Please limit your input to 500 characters. If CSST is installed along drywall or in an area where nails can be used, it must be protected by a metal coating. And that's why I am your guide on the intricacies of home maintenance, saving money, and avoiding costly mistakes. A flexible gas line is an ingenious method of supplying natural gas to fireplaces, furnaces, cooktops, clothes dryers and any other gas appliance. Acceptable Shutoff Devices: Gas Cocks and Ball Valves installed for use shall be listed. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. A lock icon ( Watch this video to see what you think about the dangers of the material. And that's why I wanted to create this guide, to educate homeowners on the potential hazards of flexible gas lines and to bring them up on current code. 20187 Tim Carter. The current home I live in here in central New Hampshire had these flexible gas lines installed in 2001. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. A parallel CSST manifold system mimics an electric panel. (Reference Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance Administrative Bulletin 13, 2006). Sorry. Mod. These are traditional black iron pipes that I installed in 1987. A flexible appliance connector should be used instead to connect from the CSST to these appliances. Connections are made with common flare fittings that tighten with standard wrenches. Just because a home is exempted from current code requirements doesn't mean that the existing flexible gas line installation is safe. In general, expect an estimated quote of $250 to correct the existing CSST and about $4,000 to replace it. Section G2415.3 (404.3) prohibits installing pipes through ductwork, clothing chutes, chimneys, elevator shafts and dumbwaiters. For comparison, 'black iron' gas pipe will usually last around 50-100 years. She has written extensively for publications and websites in the business, management and legal fields. To get a quote, contact a local home inspector or licensed electrician near you to inspect your gas lines. All flex gas lines installed in new homes are required to be electrically bonded and grounded to prevent fire damage from lightning strikes. A typical black iron pipe installation has many 90-degree, tee, and coupling fittings. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Subscribe to the FREE Ask the Builder newsletter to receive professional advice for your home. All information is provided "AS IS." The Massachusetts Department of Transportation may not enter into, renew, or renegotiate a contract with a fuel provider for services on the Massachusetts Turnpike without requiring the provider to offer alternative fuel. Please do not include personal or contact information. Some page levels are currently hidden. Flex gas lines or CSST typically have a lifespan of around 30-years. Incorporate drip legs at all appliance connections. A lock icon ( The cost to run a gas line is $20 per linear foot, and gas leak repairs will cost around $200, though this price will significantly increase if you need wall or ground excavation. I've had no issues with them at all and I even had to do a kitchen remodel where I extended an existing line. Some of their arguments never made sense to me. If you use copper for gas lines in your home, be sure to paint them yellow and label them with red lettering "GAS LINE" so a future weekend warrior doesn't mistake them for a water line! 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. Perhaps the biggest one is labor savings. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. You are in the right spot! We perform original research, solicit expert feedback, and review new content to ensure it meets our quality pledge: helpful content Trusted, Vetted, Expert-Reviewed and Edited. MassDEP prioritizes projects that benefit environmental justice communities. The minimum test duration shall be one hour and the maximum test duration shall be 24 hours, irrespective of system design. Lightning strikes are much rarer, accounting for only a portion of the 1.8% of residential fires caused by natural disasters. 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. In the minds of many, installing a tank water . DEAR TIM: The natural gas lines that are being installed in our new home are not the heavy black iron pipe. 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. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. OVM, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, will set new minimum standards for vehicle fuel economy and work with agencies to acquire vehicles that provide the best value for the Commonwealth on a total cost of ownership basis. Bob: Thanks for that important question, I`ll check the data sources. In short, flexible gas lines are perfectly safe as long as theyre properly installed. An AFV powered by propane or natural gas may only use the Massachusetts Turnpike at or between Interchange 1 in West Stockbridge and Interchange 14 in Weston if the vehicle has a special fuel transportation permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. I remember when the material was first introduced in 1989. 5.6.8.5 Other Fittings. Flex lines are all the hvac guys are running inside the house. If you need assistance, please contact the Trial Court Law Libraries. Section G2403 (202) further clarifies what the code means by "fuel gas": A natural gas, manufactured gas, liquefied petroleum gas or mixtures of these gases. The chapter's rules apply to the piping system from the point of delivery to the outlet of the appliance shutoff valves. organizations or governmental authorities for further information and access to definitive versions of these important laws. Accessible and three or six feet long: The flexible connectors cannot pass through walls, floors, or ceilings, and they cannot be hidden. The code prohibits the use of cast iron pipes in residential gas piping installations. Photo: Serhii Ivashchuk / iStock / Getty Images. Lightning strikes have caused numerous fires in residential homes as a result of CSST failing. The list below contains summaries of all Massachusetts laws and incentives related to propane. Repeated bending, flexing, extreme vibration, stretching, can cause metal fatigue, cracks, holes and dangerous gas leaks. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. We will use this information to improve this page. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Flexible gas line code is a set of government regulations that controls flex gas line installations. (a)Welding shall not be construed as the practice of gas-fitting, however, a licensed plumber or gas fitter may not utilize welded pipes and fittings unless they conform to the specifications cited in subsections 5.6.2.2 and A.5.5.1 (1). Studies have confirmed that a lighting strike near a home can puncture the membrane of CSST as result of the power surge. 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. Section G2415.5 (404.5) provides that concealed connections or fittings must be limited solely to threaded elbows, tees and couplings, as well as brazed or welding fittings. These fittings are used each time you change directions or join two pieces of straight pipe together. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Policies, Regulations, and Statutes for Plumbers and Gas Fitters, is, Policies, Regulations, and Statutes for Plumbers and Gas Fitters. