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potential for gas leak in enclosed area

roto446
roto446 Member Posts: 2
in THE MAIN WALL

Happy new year!

For perspective the job is finished now but looking back I am concerned that the faced fiberglass insulation around the pipes, soffit and joists could prevent dissipation of gas in the event of a leak. I've also heard conflicting data that fiberglass insulation could ignite gas leak by generating static electricity and arching. Is this true?

As you can see the pipes and MC cable are boxed in. I will be installing aluminum sheet metal wire mesh vent on the underside of soffit to allow some ventilation at the bottom. I'm not sure how much that would help since I know gas rises. There is also a very small air gap approx 6 x 2 inch at the end of the soffit run.

Part of the gas pipe also runs in a joist bay (last pics) next to the soffit with insulation pressed up against it.

About how long would it take for a typical leak in a 1/4 psi pipe to accumulate to an explosive level in such an area? I'm trying to visualize the path a potential gas leak would migrate.

Should I

  1. Leave all the insulation alone and simply install the sheet mesh vent?

2.Remove a section of insulation directly above the gas pipe by reaching above the sheet mesh, as well as the insulation in the adjacent joist.

3. Remove ALL the insulation from ALL the ceiling?

What are your thoughts on this? I understand the chance of a leak may be small but I am seeking options to address the ventilation specs in the area.

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Comments

  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,318

    If it were my house, and it has been my house(s), I would do nothing. I have installed miles upon miles of gas piping, as so many others have on this sight.

    The gas has been installed and tested? Correct!? Then in my house nothing, as in so many others nothing else need be done. I wouldn't worry about it.

    Unless of course you have a inner need to do this.

    Mad Dog_2
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,848

    Agree with @Intplm. nothing.

    Mad Dog_2
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,512
    edited January 2

    There are Millions of miles of gas piping in Walls, Ceilings, Floors, crawlspaces and every other location. Thats the last thing to worry about.

    Do you know where the shut off is?

    mikeapolis Mad Dog_2
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,436

    Have you considered an excess gas flow valve, if you are that type of person?

  • roto446
    roto446 Member Posts: 2

    Thanks for the replies. Would you all have the same position- do nothing, if I decided not to install the mesh vent, or only install it on half of the bottom area of the soffit?

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,512

    There is zero reason to worry about concealed gas piping.

    Intplm.
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,436

    Have you considered that the "mesh vent" compromises the fire protection that plaster board imparts? It's probably statistically more likely that you'll have a fire there than a gas leak… just saying.

    Intplm.pecmsgPC7060
  • Bob Harper
    Bob Harper Member Posts: 1,095

    Gas piping is pressure tested so all those inaccessible joints are tested at 5x the max. working pressure x 10 min. per IFGC/NFGC.

    Hogwash about the spontaneous ignition. If that was a real problem, believe me the authorities would be ripping it out of buildings.

    Go back to sleep and stop fretting over things that go bump in the night.

    hot_rod

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