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Re: Copper Gas Line -
The code says...
"G2414.5.2 (403.5.2) Copper tubing. Copper tubing shall comply with standard Type K or L of ASTM B 88 or ASTM B 280.
Copper and brass tubing shall not be used if the gas contains more than an average of 0.3 grains of hydrogen sulfide per 100 standard cubic feet of gas (0.7 milligrams per 100 liters)."
TREC SoP says...
"(7) report as in need of repair deficiencies in materials used for the gas branch line and the connection to the appliance, the absence of a gas shut-off valve, or a valve that is not properly located, is inaccessible, or leaks;"
Copper is not specifically mentioned in the TREC SoP but if the gas contains more than an average of 0.3 grains of hydrogen sulfide per 100 standard cubic feet of gas then copper would not be acceptable.
I know that many AHJs just prohibit the use of copper or brass regardless of the quality of the gas from the local utility provider you would need to make a few phone calls to the AHJs you work in to find out their particular stance.
I do know of a Texas inspector who was questioned by TREC because he did not write up a copper gas connector on a water heater. At that time TREC enforcement was under the impression that the inspector should have written the issue up as in need of repair.
TREC enforcement contacted me for an opinion and I basically provided the same information as above the them and suggested that they contact the gas supplier about the average hydrogen sulfide content to determine if the inspector was actually in error and to check with the local AHJ if one is involved. Unfortunately, I do not know how that inquiry was actually resolved in the end.
For me the decision to write it up or not is easy because copper and bare brass is not permitted by so many of the AHJs around here. It is possible though that there are some places in Texas where the gas meets the code stipulated criteria and the AHJ permits the use of code approved copper or brass materials. Generally speaking its going to be a write-up for the overwhelming majority of us in Texas and I can tell you that TREC enforcement is not up on the nuances of the code that might apply.
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