I'm a dwelling contractor in Wisconsin, I would like more information on Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) used for gas piping in buildings. They are a service that tests (to failure) every product it certifies. Watch out: The concern is for mechanical damage or puncture and a subsequent gas leak, asphyxiation or explosion death of occupants. However, new homes with CSST require electrical bonding or grounding to protect against lightning strikes. The gas line comes to our meter at one end of the house, and the owner wants to have a gas burning insert in the fireplace at the other end of the house, 50 feet away. Since 1990 CSST has been used within many buildings in both exposed and enclosed areas to install new gas system piping. This did not prevent the leak I described, as the CSST looped up and was hit by a pneumatically-driven flooring nail I also found this sad story from NBC 5 News in Texas on a house fire that killed a man from suspected CSST failure. 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). If you have an older home with CSST, it is important to verify that the electrical bonding and grounding exists and is working properly. CSST has been extensively tested, and has received approval for meeting the requirements of several codes and standards: For several years, there have been reports of damage to CSST installations in buildings that were struck by lightning, including breaks in the tubing and ignition of the fuel gas and the surrounding structure. You'll want to find something like "Listings: CSA 256532 / IAPMO 7660" regardless of whether the CSST was made in the U.S. or CanadaLook for a CSA code stamp or label on the product. How to age a Bradford White Water Heater? In addition, manufacturers require protective plating to prevent nails from damaging the flexible gas lines. Flexible Gas Line Code (2023 CSST Requirements) Arie Carrier Tuijl | Licensed Place Inspector . Each aboveground portion of a gas piping system other than CSST that is likely to become energized shall be electrically continuous and bonded to an effective ground-fault current path. Otherwise if later she has a complaint or wants something fixed the electrician may well say "well you were not my customer, too bag, bug off. Exception: Where all of the CSST contained in a gas piping system is listed CJ-CSST and the gas piping system satisfies all of the other criteria set forth in Section G2411.3 of this code, such gas piping system shall comply with said Section G2411.3 for CJ-CSST. According to the CSST Safety Website (below), corrugated stainless steel tubing is installed in about 500,000 new homes each year. They say go to the panel. THESE HAVE BEEN DEEMED A SAFETY HAZARD BY THE CPSC FOR LEAKING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. This code is updated every 3 years and it is known as a model code. I wonder if you could give me an idea about support and protection requirements for CSST. The maximum allowed bending radius is usually 3-inches for 3/4" CSST and up to 5-inches for 1" or larger CSST. Something that would not fatigue like the standard corrugated gas flex tube would. Please change your password. "Preassembled fitting for use with corrugated tubing." Bottom line: CSST flexible gas piping is indeed sold in versions that are rated for outdoor use. Standard on Manufactured Housing (NFPA 501), the . Reading a few manufacturers' installation guides, there doesn't seem to be a requirement to SECURE the gas line at all -- it just has to be supported every 8' or so horizontally, right? 3 (2013): 60-66. IEEE, 2010. This material was approved for residential use in 1988 by the National Fuel Gas Code. KAERMO CSST Gas Line, 1/2 ''100FT Flexible Gas Line, Natural Gas Line with 2 Male Adapter Fittings, Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing, Propane Grill Conversion Kit. Can I use the ground wire on the 220v stove receptical to bond the csst to my main panel? The requirements set forth Sections G2411, and G2415.7 of this code. CSSTis a flexible gas line material that has been used in millions of homes across the United States and the world. Can csst be used outside. QUESTION: You said in one of your CQD answers that the gas piping system should be bonded to the electrical supply system grounded conductor. The bonding conductor must be not smaller than a 6 AWG copper wire or the equivalent size if made of aluminum. %%EOF I am looking to bond out CSST gas line which is in our crawl space of the house (dirt floor) and the copper water pipe is close by. |$@Z" o2,I` BP16 LTx @*}(9i I would check the manufacturer and see if they offer anything. This edition of CodeNotes Bonding of Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) Gas Piping Systems reflects the new 2021 editions of the International Fuel Gas Code and the International Residential Code. do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers. hU]k;+xbHFrK(bf49:K)8+ZA;]8[0_V`5QE%8!g_p>[Xf&B xwxV4YxMUz" N%r:3Tl*@S3D@X$>H@3H'EeKkOuAz. For an isolated leak replace just the leaky section. This is because of the greatly reduced installation labor compared to using conventional black pipe with threaded fittings. Omegaflex, Inc. (manufacturer of TracPipe and CounterStrike CSST gas piping), Omega Flex Incorporated, 451 Creamery Way, Exton, PA 1 Tel: 610.524.7272 Toll Free: 800.355.1039. Free shipping for many products! Free shipping for many products! 