Things you need to know about the gas pipeline - Urban Repairing

Things you need to know about the gas pipeline

The beginning of October means many householders living within the northern part of the country will need to start firing up their heating systems. gas is among the smallest amount expensive and most effective ways to fuel a furnace or boiler. alongside its advantages come safety concerns and responsibilities for homeowners. As a home inspector, it's your job to assist identify deficiencies which will compromise the security of occupants in homes using gas. we'll discuss a number of the fundamentals of inspecting gas piping.

Supply, branch, and drop lines or risers

The piping inside the home is called the gas supply route or building line. Branch lines run to individual appliances. The spur track terminates during a drop line, which may be a vertical pipe dropping right down to the appliance from an overhead spur track. This dropline is named a riser if it carries fuel to an appliance from a spur track below the appliance.

Sediment trap, dirt pocket, or drip leg

At the appliance connection point, there usually may be a sediment trap or dirt pocket, sometimes called a drip leg that has a nipple and a cap. This pipe extension usually is a minimum of 3 inches long and is meant to catch any water or foreign material which will be within the gas before the fabric gets into the appliance itself. this is often simply a gravity system, with the solids and liquids falling into the pocket.

Pipe downstream of meter is homeowner’s

The piping downstream of the gasometer usually is that the responsibility of the homeowner. The piping upstream of the gasometer and therefore the meter itself usually are the responsibility of the gas service.

Piping materials

Steel, copper, brass: the foremost common gas piping is black steel. Galvanized steel, copper, brass, or CSST (Corrugated chrome steel Tubing) can also be utilized in some areas, but some utilities specifically prohibit the utilization of copper. In other areas, the utilization of copper is widespread. you ought to know what's acceptable in your area. Steel piping typically is black with malleable iron or steel fittings. Galvanized steel is employed in some areas also.

Connectors

Flex connectors: Flexible connectors are permitted to attach appliances to the gas piping. There has got to be a shut-off valve at the connection to the rigid piping. This valve has got to be within the same room because of the appliance.

Three- or six-foot-long and accessible: The flexible connectors can’t undergo walls, floors, or ceilings, nor can they be concealed. The flexible connector length usually is restricted to three feet apart from gas ranges and garments dryers. For these appliances, 6 feet generally is allowed. Splicing or joining connectors with nipples often is prohibited. In some jurisdictions, flexible connectors are allowed just for gas ranges, dryers, outdoor barbecues, and other semi-portable appliances. Flexible connectors might not be permitted on gas furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, etc. In areas susceptible to earthquakes, flexible connectors are more likely to be used on all appliances since they supply some measure of protection against gas piping leakage or rupture during an earthquake. Check your local gas code to work out what's or isn’t allowed in your area.

Thread seal tape

Thread seal tape (often mistakenly mentioned as Teflon® tape) that's white in color isn't recommended as a joining compound for steel gas piping. Cutting oils that remain on the pipe threads from manufacture may prevent the tape from sealing. In some areas, yellow thread seal tape is allowed. Pipe dope is preferred and should be all that's allowed. you'll want to see it with the gas utility. Ask whether you ought to report as a defect any piping installations with thread seal tape of any color.

Not in ducts

Gas piping can’t be run through chimneys or duct systems.

Shut-off valve

Although there are some exceptions, most appliances should have a shut-off valve adjacent to them.

Bonding gas piping

Most authorities don't allow the utilization of gas piping as a grounding means for the electrical service. Bonding the gas piping to the electrical grounding system may be a requirement, however, in many jurisdictions. Often, this is often done by attaching the gas piping to the availability water piping (assuming it's grounded) frequently near the hot-water heater. to stop an electrical potential buildup within the gas piping that would cause arcing, which could ignite the gas, we would like to stay the gas piping at zero electrical potential by bonding it to the grounding system.

The following problems are typical on gas piping:

• Leaks
• Inappropriate materials
• Inadequate support
• Rusting
• No drip leg
• Missing shut-off valve
• Improper connections
• Plastic pipe exposed above grade
• Piping in chimneys or duct systems
• Copper tubing not properly labeled
• The implications of all of those problems are possible gas leaks and explosions.

We have discussed a number of the fundamentals of gas piping that home inspectors should have an honest understanding of so as to spot potentially unsafe situations. We even have listed ten conditions that are typical when there are problems with gas piping.

Urban Repairing has met the very best standards and our customers leave satisfied. If you've got an issue with your gas or propane system, We provide  LPG gas pipeline installation services in Pune please contact us and we’ll be happy to assist.