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. Make your practice more effective and efficient with Casetexts legal research suite. 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. In addition to the permit requirements of 248 CMR 3.00: General Provisions Governing the Conduct of Plumbing and Gas Fitting Work Performed in the Commonwealth, for gas installations of over 5,000,000 BTU/hr the following is required: 5.1.3 Dual Fuels Installed in Buildings and Structures. (b) Install or cause to be installed a gas appliance in a residence. A line drawing of the Internet Archive headquarters building faade. The CSST has many advantages. Code expert Glenn Mathewson describes 10 common water-heater code issues, including confusion about drip pans and drains, unsupported expansion tanks and plastic vents, lack of combustion air, and more. This is often the easiest system to adapt at a future date. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking is by far the number one cause of house fires nationwide, making up 50.2% of residential fires. Generally, the gas lines can be damaged due to any type of environmental or external damage and pose a serious risk to the house. Flexible gas line code is a set of government regulations that controls flex gas line installations. When you use CSST, you can minimize potential gas leaks. We welcome your comments and The manufacturer accepts no responsibility for improper installation, and does not provide in any great detail, of detrimental or catastrophic failure if done so. I hardly ever find a drip leg on flex piping though. Website operating It's messy and hard work, but I must admit I sort of enjoy it. Betsy F., Augusta, GA, Pipe Threading Compound To Permanently Seal Black Iron - Great Video, Sizing Gas Lines - Tim Carter Can Draw Your Gas Line Plan. If your house was built in the United States between the early 90s and mid-2000s, you likely have natural gas piping made from corrugated stainless steel tubinga popular, flexible replacement for black steel pipes. Chapter 112, Sections 61 to 65E), Water Filtration and Water Dispensing Systems, Adjustment and Replacement of Gas Controls, Limited LP Installers Connecting Propane Tanks, contact the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. These local governments may have other ordinances or regulatory codes. Flexible Gas Line | Here's a flexible gas line. Generally, appliance manufacturers will provide specifications for pipe size that are often dependent on British Thermal Unit (BTU) inputs such as furnaces or boilers. A qualified electrician or plumber should check the proper installation of the flexible gas line. An illustration of a magnifying glass. Always verify the flexible gas line code with your local state or city and with the manufacturer. This is a long time, no doubt, but not as long as traditional black steel pipes, which can last up to 75 years. Complete the form below and each week you'll get: Unsubscribe at any time. I would like to install the pex type manifold systym as I need to replace all of the old plumbing , there are several brands-Apollo , Viega , Wirsbo , manabloc ect . Some of these violations can be life-safety hazards, so avoiding these mistakes is crucial. I`d be very nervous if I buried a gas valve behind drywall, and even though we both agree that really should mean off. If you care to, read an article that was published in April of 2003 in the Dallas News regarding banning this installation in the city of Frisco, Collin County, Texas. Sign up to my newsletter to receive expert advice for your home! We will use this information to improve this page. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. This valve must be located in the same area as the appliance. Since CSST is a very thin metal at around 0.3-mm thick, it is more vulnerable to lightning strikes. If you care to, Inert Gas Systems Safety - Avoid the Flammable Fire Triangle. Multi-family Dwellings Diversity Factor in Percent of Total Load for Domestic Gas Ranges with connected Load Ratings of 63,000 Btu/hr. These supports basically hold the flex gas line in place and help prevent unwanted movement of the gas line. Black iron is so much thicker that it may actually take a lightning strike better. Take a look at the entire pipeline to see if you can intercept the gas supply and shut it down in a more accessible location far in front of the problematic site. All agencies must purchase the most economical, fuel-efficient, and low emission vehicles appropriate to their mission. This clever revamp of the traditional black steel pipes allows natural gas to travel to your fireplace, furnace, stovetop, and any other appliances that use natural gas. In addition, manufacturers require protective plating to prevent nails from damaging the flexible gas lines. Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world. Alternative fuel is defined as an energy source that is used to power a vehicle and is not gasoline or diesel. Finally, most local building codes mandate that a licensed contractor must install gas piping, as these kinds of projects are not suitable for inexperienced or amateur builders. Many U.S. states around 2006 enacted a CSST gas line code that requires electrical bonding of CSST such as this example in Virginia. You skipped the table of contents section. Watch this video to see how CSST pipe is installed. All agencies must purchase the most economical, fuel-efficient, and low emission vehicles appropriate to their mission. To find laws and incentives for other alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, search all laws and incentives. The gas piping is known as corrugated stainless steel tubing, or "yellow CSST.". to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Correcting an existing installation can cost as little as $100, while replacing CSST with black pipe can cost several thousands of dollars. from USC. Read Also >> What Is The Code For Dryer Vent Installations? 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. Can you cut into the pipe at a future date to install an added gas appliance? Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The requirements of IRC's Chapter 24 do not apply in a municipality, county or parish that has not adopted its provisions. Keep reading! Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles, Project Assistance & Funding Opportunities, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6C, Section 75 and Chapter 90, Section 1, Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance Administrative Bulletin 13, 2006, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 7, Section 9A. There's signs of flames shooting out of the burner area. Soft copper is approved for interior residential gas piping in many cities and towns. It's feeding 1/4" OD soft copper tubing. If you need assistance, please contact the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state, 248 CMR 3.00 - General Provisions Governing the Conduct of Plumbing and Gas Fitting Work Performed in the Commonwealth (effective April 30, 2021), 248 CMR 4.00 - Massachusetts Fuel Gas Code (effective April 30, 2021), 248 CMR 5.00 - Amendments to NFPA 54 (effective April 30, 2021), 248 CMR 11.00 - Education and Experience Standards and Requirements for Licensure (effective April 30, 2021), 248 CMR 3.00, 4.00, 5.00, 10.00, 11.00 - Effective Prior to April 30, 2021, Redlined Revisions to 248 - Effective April 30, 2021, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding New Regulation Changes.