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. Durham, M. O., and R. A. Durham. To complete your registration, please verify your email address. CSST gas piping is used to route natural gas or LP gas supply through a building while the flexible gas tubing shown below is specifically designed for the connection of gas appliances to the gas piping system. 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). Delivery times may vary . They are similar in the fact that both are made from flexible stainless steel, and both are typically yellow in color. 2009 International Residential Code G2414.5.3, ANSI Z223.1 / NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code (2015), SA listed to ANSIZ21.75 /CSA 6.27 standard Connectors for Outdoor Gas Appliances & Manufactured Homes (file #204593), CSA listed to ANSIZ21.24 /CSA 6.10 standard Connectors for Gas Appliances (file #204593). Hi Alex As far as I know, there is no additional bonding requirement for flexible appliance connectors. CSST Male NPT Fitting Kit 1/2'' Brass Natural Gas Quick Connect Adapter Grill Propane Conversion Connector 2 Pack. Is this acceptable, according to your guidelines and any applicable codes? Minnesota's 2015 Fuel Gas Code uses the 2012 International Fuel Gas Code, which requires CSST to be bonded anywhere along the electrical service grounding electrode system. Usually no more than a few feet long. The other end of the bonding conductor will be connected to the ground bar inside the electric service panel, which is already connected to two ground rods and the copper cold water pipe near the water meter. 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. Unlike traditional, heavy-walled gas pipes, CSST is extremely thin and therefore susceptible to damage and contact with sharp objects, dirt and debris, or harmful substances is to be avoided. Hi Nigel Ive never seen a special bracket installed in a home. arrow_right. I'm finishing my basement ceiling which includes building a bulkhead around ductwork, plumbing and two CSST gas lines. Website: www.parker.com, Pro-Flex, LLC (manufacturer of ProFlex CSST Flexible Gas Piping) by InspectApedia (Editor) (mod) - Can csst be used outside. Submitted by Ray Thornburg on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 12:37 Ray Thornburg's blog; 3. CSST is a flexible gas line material that has been used in millions of homes across the United States and the world. If your home or business was built after 1987, or if work on your natural gas piping system has been performed since then, CSST may have been installed. The bonding helps achieve an equipotential state between the CSST and other similarly bonded metallic systems (such as the water piping, structural steel, electrical raceways and coax cable). It seems like manufacturers don't require it to be secured or strapped very much at all. We had trouble relating industry estimates with US Census data and U.S. Energy Information Agency data, but there is no doubt that the piping has been installed in many homes in Canada, the United States, and Japan. 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. But CSST is indeed in widespread use as gas piping in both exposed and hidden locations. The 2009 edition of NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code, includes new requirements for bonding CSST gas piping systems to the grounding conductor of the building's electrical system, to reduce the . NOTE: Many features on ICCSafe's website require JavaScript. Building Codes requiring bonding of CSST flexible gas lines came into practice no earlier than 2007. For jurisdictions using the 2015 or earlier editions of the IFGC or IRC, the bonding requirements for arc-resistant CSST (black jacket) are the same as for yellow-jacketed CSST except where the local code has been amended or the AHJ permits installation per manufacturers installation instructions and the PMG listing of the product based on the jurisdictions authority under the alternate approval provisions of the code. I cannot find any information regarding how to properly suspend CSST in my crawlspace. CSST is also installed in other countries. It was invented in the 1980s in Japan. The clamp should go on the nut of the CSST, or the black iron pipe of the gas system as it enters the home. Homeflex CSST Gas Line Tubing. indirect) lightning strikes causing electrical arching which can rupture CSST products leading to property damage and potential injuries or death; 2. Read Also >> What Is The Code For Bathroom Fan Venting? Is there such a thing as a 1" gas non corrugated flex connector tube for a commercial kitchen range on wheels that is code compliant? What Is The Code For Water Heater Installations? Above you can see the traditional change from flexible copper tubing to steel piping when the gas piping system had to penetrate the building wall. Only CSST has this requirement. Are special brackets required? