will meet the minimum requirements of a 6awg wire. The permanent bonding of non-arc-resistant (yellow) CSST piping systems directly to the grounding electrode system of the structure in which the CSST is installed serves to lower the voltage build-up on the CSST caused by unintentional energizing from outside sources such as lightning strikes. IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHTNING PROTECTION FOR YOUR HOME, YOULL WANT TO RESEARCH THE NFPA 780 STANDARDS. CSST is flexible so it can be snaked through the structure. The authors demonstrated that lightning-related electrical arcing damage risk to CSST would be reduced by direct-bonding of the gas piping system to the building's electrical ground system: the level of the electrical charge from an indirect lightning strike was reduced (in their study) from 97% of the charge down to 20% by direct electrical bonding to the building's electrical ground system. I also found this sad story from NBC 5 News in Texas on a house fire that killed a man from suspected CSST failure. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for CSST Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing 70 Ft 3/4" Flexible Natural Gas Line P. at the best online prices at eBay! Home Inspector Secrets is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Durham, M. O., and R. A. Durham. To complete your registration, please verify your email address. Ideally, you want to put the bonding clamp in a spot where the wire will be asshort as possible back to the electric panel. Of course there are protection, routing, electrical grounding and other requirements for such piping to be safe and functional. Mr. Kahn is a licensed home inspector in New York and New Jersey, and can be reached at Website: Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the. I was wondering if CSST can be bonded to the copper water pipe in Arkansas. Ten 1" Male x CSST Fittings (NEW in box). "Underground piping system." Several manufacturers also recommend the upgrading of existing CSST systems to include the required bonding. There have been house fires blamed on faulty CSST installation without this bonding. I read through the 2017 NEC, specifically focusing on 250.104; however, I could not figure out a clear answer. Studies have confirmed that a lighting strike near a home can puncture the membrane of CSST as result of the power surge. As Mark Cramer says it depends. If you have an older home with CSST, it is important to verify that the electrical bonding and grounding exists and is working properly. The idea was that if a building started to move during an earthquake, it should have a gas line that moves with it. Flexible Gas Line Code (2023 CSST Requirements) Arie Carrier Tuijl | Licensed Place Inspector . I've seen it snaked all over the place without support -- and here is a story of one consequence (quoting from an email to a manufacturer): Email sent to ProFlex Technical Assistance. Please click the link in the email CSST or Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing is a flexible gas piping system that has been in use in the U.S. since 1990. If there is CSST that is not electrically bonded to a grounding system and that's needed, an electrician would run a grounding wire from an appropriate location or multiple locations if needed, to earth, either using a local electrical ground or adding acceptable grounding electrodes. Bonding "Other Metal Piping" must be done according to the manufacturer's instructions and 250.104 (B). SECTION 412 (IFGC) LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES. Some CSST manufacturers will require a minimum of flex line support every 4-feet, but other companies may only need support every 8-9 feet. the other end of the CSST would run through the attic and down . CAN-CGA-B149.2 Propane gas installation book used in Canada. Is cast legal for commercial application in Illinois? arrow_right. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. A black wire, a white wire, and a bare copper. Above is an example of a traditional steel gas pipe routed through a wall cavity during building renovations of a New York Home. It is used frequently in construction in lieu of black iron pipe today, which is the traditional material used for gas distribution (both natural gas and propane). I have bonded several older CSST gas systems. If I were seller of such a property and if I were willing to make such an allowance to a buyer, I'd ask my attorney to offer a reasonable contribution to the cost of the job. This new safety requirement will require training updates for fire inspectors and building inspectors, who may be acquainted only with the code requirement which states that gas piping shall not be used for grounding purposes; and for utility workers who may have been taught to remove ground clamps from gas pipes when they encounter them. Watch out: The concern is for mechanical damage or puncture and a subsequent gas leak, asphyxiation or explosion death of occupants. . What we are learningnow is that installations of CSST gas pipe need an additionalbonding point to the homes system grounding for fire safety. The early reports were not always considered credible, even though firefighters recognized the breaks in the system and the burning gas. "Lightning dangers on corrugated tubing carrying hydrocarbons." Bonding clamps exposed