Painting gas service piping (NYC)

t_6 · August 22

Does anyone know if New York City is okay with painting gas service piping?

I recently had my periodic required gas piping inspection. The inspector (master plumber, not a city inspector) didn't find any problems, but on the GPS1 included this under additional comments: "Suggest painting the gas service outside under the stoop to prevent rusting in the future as it is exposed to the humidity and moisture outside."

I have previously heard that municipal inspectors sometimes don't like gas piping to be painted, but don't remember if that was NYC or elsewhere. (For what it's worth this piping was installed about 16 years ago).

Intplm. · August 22

Painting gas piping is a very good idea, especially when it is installed exposed to the elements.

The only time I have heard of an inspector not wanting the pipe painted is at the joints. They prefer to have the joints painted after an inspection. And in some places, they do not want the valves or hangers painted either.

EBEBRATT-Ed · August 22

Yes it should be painted.

As far as inspectors go on a new install it is a no-win situation.

MA requires all outdoor pipe to be painted.

On a new install I have painted it before inspection and been yelled at by the inspector "Why did you paint it? You could be covering up a leak, you should pressure test and inspect before painting"

On a new install I have also NOT painted it before inspection. Then I hear "Why didn't you paint it? Its outdoor pipe you know it has to be painted. I don't want to have to make another trip over here"

Middle ground is to paint the pipe and leave the joints unpainted until after inspection as @Intplm. mentioned.

EdTheHeaterMan · August 22

@EBEBRATT-Ed commented: "Middle ground is to paint the pipe and leave the joints unpainted until after inspection as @Intplm. mentioned."

And it would add "and meet the inspector there with a can of spray paint so you can pait those fittings while he is inspecting.

I wouldn't be surprised if the inspector that said "Don't Paint" was the same one that said "Why didn't you Paint" Just to be a PIA

Steve Minnich · August 22

I’m painting mine once the ambient temperature drops to something well below the hell-fire heat we have now.

EBEBRATT-Ed · August 23

@Steve Minnich

Don't you want a baked-on finish?

I often wonder in Utah and Arizona what kind of head pressure the equipment runs at and if it often trips on HH? Must be murder for the condenser fans. And water is probably to precious to spray a hose on it.

Must have to keep the condensers really clean. Do you miss Chicago in the winter?

Steve Minnich · August 23

I miss everything about Chicago, especially my daughters and grandkids. I was symptomatic for two years before we got here but didn’t get a firm diagnosis until 2 years after we got here. It’s too late to go back now; but my daughters, their husbands, and the grandkids visit often.
I installed two new split systems and one minisplit for my shop 5 years ago. I haven’t put gauges on them since. I’ve thoroughly maintained them and I have to clean the indoor head of the minisplit 5-6 per year because of all the woodworking I’ve done out there.
This year, I tried to clean the condensing units, but after FIVE hours of not being able to finish the first one, I had to tap out. My next door neighbors came to my rescue. I tried their guy who they said was the best. At best, he was a knucklehead. My search continues.
When I designed the AC systems, my target Delta T was 45 degrees. Yep, you read that right. I didn’t even need to consider humidity because for all intents and purposes, there isn’t anything worth considering. It’s reached 119 degrees F since I’ve been here. I like it at 72 degrees F and it hits that easily. One of my gazillion symptoms is extreme intolerance to heat. It’s 73 in our home now and I have to wrap my head in a foam ice pack at least twice a day. Going outside is a non-negotiable NO.
My last and very last project I did was install the simplest hydronic heating I’ve ever done. My wife loves the comfort of cast iron radiators and I love hydronics. I live on the lower level of our home and I didn’t even install one down here. I did put a small one in my shop though.

EBEBRATT-Ed · August 23

Yeah, that kind of heat is crazy. I wouldn't be able to take that either.

PC7060 · August 23

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1902532#Comment_1902532

same.

JohnNY · August 24

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/204736/painting-gas-service-piping-nyc

I perform Local Law 152 gas inspections in NYC. If the inspecting plumber mentioned painting the pipe, it was just a suggestion and certainly not a directive or mandate. I think you know that already. Once the pipe is installed and signed off, your pressure testing is over so it's perfectly fine to paint it. Unless of course there is a suspected leak at some point. you can cross that bridge when you come to it. That pipe looks fine to me and I personally would not even mention it on one of those ridiculous inspections but if it's in a vulnerable location, then I think the plumber did the right thing by suggesting it.
How's that for an answer?

Painting gas service piping (NYC)

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