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for HOME-FLEX 3/4 in. Telephone 800-662-0208 The idea was that if a building started to move during an earthquake, it should have a gas line that moves with it. Both of your questions can be answered by following manufacturer's installation directions and by discussing with a qualified professional. Instructions and other literature from CSST manufacturers now include these bonding requirements from NFPA 54. arrow_right. I have a townhome built in 2006. The code requirements from latest model codes, 2018 National Fuel Gas Code and 2018 International Fuel Gas Code will be presented. Look for corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) used as gas piping in buildings constructed in the U.S. or Canada after 1990 and also look for it in older buildings where gas piping was newly installed or modified since 1990. Botched MSV Leads Builder to Buy Home Back, Square D Panel Recall: 1.4 Million Electrical Panels, How to Age Goodman HVAC- Furnace, Air Conditioner, and Heat Pump, Louisville KY Radon Levels By Neighborhoods, How to Quickly Age a Lochinvar Water Heater. 0 The ribs on CSST gas lines are not as pronounced as they are on FACs. Once the breaker trips, that is called clearingthe fault and you know something is wrong by the loss of power. In fact, in my home inspections here in Louisville, KY, I cant recall ever seeing it done, and I see the product almost daily. CSST gas piping is run both in exposed locations and through building cavities such as walls, ceilings or floors. "Fitting for use with corrugated tubing." U.S. Patent 6,276,728, issued August 21, 2001. All FACs are made under the ANSI Z21.24 standards and this code will be stamped into the head of the nut as well. Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing . Just had a water heater installed and noticed the gas line was bonded to the heater water input line. Goodson, Mark E. "Device for Preventing Electrically Induced Fires in Gas Tubing." [At left, a new CSST gas piping installation, incomplete, is illustrated, courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates (found at page bottom, Click to Show or Hide) .]. This black jacket has energy dissipating properties that will help protect the TracPipeCounterStrikestainless steel pressure liner as well as other fuel gas system components if the TracPipeCounterStrikebecomes energized due to lightning. Youll want to be sure and check with the manufacturers installation instructions of the product that was used in your home. Are appliance connectors and CSST the same thing? 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. If you get a surge in the power coming into your home, or a critter chews up a wire, it will send the power back to the source (the electric panel) so the breaker can trip. What is CSST and What is the Issue with CSST & Lightning?. Hey, I'm Arie and I created this site. The connection point made to the gas distributionsystem should be downstream from the gas meter or propane regulator. Newer black or dark-jacketed CSST gas piping (shown below, adapted from GasTite's FlashShield CSST sales literature) currently sold by most manufacturers may not require special bonding. The single-layer black jacket is designed to absorb arcing energy caused by a lightning strike preventing perforation of the tubing wall. We added some new pictures to freshen up the look and streamline the flow of information. Goodson in a patent application (2009) also reported on the effectiveness of direct bonding of both yellow and black CSST gas piping to reduce the risk of damage from indirect lightning flashing. model name / number: 11-01075. size / dimensions: 75' x 1" id. Old homes with flexible gas lines were up to code when the home was built. What you really need to pay attentionto is the keyword may. The truth is you cant know what will happen, as lightning does what it wants. 