LP, Black pipe elbow inside wall?

Steve Eayrs

DO any of you use flexible gas pipe and fittings? Like gastite, or wardflex? We still do black iron and pull the threader out sometimes, but its sure a time saver on some jobs.
Steve

Patchogue Phil_5

LP, Black pipe elbow inside wall?

Chatting with a friend about a new barn (outside Binghamton, NY area) with living space above. Builder ran black pipe inside the finished wall for an LP gas heater. Seems that there is a threaded elbow connection inside the wall.

Is this an "OK" situation?

I get a little nervous about gas connections that are hidden. I asked if it was ever pressure tested - it is unknown if it ever was tested.

Patchogue Phil

joe_14

fittings



i belive you can put black iron fittings in walls . copper fittings in walls is a no no . yes it has to undergo a pressure test before it can be concealed.

joe.g

bob young

according to nyc plumbing code black threaded piping systems is the standard for natural gas piping. testing and inspection is mandatory local regulations for propane gas may vary

Unknown

All Gas Piping

needs to be pressure tested. The tests for propane are different than for natural gas. If you send me an e-mail with your postal address or FAX number I can send you some information.

Steve Ebels

Black pipe gas fittings

You can not use a union inside of a concealed cavity or space. Double tapped fittings, like a bushing, are a big no-no anywhere. Tees, ells, couplings and reducer couplings are acceptable. ALWAYS pressure test!!!

Mark Eatherton1

Never understood that...

Why is it illegal to have a reducing bushing in a concealed space, but its ok to have a reducing coupling???

Some things just really baffle me, and some times it's REALLY obvious:-)

ME

Unknown

Bushings and couplings

Bushings can crack very easily , especially when you use one to reduce down to the next size - I cracked many a 1 1/2 by 1 1/4 bushing . Reducing couplings on the other hand are much stronger - never cracked one yet . Had some sandhole leaks in them though .

Unknown

If I recall,

the code says CAST IRON bushings are against code. Not ALL bushings.

Honeywell includes blind bushings with thier gas valves. Just not cast iron ones.

Noel

Tony Conner

If There's...

...only one pipe size difference, like Ron says, there's not much meat left after the threads are cut. It's kind of like a sch 40 close nipple. (I don't like sch 40 close nipples for that reason.) I'm also not a fan of malleable iron bushings and plugs (especially the hollow-core ones). I've had a number break off when you try to remove them, after they've been in for a while. Steel plugs and bushings cost quite a bit more and besides, if the code folks say "no bushings", they won't care what the material is. Even where steel bushings are permitted, you need guys on the wrenches that can tell the difference in the material by looking at them. Don't count on the supply house guys to know steel from malleable - some do, but most don't.

bigugh_4

It is to EASY

To install socket weld gas lines in spaces that are to be concealed. Do the future a favor and do this kind of work. Always pressure test the system. A welded system should last the lifetime of the building. Screwed piping is for places that will never be concealed. think aboudit just makes sense!

Patchogue Phil_5

Tell me more....

... I have not heard of socket weld gas lines.

TIA

Patchogue Phil

bob young

welded gas piping

not a bad idea but probably not practical or cost efficient modern plumbers ??? don't even want to thread pipe i can just picture them carrying a welding machine. ,they are using metal tubing w/ comp. joints .. in n.y.c. we weld anything over 2 " [nyc code ] threaded joints have always been a problem.

Steve Ebels

Wardflex et. al.

> DO any of you use flexible gas pipe and fittings?

> Like gastite, or wardflex? We still do black iron

> and pull the threader out sometimes, but its sure

> a time saver on some jobs. Steve

Steve Ebels

Wardflex et. al.

We use flex gas line only when the number of fittings and threads per 10 feet of pipe exceeds 6. It's just my personal rule of thumb. The only other times are when you physically can't get black pipe in the space it has to go.