to weather must be listed for such an application. Ground fault protection of arc-resistant CSST is handled in the same manner as steel pipe and depends only on the presence of an equipment grounding conductor contained within a branch circuit, which powers one or more of the gas appliances served by the entire piping system. It is also important to note that the IRC leaves out a lot of installation details for CSST and says to follow manufacturer instructions. Albino, Mark. Original source: https://tracpipe.ca/wp-content/uploads/FGP_001_DI_Guide.pdf Also seeCAN-CGA-B149.1 Natural gas installation book used in Canada. From the research I did, it seems that bonding has been required since around 2006, which means that there are lots of homes throughout the world that have no bonding installed on the CSST. You are in the right spot! Is the clamp that is secured to the first csst fitting coming from the gas meter( or propane regulator) to then have the #6 copper wire run to the main service panel and attached to grounding bar in panel, or is it to go directly to agrounding rod. The clamp used must be listed for the location and type of mechanical attachment. Top 4 Flex Gas Line Codes (2022 Requirements), Top 5 Flexible Gas Line Manufacturer Requirements, Frequently Asked Questions On Flexible Gas Lines. www.gastite.com/index.html, Ward Manufacturing, Inc. (manufacturer of Wardflex and Wardflex II CSST gas piping) Submitted by Ray Thornburg on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 12:37 Ray Thornburg's blog; The idea is pretty simple. I wonder if you would do an article on it? The history and field experience of CSST use in North America led to concerns about possible pitting, corrosion or perforation of the original yellow CSST gas piping in areas where lightning strikes were common. Many U.S. states around 2006 enacted a CSST gas line code that requires electrical bonding of CSST such as this example in Virginia. Standard "yellow" or newer black CSST can be recognized in (usually) long runs between the building gas source and its point of use at gas appliances. CSST run underground must be in conduit with the conduit vented under normal conditions. CSST is a flexible gas line material that has been used in millions of homes across the United States and the world. Just know that if you do have a problem, it can becatastrophic. If it were electrical wiring, it would be Romex. what is the best practice for fixing a punctured CSST line? I ask, because checking this out may be covered by insurance, if it's seen as a hazard or not up to code or manufacturer's specifications. I just came back from helping my Brother-in-Law with a few issues in his Condo in Boston -- he had a sprinkler pop over the winter, so a lot of the drywall had to be removed to dry things out. The grounding electrode system includes all of the grounding electrodes available and the grounding electrode conductor(s). I grew up with a hammer in my hand, and have been a professional home inspector for 14 years. Examples includeHomeFlex INSTALLATION MANUAL [PDF] Valencia Pipe Co., You can also see the pipe sizing chart for the manufacturer Gastite here. See Question 1. Kinchoix 35ft CSST Gas Line 3/4'' Gas Line Flex CSST Gas Pipe Kit with 2 Male Fittings Anti-Cracking Used for Stove Dryer Heater NG Appliance Propane Equipment Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing. The ICC PMG Official Membership Council website offers many resources. That device completes the circuit and the current returns back to the source (the electric panel) via the white wire. Is this acceptable, according to your guidelines and any applicable codes? A separate grounding electrode and grounding system cannot be established just for the fuel gas piping system. Where the clamp is attached to rigid pipe, the pipe surface must be clean and free of paint and coatings to enable a metal-to-metal connection. jpope (Jeffrey Pope, CMI) September 5, 2009, 4:29pm #4. We hope you enjoy this newest edition of CodeNotes. Thanks J. Its worth noting that there is a newer versionof CSST that has ablack jacketon it that has been available for the past few years. Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing - or CSST - is a yellow flexible pipe used to provide natural gas and propane to many homes and businesses. City Of Philadelphia (2011) in Philadelphia: OHCD/PHCD/RDFA Small Building Regulations (2011), Division 22 Plumbing, Quality Standards and COnstruction Procedures: - retrieved 14 Apr 2015, original source: http://www.phila.gov/ohcd/smallbldgspecs/smallbuildingspecsjune2011.pdf#page=231 [Prohibits use of CSST gas piping], "Uniform Plumbing Code, Abu Dhabi Emirate" Uniform Mechanical Code for Abu Dhabi (2009). TracPipeCounterStrikehas been shown to be up to 400 times more resistant to the damaging effects of electrical energy than conventional CSST. Rousseau, Alain, and Mitchell Guthrie. The CodesNotes collection has recently been expanded to include a selection of notes offered in Spanish. Builders and contractors like CSST because as it is flexible, it is much easier to install than rigid . 4. Your article is very comprehensive and thorough. Thanks, J. Lininger, Thomas B., Steven M. Powell, and Nicholas Novak. He retired from the International Code Council after 13 years of service. 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