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. Can plumber split in a joint connector, or does the whole line need to be replaced? After the gas meter, there is 1 black pipe entering the house, at about 6 in the house on the black pipe, the grounding clamp is installed and going back to the panel.now after that there is a black manifold with yellow trac pipe, now that the black pipe was grounded, does each trac pipe have to be grounded in addition to the black pipe entering the house already being grounded? The 2009 edition of NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code, includes new requirements for bonding CSST gas piping systems to the grounding conductor of the buildings electrical system, to reduce the possibility of damage by lightning strikes by reducing the electrical potential between metallic objects and building systems, including gas distribution. The idea is fairly simple. HEADS UP!!! GasTite, Inc., (manufacturer of FlashShield system Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST). Treichel, Steven A. by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod). Thank you for sharing. First developed in the 1980s, it is characterized by a yellow or black coating. CAN-CGA-B149.2 Propane gas installation book used in Canada. Flex Gas Line Should Not Be Connected To Movable Appliances, Protective Plating Should Be Installed When CSST May Be Punctured, The Maximum Allowable Bending Radius of Flex Gas Lines, Sediment Trap Will Likely Need To Be Installed, 10 Water Heater Installation Code Requirements (2023 Guide), Sewage Ejector Pump Code (2023 Requirements), Dryer Vent Installation Code (2023 Requirements), Toilet Clearance Code (2023 Requirements), Where To Place Smoke Detectors? Please click the link in the email Or if we look at the February housing start data that means that almost 100% of new homes are using CSST gas piping - which sounds a bit dubious. on the brass fitting connecting each run of CSST to a manifold. 3. doens't look horrible. He retired from the city of Los Angeles in 2007 as a principal inspector after 21 years of service. Bonding a CSST gas distribution system requires cooperation between the installer of the system, the electrician, and the installer of the lightning protection system if the building has one. Such lightning-related electrical arcing can weaken or even perforate the gas piping leading to dangerous gas leaks. CSST must be installed by a qualified professional and in accordance with the Manufacturer's Design and Installation (D&I) Guide, including bonding and grounding of the system. . Thanks, J. They were very responsive and actually called me back the next day after I emailed them. I have never had an inspector flag an FAC on a job before in terms of a grounding requirement. Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing at the best online prices at eBay! Dov Ber Kahn, a home inspector in Rockland County, NY has contributed photographs of various building features. All of this is worst-case scenario, and most of you will never have any trouble out of your CSST. But typically, at least one shutoff valve will need to be installed where the flex gas line connects to the 'black iron' or hard gas pipe. Phone: 502.938.5190, Mailing Address: TracPipeCounterStrikehas been designed with a proprietary jacket material in place of the standard yellow jacket. Refer to NFPA 780 for lightning protection systems for buildings and building systems. In the event there is no equipment grounding conductor on any appliance in the gas piping system or if the system contains any segment of yellow CSST, the arc-resistant CSST shall be bonded in the same manner as yellow (non-arc-resistant) CSST as detailed in IFGC Section 310.2/IRC Section G2411.2. Keep up-to-date on crucial industry news, innovative training and expert technical advice with a free subscription to the award-winning Building Safety Journal. 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. Albino, Mark. These supports basically hold the flex gas line in place and help prevent unwanted movement of the gas line. Can US code flexible stainless steel tubing be used in canada. Subjects: Building construction for firefighters, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas piping, CSST, ACEP Kicks Off 36th Annual National EMS Week, May 17-23, Firemans Fund Announces Winners of FDIC Drawing, IN Firefighters Rescue Nearly 30 from Fatal Fire, Cleanup Continues After ME Train Derailment, Fire in Dubai Kills 16, Injures Nine in Apartment Building, Firefighters, City Pay Tribute to Fallen Chicago Firefighter Jermaine Pelt, OR Department Announces 13 New Hires to Limit Forced Overtime, Four-Alarm Fire Tears Through Six Staten Island (NY) Townhouses, Call to Action: Firefighter Statue Unveiled in CO, Video: Lessons Learned from NC Firefighter LODD, on the black steel gas pipe where it enters the building; or, on the manifold connecting the black steel gas pipe to multiple runs of CSST; or. "Sealed fitting for use with corrugated tubing."